Sunrise host refuses to perform interview about Sunday Night Nepal segment labelling it ‘bloody disgrace’
O’Keefe
Channel Seven presenter Andrew O’Keefe refused to conduct an interview about Sunday Night’s trip to earthquake hit Nepal with actor Hugh Sheridan on breakfast show Sunrise, labelling it a “bloody disgrace”.
The segment on tonight’s Sunday Night was initially meant to be Packed to the Rafters actor Sheridan searching for his lost brother, who later posted to social media he was a alive and in a remote village. The segment will now show Sheridan and Dr Andrew Rochford’s helping with the relief effort after the huge earthquake last week.
In the email published by the Daily Mail O’Keefe, who is currently an acting host on breakfast show Sunrise, said he could not conduct an interview on Friday morning on the topic adding: “Sorry to be a pain, but this thing is a bloody disgrace and I see there’s already a lot of public backlash about it.”
This morning the Daily Mail says O’Keefe has backed down from that position now he “knows all the facts”.In the email O’Keefe addded it was “crass and really naughty” to fly into Nepal “and pester them for a chopper so we can make our show” despite the Nepalese authorities asking people to stay away.
“I respectfully suggest that you don’t really want me doing this interview. And I think Sam feels the same, though I’ll let her speak for herself on that point,” he added.
It is understod Seven could not get access to a helicopter to fly Sheridan to reunite with his brother, and instead dedicated resources to helping the relief effort.
Seven has defended the decision to go to the disaster zone pointing out Sheridan is an ambassador for charity World Vision and Rochford is a Red Cross ambassador.
Seven has been approached for comment on O’Keefe’s email.
Alex Hayes
I know many people who know Andrew, and by all accounts he is incredibly nice and intelligent (and just happens to be good at hosting gameshows). These actions support this assertion.
Andrew would be great on the ABC, and is wasted on the commercial networks.
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O’Keefe for the 2016 Gold Logie.
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How much is O’Keefe’s pay rise for lending his employer some integrity?
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Did I just read an item about someone demonstrating integrity? I am not sure, as it is so long since I have encountered integrity I no longer easily recognise it; it usually quickly acquires an overlay of cynicism.
Wow.
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“Hi, this is DFAT, do you want help finding your brother who’s not listed as a missing person?”
Channel 7: “No, we’re going to do it ourselves to make a TV story. Hopefully we don’t find him before we touch down in Nepal, because that would… oh damn”
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Hear, hear! I saw the ‘correction to his opposition’ on Sunrise, and thought, better google that and find out what the hullabaloo is all about. Thank you AOK for showing an enormous amount of integrity in your decision. The Sunday night show was rubbish, no apology necessary AOK. Move to the ABC!
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When is Andrew going to make some more Deal or No Deal episodes?o
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