Mediaweek Roundup: Masked Singer, Pauline Hanson, Sam Newman + more

A-League, Sam Newman, and Sally Riley

News Brands

Sunrise wades into Today’s Pauline Hanson controversy

Pauline Hanson’s sudden dumping from Today has kickstarted an unlikely stoush involving rival breakfast program Sunrise and Australian performer Julia Zemiro, with Sunrise host Sam Armytage labelling Zemiro’s claims “BS.”

Enter actor and ABC Home Delivery host Julia Zemiro, who tweeted that she had “long said no to going on Sunrise to promote anything because they continue to invite Hanson on regularly. The Today show has been added to the list.”

Pauline Hanson has in the past been a regular guest on both Seven and Nine’s breakfast programs.

But Zemiro’s tweet prompted a rebuttal from Sunrise executive producer Michael Pell, who labelled her assertion “incorrect”:

“In 2019, I requested no in studio interviews with Kochie and Mel on Sunrise breakfast. There were 2 live crosses from Adelaide 7 with the weather cross on site. As you know, contractually we are obliged to do certain spots. But my request not to be front and centre was heard,” she tweeted to Pell.

But Pell pointed out that “Kochie and Mel” haven’t hosted Sunrise since Sam Armytage took over from Melissa Doyle in 2013.

“Julia, with respect, you don’t even know who the hosts of Sunrise are. We didn’t ask you to come into the studio to promote the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and never would. Plus, Pauline hasn’t been a regular for near 18 months. Your stance seems meaningless and just for show.”

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Sports Media

Farcical bid by three Melbourne A-League clubs to flee city collapses

A second attempt by the three Melbourne A-League clubs to escape the coronavirus-stricken city collapsed into farce on Tuesday night when they again had to leave Tullamarine airport without getting on a flight to Canberra – a failure which could jeopardise plans to finish the A-League season as planned, report The Age’s Michael Lynch and Pat Stringa.

Now fingers are being pointed at the FFA, the ACT Government and the NSW Government as to why the three clubs, Melbourne Victory, Melbourne City and Western United – were left in the lurch once again, with officials condemning them to another night of anger and frustration.

The three Victorian clubs had aborted a last-gasp bid to get to the ACT on Monday evening when weather closed in and fog meant their charter flight could not land in the nation’s capital, forcing them to get off the plane.

This time they did not even get out of their team buses after learning that they would be forced to spend two weeks in quarantine in the ACT – unable to even leave their hotels to train – if they landed in Canberra.

The league is due to begin on July 16 with a fixture between Western United and Victory, which, several sources said last night, might as well be played in Melbourne if it is even played at all.

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Sam Newman on the conversation that led to mediation with Nicky Winmar

Sam Newman has put forward a defence of himself after last week’s successful mediation session with Nicky Winmar, reports News Corp’s Jackie Epstein.

Newman, Mike Sheahan and Don Scott settled their highly emotional dispute last Friday after hours of mediation over comments on the You Cannot Be Serious podcast.

Nicky Winmar and photographer Wayne Ludbey launched legal action against the AFL identities who expressed doubts over the indigenous footballer’s motive for his iconic jumper lifting moment in 1993.

Newman on Tuesday said he was inadvertently dragged into it by Sheahan and Scott, and he also stood by his comments that Sheahan was weak for subsequently quitting the podcast after the backlash.

Newman said it’s “got a little way to go yet” before an official apology is signed off and can be read out.

He said he was disappointed that parts of the mediation were leaked on social media.

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Television

Oscars come calling for ABC TV’s head of drama Sally Riley

Sally Riley, ABC TV’s head of drama, comedy and indigenous, has been invited to join the governing body of the Oscars.

The invitation to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science (AMPAS) arrived unexpectedly last week.

“I had no idea,” Riley said. “The email just popped into my inbox. I’m totally surprised, but also incredibly happy and proud.”

A woman of the Wiradjuri nation, Riley has been at the forefront of the Indigenous film and television industry throughout her career. An award-winning independent filmmaker and writer, she later spent 10 years at the Australian Film Commission (now Screen Australia), where she was head of the Indigenous department.

She became the inaugural head of ABC TV’s Indigenous department in 2010 before moving to her current role in 2016, delivering ground-breaking programming including Mystery Road, Total Control, Operation Buffalo, Stateless, Mabo, Redfern Now and Cleverman.

Riley welcomed the Academy’s move to better represent the diverse global film industry.

Lindsay Lohan forced to pull the pin on The Masked Singer

Lindsay Lohan has been forced to pull out of judging duties on The Masked Singer Australia, reports News Corp’s Jonathan Moran.

The Hollywood actor was scheduled to begin shooting the reality singing competition over the coming months but is unable to travel from her Dubai base due to coronavirus.

“Due to the current international travel complications Lindsay Lohan will not be a panellist on The Masked Singer this season,” Channel 10 said.

“While we are disappointed that Lindsay can’t join us, we are lucky enough to have a sensational new panellist on the desk for this season. They will join Jackie O, Dannii Minogue and Dave Hughes, along with 12 new celebrities and 12 new masks.

“We can hear you yelling; ‘take it off’ from here, but we will unmask our new panellist very soon. Stay tuned!”

The Masked Singer was a breakout success for 10 in 2019 when executives took a chance on the quirky Korean format.

The series sees familiar faces hidden behind masks with the judging panel charged with identifying the celebrity.

Lohan was by far the big drawcard of the season, endearing herself to viewers with her humour and eagerness to understand Australian celebrities and culture.

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How the music of MasterChef cooks up more drama than the contestants

The music of MasterChef has generated its own cult following over the years, with fans either celebrating its orchestral, emotionally charged drama or imbuing the interludes with hidden meanings, reports News Corp’s Kathy McCabe.

The MasterChef music has become as much a character of the long-running cooking show as the contestants and judges.

Thousands of pieces have been composed for the series over the years by The DA’s Office, a music and sound design production house whose television and film credits also include Lego Masters and Gogglebox.

The DA’s Office founders, respected musicians Adam Gock and Dinesh Wicks, have worked on MasterChef since it kicked off, with creative director Mitch Stewart now at the helm of the team who create the show’s various themes.

While the program has its set pieces – intro shots of Melbourne and MasterChef headquarters, the arrival of contestants, mystery box unveilings, pressure test cloche reveals, frenetic cooking sessions, tastings and eliminations – the music evolves with up to 300 scores added to its repertoire each year.

They have wonderfully MasterChef-y names including Deepfried, Apple, Cherry On Top, and Pepper as well as Happychef, Honeyglaze, Caramelise, Dulce, Soup and Pickled Grapes.

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