Business of Media
Morrow hits virus interruptus in Checkout defamation dispute
Former Chaser star Julian Morrow encountered a hitch in his court case against Cordell Jigsaw’s erstwhile production partner Nick Murray on Monday when an unexpected visitor turned up in court: COVID-19, reports SMH‘s Samantha Hutchinson and Stephen Brook.
A practitioner taking part in the high-profile media spat was a close contact of a coronavirus case. And while they tested negative to the virus, protocols inside the NSW Supreme Court mean the day’s proceedings had to be shelved while the entire courtroom – including anyone who attended the case last week – went to get tested.
Fingers crossed the proceedings will continue on Tuesday.
News Brands
Grant Denyer and wife Chezzi reach settlement with New Idea over ‘affair’ story
TV host Grant Denyer and his wife Chezzi have reached a private settlement in their case against Are Media, formerly known as Bauer Media, over a cover story published in New Idea in October, reports News Corp’s Mibengé Nsenduluka.
Confidential understands that the couple recently enlisted the help of high-powered Sydney law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth after the magazine published photos of Denyer, 44, with his Dancing with the Stars dance partner, Lily Cornish, 22, and falsely implied they were having an affair.
In a statement, a rep for the couple, who have been married for over a decade and share three children, confirmed that a public apology was issued by New Idea on Monday as part of the terms of their settlement.
“While we can’t disclose details, I want you to know that we employed Richard Leder and Georgie Austin from Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Renee Enbom QC, with every intent of suing but have since reached a suitable confidential settlement outside of court which includes, most importantly, a public apology and admission that the story and headline were false,” a spokeswoman said.
Nine’s Peter Hitchener will take a step back from reading the weeknightly bulletin
Beloved Melbourne newsreader Peter Hitchener will appear less on our screens from 2022, but the 75-year-old is far from out of the picture entirely, reports News Corp’s Duncan Murray.
Hitchener will go from five nights a week down to four reading Channel Nine’s 6pm bulletin, with colleague Alicia Loxley tipped to take over the Friday slot.
A source told The Australian, “He’s won the ratings 10 years in a row. This is a way of extending his career, not shortening it. We want him to do it forever.”
Seven News presenters in burger ads
What’s a news brand worth?
An ice coffee and a burger, according to Seven News Queensland’s Nathan Spurling and Simon Nicholls, in what will go down as one of the most startling in-house advertisements of the year, reports TV Tonight.
ABC Media Watch last night drew attention to the ad -which ran in a commercial break during the news.
Nichols rang Spurling at the news desk to take an order for his Maccas run.
Paul Barry said, “And it’s been running for weeks across Queensland from Toowoomba to Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.
“Real journalists, on the real news set, selling coffee and burgers. Unbelievable.
“As is the fact that it was Seven’s idea and the journalists weren’t even paid by Macca’s — it’s apparently part of their job these days.”
Television
Bec Maddern’s shock move to newsreading
For some lucky TV personalities who suddenly depart a network, it doesn’t take long to find another job, reports News Corp’s Nick Tabakoff.
Now it’s looking like Bec Maddern, former co-host of Nine’s Weekend Today and Ninja Warrior, may just be one of those lucky personalities.
Only a week ago, it was revealed Maddern was walking away from Nine after they failed to agree terms on a new contract.
But for Maddern, it’s starting to look like a case of no Nine, no worries. Diary’s spies say Maddern may be on the verge of signing a deal with arch rival Seven – where she has spent the bulk of her TV career – in coming days.
And what would make Maddern’s possible resurrection on Seven even more interesting is we’re told she could be promoted to a new role: as newsreader.
Tess and Luke Struber reveal trolling terror after winning The Block
Former reality TV contestant Tess Struber has revealed the shocking extent of the online trolling she received, including when someone threatened her life after stealing images of her baby daughter, reports News Corp’s Amy Price.
Cairns couple Tess and Luke Struber won The Block in 2019 after making $730,000 at auction and have since begun constructing their dream home after welcoming their daughter Cleo in April this year.
Appearing on podcast It’s All Her this week, Tess, who has suffered from anxiety since she was a child, said they had struggled to deal with the trolling that followed them since appearing on the show.
Hard Quiz goes on tour
Hard Quiz is going on the road, with live theatre shows in 2022, reports TV Tonight.
“People have been asking me for ages to bring Hard Quiz to their city. Finally, I can say YES! Join me for Hard Quiz Live in your hometown … away from the watchful eye of the ABC lawyers. Things will get loose!” said host Tom Gleeson.
Gleeson is touring in March 2022 beginning in Canberra, followed by Adelaide, Melbourne (Comedy Festival), then in June / July in Sydney with Brisbane, Newcastle next November and Perth in December.