There's nothing ho-hum about it

FEW people have exploded on to Australia television in the same way as Jason Coleman.  He instantly picked up the tag as the ``nasty judge'' on Ten's So You Think You Can Dance and admits he did not expect the recognition the show would bring.

When you add his television impact with the impact from a hulking new Hummer, he is never going to make a quiet arrival anywhere.  Coleman, who choreographed the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, says he has driven all his life.

What was your first car?
I loved it. It was a red Holden Sunbird. I used to pretend in my mind -- because it was the same shape -- it was an SLR 5000. It so wasn't though. I think it was a 1979 model. I was 18. My grandparents lent me the money for it and I bought it the day I got my licence on my 18th birthday.

What do you drive now?
I got my Hummer one month ago and I just ache for it. It's the sexiest car I've ever had. I lived in the Middle East for two years when I was the director of choreography for the opening and closing ceremony of the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, and when you live over there on the weekends you go duneing in the desert. I decided while living there that I wanted one. It really turns heads, to the point where I might have to go and buy myself another car because everyone is staring at me everywhere I go now anyway, let alone with the car. I didn't really realise it was going to be that much of a head-turner. I've also blinged the crap out of it -- it's certainly turning heads. I took it four-wheel-driving for the first time at the weekend at the terrain park at Kurnell in Sydney. We had the best time. It was fantastic. It's not difficult to park. I grew up with paddock bombs. I've been driving my whole life. I could park a semi-trailer on a postage stamp.

Do you have a favourite drive and who would you take?
I really loved going out and spending the night in the desert when I lived in the Middle East. The sand dunes are endless. They're like waves. Driving on them is like driving up and down the big dipper. I would take a seriously good lover with me.

How far would you drive in an average year?
It all depends whether I'm on the road. I travel a lot and I guess I would average 20-30,000km a year.

Do you have a favourite motoring memory?
When I bought my Sunbird I thought I was fantastic. I was loving myself sick. My friends and I drove to my parents' holiday house in Bermagui (378km south of Sydney) and if I went over 60km/h my car overheated -- so it took about 3 1/2 days to drive there, but I had the time of my life and I didn't care at all. It was my car, it was going forward and I loved it.

What would you buy if money was no object?
A two-door Bentley or a two-door Maserati. I love those cars. They are so sexy.

What music is playing in your car?
Last night I was banging away to Fedde Le Grande's Let Me Think About It.

How much is too much for a new car?
There are no such words as too much in anything in my world as long as it's quality.

Are you sponsored by a car company?
No, but I'm waiting for Porsche to call any minute now. I think that's them on the other line...