Ben, I disagree. I don't think it's got anything to do with the government of big business. (And no, I didn't vote for howard.)

The reason we have hear about "our nic" ALL THE TIME, is that people keep buying rubbish like Who Weekly. This has nothing to do with big business - they'll print what sells. It's the consumer that keeps buying this rubbish.

Take the example of Princess Diana - tens of thousands of people lining the streets saying "oh, isn't it terrible, she was hounded by those bad, bad press people", when the vast majority of them continually buy "News of the World", "Who Weekly", "Women's Weekly", and any other tabloid stuff. (by the way, I'm not a journalist, nor a politician, nor a supporter of big business, as such).

I'm not interested in the personal lives of celebrities in australia or anywhere else, whether or not they've "made it" - it's irrelevent and boring. The current practice of celebrities to "create" some drama in their lives - "I was unloved as a child", etc - to "up" their profile come awards time is a disgrace, but so is the public's demand for any little trivial detail.

Surely there's more important news out there than whether or not some has-been is dating some other has-been.. And yes, I'm aware of the irony of writing this on a forum about celebrities.. ;-)

Artists and people like Nicole Kidman fall into two very different categories - sole traders and corporations. Big name film film stars are rewarded financially disproportionatly to their ability based on the perception that punters are more interested in seeing a film with them in it than with some unknown. Their appeal on film is a combination of their natural looks and the skill of the director and cinematographer. Fair enough - good luck to them.

It becomes irritating when these people start to believe that they are superman (or woman). Surely incredibly lucky (and socially manipulative) stars like Nicole Kidman should look at returning some of their illogically high salaries back into the community to help other actors who are still out there working in theatre and the arts but who will never ever see a six figure salary. A $10,000 donation by Nicole to her alma mater, Australian Theatre for Young People, aint cutting it with me!

Ms Kidman's most convincing performance thus far has been her role as a scheming reporter in Gus Van Sant's 'To Die For', which no doubt reflects that "the buttoned down persona of "our nic' is a mask to hide an ambitious aggresive grasper' (thanks kramit). I also second the opinion by Beren that Julianne Moore absolutely acts The Hour(s) Nic off the screen in the stated film. Nicole Kidman definitely has an amazing publicist who trumpets her every inconsequential move; there was a period a year or so ago where she appeared every day for what seemed like months in the Sydney Morning Herald. I have a fantasy room in which certain celebrities are kept under lock and key (move over Meg Ryan and Jamie Oliver!) and Nicole has a seat reserved at all times.

Another reason to bemoan 'Our Nic' would have to be her performance back on Oprah and the like when she was Mrs Cruise, or whatever she called herself back then. Her affected yank accent was pure yuck-vomit-spew value.

Though now that she's grown up and realised that her 'brand' is more marketable with a neutral Australian accent, we hear ad nauseum (a bit like Latham's ladders of opportunity) that she's just a Sydney girl trying to make a go of things. A poor little Aussie lass than ponses about in $40 million perfume commercials and gets voted Australian of the Year (NSW only so far).

For my part it's not Nic the person that is worthy of our collective derision. Rather it is the bland Australian suck-hole media that dishes up the same encrusted muck and gravy about Aussie 'stars' day in day out, year in year out. Reruns of reruns of banal orthodoxies to which we're all supposed to stand up to attention to and let out gasps of 'ooohhh-ahhh'.

Australia you're still standing in it.

At last, an oasis of sanity. I think Kerry Armstrong put it correctly about two of Australia's treasured embarrassments when she commented on Nic and Kylie. I quote Ms Armstrong; “She can’t act and she can’t sing!” Truer words have never been spoken. How the hell these two managed to get a career in their chosen fields, and then not only retain them, but keep them flourishing, is one of the world’s great modern mysteries. Oh no. That’s right! They were manufactured. They are creations of modern day Frankensteins. Mad scientists who no longer wear white coats, have hunchedback assistants and delve into creationism, but who now manupulate mass entertainment in search of the mighty dollar. How appropriate then that “Nic Off” should have a starring role in The Stepford Wives remake disaster. Another travesty in a long line of cinematic travesties. What the hell was Stanley Kubrick thinking?? I think people like Kerry Armstrong and Adriana Maxwell should be applauded for not allowing themselves to be a part of the brainwashed masses, and for getting up and striking a blow for the real people. Nicole Kidman Australian of the Year – not in my universe!!! I will be pointing out Adriana's post to all the friends I know who are a part of the We Love Nicky Club. Oh, hold on! I don't know anyone who is in that club! If it wasn't for rags like New Idea, Woman's Monthly and Who Weekly we wouldn't have to hold back the bile when we walk into a newsagent and see Nic, Delta, Tom, Kylie, Gwyneth, Guy and all the other monstrosities that are being paid highly to destroy a once truely creative and enjoyable movie, television and music industry

Onya Adrianna - I have longed to read these opinions - and agree with Speckle too. BMX Bandits is always mentioned, but please everybody, her film after that, THE BIT PART, absolutely cast her to type. Look for it in the $2 rentals - a good film with Chris Hayward and an hysterical cameo by Ian McFadyen (one of the writers).

Nicole plays herself and it is not pretty. and also she was born in Hawaii, not Australia. I loved the divorce story 'our work kept us apart' - the woman is making 3 films a year, year after year. those poor little trophy children. The UN giving her their gong just shows what a useless bunch they are too.