CONTROVERSIAL ex- AFL star Ben Cousins was photographed improbably at Hoyts Belconnen cinema as he emerged from a session of “Bad Grandpa” (one star, says “CityNews” reviewer Dougal Macdonald).

The gifted Cousins, who has had a stellar career of highs and drug-fuelled lows, has been reported as having lost direction since retiring from football a couple of years ago.

CC can only wonder what drew him to Belco – visiting relatives or talks with NEAFL clubs?

Trading in – and out

THOSE who can’t get enough of Lonsdale Street Traders are in luck, with the independent retail space reportedly set to continue on for now, despite originally being planned as a temporary shopping venture.

We’re told when the warehouse is eventually demolished to make way for a six-storey building, the “Traders” will move to the Mode3 building, owned by the same people who own the warehouse.

But only the strong will survive, according to a source: “The rent is so high in the Mode building, so although some traders will be there, I doubt all of us will be moving over.”

Games waiters play

“CC” was bemused by a waiter at Braddon’s funky new restaurant, Eightysix, who proceeded to ignore everyone at the table apart from one lucky guest, who was lavished with plenty of attention, shoulder rubbing and constant refills while others on the table were left with empty glasses and unmet requests. Apparently, the wait staff pick a favourite to “play games” with their customers to make for an interesting experience.

Lights. action… cut!

IMAGINE the misery of being an organiser of the abandoned Harvey Weinstein knees up at Parliament House?

All is set for the $440-a-seat, glitterati night-of-nights at the Great Hall, Harvey’s people have been nagging to know if there’s wi-fi on the plane and arranging for other film execs to fly down from Asia to meet up with the Hollywood movie genius, when the call comes through late Wednesday to say his surgeon won’t let him travel.

A viedo hook up will cost what? $80,000 and anyway, people will be disappointed if they’re coming to red-carpet with Harvey and he’s not here.

The brave Thursday morning decision was cancel and refund the tickets. Helpfully, Harvey coughs up what CC hears, but can’t quantify, “a pretty hefty amount to cover some of the costs”. CC is left wondering who picks up the shortfall?

But the silver-lining quote came from CC’s movie snout who reckons “it will be better next year because more people now know about it”.

Lights, action… win?

ACT teenage filmmaker Oliver Levi Malouf, 15, has again made the finals of Trop Jr, this year with his short film inspired by girls’ coming-of-age called “Penelope’s Penguin”. It’s in the running for the $5000 top prize to be judged in Sydney on December 8.

Modelled on the world’s largest short film festival, Tropfest, Trop Jr is a short (no longer than seven minutes) filmmaking competition and a free, outdoor festival for kids aged 15 years and younger.

ABC gets its Phil

THE local ABC has settled on experienced radio personality Philip Clark, pictured, for its critical breakfast slot in the New Year.

Andrea Ho, the ABC’s local content manager, hails Clark as “an outstanding broadcaster and someone who has a knack for putting people at ease while conveying important issues.”

Clark, who says he can’t wait to start at 666, lived in Canberra for 13 years from 1977, is “a great fan of the city and has continued to visit regularly.”

“What I am most looking forward to is chatting with listeners about their region and what matters to them most.”

He replaces Ross Solly, who is heading to South-East Asia with his reporter partner Samantha Hawley.

Hmmms

• PETA Credlin, PM Tony Abbott’s chief of staff, is regarded as such a “micro-manager” that she’s now known in the Commonwealth Public Service as “PRudd”.

• KILLJOYS at Hepatitis Australia have been warning schoolies of the risks of contracting viral hepatitis from unsterile tattooing and piercing equipment. Best years of their lives?

• IN its annual “Members’ Review”, motorist support organisation NRMA reveals that it had to rescue 2296 babies from locked cars across Australia. “Can you believe that many idiots locked their babies in the car?” says our traffic snout.

• THIS week’s stupid survey award goes to the boofheads trying to decide Australia’s official beer o’clock time. A national online voting poll amazingly concluded that 55 per cent of the almost 10,000 voters nominated beer o’clock at varying times between 4pm and 6pm. Sigh.

• STAY calm, but the word is that Australia is in the grip of a pash rash epidemic, national kissing is in decline and breathless research for Gillette reveals women “fear” kissing men with stubble. Oh, no, the horror doesn’t end there, with the threat of the dreaded pash rash forcing almost two thirds of women to knock back a man with stubble.