Thank you ABC TV for these two superb under 30 minute programs. Note to viewers: you may find that you become instantly mesmerized and binge watch an entire series. You have been warned.

Anh’s Brush With Fame

Anh Do comedian, author, public speaker, actor, dancer, artist, cake decorator and business law graduate from UTS – I mean, is there anything this gorgeous man can’t do?

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In this series he charmingly disarms eight well-known Australian identities whilst painting their portraits. Did you know he was a finalist for the Archibald Prize in 2014? It’s not the only art prize he’s won either, just have a look at some of his amazing work on his website.

The portraits and interviews are intimate and revealing. I won’t lie, I was reduced to tears in many, however I left each episode inspired and proud to know a little more about his  guests: Magda Szubanski, Amanda Keller, Charlie Teo, Kate Ceberano, Craig McLachlan, Jimmy Barnes, Kyle Sandilands and Anthony Mundine.

If you have school age kids, keep your eye on the Scholastic Book Club and Booktopia as they often have his children’s books on special. My eight year old son absolutely loves the Weirdo series and I’m looking forward to sharing The Little Refugee (co-written with his wife Suzanne Do) with both my kids these holidays.

The Little Refugee tells the story of Anh’s and his family’s escape from war-torn Vietnam and his childhood in Australia. It’s published by Allen and Unwin alongside his best-selling memoir for adult readers The Happiest Refugee.

Anh’s Brush With Fame is available on ABC iview until Saturday, 10 December 2016.

You Can’t Ask That

Simple questions posed to people sitting in front of the same backdrop. They look straight down the camera lens and there is nowhere to hide.

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I laughed, cried and cringed to various degrees, as each episode addresses a very different subject, from what it’s like working in the sex industry to being an ex-prisoner to using wheelchair.

I started with the Terminally Ill episode. I supported both my parents as they grappled with a terminal cancer diagnosis and I found the personal stories from these incredibly honest individuals resonated powerfully with me.

You Can’t Ask That is available on ABC iview until 3 August 2019, so you have a little more time up your sleeve for this one, but don’t miss it.