Group sex and drug use, it's all in days work when you're running for governor of California. That's exactly what happened to Arnold Schwarzenegger this time 20 years ago when his opponents did some muckraking as part of their campaign efforts. 

In other news religion rallied against a sports bar in Iowa because they chose to use the most famous of all virgins as their name sake. Hail Mary's Last Chance Sports and spirits invoked the wrath of the largest Catholic civil rights in America, the Catholic League, who pushed for a name change, and penance. 

In music we've got a new number one single in the UK from Elton John and we discuss the latest release at the time form the mighty Iron Maiden.

On the screen we've got scarecrows going above and beyond in Jeppers Creepers 2 and the Joe Schmoe Show debutrs on the telly.

Plus we break down the latest New York Times bestseller from Tom Clancy and much more!

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It's the kiss that MTV pinned a bazillion promos on and it happened this week in 2003. The VMAs opened with Britney, Christina Aguilera and the undisputed queen of pop herself, Madonna. What was to follow was a tiny kiss on the lips that set tabloids and forums ablaze. Well played MTV.

Also...

On August 28, 2003, Brian Douglas Wells entered a PNC Bank branch with a bomb strapped around his neck. The bomb appeared to be a sophisticated and consisted of a hinged collar that worked like a large handcuff to go around the neck, four keyholes that went under the chin, and a rectangular housing containing two pipe bombs and two kitchen timers. The incident gained significant media attention and became known as the "Pizza Bomber" case.

In more optimistic news Mars made its closest approach to Earth in nearly 60,000 years, coming in hot at around at a rate of 22,000 miles an hour (36,000 kilometres an hour) to get just 55 million kms or 34.6 million miles away from us - a long way by Earth standards, but only a short distance on the scale of the solar system.

On the tech front the SoBig computer virus used spoofing via spam emails to then send emails on your behalf, clogging networks and disrupting processes worldwide. 

Plus a whole bunch of other stuff that's worth hanging around for... 

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This week 20 years ago One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson is sentenced to three years in the slammer for electoral fraud. The right wing populist politician allegedly breached electoral laws by falsely registering the party and providing false documentation. We discuss the finer points of the case and also offer some team building advice that may have prevented the party from imploding at the time. 

And while we're on politics we take a large step even further right and land in Alabama where their Chief Justice Roy Moore gets suspended for refusing to comply with a court order to remove a monument of the 10 Commandments from the state judicial building rotunda! 

We geek out in tech news over the release of our favourite audio editing software from Adobe and explain why subscription models for software sucks for the end user. 

In the charts we shake tailfeathers with P Diddy and the rest of his Bad Boy buddies as well as look at album releases from Alien Ant Farm, The Neptunes, Rancid and Bow Wow.

Plus we do a deep dive on Jessica Simpson and the show Newlyweds...

All that and LOADS more!

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The summer of 2003 was bleak in Europe with a heatwave that resulted in the deaths of thousands. Most facilities across the continent were simply not equipped with central air conditioning and local authorities were fatally underprepared for the crisis as the hottest temperatures since 1540 were recorded. 

There was a massive blackout in the United States which threw New York City into chaos for several days. Mel was actually there and recounts her first impressions of the city that never sleeps almost becomes the city that never poops as critical infrastructure fails.

Australia gets a new Governor General. Mel went to his house once, she'll let you know how it smelled. 

Christiano Ronaldo debuts form Manchester United in sport and we try and understand what coach Alex Ferguson has to say about him. 

In tech news the Blaster Worm attempts to bring down Microsoft.

In music 50 Cent is a mutha effin P.I.M.P. and Dungeon Masters rejoice as they finally receive a soundtrack to their quests! 

Plus we've got Samuel L Jackson and Colin Farrell at the box office, Futurama and loads more! 

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Arnold Schwarzenegger ends months of speculation by announcing live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that he is running for Governor of California. That's right folks, this time 20 years ago the Terminator decided to have a crack at being the Legislator as part of a recall election that would see Governor Gray Davis removed from office. 

We also investigate the origins of Blu Cantrell, real name Tiffany Cobb, as she releases the hit single Breathe onto the UK charts. Which is the bigger hit at a party, Tiffany or a Cobb loaf?

In music news American Idol Ruben Studdard finds himself embroiled in a legal battle over clothing endorsements. The American Pie crew are back at the box office with American Wedding and we visit ground zero for Bennifer Mk.1. a.k.a. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez and the stinker that was the movie Gigli.

The OC becomes the biggest show to hit the small screen and Janet Evanovich is up to her old tricks as Stephanie Plumb and Ranger take over the New York Times bestseller list with her latest novel, To The Nines.  

Plus Mel finds an excuse to indulge us with New Kids on The Block! It's gonna be a hoot! 

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It's a dawn of a new age this week as we mark our 100th episode. 

We send off the Volkswagen Beetle and MySpace heralds the rise of social media. Who was in your top 8? Also, top points to whoever in the marketing department was able to turn the story of a vehicle commissioned by the Furher into into a symbol for peace, love and freedom!

Lance Armstrong quite literally cuts corners in Le Tour De France this time 20 years ago, taking the golden jersey while Joseba Beloki lies bloody and broken on the side of the road. 

Ontario Canada becomes the site of SARSstock, a concert that celebrates the end of SARS and offers a much needed reboot to tourism in the area. The Rolling Stones, Rush, AC/DC and Timberlake headline the event in front of almost half a million people. A massive step backwards for fans of social distancing. 

SPy Kids 3d melts our retinas at the box office, Race to the Altar melts our hearts on the TV and Australian Idol melts down the Aussie TV ratings. We discuss that comment from Ian 'Dicko' Dickson about Paulini and look at the affect it's had on him and others.

All that and so much more! Happy 100 T Minus 20!   

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A major development in the Iraq war this week with Uday and Qusay Hussein killed by United States Special Forces during a raid in the city of Mosul Iraq. The boys had overstayed their welcome at a mate's mansion and he called in the army to evict them and collect the $30 million reward placed on their heads! 

In far less exciting news unknown golfer Ben Curtis backs himself to win the British Open and snatch the title out from under the star studded field. 

We've got fashion news this week as the bum bag or fanny pack makes a comeback, to the delight of dealers everywhere. 

Mel gives us the breakdown on Diwali Riddim in music while Pete Murray hits the airwaves with his album 'Feeler'.

Bad Boys 2 storms the US box office in a flood of testosterone, Reggie Bird wins Aussie Big Brother, Hugh Hefner teams up with Stan Lee and Danielle Still gets us moist with her latest book.

Don't miss it! T Minus 20 starts now! 

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This time 20 years ago Valerie Plame, a CIA operative, found herself at the center of a political firestorm when her covert identity was exposed. This uncovered a complex web of deception, high-stakes politics, and blurred the lines between national security and political ambitions. It also sparked a change in career for Valerie that saw book and movie deals, speaking arrangements and ultimately a big for congress! 

Plus we need to talk about Chingy. Howard Baily Jr. aka 'Chingy' released his single 'Right Thurr' this week cementing himself as a modern day Mother Goose. You'll find out why as we explore this theory in intimate detail. 

Also we've got Coldplay in Byron Bay, Netscape Navigator gets sold for billions heralding the rise of Mozilla, Lance Armstrong wins at the ESPYs and Deal or No Deal is unleashed on Australia! 

Those stories and more, this week on T Minus 20!

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It's a week of science, sport and swashbuckling! Also a massive happy birthday to our North Star, Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent! 

The Eupatoria Planetary Radar sends a whole bunch of our personal information into space with the intention to reach some extra terrestrial intelligence. The project was not endorsed by NASA and was entirely crowdfunded by a team of Texan businessmen, Canadian astrophysicists, Russian scientists, and Eastern European radio engineers. They all walk into a bar... it has all the makings of a terrible joke. 

In sport all 'round nice guys Roger Federer wins Wimbledon, defeating Aussie Mark Philloppoussis for the silverware. 

In fashion, fish bikinis are rejected by John West, and beachgoers alike! 

In music we discuss the Judas Priest reuniting with their prodigal son, Rob Halford and Aussie bands that met their demise in 2003. 

Plus, hang on to your 'arrrrs' as we discuss the big release of the first Pirates of The Caribbean movie and Schwarzenegger returning for Terminator 3 over at the box office.

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It's a big week in sport and news and sports news with Kobe Bryant accused of rape, Chelsea FC being sold to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and SARs being declared contained by the World Health Organisation. 

In technology news Tesla, the electric car company, is founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, it would be another five years before Elon Musk becomes their chairman. 

In music news Beyonce enters the top five, Delta goes to number one in Australia, Ashanti releases Chapter 2 and Lollapalooza returns from a six year hiatus. Notable headliners included Janes Addiction, Queens of The Stone Age, Incubus, Audioslave and Jurassic 5. 

At the movies Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Lui reprise their roles as angels for Charlies Angels Full Throttle.

The Forbes Celebrity 100 names Jennifer Anniston as top dog, everyone wants to have a Second Life online and James Patterson releases the Lake House, complete with bird children.

Confused? Same here! There's all that and so much more this week in T Minus 20. 

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