Darth Id said:

But anyway: is it possible that what I mistook for a phoned-in, bored-sounding Australian is actually a vibrant, nuanced and energetic Kiwi accent? Maybe the switch improved ESB after all!?!?!?

(PS- I assure all that my mistake was in no way influenced by exposure to any cartoon regarding 'The Clone Wars'.)

No, it was still rubbish :)

(PS- I assure all that I was in no way influenced by exposure to the advertising that paid for the cartoon regarding 'The Clone Wars'.)