Laurie Oakes wraps Sunday morning interviews
Laurie Oakes one on one interviews with politicians have been a staple of TV for decades but the veteran journo has brought them to a close.
- Published by David Knox
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He’s been a staple of weekend television for decades but Laurie Oakes will no longer be putting politicians in the spotlight on Sunday mornings on Nine.
The Walkley and Quill winner has chosen to wrap his weekly one on one interviews with politicians which began on Sunday in 1981 before morphing into Today in 2008.
During that time Oakes has interviewed them all, with the pollies’ answers regularly making the wider news landscape.
Oakes tells The Australian. “I’ve been at it a long time (more than a quarter of a century) and I’ve decided, in my advanced years, to have a bit of a life.
“I haven’t had a regular weekend for as long as I can remember.
“There were no other Sunday morning programs (like this) when we started. Now, of course, there are others.
“But it’s time to stop, except for when there are special events, like the big interview with the Treasurer on the Sunday before Budget. We’ll still do that. But it will be irregular.’’
Oakes’ interview with Wayne Swan two weeks ago was the final.
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8 Responses
Maybe he’ll have a guest spot on Andrew Bolts new Ultra Rightwing love fest on Channel Ten when it starts.
He was amazing
He was excellent also in the show from the late ’70s that morphed into “Sunday” — “Federal File” with Alan Reid and Jim Waley.
end of another era. what will become of his clipboard?
All I will say is thank god for insiders
Another Australian television icon resigns to his “advancing years”, joining Brian Henderson….. out of sight, out of mind.
In the past the Oakes interview formed part of the late and greatly missed Sunday program. Now unfortunately it is just part of the dumbed-down, celebrity story driven fare that Nine has settled with.
Sadly a sign of the times.
Well it is time for him to finish he has had a long and succesful run. One Network for a long time that in this day and age is a rarity and will never happen again, or its a symbol of the Talentless lot at 9 either way good work Laurie.