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TV legend endured network treatment

Former Nine News presenter Kellie Connolly writes that Kerri-Anne was a true professional who endured much for the sake of her show.

Former Nine News presenter Kellie Connolly has written a great piece today in the Sunday Telegraph that pays tribute to Kerri-Anne Kennerley.

She paints a picture of KAK as a true professional who endured budget cutbacks, a lack of editorial control, backstage friction and the limited communication in the final days of her self-titled show.

“In political circles, staffers feared the Kerri-Anne interview. It could make or break a pollie,” she writes. “She had a way of asking simple short questions. Of extracting the reality from her subjects. It was exposing. It was also great TV. Unfortunately those moments were few and far between in recent years. The show’s rundown was clunky and predictable, while Seven’s Morning Show was pacey, lively and progressive. Those who worked on the show were well aware of the friction between the executive producer Louisa Hatfield, who joined the show a year ago from magazines, and Kerri-Anne.

Kerri-Anne was appalled at the direction the show was headed. While it was hers in name, it wasn’t when it came to the final say over content. Jana Wendt was probably the last TV presenter to have editorial control.

“Her farewell show was, instead, hastily prepared and not befitting a TV legend.”

Connolly says KAK will bounce back, just as she promised herself on her final show just over a week ago.

“She won’t be out of work for long.”

KAK remains with Nine for projects yet to be determined.

15 Responses

  1. Logies, yes! But only if Gina Riley impersonates her and they share hosting! The opening number could be “I Love You, I Honestly Love You” complete w Tony Bartuccio dancers! Get me the producer on the line…

  2. I think KAK’s ousting is an outrage. Nine should, but probably won’t, cut together a special farewelling her (and frankly she should leave the network entirely…go write a book, then come back in a few years when Ten is healthier). Surely there are corridors of footage showcasing her talents and her fans would just eat up an hour of Midday flashbacks.

    And this way, she wouldn’t be remembered as a gagged lightweight who was discarded like a piece of rubbish, but as a bloody good presenter who could ask straight questions and have a laugh with equal ease.

  3. Kerrie anne is best when she is allowed to play her own game.She was good on Midday but seems to have a straight jacket on in this show. Morning show is very light and fluffy but for some reason rates. Kerrie-Anne would be great on 7pm project once a week( Friday Night), she did it once to promote her book and was very comfortable.this would be a good start and her experience would boost the Project by attracting new viewers.

  4. don’t worry Kerri-Anne, you will be back….doesn’t Nine know who watches morning tv..Old people….and old people Love Kerri-Anne and have No idea who Sonia Kruger is.

  5. KAk is gone from mornings but predicable nine still has one Bert Newton to do morning television dont they , who knows better how to fill 3 hours of rubbish and infomercials than Bert

  6. Typical Channel Nine. Kerrie Anne’s show decreased in quality because they took so much control of it away from her – so they blamed her for the deteriorating quality and dropping ratings.

    In effect, they killed off Another good (not great) show.

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