Australian Idol

The reality TV/talent quest show Australian Idol finally reached its conclusion this week and the success of this show has generated a lot of discussion. It was hard to avoid. I heard on the radio this morning that the finale made it onto the all-time top ten rating TV events. As quoted on the radio this morning the list is reproduced below. It is interesting to see what events focus us as a nation. Of the shows in the list I confess I tuned in to all the Olympic items but not the others.
1. 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony
2. 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony
3. 2000 Olympics 400 metres women’s track final won by Cathy Freeman
4. Princess Diana funeral live coverage
5. 2000 Olympics 200 metres men’s swimming final (Ian Thorpe - silver)
6. 2000 Olympics 200 metres women’s swimming final (Susie O’Neill - gold)
7. 2002 Wimbledon final won by Aussie Lleyton Hewitt
8. 2000 Olympics 400 metres men’s swimming final (Ian Thorpe - gold)
9. Australian Idol finale won by Guy Sebastian
10. Australian Football League 2003 grand final