Diff'rent Strokes Awards 2008

Ladies and gentlemen, it's that time of the year again... every press has gone to print their own list of who's who and what's what of the year. Here at Diff'rent Strokes HQ, we present you the inaugural Diff'rent Strokes Awards: acknowledging shenanigans in pop culture this year, that really matters (to us).

Now that's one list you won't see Miley Cyrus on...

JADE'S HEADLINE OF THE YEAR:

The election of Barack Obama.

"Whether this historic moment turns into a historic presidency will be the story of the next few years."

DAVE'S HEADLINE OF THE YEAR:

The Mumbai Terror Attacks.

"I was actually in Delhi when terror struck tourist spots in Mumbai. And to think India's had no less than 60 terror attacks this year itself - is shocking but at the same time, really challenging to think how much of it makes news here in Australia."

JADE'S FASHION ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR:

Headphones.

"Fashion? What's that exactly? I'm gonna say headphones. As an avid public transporter, I've developed theories about the personalities of the people on my travels based on their headphones."

DAVE'S FASHION ACCESSORY OF THE YEAR:

Funky sunglasses.

"2008's seen a departure from serious, classic shades to more plastic, kitsch and retro frames and designs. Forget practicality and welcome trashy, throwaway glam!"

JADE'S CINEMATIC WOWZER OF THE YEAR:

The Dark Knight.

"It was really hyped but totally lived up to it. My Aussie recommendation is The Black Balloon."

DAVE'S CINEMATIC WOWZER OF THE YEAR:

Wall-E.

"The sight of two robots holding hands had me dissolving to tears! Cruel timing given my boyfriend had just embarked on a three month overseas trip."

JADE'S CINEMATIC FIZZER OF THE YEAR:

The X Files Movie.

"I am really hesitant to say this as an avid X Files addict but I wanted so much more, and any true fan would agree with me. I've completely re-written the plot though and I'm happy to act it out if you like."

DAVE'S CINEMATIC FIZZER OF THE YEAR:

Highschool Musical 3.

"If Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron's saccharine duets were the only eyeball-rolling moments here, then Glitter's prepared me well."

JADE'S TECHNOLOGICAL ITEM OF THE YEAR:

A toss up between iPhone and Wii.

"I don't own either but the jealousy is palpable!"

DAVE'S TECHNOLOGICAL ITEM OF THE YEAR:

Bizarre USB sticks.

"From sushi pieces to Lego blocks, I can see great potential for USB drives to rise to pop art status in ways fluoro coloured CD-Rs couldn't."

JADE'S SONG OF THE YEAR:

Burn Bridges by The Grates.

Runners up: Bitch Went Nuts by Ben Folds ("I wish I could play this song on our show!"), Impatience by We Are Scientists, The Lighthouse Song by Josh Pyke.

DAVE'S SONG OF THE YEAR:

Damaged by Danity Kane.

Runners up: We Break The Dawn by Michelle Williams, Surveillance by Wynter Gordon, Right Here (Departed) by Brandy.

JADE'S ALBUM OF THE YEAR:

Brain Thrust Mastery by We Are Scientists.

"They get extra points for putting on the best live show I've ever seen!"

Honourable mentions: Chimneys Afire by Josh Pyke, Teeths Lost, Hearts Won by The Grates.

DAVE'S ALBUM OF THE YEAR:

The Fame by Lady Gaga.

"2008 in music: it's all about revelations for me. It's been about discovering breaking talents and trends."

Honourable mentions: Passion by Kreesha Turner, 19 by Adele.

JADE'S SPORTING MOMENT OF THE YEAR:

Matthew Mitcham's diving performance at the Olympics.

"I was mesmerised by every dive and I watched him from the early rounds right through to the final. I never really cared for diving but he hooked me."

DAVE'S SPORTING MOMENT OF THE YEAR:

The miming at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

"Suddenly, Nikki Webster looks good..."

JADE'S DIFF'RENT STROKES MOMENT OF THE YEAR:

"Dave showing me how to dance like Britney for my Triple Threat video. He's the only one who can out Britney, Britney."

Runner up: "Airquote Dave's jugs story from the Awkward Silence".

DAVE'S DIFF'RENT STROKES MOMENT OF THE YEAR:

Jade's classic Shoe Swap moments: 'Jade Does David Lim Chic' (Feb 20) and my mama's favourite, 'Jade The Expert Gift Buyer' (Apr 30).

DIFF'RENT STROKES MOMENT IN MEDIA:

Posh and Ellen's literal 'shoe swap' on the Ellen show.

David Lim's rocking cover of Kaiser Chief's Everyday I Love You Less & Less.

DIFF'RENT STROKES CHOICE AWARDS:

30 Rock.

"My love for Liz Lemon is almost stalker like!" - Jade

Margaret Cho's Beautiful tour.

"My first time seeing The Cho live and god, I've never laughed so hard all year." - Dave

__________________________________

"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!" - Diff'rent Strokes Radio.

Diff'rent Strokes Strikes!

The Diff'rent Strokes team was spotted out bowling last Saturday night. Insiders report, the social gathering was an early celebration of star, Jade Gulliver's partner's birthday.

Gulliver caught up with show mate: David Lim and comic, Dave Shaw (Airquotes Dave) to show off her bowling prowess. 

The show wrapped up its final episode for 2008 last week: after prior family commitments prevented Lim and Gulliver from appearing on their Christmas Eve and New Years Eve slots. 

On behalf of Diff'rent Strokes radio: have yourselves a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

We'll see you in two weeks!

Diff'rent Strokes Gets Out 4 Immigration!

Last night on Diff'rent Strokes radio, Jade and Dave caught up with Kathy Drasky from Out 4 Immigration.

Kathy discussed the difficulties faced by bi-national, same-sex couples when discriminatory laws in the U.S. prevent non-American partners from obtaining a green card on the basis of their relationship.

Out 4 Immigration is a volunteer grassroots organisation that addresses the widespread discriminatory impact of U.S. immigration laws on the lives of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and HIV+ people and their families through education, outreach, advocacy and the maintenance of a resource and support network.

For more information about Out 4 Immigration and their activities, check out: Out4immigration.org

A Very Diff'rent Strokes Pop Collision!

If Jade and Dave were to do a talk show with musical guests: this is pretty much what you can expect!

Two beloved English bands in opposite ends of the Diff'rent Strokes spectrum colliding for one hell of a mash up. Here we have the Kaiser Chiefs performing with Girls Aloud on their televised Christmas Party special:


(Girls Aloud's Sound of The Underground mashed up with Kaiser Chief's Never Miss A Beat = Diff'rent Strokes Eargasm)

If memory serves us right: these two groups have had respective songs covered by Jade and Dave for Shoe Swap before too!

Jade kept it real with an early Girls Aloud ballad, Life Got Cold, while Dave unleashed his inner rock god for Everyday I Love You Less & Less.

Jump onto iTunes to check out the Shoe Swap archives for an unforgettable karaoke experience.

Trivia Night #1

Jade and Dave welcomed a new Trivia Night segment into the Diff'rent Strokes fold this week. Comprising of six general questions on everything from history to geography, pop culture to sport... Jade braves the seat as Dave hits out the brain teasers.

("I hope ya'll get my album titles right!")

Here are the questions and answer for those playing at home:

1) Where is the country, Bhutan, located?

It's bordered by India and China.

2) What was a gladiator armed with, in addition to a dagger and spear?

A net

3) What was the most lethal infectious disease of 1990?

 a) Chicken Pox

(b)Pneumonia

 c) Glandular Fever

4) What sitcom's scripts were penned with the help of an army handbook and a map of Korea?

M*A*S*H*

5) Which of the following is not a Britney Spears album title?

 a) Oops... I Did It Again

 b) In The Zone

(c) Out From Under

 d) Blackout

6) How many teams are there in the Australian Football League (AFL)?

16.

Celebrating One Year on JOY!

Diff'rent Strokes celebrates their one year anniversary on JOY 94.9 this week!

(Insert plug: Lim in a candid, unposed shot with the JOY logo in the old studio)

David Lim is back in the country, reuniting with his partner in crime - Jade Gulliver - to kick off a summer of Diff'rent Strokes mayhem.

Gulliver and the show's intern, Air Quotes Dave, entertained listeners for four weeks with their mini-series spin off, The Awkward Silence in November... all while Dave took off on a whirlwind trip to India.

"It's good to be back in the country and I can't wait to get on with the show! One can hardly believe it's been a year since we nervously debuted Diff'rent Strokes on JOY," said Dave.

(Opposites attract: Diff'rent Strokes' big plans for 2009)

The dynamic duo's kept the show on community radio airwaves for no less than 16 months in a row now. And while the segments have evolved, the passion Jade and Dave have for the show is still going strong.

"My love for Dave and JOY has continued to grow. We are part of a fun and supportive family who make us constantly try to improve our show," Jade affirms.

In the year since they began, Diff'rent Strokes Radio's begun podcasting on iTunes and have set up a blog in conjunction with JOY94.9's new online initiative for presenters. Their weekly podcast of Shoe Swap has earned the pair no less than a few hundred subscribers and downloads.

"Which is such a big deal for a small time Wednesday night show like ours. It's hard to believe that when the mics go on, that there's people streaming from New York and stuff... listening in on our weekly catch ups!" quips Dave.

(If looks could kill: intern Air Quotes Dave makes an arresting show debut)

The show's also seen the inclusion of a comical intern, Air Quotes Dave and the introduction of new rotating segments such as: Jade Journals, Spotlight and Headlines. Meanwhile, Lim hints the return of a 'fresher Shoe Swap' for this season.

"I've been very inspired revisiting our Shoe Swap podcasts during my trip and we've started brainstorming new ideas for the remaining shows of this year," he reveals.

Jade and Dave show no sign of stopping... and for the new year, Jade warns:

"In 2009, expect big things! We are that little show that could. Make sure you jump on the bandwagon now so you can say 'I loved them from the beginning',"