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In our column that takes you inside the world of media we look at whether a Julia Roberts ad cost Kamala Harris the US election; another executive gone from Channel 9; Netflix removes a major feature and Osher Gunsberg shares his thoughts about The Golden Bachelor.
WATCH: A video version of this column is available in the player below
ELECTION AD BACKFIRES FOR HARRIS
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There are many theories going around as to why Kamala Harris lost her bid for President of the United States. While the blame game continues, one thing is for certain – the promised ‘female’ vote failed to materialise.
But why?
You would think the idea of electing the first female president would unite women into voting for the Democratic candidate, but it just didn’t happen.
And I can’t help but wonder if an ad encouraging conservative women to vote for Harris in secret had something to do with it. The ad, narrated by Julia Roberts (which you can watch inthe player above), was condescending in nature, and even seemed to look down on women because they only do ‘what their husband’s tell them to do’.
Julia Roberts voiced this ‘condescending’ election ad for Kamala Harris. Credit: Vote common good“In the one place in America where women still have a right to choose, you can vote any way you want and no one will ever know,” Roberts says in the ad as women knowingly nod at each other in the voting booth.
Is the message of the ad that these are abused women who are told how to vote by their abusive husbands?
The ad is too clever by half and off-putting, playing into the narrative that Democrats look down on people.
I’m sure there are many reasons Trump won the election, but this ad certainly didn’t help.
NINE NEWS DIRECTOR CALLS IN THE LAWYERS
Some big changes at Nine Queensland with local news director Amanda Paterson leaving the company suddenly on Thursday.
News Corp reports Paterson was called into a meeting that morning “before disappearing not long before the news was delivered to staff in a town hall”.
It comes as staff at the network demand action after the ‘Intersection’ report into the toxic culture at Nine was handed down. No names were included in the report, which was made public, and that has led to anger within the company on whether people will be held to account.
The reasons behind Paterson’s sudden exit are not known and it cannot be assumed there is any link to the Intersection report.
The Australian reported lawyers have been called in by the former Queensland news boss and it will be interesting to see how far this goes in the courts. It has been reported Darren Wick, the former head of news, received a $1million golden handshake when he left the company amid an investigation into his conduct.
That news only served to infuriate staff who are trying to cope with ongoing cost-cutting across the network.
While Nine will be cautious about future payouts, the company still has to adhere to the law. And that’s where this could all get very messy.
NETFLIX REMOVES INTERACTIVE TITLES
In news unlikely to upset most content consumers, NETFLIX has announced it will be removing most of its interactive programs.
These are the ones that are like a ‘choose your own adventure’ where you get to choose what happens next.
Bandersnatch is an interactive show on Netflix Credit: Netflix“The technology served its purpose, but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas,” according to spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher.
I hated it because I always assumed I was making the wrong choice – and I was!
Watching TV is usually a passive experience for me. I sit down and just chill while watching content (often playing games on my phone at the same time). The idea of having to make decisions is not appealing at all to me.
Companies like NETFLIX will always be looking to engage the audience with the next big technological breakthrough, but at the end of the day I think most people just want to veg out and not have to think.
OSHER ON LIFE AWAY FROM THE BACHELOR
I recently spoke to TV presenter Osher Günsberg about his upcoming documentary on SBS called ‘A World of Pain’. It’s a fascinating insight into managing and diagnosing chronic pain.
While I had him, I had to ask about The Golden Bachelor and his reaction to no longer being part of the franchise.
Osher Günsberg spoke about The Golden Bachelor. Credit: SBS“My former manager once told me that, ‘Unless you’re hosting the six o’clock news one day, whatever show you’ve got, no matter how big it is, you’re going to get cancelled. And what are you going to do after that?’
“And so Audrey and I, we knew it was coming. And in this gig, it’s a fast yes or a slow no. And as the yeses started to slow down, we had to look at each other and went, ‘I reckon we’ve got about this long left.’
“And we started just putting plans in place, so that when it did happen, and we actually knew it was happening quite a while ago, we were able to execute those plans and keep the boat afloat. And look, I’m thrilled. It’s a great show, and people love it. And I’m excited for what everyone is going to do with it. I can’t wait to see what they make of it. I can’t wait to watch. I’m stoked for Sam Armytage. She’s going to do a cracking job.”
Osher Günsberg: A world of Pain airs Thursday 21 November on SBS and SBS ON DEMAND.
INSIDE MEDIA will be back on Wednesday to cover the 7 Upfronts event where the programming for 2025 will be revealed.
Rob McKnight is the co-owner of TV Blackbox.
English (US) ·