A New Face in Chopular Culture!
January 10, 2012 4:23 PM Subscribe
Sam Kekovich, former AFL player, commentator and Lambassador of Australia has once again been enlisted for a series of Australia Day promotions for lamb. This time he's brought a familiar face from the '90s.
Without further adieu, Chopular Culture and Barbie Girl.
Prev #1 and #2
Without further adieu, Chopular Culture and Barbie Girl.
Prev #1 and #2
I love lamb. When they are alive. They are too cute to eat!
posted by cjorgensen at 4:50 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by cjorgensen at 4:50 PM on January 10, 2012
They are too cute to eat!
So very, very wrong.
They're too yummy to age and shear...
posted by pompomtom at 4:54 PM on January 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
So very, very wrong.
They're too yummy to age and shear...
posted by pompomtom at 4:54 PM on January 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
lollusc"Important context for non-Australians...”
You think adding a little context can excuse these commercials? No.
posted by koeselitz at 4:55 PM on January 10, 2012
You think adding a little context can excuse these commercials? No.
posted by koeselitz at 4:55 PM on January 10, 2012
Important context for non-Australians: almost everyone has or goes to a BBQ on Australia Day.
Objection!
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:01 PM on January 10, 2012
Objection!
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:01 PM on January 10, 2012
--You think adding a little context can excuse these commercials? No.--
Exactly. That's fucking embarrassing. I'm eating veggies on the 26th. Go ram a chop upya date meat board.
posted by peacay at 5:06 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Exactly. That's fucking embarrassing. I'm eating veggies on the 26th. Go ram a chop upya date meat board.
posted by peacay at 5:06 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
I never noticed before how many chop-based idioms we have. God I'm hungry.
posted by Wantok at 5:07 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by Wantok at 5:07 PM on January 10, 2012
Important context for non-Australians: almost everyone has or goes to a BBQ on Australia Day.
It sure doesn't feel like that in Sydney.
posted by vidur at 5:11 PM on January 10, 2012
It sure doesn't feel like that in Sydney.
posted by vidur at 5:11 PM on January 10, 2012
Fucking Bogans.
posted by alex_skazat at 5:12 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by alex_skazat at 5:12 PM on January 10, 2012
Maybe this is a good time to mention that Tofurkey makes some really incredibly awesome vegan bratwurst that grill up really nice.
posted by koeselitz at 5:17 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by koeselitz at 5:17 PM on January 10, 2012
I think I'll stick with the lamb thanks. Juicy, juicy lamb.
posted by Wantok at 5:21 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by Wantok at 5:21 PM on January 10, 2012
>Fucking Bogans.
Oh yes, bogans are so well known for self-mockery and Eurodisco.
Curse them and their chirpy, jingly shenanigans.
posted by pompomtom at 5:26 PM on January 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Oh yes, bogans are so well known for self-mockery and Eurodisco.
Curse them and their chirpy, jingly shenanigans.
posted by pompomtom at 5:26 PM on January 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Maybe it's just Canberra then. Correction: Everyone I know goes to BBQs on Australia Day. I assume that means it is a widespread custom.
I was in no way trying to excuse the commercials. Just trying to explain why "Barbie (abbreviation for BBQ) Girl" and lamb have any relationship with Australia Day at all.
posted by lollusc at 5:29 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
I was in no way trying to excuse the commercials. Just trying to explain why "Barbie (abbreviation for BBQ) Girl" and lamb have any relationship with Australia Day at all.
posted by lollusc at 5:29 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
The Tofurkey brats with fennel are alright. For some reason you've just got to have the fennel.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:30 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:30 PM on January 10, 2012
I envy the cheap lamb available in New Zealand and Australia. So tasty!
posted by Harpocrates at 5:42 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by Harpocrates at 5:42 PM on January 10, 2012
I am hoping that all the brats I see on Australia day will be in bed at a reasonable hour.
posted by pompomtom at 5:46 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by pompomtom at 5:46 PM on January 10, 2012
I envy the cheap lamb available in New Zealand and Australia. So tasty!
Safeway has NZ lamb and Costco has Aussie lamb over here in Santa Clara. $8/lb but worth every penny.
posted by Talez at 5:51 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Safeway has NZ lamb and Costco has Aussie lamb over here in Santa Clara. $8/lb but worth every penny.
posted by Talez at 5:51 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Since Howard's demise the incidents of flag draping seem to be fewer. Is that just me?
posted by mattoxic at 5:55 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by mattoxic at 5:55 PM on January 10, 2012
Since Howard's demise the incidents of flag draping seem to be fewer. Is that just me?
It is slowly, slowly coming down.
posted by Jimbob at 6:15 PM on January 10, 2012
It is slowly, slowly coming down.
posted by Jimbob at 6:15 PM on January 10, 2012
The other thing people do on Australia Invasion Day is go to Big Day Out music festivals, shirtless but draped in Aussie flags.
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:22 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:22 PM on January 10, 2012
Lamb Slaughter & Dressing "The comprehensive program covers stunning, sticking, skinning, fisting and evisceration". Fisting? Paging Shari Lewis.
posted by unliteral at 6:30 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by unliteral at 6:30 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
I've been here for ten years, and it still always comes as a surprise how many Australians I know get very self-loathing around Australia Day. I mean, I get that the flag draping is annoying, and that overt displays of patriotism are really gauche (and American). But ignoring that, a summer holiday where the main activities are barbecuing, watching the tennis on TV, and listening to the radio seems like all good stuff. Let's embrace that part.
The commercials were a little embarrassing though. Especially the rap. Oh, Sam.
posted by web-goddess at 6:46 PM on January 10, 2012
The commercials were a little embarrassing though. Especially the rap. Oh, Sam.
posted by web-goddess at 6:46 PM on January 10, 2012
@ unilateral: at first I thought you wrote gusting? Paging Shari'a Law!
And I have fond memories of Lamb Chop.....
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 7:05 PM on January 10, 2012
And I have fond memories of Lamb Chop.....
posted by Katjusa Roquette at 7:05 PM on January 10, 2012
After further reflection: I think the problem is that mentally I equate Australia Day with the 4th of July, when really it's more like Columbus Day. And Columbus Day is definitely divisive in the US.
posted by web-goddess at 7:28 PM on January 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by web-goddess at 7:28 PM on January 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
What cheap lamb?? Our supermarket's cheapest lamb is usually around $15 a kg, and that's when it's on special!
it still always comes as a surprise how many Australians I know get very self-loathing around Australia Day.
This should not be a surprise. What surprises me is that we have a holiday for it at all, and it's not a national day of shame. See "Invasion Day".
posted by lollusc at 8:12 PM on January 10, 2012
it still always comes as a surprise how many Australians I know get very self-loathing around Australia Day.
This should not be a surprise. What surprises me is that we have a holiday for it at all, and it's not a national day of shame. See "Invasion Day".
posted by lollusc at 8:12 PM on January 10, 2012
After further reflection: I think the problem is that mentally I equate Australia Day with the 4th of July, when really it's more like Columbus Day. And Columbus Day is definitely divisive in the US.
That's right. For me, Australia Day is great as a day off work and disgusting as a national holiday, essentially celebrating +200 years of dispossession, slavery, murder rape and more of the original inhabitants of Australia. The motives and facts behind our country's "foundation" are worthy of condemnation, shame, and sorrow to me - and the reality is that the ramifications of that ugly history are still being played out today.
Further, nationalism and racism has long been intertwined in Australia, such that a quintessentially "Australian" identity is frequently and unquestioninly posited as white, and anglo, drowning out any and all other voices who can lay equal claim to "Australianess".
The encouragement John Howard gave this phenomenon, the uptake of southern cross tattoos, Australian-flag wearing thugs at the BDO and race crime make anything remotely connected to this highly distasteful to me.
The things I celebrate about Australia are the things where we have been progressive, unique, and world-leading (and there are many). At best, Australia Day represents a very uncomfortable melange of those things with a kind of nascent fascism. I cannot celebrate it in good conscience.
posted by smoke at 9:05 PM on January 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
That's right. For me, Australia Day is great as a day off work and disgusting as a national holiday, essentially celebrating +200 years of dispossession, slavery, murder rape and more of the original inhabitants of Australia. The motives and facts behind our country's "foundation" are worthy of condemnation, shame, and sorrow to me - and the reality is that the ramifications of that ugly history are still being played out today.
Further, nationalism and racism has long been intertwined in Australia, such that a quintessentially "Australian" identity is frequently and unquestioninly posited as white, and anglo, drowning out any and all other voices who can lay equal claim to "Australianess".
The encouragement John Howard gave this phenomenon, the uptake of southern cross tattoos, Australian-flag wearing thugs at the BDO and race crime make anything remotely connected to this highly distasteful to me.
The things I celebrate about Australia are the things where we have been progressive, unique, and world-leading (and there are many). At best, Australia Day represents a very uncomfortable melange of those things with a kind of nascent fascism. I cannot celebrate it in good conscience.
posted by smoke at 9:05 PM on January 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Don't have a lot of time for Australia Day.
Overt displays of uber-patriotism that seem to accompany January 26 are sickening. The flag-wearing has subsided a little since John Howard got his marching orders (yes, I'm associating one with the other, though my political leanings are more along the "I don't like any of them" lines)
I enjoy spending the day outside, in the backyard (a very Australian thing in some ways) with the family. A BBQ may feature.
But this year, given Australia Day is on a Thursday, another "great" Aussie tradition - that of the long weekend and faux-public holiday will surely gain popularity. The Friday after Australia Day will be a day off for quite a few I'd think.
posted by chris88 at 9:07 PM on January 10, 2012
Overt displays of uber-patriotism that seem to accompany January 26 are sickening. The flag-wearing has subsided a little since John Howard got his marching orders (yes, I'm associating one with the other, though my political leanings are more along the "I don't like any of them" lines)
I enjoy spending the day outside, in the backyard (a very Australian thing in some ways) with the family. A BBQ may feature.
But this year, given Australia Day is on a Thursday, another "great" Aussie tradition - that of the long weekend and faux-public holiday will surely gain popularity. The Friday after Australia Day will be a day off for quite a few I'd think.
posted by chris88 at 9:07 PM on January 10, 2012
I am hoping that all the brats I see on Australia day will be in bed at a reasonable hour.
define reasonable.
However I can assure you that there will be plenty BBQ lamb.
posted by wilful at 9:24 PM on January 10, 2012
define reasonable.
However I can assure you that there will be plenty BBQ lamb.
posted by wilful at 9:24 PM on January 10, 2012
What cheap lamb?? Our supermarket's cheapest lamb is usually around $15 a kg, and that's when it's on special!
You might be able to blame this "lamb on Australia Day" marketing for that.
Lamb, by definition, must be meat from a sheep 0-12 months old. They're born early in Spring. Up until around the new year, they can be sold as "Spring lamb", at a premium because at this point they're only milk-fed; extra tender & tasty.
By the time Australia Day comes around, the lambs are starting to wean, and getting by on a mixture of grass & milk. They're not as tasty any more & therefore not as valuable, so a spike in demand pushes the price up at this strategic point in time.
After Australia Day, the stocks of 0-12 month old lamb have been depleted by the spike, so even though demand returns to normal, lower supply keeps prices elevated.
Voila! Everybody wins, except for the consumers and the lambs, of course.
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:28 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
You might be able to blame this "lamb on Australia Day" marketing for that.
Lamb, by definition, must be meat from a sheep 0-12 months old. They're born early in Spring. Up until around the new year, they can be sold as "Spring lamb", at a premium because at this point they're only milk-fed; extra tender & tasty.
By the time Australia Day comes around, the lambs are starting to wean, and getting by on a mixture of grass & milk. They're not as tasty any more & therefore not as valuable, so a spike in demand pushes the price up at this strategic point in time.
After Australia Day, the stocks of 0-12 month old lamb have been depleted by the spike, so even though demand returns to normal, lower supply keeps prices elevated.
Voila! Everybody wins, except for the consumers and the lambs, of course.
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:28 PM on January 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
>Lamb, by definition, must be meat from a sheep 0-12 months old.
Are you sure? I thought that this was officially a grey area, and we were getting lots of hogget and two tooth sold as lamb. Not that I mind, I prefer the flavour, I don't agree that 'milk-fed' = tastier, at all.
>By the time Australia Day comes around, the lambs are starting to wean, and getting by on a mixture of grass & milk.
Lambs are weaned at two to three months typically.
>a spike in demand pushes the price up at this strategic point in time.
If you look at this link, I don't think you will find any wholesale change in prices for summer/Australia Day. if there's a retail price spike, then I suggest you start finding a better butcher.
posted by wilful at 9:54 PM on January 10, 2012
Are you sure? I thought that this was officially a grey area, and we were getting lots of hogget and two tooth sold as lamb. Not that I mind, I prefer the flavour, I don't agree that 'milk-fed' = tastier, at all.
>By the time Australia Day comes around, the lambs are starting to wean, and getting by on a mixture of grass & milk.
Lambs are weaned at two to three months typically.
>a spike in demand pushes the price up at this strategic point in time.
If you look at this link, I don't think you will find any wholesale change in prices for summer/Australia Day. if there's a retail price spike, then I suggest you start finding a better butcher.
posted by wilful at 9:54 PM on January 10, 2012
However I can assure you that there will be plenty BBQ lamb.
Woohoo!!
posted by pompomtom at 10:09 PM on January 10, 2012
Woohoo!!
posted by pompomtom at 10:09 PM on January 10, 2012
Are you sure? I thought that this was officially a grey area
In Australia [...] Lamb — 0 permanent incisors; female or castrate entire male ovine 0–12 months (note that the Australian definition requires 0 permanent incisors, whereas the New Zealand definition allows 0 incisors 'in wear'.)
I don't think you will find any wholesale change in prices for summer/Australia Day
I see clear jumps in the price mid-late Jan in 2010 & 2011. Which graph are you looking at? Sure, it's not a solitary "spike" but a "correction", say, to a falling price, which is exactly what I was describing. Do you think the lamb marketing wonks have been pushing this Lamb On Australia Day as some kind of public service announcement? Of course they're trying to stimulate demand to drive up prices, and restrict supply so there isn't a glut of mutton come next spring.
I suggest you start finding a better butcher.
But I like my organic ethical sustainable butcher!
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:31 PM on January 10, 2012
In Australia [...] Lamb — 0 permanent incisors; female or castrate entire male ovine 0–12 months (note that the Australian definition requires 0 permanent incisors, whereas the New Zealand definition allows 0 incisors 'in wear'.)
I don't think you will find any wholesale change in prices for summer/Australia Day
I see clear jumps in the price mid-late Jan in 2010 & 2011. Which graph are you looking at? Sure, it's not a solitary "spike" but a "correction", say, to a falling price, which is exactly what I was describing. Do you think the lamb marketing wonks have been pushing this Lamb On Australia Day as some kind of public service announcement? Of course they're trying to stimulate demand to drive up prices, and restrict supply so there isn't a glut of mutton come next spring.
I suggest you start finding a better butcher.
But I like my organic ethical sustainable butcher!
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:31 PM on January 10, 2012
I was totally wrong about the Spring lamb selling for more. What is wrong with people? Buying turkeys and hams & seafood for xmas?
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:37 PM on January 10, 2012
posted by UbuRoivas at 10:37 PM on January 10, 2012
Wikipedia is close(ish), but wrong. Still a grey area.
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/beef-and-sheep/sheep/handling-and-management/Lamb-identification-requirements
In the Export Control Orders 2005, the definition for lamb is: “meat derived from a female, castrated male or entire male ovine animal that:
(a) shows no evidence of eruption of permanent incisor teeth; or
(b) in the case of males, shows no evidence of secondary sexual characteristics”.
>I see clear jumps in the price mid-late Jan in 2010 & 2011.
they grey line? Flat from 1 jan through to june '10?
>But I like my organic ethical sustainable butcher!
looks good! Almost as good as mine!
posted by wilful at 11:02 PM on January 10, 2012
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/beef-and-sheep/sheep/handling-and-management/Lamb-identification-requirements
In the Export Control Orders 2005, the definition for lamb is: “meat derived from a female, castrated male or entire male ovine animal that:
(a) shows no evidence of eruption of permanent incisor teeth; or
(b) in the case of males, shows no evidence of secondary sexual characteristics”.
>I see clear jumps in the price mid-late Jan in 2010 & 2011.
they grey line? Flat from 1 jan through to june '10?
>But I like my organic ethical sustainable butcher!
looks good! Almost as good as mine!
posted by wilful at 11:02 PM on January 10, 2012
My kids and I will not be eating lamb or celebrating "Australia" day. We prefer to attend Invasion Day events - which are held in most major cities around Australia.
Interestingly, (and rather depressingly), if you go to the Australia Day website and search for the term "invasion" you get ZERO results.
posted by greenhornet at 11:38 PM on January 10, 2012
Interestingly, (and rather depressingly), if you go to the Australia Day website and search for the term "invasion" you get ZERO results.
posted by greenhornet at 11:38 PM on January 10, 2012
they grey line? Flat from 1 jan through to june '10?
It's in free fall from 1st Jan to mid Jan! If that were a stock market graph from the financial section of the paper it would look like the great depression was about to happen.
In other lamb-related news, I was watching NZ Cops last night (just for the accents, I hope you understand) and the copper said something like "there hasn't been as much excitement in this town since the sheep broke out of their pens last year". I thought it was some kind of self-deprecating humour but, c'mon, the guy's a policeman.
posted by UbuRoivas at 11:46 PM on January 10, 2012
It's in free fall from 1st Jan to mid Jan! If that were a stock market graph from the financial section of the paper it would look like the great depression was about to happen.
In other lamb-related news, I was watching NZ Cops last night (just for the accents, I hope you understand) and the copper said something like "there hasn't been as much excitement in this town since the sheep broke out of their pens last year". I thought it was some kind of self-deprecating humour but, c'mon, the guy's a policeman.
posted by UbuRoivas at 11:46 PM on January 10, 2012
I'm going to petition my local member to introduce a bill in parliment entitled: "The flag is not a fuckin' cape you fuckin' bogan!"
posted by Hello, I'm David McGahan at 2:05 AM on January 11, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Hello, I'm David McGahan at 2:05 AM on January 11, 2012 [3 favorites]
I love lamb chops and BBQs and don't hate Australia Day toooo much if the Hottest 100 is on. But dammit, when will Kekovich and the "eat meat otherwise you'll be stupid and unevolved" Sam O'Neill ads die a shameful death?
And why are there people who are swayed by marketing to think that it's patriotic to eat one type of meat instead of another? If you must show your love of your country with meat, eat a damn kangaroo cos they're easy on the drylands and deforestation, or some camel cos we've got too many.
posted by harriet vane at 2:27 AM on January 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
And why are there people who are swayed by marketing to think that it's patriotic to eat one type of meat instead of another? If you must show your love of your country with meat, eat a damn kangaroo cos they're easy on the drylands and deforestation, or some camel cos we've got too many.
posted by harriet vane at 2:27 AM on January 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Without further ado, these videos aren't available in Canada. Le sigh.
posted by Vamier at 11:06 AM on January 11, 2012
posted by Vamier at 11:06 AM on January 11, 2012
Not much chop.
posted by flabdablet at 9:31 PM on January 11, 2012
posted by flabdablet at 9:31 PM on January 11, 2012
I'm eating veggies on the 26th.
UNAUSTRALIAN
Maybe it's just Canberra then.
Canberrans are the only true Australians.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:41 AM on January 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
UNAUSTRALIAN
Maybe it's just Canberra then.
Canberrans are the only true Australians.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:41 AM on January 12, 2012 [1 favorite]
(Also: the pav in the fridge? AUSTRALIAN.)
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:43 AM on January 12, 2012
posted by obiwanwasabi at 2:43 AM on January 12, 2012
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posted by lollusc at 4:46 PM on January 10, 2012