A new year and, thankfully, a new season of SBS2’s The Feed. After making its debut last year in 15 minute format, the current affairs/news review program has now returned to the airwaves in extended 30 minute version and was clearly in no mood for time wasting.
Kicking off with its trademark wrap up of recent news, this episode quickly moved to the inevitable discussion of Schapelle Corby. Taking more a cue from Media Watch than ACA of course, the discussion focused more on the cheque book journalism and inevitable ‘tell all’ media story than it did the already well-trod story about her release. Whilst a little brief, it’s great seeing the show do what it does well.
The show’s two very different highlights came from trans man Buck Angel and SBS newswoman Lee Lin Chin; while the latter needs no introduction, Angel may not be as well known. Born a female named Susan, Angel is now living as a heavily tattooed and muscular man who makes a living in pornography, as an author and speaker, often focusing on transgender and body issues. Angel’s interview with Patrick Abboud was interesting and touching, and his is truly a story worth hearing. On the other end of the spectrum, setting Lin Lin Chin up as a gossip reporter (complete with her trademark stylish flair) is such a delightfully absurd and funny idea that it can’t not work!
Much of the show’s appeal can be traced back to host Marc Fennell. Fennell’s tone is humorous, warm and inclusive- everything any ‘youth oriented news show’ host should be, but (strangely) so few are. He was easily the smartest and most accomplished of ABC’s Hungry Beast crew, and it’s terrific seeing him maintain his high standard of presentation and wit.
As wonderful as the new long format is, even at half an hour it seems too short. Certain segments, such as the Buck Angel interview, could have gone on twice as long and still entertained. Likewise, many of the early news stories are given perhaps less time than ideal. But leaving the audience wanting more is a damn fine complaint to have about a show.
Review Score: FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Feed airs in Australia weeknights, 7:30 (repeated 10:30) on SBS2
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