The latest word from radioland in Brisbane is that David "Luttsy" Lutteral isn't leaving Nova 1069 after all, he just won't be on the breakfast show so much. I hear he also wants to spend time in LA working on his tan or film/TV career (look how well that's turned out for Rove McManus). Also, I've been told that former 4BC stalwart Danny Hoyland - who, as one contributor to this blog noted, "tests" very well with audiences in a certain demographic - will be returning to the airwaves on the weekends, but not on the FM frequency. I wonder if it's in some way connected with Danny's passion for surf lifesaving?

According to The Village Voice, The Honey Brothers, featuring Adrian Greiner, reference "the country-tinged sensitivity of the Silver Jews, the summery harmonies of the Beach Boys and the zany weirdness of Ween". If that means something to you, you'll probably be excited to know that they are touring Australia for the first time soon, including gigs at Odyseey 09 on the Gold Coast and the Zuri Lounge in Brisbane. More here.

Channel 9 Brisbane has confirmed that recently retired newsreader and proud mum Heather Foord will host Extra next year. Nine Queensland station manager Lee Anderson says in a media release:

"I'm pleased we've been able to juggle our busy daily local production schedule so Heather can remain on air and still be there for her girls. It's a good outcome, and I'm sure our viewers will be happy to see her back – just half an hour earlier than usual!"

Foord replaces Jillian Whiting, who was either "boned" or decided to "spend more time with her family"*, depending on which particular coded language you prefer. Extra will celebrate it 18th birthday in 2009 - that's 17 more than most pundits thought it would last!
* It seems Heather Foord is the rare person in TV land who gets to stay on air and spend more time with her family.

He Died with A Felafel in his Hand is making a comeback - but not to La Boite, where the comedy based on John Birmingham's novel has had two hilarious seasons. Instead, it will be at the Brisbane Arts Theatre, which has been facing something of a financial crisis in recent times. The idea is to try to attract a younger audience. It runs from March 27 to May 2. Details are, or will be, here.

Channel 9 Gold Coast News presenter, Eva Milic will join Andrew Lofthouse in presenting Nine’s Brisbane Weekend News bulletin next year, according to a network media release. The former Miss World Australia holds a bachelors degree in business and a masters degree in journalism. They team replaces former solo reader Melissa Downes, who will be reading the weekday bulletin with Bruce Paige. It seems strange that, in a time of recession that's hit the free-to-air TV industry particularly hard, Nine feels it necessary to replace one person with two. Could it be that at least one of them is "on hold"?