Even Seven staff were shocked at Katie Hopkins’ casting
The second controversy in a week encircled Seven's company values, just ahead of Tokyo games.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Over the weekend Seven was under fire from all sides, and from within, over the casting of Katie Hopkins on Big Brother VIP.
Politicians were baying for blood, social media was calling for network boycotts, advertisers were being targeted, and Seven staff were questioning decisions by those at the top.
It was the last thing the network needed just days from the Tokyo Olympics.
But Hopkins’ mocking of quarantine rules online gave them a way out…
While Seven had never formally confirmed her inclusion (and technically still hasn’t), it was common knowledge in media circles.
While Hopkins may argue she was only joking online, when she advocated to breach quarantine rules, it was arguably a breach of contract, which obliged her not to bring the network into disrepute.
When you have the Deputy PM, Health Minister and Home Affairs Minister speaking out against you, along with Labor and Greens, it’s a pretty strong case.
Given Hopkins’ track record over matters of race, migrants Manchester bombing and more, many were asking how she managed to get a visa to enter the country on grounds of character. Others pointed to the frustration over stranded Australians to get home.
Even Seven staff are understood to have been shocked by her casting in Big Brother VIP. and wanted her fired. It smacked of contradicting CEO James Warburton’s own statement last week over a racist headline following the Euro 2020 final.
“The post was inexcusable, embarrassing and clearly does not meet the expectations of our company and the values that we’ve all worked so hard on over the past 12 months,” he said.
Some were left to wonder how the casting of Katie Hopkins fits with those same values.
Seven and Endemol Shine Australia failed to read the room on this one.
7 Responses
Do any of Kerry Stoke’s staff know who they work for?
Nine and Sky had stories on their morning shows about this hag and being booted..
“Strangely” Sunrise didn’t really report it…
I can’t believe that Seven or any other network wouldn’t have a say in casting for a show. Someone in state government & at the network needs to own up that they stuffed up big time
Of course they do. Networks and production companies sort casting together. Final say is network.
“advertisers were being targeted”
OK, so that’s why she was dumped!
Absolutely. All about $$$. Now 7 putting out stories, that even they were shocked and appalled. Time management stepped up, and got rid of a few people who are making these decisions.
And apparently according to the ABC her visa has been cancelled & she will be deported ASAP.
Katie has, however, denied breaking any quarantine rules in an Instagram post.
I presume Katie came to Australia on a working visa & now that she has been dumped from BB/VIP she has no work.
Katie may have been joking but it was a really stupid thing to do, particularly when 2 capital cities were/are in lockdown. Katie has no one else to blame but herself.