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Crowd cheers as fan booted from US Open after vile Nazi slur

<p>During a US Open tennis match held early on Tuesday morning, a spectator found themselves ejected from the event following an incident involving German tennis player Alexander Zverev.</p> <p>The disruption arose when Zverev, seeded number 12, was locked in a fierce fourth-set battle against Italy's Jannik Sinner, seeded number six.</p> <p>At a critical juncture in the match, just as he was about to serve, Zverev approached chair umpire James Keothavong and pointed out a fan situated right behind the umpire's chair.</p> <p>Zverev raised the issue, stating, "He [the fan] just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is..."</p> <p>Zverev then expressed his strong disapproval, exclaiming, "It's unacceptable, this is unbelievable."</p> <p>In response to Zverev's concerns, Keothavong scanned the crowd and repeatedly asked, "Who said that? Who said that?" amid raucous boos from the audience.</p> <p>The umpire swiftly made a decision, asserting, "We're going to get him out," much to the relief of those watching in Arthur Ashe Stadium.</p> <p>Keothavong also took a moment to remind the crowd to maintain respect for both players. Shortly after, during a changeover, spectators seated near the offending fan identified him, and security promptly removed him from the venue. The crowd responded with cheers as the fan was escorted up the stadium stairs.</p> <p>A US Tennis Association spokesperson, Chris Widmaier, confirmed the incident, stating, "A disparaging remark was directed toward Alexander Zverev. The fan was identified and escorted from the stadium."</p> <p>Despite the disruption, Zverev went on to triumph over Sinner in a gruelling five-set match and secured his spot in the quarterfinals, where he would face the defending US Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz.</p> <p>This epic match, which Zverev won with scores of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, endured for an impressive four hours and 41 minutes, making it the lengthiest match of the tournament up to that point. The contest concluded at 1:40 am local time in New York.</p> <p>Reflecting on the incident in the post-match press conference, Zverev revealed that while he had encountered fans making derogatory comments before, this was the first time he had experienced an incident involving Hitler.</p> <p>He shared: "He started singing the anthem of Hitler that was back in the day. It was ‘Deutschland über alles’ and it was a bit too much.</p> <p>"I think he was getting involved in the match for a long time, though. I don’t mind it, I love when fans are loud, I love when fans are emotional. But I think me being German and not really proud of that history, it’s not really a great thing to do and I think him sitting in one of the front rows, I think a lot of people heard it. So if I just don’t react, I think it’s bad from my side.”</p> <p>Despite the disturbance, Zverev remained composed and noted, “It’s his loss, to be honest, to not witness the final two sets of that match.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

News

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Cheering erupts as “unruly” passenger escorted off plane

<p dir="ltr">A woman who kicked up a storm over not having a window seat on a plane was kicked off the flight to the sound of cheering passengers.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Aussie woman was travelling from Phuket in southern Thailand to Sydney on Jetstar flight JQ28. </p> <p dir="ltr">It is alleged that she began to abuse other travellers and staff members after being given the aisle seat and not one next to the window. </p> <p dir="ltr">Incredible footage shows two passengers gesturing to the woman to move along before a staff member arrives.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video then cuts to her being escorted off the plane to the sound of cheering passengers. </p> <p dir="ltr">Jetstar confirmed that an “unruly” passenger was removed from their flight for being disruptive and abusive. </p> <p dir="ltr">"An unruly passenger was escorted off our flight prior to take off in Phuket after becoming disruptive and using abusive and inappropriate language towards other customers and our team members," the spokesperson said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Airport security in Phuket was called and the passenger was escorted off the flight.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We take safety and security very seriously and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on our aircraft.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Watch the footage <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jetstar-passenger-kicked-off-flight-phuket-thailand-to-sydney/4fb9135f-d33f-444b-b343-efc52ea59ee2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Nine</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Princess Mary cheers on Denmark with her outfit

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, her husband Crown Prince Frederick and their son Prince Christian supported Denmark against England in the highly anticipated Euro 2020 semi-final last night.</p> <p>Princess Mary, 49, opted to wear the colours of the Danish flag and was by her family's side as they cheered on Denmark.</p> <p>The family were preventing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a protective face mask that was complete with a Danish flag on it.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRCO3eIgI0X/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRCO3eIgI0X/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 (@detdanskekongehus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>However, the trip wasn't without controversy as the Danish royal family are able to watch the match in person whereas millions of Danish fans are forced to watch the semi-final from home.</p> <p>The country's biggest newspaper, Ekstra Bladet, slammed the Danish royal family, with the newspaper editor Henrik Qvortrup saying that "blue blood gives immunity in all respects" as well as pointing out that it "looks a little unfortunate" that the royal family are able to skip quarantine to go to the match.</p> <p>"It's England and UEFA," Christian Kokholm Rothmann, chairman of Danish Football Fans, told<span> </span><em>Ekstra Bladet.</em></p> <p>"It is the size of the wallet that determines whether one can get to football in England. Class division of society has apparently been reintroduced in England."</p> <p>"The ones you have to be really mad at are UEFA. They should have moved the match [from] where the fans cannot access.</p> <p>"The European Championships should bring people together and spread joy, and now it divides people because many who want to see the semi-finals do not have access to it. It's a shame."</p> <p>The Danish royal family hit back saying that it was "completely natural" that "it represents Denmark" at the match.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the presence of the royal family wasn't enough for Denmark to win the game as England defeated Denmark 2-1.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Beauty & Style

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Iconic Coon cheese unveils new name after racism claims

<p>The makers of Coon Cheese have rebranded after bowing to public pressure amid racism claims.</p> <p>The cheese was originally named "Coon" after American cheese pioneer Edward William Coon, but the word is also a racist slur against people of colour.</p> <p>The 85-year-old dairy product will now be known as "Cheer cheese" from July, a decision that was made six months ago in response to growing criticisms of racism.</p> <p>“The name Cheer has the significance of pleasure and joy,’ Saputo chief executive Lino A. Saputo said.</p> <p>“We took some time to think about this, we wanted to do the proper due diligence and consulted with different focus groups and we narrowed it down to three to five names and resoundingly consumers thought this was the right reflection of what we’re bringing for families."</p> <p>“CHEER Cheese is a cheese for everyone, and we trust our valued consumers and those who are new to our products will embrace this new name.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839455/coon-hero-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/63fa2e0e265449e9a8203b0e193c4cec" /></p> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>The company announced the decision six months ago as the Black Lives Movement gained momentum around the globe.</p> <p>“At Saputo, one of our basic principles as an organisation is to treat people with respect and without discrimination and we will not condone behaviour that goes against this,” the company said in a statement.</p> <p>Despite the cheerful name change, there was an outpouring of anger on social media after the name change was announced.</p> <p>One person said: “Absolutely bulls..t. I won’t ever call it that.”</p> <p>“I’m an Aussie and our Coon cheese is getting a name change to cheer cheese – another Aussie icon name gone,” another said.</p> <p>“How ridiculous. It may well be a racist slur, but was the gentleman’s surname. Cheer cheese? I mean, really?” one woman wrote.</p> <p>The new products will be on supermarket shelves nationwide from July 2021.</p> </div>

Food & Wine

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The incredibly "puzzling" thing one boy did for the Queen to cheer her up

<p><span>While many members of the royal family have begun to return their normal lives, and even attend public engagements again - Queen Elizabeth is continuing to remain in lockdown in Windsor Castle.</span><br /><br /><span>Due to the royal’s older age, she is at higher risk for COVID-19 and that’s exactly why Essex boy Timothy Madders put his brain to the test and got to making Her Majesty the ultimate boredom buster present.</span><br /><br /><span>The seven-year-old "wanted to do something to cheer her up," his mother, Jo Madders, told the BBC.</span><br /><br /><span>And to do that, he configured a happiness-themed word puzzle in his “best handwriting.”</span><br /><br /><span>He included words like “smile”, “happiness,” “family” and “jolly.”</span><br /><br /><span>"She's probably wanting to keep herself busy," he explained.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">7-year-old Timothy Madders from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Billericay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Billericay</a> created a happiness themed word search and sent it to Buckingham Palace for the Queen. A few days ago he got a reply! <a href="https://t.co/oJJitT7XP2">pic.twitter.com/oJJitT7XP2</a></p> — BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCEssex/status/1281482836655177728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>Timothy included a short but heartfelt letter along with the puzzle, writing, "You might be feeling sad or lonely during lockdown, so I thought I could make a word search for you to cheer you up."</span><br /><br /><span>The gesture was well-received, with Timothy revealing he recieve a letter from one of the British monarch's ladies-in-waiting, expressing her gratitude.</span><br /><br /><span>“The Queen wishes me to write and thank you for your kind letter, and for the puzzle you have created especially for Her Majesty," the letter read.</span><br /><br /><span>“Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated, and the Queen hopes that you too are keeping safe and well in the current situation.</span><br /><br /><span>“I am to thank you very much indeed for writing as you did at this time."</span><br /><br /><span>Timothy said the letter "was very good and it was very important and made me happy that she liked it."</span></p>

Caring

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Cheers erupt in courtroom as George Pell’s appeal against conviction is denied

<p>George Pell has lost his bid for freedom with his appeal against child sex convictions being dismissed in court.</p> <p>By a majority of two to one, all eyes were on Victoria’s Supreme Court as the three judges dismissed the appeal by ordering Pell to “return to prison”.</p> <p>According to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/courts-law/george-pell-to-learn-whether-appeal-against-conviction-is-successful/news-story/dd0d54d308aa68fb03793d54244800af" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>, Chief Justice Anne Ferguson was strict.</p> <p> “He will continue to serve his sentence of six years imprisonment,” Chief Justice Anne Ferguson said.</p> <p>“He will remain eligible to apply for parole after he has served three years and eight months of the sentence.”</p> <p>Pell sat and digested this information quietly as he listened to the Chief Justice lay down her verdict. As he realised his appeal was rejected, he looked dejected while hunching forward.</p> <p>He was led out of the courtroom just after 10 am and taken back to prison to serve out the rest of his jail sentence.</p> <p>As his appeal was denied, cheers were heard inside the courtroom as dozens of people watched the appeal on the livestream outside.</p> <p>Pell shared the courtroom with the media, his own supporters and the family members of the two boys he was found guilty of sexually abusing in 1996.</p> <p>Chief Justice Ferguson said that the three judges watched the recordings of the trial, which included a recorded interview with Cardinal Pell.</p> <p>“Those recordings went for more than 30 hours and we’ve watched them more than once,” she said.</p> <p>Chief Justice Ferguson said the judges “did not experience a doubt” and “throughout his evidence, the complainant came across as somebody who was telling the truth”.</p> <p>She also rejected the notion that George Pell’s robes were “not able to be moved” to reveal his genitals because of various layers of material. She told the court “the robes were capable of being maneuvered ... pulled apart”.</p> <p>Despite his appeal being rejected, those close to Pell say that he may continue his fight to walk free and that his lawyers are looking to take his appeal to the High Court of Australia. Pell has always maintained his innocence.</p>

Legal

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How one tissue got Woody Harrelson cast on Cheers

<p>It’s amazing how one tiny action you take can change the path of your life forever. Something as small as a tissue showed that, playing a big part in the way Woody Harrelson landed his iconic role on <em>Cheers</em>.</p> <p>According to an interview Harrelson gave to <a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/television/1679990/the-hilarious-way-woody-harrelson-landed-his-role-on-cheers" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Cinema Blend</strong></em></span></a>, he had very little interest in becoming a television actor after he graduated from college in 1983. On a whim, he decided to attend an audition for <em>Cheers</em>, knowing that the casting director had already found someone they liked for the role. He had planned to audition (presumably for some experience) before moving back to New York. But, well:</p> <p>“I was really carefree because I knew I was going back to New York, and they'd pretty much decided on this one guy, but they were just doing a few more auditions, so I went in and I could tell right away — she was like, 'Aha! Hang on.' She says, 'I want you to come in and do this for the boys,' right?" Harrelson says. "Well, it turned out she was taking me in to meet the writers. I didn't know this. I'm following behind her, and I needed to blow my nose. I'm going down the hallway, through a door, into where everybody is, and I just happened to be blowing my nose, and then everybody laughed before I said a word. And as Jimmy Burrows said, 'You had the part right then.’”</p> <p>Harrelson went on to score five Emmy nominations and a win for his work on <em>Cheers</em>, and has had a long career on screens large and small. And if he hadn’t needed to blow his nose when he did, it might not have happened at all.</p> <p>Tell us about a time when something seemingly insignificant led to big things for you or someone you know.</p>

TV

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Where the cast of Cheers are now

<p class="Default">It’s safe to say that the 1980s comedy show, <em>Cheers</em>, has to be one of the greatest shows in recent history. Run for a mighty 11 seasons, the show that ran from 1982 until 1993 sent fans wild with the crazy and memorable antics of a group of Boston “barflies”. So popular in fact in inspired spin-off, <em>Frasier</em>, with <em>Cheers</em> actor Kelsey Grammer. <em>Frasier</em> also aired for a whopping 11 seasons.</p> <p class="Default">Now more than 30 years since it first aired, we thought it was a great time to walk down memory lane, catch up with the cast of <em>Cheers</em> and see where they are now. To find out what they look like today, simply scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>1. Sam Malone played by Ted Danson</strong></p> <p class="Default">One of the only three characters to appear in all of the episodes, some people say that Ted Danson's Sam Malone was an integral part of the show that held it all together.</p> <p class="Default">Since <em>Cheers</em>, Danson has appeared in a number of lead TV roles including <em>Becker, Fargo, CSI</em> and a new show, <em>The Good Place</em>.</p> <p class="Default">He has also starred in a number of popular movies like T<em>hree Men and a Baby, Made in America</em> and <em>Getting Even With Dad.</em></p> <p class="Default">After being nominated for 11 consecutive Emmy Awards for playing Sam in<em> Cheers</em>, in 1990 he finally won Best Actor in a Comedy and then again in 1993.</p> <p class="Default">He has two children and has been married and divorced twice.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>2. Diane Chambers played by Shelley Long</strong></p> <p class="Default">Although she started her career on television movies and by guest starring in shows including <em>MASH</em> and <em>The Love Boat</em>, playing Diane in <em>Cheers</em> made Shelley Long an overnight star.</p> <p class="Default">After just five seasons on the show, however, due to a desire to spend more time with her family, Long quit the show.</p> <p class="Default">After starting out her career with roles in, it was during her<em> Cheers</em> days she made her biggest impact on the silver screen when she won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in 1984's <em>Irreconcilable Differences</em>. </p> <p class="Default">Long also went on to play the big screen version of Carol Brady, in the mid-90s film versions of <em>The Brady Bunch</em>. More recently she has also appeared on TV shows like <em>Modern Family</em>.</p> <p class="Default">Long has been married and divorced twice and has one daughter.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>3. Carla Tortelli played by Rhea Perlman</strong></p> <p class="Default">Also appearing in every episode of the show, Rhea Perlman's impatient waitress was well-known for her violent temper and disdain of almost everyone in the bar aside from Sam.</p> <p class="Default">Perlman had little success before <em>Cheers</em>. After the show she reprised her role as Carla on a few occasions, including on <em>The Simpsons</em> and <em>Cheers</em> spin-off <em>Frasier</em>.</p> <p class="Default">She has also made appearances in films including 1996's <em>Matilda</em> as the heartless mother, alongside real-life husband Danny DeVito.</p> <p class="Default">Perlman married DeVito in 1982 and they have three children.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>4. Norm Peterson played by George Wendt</strong></p> <p class="Default">As the theme song goes, <em>Cheers</em> was a place “where everybody knows your name”. This was certainly true for Norm.</p> <p class="Default">The running joke on the show, Norm is famed for his constant complaints about his never-seen-on-screen wife Vera and dry one-liners.</p> <p class="Default">Before getting into acting, Wendt was expelled from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana over poor grades and then moved into show business with his first job being sweeping a theatre floor.</p> <p class="Default">Following his break on<em> Cheers</em>, he had guest roles on <em>Taxi</em> and <em>MASH</em>. After <em>Cheers</em> he had a self-titled sitcom on CBS, but it was cancelled after eight episodes. Since he’s had a number of guest appearances, including <em>Only Fools and Horses</em> spin-off, <em>The Green Green Grass</em> in 2007. He also played Tweedledee in <em>Alice in Wonderland</em> in 1999.</p> <p class="Default">More recently he was in short-lived barbershop-based comedy series<em> Clipped</em>, while his recent Broadway credits include <em>Breakfast at Tiffany's</em> and <em>Elf - The Musical</em>. </p> <p class="Default">Wendt married to Bernadette Birkett in 1978 - who actually voiced of the mysterious Vera on <em>Cheers</em> and they have one daughter and two sons.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>5. Cliff Clavin played by John Ratzenberger</strong></p> <p class="Default">You find these types in every pub. The person who has a story/answer/useless fact for every occasion. If you go within close distance of said person, they will communicate with you, even if you don't plan on communicating with them. Cliff was this character in <em>Cheers</em> - a postal worker who lives with his mother and finds it very hard to talk to women and who sees Sam as a hero. Cliff had a heart of gold.</p> <p class="Default">Ratzenberger actually made his way into acting while working as a house framer in London. He also had small roles in <em>Superman, Superman II</em> and <em>The Empire Strikes Back</em>.</p> <p class="Default">While you won’t have seen him much after <em>Cheers</em>, you have almost certainly heard him, as Ratzenberger has appeared in every single Pixar film and is known as the studio's mascot, notably as Hamm the Piggy Bank in the <em>Toy Story</em> series.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>6. Ernie “Coach” Pantusso played by Nicholas Colasanto</strong></p> <p class="Default">Working behind the bar and generally not understanding anything going on around him, Coach was the lovable doofus of<em> Cheers</em>, who had a dimwit and was “borderline senile”.</p> <p class="Default">After a successful stint directing episodes of big name shows including <em>Starsky and Hutch, CHiPs, Columbo</em> and the original <em>Hawaii Five-O,</em> Nicholas came into <em>Cheers</em>.</p> <p class="Default">After he developed heart disease in the mid-1970s, he was sold set to retire from acting before being offered the role in <em>Cheers</em>. His health got worse as the show went on, although he kept it a secret from the cast and crew.</p> <p class="Default">He was eventually hospitalised during the third season in January 1985, and, although he was released in early February, he suffered a fatal heart attack on February 12 at home in Los Angeles.</p> <p class="Default">He was written out of the show as having died off-screen and a picture was placed on the set as a tribute.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>7. Rebecca Howe played by Kirstie Alley</strong></p> <p class="Default">Replacing Long at the start of season six, Rebecca was a businesswoman who took over running the bar after Sam sold it.</p> <p class="Default">Kirstie Alley had some success before<em> Cheers</em>, making her film debut in<em> Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan</em>, while she earned an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Rebecca in 1991.</p> <p class="Default">It was around this time she had huge success on the big screen alongside John Travolta and the voice of Bruce Willis in the <em>Look Who’s Talking</em> series.</p> <p class="Default">More recently she has entered reality TV, competing on <em>Dancing with the Stars</em> in the US in 2011 and taking part in Channel 4’s <em>Time Crashers</em> in 2015 – which challenged celebrities to complete various daily tasks from different time periods. She also appears as Nurse Hoffel in US comedy horror series <em>Scream Queens</em>.</p> <p class="Default">Allie has been married twice and has two children.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>8. Woody Boyd played by Woody Harrelson</strong></p> <p class="Default">Woody arrived at the bar in season four and became the new bartender and helped take the show to new heights of comedy through his dim-witted yet charming antics.</p> <p class="Default">Despite<em> Cheers</em> being Woody Harrelson’s first ever role, he is arguably the most successful of the cast, appearing in numerous hit films and television series, including Oscar Best Picture winner <em>No Country for Old Men, the Hunger Games</em> franchise and his Emmy-nominated role in HBO’s <em>True Detective</em>.</p> <p class="Default">He has twice been nominated for an Oscar for <em>The People vs Larry Flynt</em> and <em>The Messenger</em>, while his work as Woody earned him an Emmy in 1989.</p> <p class="Default">He is a father to three daughters with Laura Louie, whom he has been with since 1987 and married in 2008.</p> <p class="Default"><strong>9. Frasier Crane played by Kelsey Grammer</strong></p> <p class="Default">After entering <em>Cheers</em> as a guest character at the start of season three to help Sam through his break-up with Diane, intelligent psychiatrist Frasier Crane became a fixture at the bar.</p> <p class="Default">Two years before he joined <em>Cheers</em>, Kelsey Grammer made his television debut in 1982, with his most notable role coming in <em>Kennedy</em>, a miniseries based around the life of assassinated President John F Kennedy.</p> <p class="Default">His career took off with <em>Cheers</em>, and he portrayed his character for 20 years after spinning-off into the hugely successful Frasier, for which he won four Emmy Awards. The show ended in 2004 and Grammer began appearing in more films, scoring roles in blockbusters including <em>X Men: The Last Stand</em> and <em>Transformers: Age of Extinction</em> as well while he is well-known for his voice work, notably as the evil Sideshow Bob in <em>The Simpsons</em>.</p> <p class="Default">Grammer has been married four times and has seven children.</p>

TV

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6 books to read when you need cheering up

<p>We all have those days (or stretches of them) when we’re feeling a little low in spirits. Whatever the cause, it can be difficult to pull yourself out of your funk. For those times, we’ve assembled a list of books that never fail to lift our spirits and make us feel happier.</p> <p>From classic literature to modern memoirs and picture books, there’s something here for every reader.</p> <p><strong>1. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fbridget-jones-s-diary-helen-fielding%2Fprod9781509813889.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Bridget Jones’s Diary</span></em></a> by Helen Fielding </strong></p> <p>If you’ve never experienced the joy of reading this story, then you’re in for a special treat. The film adaptation is undoubtedly wonderful, but the book upon which it is based is hysterical. Get wrapped up in Bridget’s misadventures as she vows to lose weight, stop drinking, smoking, and swearing so much, and find a man of her very own.</p> <p><strong>2. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fpride-and-prejudice-jane-austen%2Fprod9780141439518.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pride and Prejudice</span></em></a> by Jane Austen </strong></p> <p>If Bridget Jones is a little modern (or sweary) for you, then the Bennet sisters would like to invite you to enjoy their story of misunderstandings, tarnished reputation, and “<em>five-thousand a year”</em>. Along with being the basis for Bridget Jones herself, Elizabeth Bennet is one of literature’s greatest and most enduring heroines, and her wit is sure to bring a smile to your face.</p> <p><strong>3. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fhyperbole-and-a-half-allie-brosh%2Fprod9780224095372.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hyperbole and a Half</span></em></a> by Allie Brosh </strong></p> <p>Author Allie Brosh turned her popular blog into a riotous book of comics surrounding her experiences with depression. We promise, this book is not a downer. Brosh’s childlike art and pitch-perfect narration team to build a world you’ll want to return to again and again for a fix of the jollies.</p> <p><strong>4. <a href="/%20http:/t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fdear-fatty-dawn-french%2Fprod9780099519478.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dear Fatty</span></em></a> by Dawn French</strong></p> <p>This best-selling memoir by The Vicar of Dibley herself is a hysterical, insightful look back at a life lived out loud. From her adventures as a rising star of comedy, to her private life away from the cameras, you’ll love the stories French weaves in the form of letters to the people in her life. Our favourite? The one where Brad Pitt passionately kisses her in a busy London restaurant.</p> <p><strong>5. <em><a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fhug-me-simona-ciraolo%2Fprod9781909263499.html" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Hug Me</span></a></em> by Simona Ciraolo </strong></p> <p>You may think a picture book is beneath you, but this story is so sweet and uplifting that it’s well worth keeping on your shelf. Featuring a tiny cactus who just wants to be loved, you may find you relate more to this protagonist more than any other you’ve met.</p> <p><strong>6. <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fsimply-tuesday-emily-p-freeman%2Fprod9780800722456.html" target="_blank"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Simply Tuesday: Small Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World</span> </em></a>by Emily P. Freeman </strong></p> <p>Another blogger-turned-author, Emily P. Freeman has written a wonderful book about finding space in your life away from the hustle. Freeman encourages her readers to take time to focus on the smaller moments in life.</p> <p>What’s your favourite book to turn to when you need cheering up?</p>

Books

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5 quick ways to cheer yourself up

<p>We all have days when we just don’t feel on top of our game. You might get some bad news, lose your favourite sunglasses, or just feel downright grumpy for no particular reason.</p> <p>Sadly most of us don’t have the means (or time) to take an island holiday or go and get a massage when we are having a bad day.</p> <p>So if you want to get rid of your funk and feel happier, try some of our tried and tested tips below.</p> <p><strong>1. Breathe</strong></p> <p>Calm yourself down, reduce your blood pressure, and even release endorphins simply by stopping to breathe deeply. Close your eyes and breathe in while counting to five, and then breathe out counting to five.</p> <p>It can really help calm down a racing mind or help you put things in perspective when you get wound up.</p> <p><strong>2. Scribble</strong></p> <p>Doing some drawing (or furious scribbling depending on how bad your mood is) can really help to relieve stress.</p> <p>The best part is you can do this anywhere, anytime, if you just keep a small notepad with you.</p> <p><strong>3. Sing</strong></p> <p>When you sing, you take in oxygen and release endorphins, which can help put you in a better mood. Singing also helps to boost circulation and decrease anxiety.</p> <p>So keep your favourite power ballad CD in the car and burst into song whenever you need a lift.</p> <p><strong>4. Laugh</strong></p> <p>Having a laugh can really help keep your mind off whatever is bothering you. It helps you to relax and can even lower the stress hormone cortisol.</p> <p>Why not save a couple of funny online videos on your computer to watch when you need a giggle. Or phone a friend who makes you laugh and have a good catch up.</p> <p><strong>5. Jump</strong></p> <p>So this is why kids love trampolines so much! Jumping can reduce stress as it gets your blood pumping in the same way as exercising. You can do it anywhere and you can feel the benefit pretty quickly.</p> <p>Jumping encourages the body to release serotonin, which can help calm your nerves and make you feel happier.</p> <p>What do you do when you need a pick me up? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/06/overcoming-pain-using-the-power-of-the-mind/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Overcoming pain using the power of the mind</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/06/trick-to-make-you-a-morning-person/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The 4 tricks guaranteed to make you a morning person</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/health/mind/2016/06/extraordinarily-simple-ways-to-be-happy/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 extraordinarily simple ways to be happy</span></em></strong></a></p>

Mind

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Santa parade brings Christmas cheer to Auckland

<p>Thousands of Kiwis made the annual pilgrimage to the Auckland CDB for the country's most spectacular Christmas parade.</p> <p>The 82nd instalment of the Auckland Farmers Santa Parade kicked off 1pm on Sunday and ran down Queen St.</p> <p>A few, more seasoned families staked their claim on prime parade-viewing real estate as early as 9:30am.</p> <p>Som Shah and his family have been coming to the Santa parade for 14 years and were among the earlybirds.</p> <p>"We have two family members in the parade ... We love it, what's happening in this community is awesome," he said.</p> <p>Fold-out deck chairs and picnic mats were plentiful among viewers, with crowds 10 people deep in places.</p> <p>Parade favourites were the marching bands, the 'Children of the World' float and of course, Santa himself on a Kiwiana themed float.</p> <p>One newcomer had an extra special reason for being there; Steve Thomson from Fabulous Inflatables in Canada brought his 30ft-tall Cookie Monster and a 50ft Christmas Elmo especially for the parade.</p> <p>"They're excited to be in the parade for the first time, as am I," said Thomson.</p> <p>"I love New Zealand and have always wanted to come and I've heard great things about this event for years so it's really exciting to get to participate,"</p> <p>According to Thomson, a team of about 20 people hold the giants tethered to the earth but he was confident Elmo wouldn't even be able to fly away with one average-sized male solely in charge.</p> <p>Skies were mostly overcast with temperatures around the 22 degree Celsius mark, according to MetService.</p> <p>"We do this every year and we have fun, and it's nice today being a little bit cloudy so it's not too hot" said Nicola Yelash from Henderson.</p> <p>Chairman of the Auckland Children's Christmas Parade Trust Michael Barnett said more than 4,000 volunteers give up their time to ensure the event runs smoothly.</p> <p>"Each year the Farmers Santa Parade proves itself to be New Zealand's leading Christmas event. The calibre of the floats, performers and costumers is of an international standard and we're extremely proud of how it turned out this year," said Barnett.</p> <p>Police say the parade went without a hitch and there was a reasonably good turn out.</p> <p>Written by Nicole Lawton. First appeared on <a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></a>.</p>

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