Ellen DeGeneres fans wait on the steps of the
Sydney Opera House. Picture: Bill Hearne Source: The Daily Telegraph
Leigh van den Broeke, Holly
Byrnes and Ian Walker, The Daily Telegraph, report
If the early bird catches the
worm two of these fans are a good chance of jet-setting off to Los Angeles for
The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Dozens
of Ellen fans massed on the steps of the Sydney Opera House overnight after the
talk show host announced two lucky people will win a free trip to see her show
in the US.
In typical Ellen fashion, there was plenty of singing and dancing to pass the time until the winners are announced during a live cross about 10am this morning.
"There was nobody here when I first got here (at 5pm yesterday),'' Christian Burke, 22, from Liverpool said. "I thought I was the only idiot, (however) some people started showing up about 10.30pm.''
Mr Burke rushed to the Opera House after a job interview, but if he's not lucky enough to win a ticket to LA he has a plan to introduce Ellen to some culture Down Under.
In typical Ellen fashion, there was plenty of singing and dancing to pass the time until the winners are announced during a live cross about 10am this morning.
"There was nobody here when I first got here (at 5pm yesterday),'' Christian Burke, 22, from Liverpool said. "I thought I was the only idiot, (however) some people started showing up about 10.30pm.''
Mr Burke rushed to the Opera House after a job interview, but if he's not lucky enough to win a ticket to LA he has a plan to introduce Ellen to some culture Down Under.
"I've
started a Facebook page for an Aussie Backyard Barbecue for Ellen DeGeneres,''
he said. "If she won't give me tickets to her show she can at least come
around for a barbecue.''
DeGeneres is
set to go one better than former TV rival Oprah Winfrey's Australian adventure
- by today surprising two lucky Australian fans with a free trip back to see
her US chat show.
"(Tuesday's) a big day, Australia. If you're near the Sydney Opera House you may wanna pack a bag and get your passport ready. Seriously," she teased her Twitter followers.
Upping the stakes, ahead of nte Ahead of her first visit to the birth country of her wife, Portia De Rossi, DeGeneres teased her Twitter followers with the prize.
She urged local fans to bring their passports and luggage to a live cross with her producers from the Opera House.
About a dozen Ellen show crew flew into Melbourne on Saturday night, then on to Sydney on Sunday, after a day in Melbourne, to begin scouting for locations for the host's Oz odyssey.
The producers and the show's "street reporter" Jeannie yesterday toured Circular Quay, took a Sydney BridgeClimb and enjoyed lunch at Cafe Sydney before settling on the upper level of the Opera House for today's 11am live cross.
"(Tuesday's) a big day, Australia. If you're near the Sydney Opera House you may wanna pack a bag and get your passport ready. Seriously," she teased her Twitter followers.
Upping the stakes, ahead of nte Ahead of her first visit to the birth country of her wife, Portia De Rossi, DeGeneres teased her Twitter followers with the prize.
She urged local fans to bring their passports and luggage to a live cross with her producers from the Opera House.
About a dozen Ellen show crew flew into Melbourne on Saturday night, then on to Sydney on Sunday, after a day in Melbourne, to begin scouting for locations for the host's Oz odyssey.
The producers and the show's "street reporter" Jeannie yesterday toured Circular Quay, took a Sydney BridgeClimb and enjoyed lunch at Cafe Sydney before settling on the upper level of the Opera House for today's 11am live cross.
The "surprise" will see two fans join the production crew on
their flight home to Hollywood the same day, with co-sponsor Qantas helping to
fast-track any visa requirements with the help of immigration officials.
DeGeneres later added last night on Twitter: "Before I go Down Under, someone in Sydney's gonna have a chance to come up over. I hope you're free tomorrow at 9:30am." Ellen tweeted.
The TV trek is part of the US market launch of Australian wellness company, Swisse, with global brand ambassador Nicole Kidman helping announce the special giveaway to studio guests during a taping earlier this month.
Each of the 400 audience members won holidays to Australia which they can choose to take at their leisure or when DeGeneres visits.
The popular presenter and her Melbourne-born actor wife Portia are expected in Australia from March 17, when DeGeneres says they will "do tape pieces and meet the fans and hang out."
NSW tourism officials are also hoping to capitalise on the opportunity to promote local destinations to the show's international audience.
Local fans keen to try their luck during the live cross are advised to be at the western boardwalk of the Opera House no later than 10am today.
DeGeneres later added last night on Twitter: "Before I go Down Under, someone in Sydney's gonna have a chance to come up over. I hope you're free tomorrow at 9:30am." Ellen tweeted.
The TV trek is part of the US market launch of Australian wellness company, Swisse, with global brand ambassador Nicole Kidman helping announce the special giveaway to studio guests during a taping earlier this month.
Each of the 400 audience members won holidays to Australia which they can choose to take at their leisure or when DeGeneres visits.
The popular presenter and her Melbourne-born actor wife Portia are expected in Australia from March 17, when DeGeneres says they will "do tape pieces and meet the fans and hang out."
NSW tourism officials are also hoping to capitalise on the opportunity to promote local destinations to the show's international audience.
Local fans keen to try their luck during the live cross are advised to be at the western boardwalk of the Opera House no later than 10am today.
Eleanor Harrison, 30, from Quakers Hill will be armed with a packed
suitcase and her passport.
She said she was devoted to the show since becoming a stay-at-home mum.
"I love her. Her show makes me laugh and smile every day and it keeps me sane with three toddlers," Eleanor said.
"It would be life changing if I won, it would be amazing."
Getting into the spirit of things, Ellen fans did The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph's Down Under Dance on top of one of the most iconic Aussie landmarks - the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sydney BridgeClimb staff, clad in blonde wigs, and celebrity choreographer Adam Williams showed off the exclusive dance designed for boogie-loving Ellen for when she arrives in Australia.
Organised by the Sunday Telegraph and put together by choreographer to the stars Adam Williams, the dance includes moves that mimic boxing kangaroos and walking on hot sand at Bondi beach.
"We dived right in and did our best moves on top of The Bridge and it was so much fun. The wind was ideal for the Ellen hair," Williams said.
Manly Sea Life Sanctuary staff have been filmed doing the dance underwater while TV host Kerri-Anne Kennerley turned out with a troupe of 150 young dancers and celebrities like Justice Crew to urge Ellen to do the Down Under Dance, especially created for her.
She said she was devoted to the show since becoming a stay-at-home mum.
"I love her. Her show makes me laugh and smile every day and it keeps me sane with three toddlers," Eleanor said.
"It would be life changing if I won, it would be amazing."
Getting into the spirit of things, Ellen fans did The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph's Down Under Dance on top of one of the most iconic Aussie landmarks - the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Sydney BridgeClimb staff, clad in blonde wigs, and celebrity choreographer Adam Williams showed off the exclusive dance designed for boogie-loving Ellen for when she arrives in Australia.
Organised by the Sunday Telegraph and put together by choreographer to the stars Adam Williams, the dance includes moves that mimic boxing kangaroos and walking on hot sand at Bondi beach.
"We dived right in and did our best moves on top of The Bridge and it was so much fun. The wind was ideal for the Ellen hair," Williams said.
Manly Sea Life Sanctuary staff have been filmed doing the dance underwater while TV host Kerri-Anne Kennerley turned out with a troupe of 150 young dancers and celebrities like Justice Crew to urge Ellen to do the Down Under Dance, especially created for her.
The episode featuring the Sydney cross is expected to air locally on
Channel 9 and Foxtel tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment