The Observer Effect: Sept 15

If you’re a fan of Rake you might want to check out The Observer Effect on SBS.

Criminal barrister Charles Waterstreet, who was billed as a co-creator on the first season, is Ellen Fanning’s guest.

This Sunday 15 September on The Observer Effect, Sydney’s colourful criminal defence barrister talks about ‘defending the indefensible’. Known for getting himself into, and out of, interesting situations, Charles Waterstreet is a barrister, author and filmmaker. With a colourful career and charming disposition, he is the co-creator of the ABC TV series Rake.

Now an international TV phenomena, Rake has recently been commissioned in the United States where Greg Kinnear will play the lead character.

Charles Waterstreet is outspoken, opinionated and entertaining. This Sunday at 8.30pm on SBS ONE, Ellen Fanning will help audiences get ‘under the skin’ of the man who, as a barrister, defends the indefensible and often wins.

Ellen and Charles will talk about his legal career and the conflicts thrown up by high profile cases including the country’s longest running terrorism trial and the Skaf brothers rape trial. He’ll also discuss his literary and artistic efforts having written two memoirs, produced two films and become a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald. In spite of his many achievements it remains his peculiar sense of humour that makes him an enigmatic figure, viewing life in an unconventional and far from traditional fashion.

In a recent conversation with Jack Marx for The Monthly, Waterstreet said: “I get these fan letters but they’re always from people with names like Esmae, Edna and Violet. In my mind’s eye, I see myself appealing more to Nick Cave groupies – twenty-somethings with names like Kylie and Susie. It’s very distressing because in my head, I’m still 20. Baby boomers are like that. We feel we’re young-minded and still wonderful lovers but, in reality, we’re all dementia patients but for five or six years.”

This Sunday 15 September on The Observer Effect, 8.30pm on SBS ONE, Charles Waterstreet will talk about his life and review the week…. telling us more about the boundaries he pushes both legally and socially. Comedian and K.Rudd impersonator Anthony Ackroyd will farewell his much loved character and Ellen will also talk with collaborative consumption expert Rachael Botsman.

Sunday 8 September at 8.30pm on SBS ONE.