Essentially, the LA trip has been a family holiday for the Holdens - quality time (staying with friend, former Baywatch star and singer David Hasselhoff at his Belair home) and an opportunity to celebrate wife Anna's 50th birthday with their American friends and family.
But not being one to lay back to perhaps read a few novels and catch some rays, Mark's been busy, literally cruising Hollywood with The Hoff (see videos below) and flexing his networking and promotional skills.
As was recently reported in the Australian news media, Hasselhoff has obtained the US "rights" to Mark's legendary 'Touchdown'. To quote Sydney's Daily Telegraph:
In a unique conception straight from the Mark Holden files of all things bizarre, the showbiz veteran has priced his renowned Idol catchphrase at the domestic and international rate of $10,000 after it was replicated on the Channel 10 talent quest on Sunday night.
Hasselhoff will in turn be able to perform the energetic move in his role as a judge on hit series America's Got Talent , while Holden's former Australian Idol colleagues have also been granted permission to bring the touchdown back into high rotation post-sale. There's only one catch in the contract - the entire value of the sale must be donated to a worthy charity.
David, who will be making his donation to the Los Angeles Police Dept, is reportedly thrilled to be able to introduce the touchdown to American television audiences.
Watch our exclusive video report:
Touchtown Timeline
Early Mark version
Classic
Rare double point
Hoff rehearses for
LA pedestrians
All of this of course is heavily laden with irony.
Firstly, a touchdown is an American football term whereby a player scores 6 points for successfully carrying the ball into the end-zone of the opposing team. Hence US audiences will be fully aware of the term's significance. On the other hand, Australians are less versed in such things, which brings us to the next point.
Mark's touchdown, with prone stance, windup and then energetic pointing arm thrust, probabaly owes more to a boxing rather than football referee. In what we in Oz refer to as Gridiron - when a touchdown is scored, the ref, without stance, windup or even pointing, thrusts both arms into the air.
Fortunately, as can be seen in the video, The Hoff is also well aware of this.
Mark and David took part in a luxury sports car charity rally for the Los Angeles Police 1199 Foundation- for the families of police killed in the line of duty. The LAPD blocked off Ventura Fwy, allowing 150 Lamborghinis and other such seriously expensive machines, to race from the freeway down though Malibu Canyon. 'It was", to quote Mark, "a hoot!!"
With his wife Anna and daughter Katie, Mark is heading back to LA for a few weeks, staying with his friend and former musical collaborator - one Mr David Hasselhoff.
Whilst there, as well as celebrating Anna's birthday with friends and family, the Holden and Hoff are planning on making time to write some new songs together for David's daughters - Hayley and Taylor-Anne - who are currently working on an album.
Mark is most excited to be working with Hasselhoff again and both families are looking forward to some great 'hang-out together' time. You'll be able to catch some of their antics on 'Hoff-TV'. Look out for them on David's website: hasslehoff.com
Mark will also be pitching a new music-based TV format that he's developing. At this stage it's totally 'hush-hush' so we can't divulge the details except to say that he's about to tie up the idea with a top Australian production company and together they're planning to take it to the US .
As for Australian Idol, Mark certainly wishes the team every sucess for season 6 and is confident there will be lots of great new Ausssie talent discovered in 2008 .
Also best wishes to the beautiful Cal Wilson from Nova's 'The Wrong Way Home'and to much success on'Dancing With The Stars'.
Mark and The Hoff first met at an
L.A. pool party in the mid-70s
Mark departs Australian Idol
Idol will be back in 2008 ..
But alas ... without the legendary trademark Holden "je ne sais quoi". In a joint press release from Mark and Channel Ten - it was announced that Mark, after five years, is leaving Australian Idol to pursue other projects
So, as we prepare ourselves to reluctantly bid farewell to the loveable "Touchdown" guy, we are comforted - for the moment - with the official press release .....
Mark Holden today announced his decision to leave the judging panel of Australian Idol after discussions this week highlighted his desire to focus on acting, radio and documentary production.
Network Ten agreed to release Mark from his judging duties only after an agreement to remain with the network was reached.
Mark Holden said: Working on Idol has been an exceptional, challenging and gratifying experience. I'm really proud of what we?ve achieved but it's time for me to look at doing other things.
David Mott, TEN's chief programming officer, thanked Mark for five exceptional years as a judge on Idol. "This decision was not made simply nor taken lightly by either of us. Mark has made a valuable contribution to Idol since it began in 2003 and we appreciate what he offered the franchise. He's decided to leave Idol but not TEN, this relationship has a long way to go yet," he said.
Mark Fennessy, FremantleMedia Australia CEO, says "We acknowledge the outstanding contribution Mark has made to Australian Idol over the past 5 years. We wish him continued success in the future."
Mark is appearing in the much celebrated production of SHOUT! now showing at The Lyric Theatre, Star City Sydney.
October 2008
hand, Australians are less versed in such things, which brings us to the next point.
