T minus 20

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

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!   

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

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! 

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

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!

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

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.

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

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. 

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

We're not really giving Peas a chance when we talk this week about the release that shot The Black Eyed Peas to the top of the charts. Someone needs to discuss the Elephunk in the room. 

In the news the Vivian Hailstone becomes the largest chunk of ice to fall from the sky in Vivian Nebraska, and someone thinks it's a good idea to make a daiquiri out of it. The USA open the Do Not Call Registry to help combat those telemarketing calls right in the middle of dinner. 

In music the American Idols crash into the Bilboard charts and Radiohead steal the show at Glastonbury among a lineup that included Coldplay, The Manic Street Preachers, Primal Scream and the Flaming Lips. Thankfully the inclusion of The Darkness on the bill ensured that someone was there to break up all the navel gazing. 

Ang Lee's Hulk tops the box office in the USA and the final season of Sex and The City premieres, while Pamela Anderson debuts in animated form via Stripperella. 

Plus loads more! Let's get it started! 

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

Hold on to your broomsticks and buckle up for a wild ride back to the captivating week of 15 June 2003. From the spellbinding world of Harry Potter to the slam-dunk victory of the San Antonio Spurs, this week was packed with surprises, triumphs, and a healthy dose of eccentricity. 

In the literary realm, J.K. Rowling took the world by storm with the release of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." This fifth instalment of the magical series broke records and left fans queuing outside bookstores at midnight, eager to get their hands on a copy. However, not even the tightest security measures could prevent the unfortunate theft of thousands of copies from a warehouse. Nevertheless, the book soared in popularity, selling five million copies within the first 24 hours and captivating readers in 80 different languages.

While Harry Potter cast his spell on the literary world, the NBA Finals took the sports arena by storm. The San Antonio Spurs and the New Jersey Nets battled it out for the championship, with the Spurs ultimately emerging victorious in a thrilling series. Led by the exceptional skills of Tim Duncan, the Spurs solidified their position as a powerhouse team of the early 2000s, securing their second championship title.

The music scene witnessed the rise of a global icon. Beyoncé released her debut solo album, "Dangerously in Love," marking a turning point in her career. With hit singles like "Crazy in Love," "Baby Boy," and "Naughty Girl," Beyoncé showcased her versatile musical ability and earned herself a whopping five Grammy Awards in a single night. The album's critical acclaim and commercial success propelled Beyoncé to solo stardom, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

In the world of tech, Google made a significant splash with the launch of AdSense. This innovative advertising platform provided website owners and content creators with an opportunity to monetise their online content. Through targeted advertisements, AdSense connected advertisers with publishers, generating revenue on a per-click or per-impression basis. Over time, AdSense became a major revenue stream for Google, with millions of websites utilizing its services.

But let's not forget the quirkiness that defined this week way back in 2003, including the surreal world of Gary Busey. In the comedic mockumentary show "I'm with Busey," Adam la Pena embarked on a journey to learn life lessons from the enigmatic actor himself. Gary Busey's unconventional teachings and off-the-wall personality created hilarious moments and memorable catchphrases. While the show gained a cult following, Busey's career took unexpected turns in subsequent years, ranging from reality TV appearances to his involvement in legal matters.

So, whether you're a Potterhead, a basketball fanatic, a music lover, or a fan of offbeat humor, this week has something for everyone. Relive the magic, excitement, and occasional craziness of this unforgettable year that left an indelible mark on pop culture.

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.

The Spirit Rover was launched by NASA in 2003 as part of the Mars Exploration Rover mission. Throughout its mission, Spirit made numerous important discoveries, including evidence that Mars was once much wetter than it is today and a better understanding of Martian wind patterns!

English county cricket teams introduced the first official Twenty20 matches in response to the declining popularity of the sport among younger generations. The format quickly spread around the cricket world, with most international tours featuring at least one Twenty20 match and all Test-playing nations having a domestic cup competition for the format.

Yahoo! made a significant acquisition when it purchased Overture for $1.63 billion. Overture developed the pay-per-click model for search engines, which involved advertisers bidding on keywords and paying each time a user clicked on their ads. However, they struggled to develop a loyal user base and faced challenges in scaling its business. 

The song "Magic Stick" by Lil' Kim and 50 Cent, "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne, and the film "2 Fast 2 Furious" were the big releases in entertainment this week.

The Australian television series "Always Greener" ended after declining ratings and concerns over production costs. The show followed the lives of two families who decided to switch homes and start a new direction in life. 

Hillary Clinton's book "Living History" was released in 2003, providing a revealing memoir of her life during the White House years and her role as a major figure in American politics. While some readers found the book engaging and inspiring, others criticised it for lacking substance and avoiding certain controversial topics.

Thanks for the summary chatGPT... There's heaps more! 

Send us Fan Mail

Hang with us on socials to chat more noughties nostalgia - Facebook (@tminus20) or Instagram (tminus20podcast). You can also contact us there if you want to be a part of the show.