For literally years now, Australians have been out of vogue in New York. Once they were a popular sparkling ethnic eccentricity. You just had to have an Australian or two at every party. But they got so played out so fast.

And then all the Czechs and Bulgarians were hot in early 2001, but "that whole 9/11 thing" happened, and Central Europe was totally out and Southeast Asia was hot hot hot! It was all Thai all the time in early 2002! 2003 has been a pellmell scattershot of hip ethnicities, which I'll give you the full blow-by-blow on at a later date.

Because seriously, while out on the town this week I've noticed Australians everywhere — and not just passing canapes. Talking, laughing, and actually on the guest list. Suffice it to say that those nice Scottish and Haitian people you met last week won't be invited back, and some dimpled athletic Aussie will have their place at the dinner table.

Australians totally have their mojo back. Case in point: Australian TV just dumped Rocco's reality show "The Restaurant" after only one viewing. The Sydney Morning Herald called Rocco "a scumbag," in fact. The old Australia would never have shown such spunk; this is a sign of the number one reason for the renewed hotness of Australians everywhere. Welcome back, mates.
Australia dumps The Restaurant [Reality Blurred]