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Kerri-Anne: “Women judged on looks”

"There are more women in US TV over 40, over 50, even over 60, than Australian TV.," says KAK.

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Seven has begun beating the drum for its upcoming series of Dancing with the Stars. 

The show is considered one of four ‘tentpole’ programmes for the network across the year, alongside My Kitchen Rules, Australia’s Got Talent and The X Factor.

Grabbing much of the early attention is one Kerri-Anne Kennerley. In an interview with the Sunday Herald Sun she admits to her fears of dancing live and measuring up (it takes a little more than the Macarena with the Treasurer).

She also spoke more generally about women on the box and what it means to be more seasoned than many others working in the biz.

“It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know there are a lot of older, uglier blokes (on TV) compared to the young fab and gorgeous things … unfortunately, women will always be judged (on looks),” she said.

“You will be judged on your hair, or your lipstick, your makeup, the way your shirt sits, the colour of your outfit.

“Without question, there are more women in US TV over 40, over 50, even over 60, than Australian TV. But American TV is vastly different, because America has 300-odd million people with a whole chunk of those who wouldn’t tolerate it.

“The Joan Collins and the Jane Fondas of the world, who were serious actors and seriously beautiful women, as they grew older would not be marginalised.

“And those women made it easier for women who were 10, 20, 30 years younger, and every year it (the maximum age for females) will go up just a little bit, up just a little bit.”

Meanwhile host Daniel McPherson weighed in on the expected timeslot battle with The Voice.

“I guess we have to take it as a compliment,” he said.

“We have a new co-host, a new group of celebrities and we are obviously still a threat to the other networks.

“Hopefully the huge fan base of this show will continue.”

Sunday Telegraph has confirmed the show will launch at 6:30pm Sunday April 15 on Seven.

5 Responses

  1. I sympathise with the point KAK is trying to make. But citing Joan Collins and Jane Fonda as trailblazers for older women is more than a little nutty. Both owe their unnaturally youthful appearance to multiple cosmetic procedures, skilful make-up and careful control of lighting for any filmed interviews. Allowing older women on TV only if they look thirty years younger than they are doesn’t do real women any favours.

  3. Oops to part of my last comment.

    I should have said

    All Seven News key local female newsreaders except Chris Bath are over 50.

    If Seven are going to keep their female newsreaders until they are say 65, Chris Bath has a good 2 decades with them. I personally think she is one of their best.

  4. I don’t mind older women on tv just as long as they do their job well. KAK was great doing her morning show on 9 and by giving the show te axe, they lost a great star. Pity DWTS is up against the logies as poor KAK won’t be able to attend. Barbara Walters on The View is 82 and Joy Behar is almost 70 yet they do their jobs well.

    Lee Lin Chin is one of the oldest female newsreader on Aussie tv and she has grey hair. She does a great job too. All Seven News key local newsreaders are over 50. I believe Susannah Carr in Perth is almost 60. I think its great that they can last. Networks should not dump women just because they are “too old”?

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