KEY POINTS:
I'm feeling a bit like Ebenezer Scrooge this week. No, not because I'm a cheapskate, or I hate Christmas. But because I have seen the past, the present and the future.
And a terrifying sight it was, too.
It began two weeks ago, in Sydney, at the red
carpet premiere of High School Musical 3.
Sitting in the theatre, waiting for the cast to make their token appearance, I was surrounded by cherry-faced little girls, flushed with excitement as they prepared to meet (or at least catch a glimpse) of their idol, Zac Efron, in the flesh.
As a burly security detail entered the cinema, lining the aisles to prevent over-eager fans from accosting the star, it all seemed a bit of an overkill. Until Efron entered the room.
Suddenly, I feared for my own life - or my hearing, at least - as dozens of schoolgirls shrieked and shook with hysteria.
Girls as young as 4, shouted out: "I love you Zac!" and "Be mine!" in what can only be described as a slightly perverse manner.
A young girl next to me began to cry after Efron swiped her hand in a passing high-five, shaking uncontrollably as she declared it the highlight of her short, innocent life.
Anyone who has ever watched E! entertainment will have seen similar scenes outside Hollywood film premieres and award shows. Maniacal fans screaming for Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and other A-list stars.
But it never occurred to me that children so young would get in such a state. Or that such scenes would play out Downunder. I rather assumed it was one of those "only in America" things.
Flash forward one week - and about 60 years - and I was even more surprised to see similar scenes (minus the ultrasonic screaming) as a roomful of rather more mature ladies simpered over former Bond star Roger Moore.
In town to promote his memoir, My Word is My Bond, the distinguished Sir Roger made more than one lady swoon with delight as he signed autographs, flashed his famous grin and charmed the room with a selection of well-rehearsed anecdotes.
At 81, Moore may not feature on People magazine's sexiest man alive list, but he could certainly teach young Efron (21) a thing or two about star power.
While Efron is still coming to terms with his fame, visibly baulking from the cameras that lined the red carpet, Moore has learned to embrace the attention and his fans - who have, in turn, embraced him well into his twilight.
Incidentally, did anyone else notice how three of the top four stars on People's list all happen to have big budget films opening at the exact same time the list was announced?
Far be it for me to deny Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig and Efron their place in aesthetic history, but it does seem a touch convenient, does it not?
Australia, Quantum of Solace and High School Musical 3 are set to be three of the biggest-earning films of the year, with a large portion of their success reliant on their leading men's popularity - and sex appeal.
Perhaps next year we'll see Jim Carrey make the list for his turn in Robert Zemeckis' latest project. He'll be playing Ebenezer Scrooge in the 3D re-imagining of A Christmas Carol.
