‘I WON’T BACK DOWN’ TV legend Kerri-anne Kennerley returns to screens
Television royalty Kerri-anne Kennerley is fired up about her new position on the ‘Studio 10’ panel
Kerri-anne Kennerley is not usually one for nostalgia. But the showbiz industry legend couldn’t help giving a little nod to her past when she fronted up for her first day at Studio 10 last week. Back in 1981, Kennerley landed the plum role as co-host of Network Ten’s Good Morning Australia. So, her proud husband, John Kennerley, gave her a gold anchor on a chain. “As I was an anchor on the show, he got me an anchor,” Kennerley, 64, recalls. “I have worn that little anchor on every first show I’ve ever done.”
Ten will be hoping Kennerley, who joins the Studio 10 desk on Mondays and Tuesdays, can bring some stability to what has been a rocky ship. The drama started in November last year, when executive producer Rob Mcknight was sacked. Then, earlier this year Jessica Rowe left the Studio 10 panel to spend time with her children, followed soon after by Ita Buttrose. There were rumours of tensions between colleagues, which culminated in the infamous brussels-sprout incident, in which Denise Drysdale reportedly hurled the vegetables at Buttrose during a Christmas shoot. Drysdale is now, for the record, on a break from the show. Kennerley will join Sarah Harris, Joe Hildebrand, Denise Scott and Angela Bishop on the panel.
Of course, there is also the matter of the show’s ratings, which have continued to dive this year, despite showing a modest improvement in 2017. This could well make you wonder why Kennerley would want to be involved in a show that seems dogged by problems. Yet, Kennerley, the ever-professional showbiz queen, loves a challenge.
Plus, her husband, John, who was paralysed after a horror accident in 2016, was all for her joining Studio 10. “He was really keen for me to do it,” Kennerley says. “I think he just likes to know where I am, really.”
Here, Kennerley tells WHO about her latest gig – and what she really thinks of Drysdale.
How do you feel about going back to Ten?
It’s a new old place to call home. I spent 13 years at Ten, and they are some of my most treasured years in television. I’ve had a few incarnations since then. I’m looking forward to this. They’re a nice group of people to sit and have a chat with.
Did you miss morning TV?
I don’t dwell on the past a lot. I moved on much faster than I ever thought I would. Every once in a while you miss that live-tv buzz. This is different because you’ve got a panel of people and you try and contribute as best you can.
Ten has had its financial problems in recent years. Why did you want to go there?
I think Ten is now in a good place with CBS [the US network bought Ten last year]. From what I understand, they’re not putting their fingers in the pie too much. I think Ten is on the upswing. I think all media has been through the wringer, and Ten certainly has. But when the music stops, you better make sure you’re sitting on a chair.
You’re used to hosting or co-hosting shows. How do you think you’ll go on a panel?
I did Midday with Kerri-anne and Mornings with Kerri-anne, and I enjoyed that, but it’s a lot of responsibility and you have to be very focused. Because there are so many people on the Studio 10 panel, you have to see where you can fit in and make a contribution. It’s a nice change. And what could go wrong? There are a whole bunch of people on the panel.
Do you think you’ll struggle to be heard?
That’s always the challenge. But if there are different opinions that’s a good thing.
If there are heated debates, we can’t imagine you’ll back down, right?
Heavens, no. I don’t think I have ever backed down. That doesn’t mean it has to be aggressive or abusive. But let’s face it, television needs spirited discussion. It’s important not to back away. Once you start to be contrived, that becomes very obvious. It’s got to be honest, and luckily news changes every day. If everybody was on the same page it would be like watching wallpaper. I want to be the flock on the wallpaper.
The show lost key personalities. Are you worried about joining a show that has had so many changes of late?
Those people that left had positions there for a very long time. It’s like dog years in television. I just think people move on for different reasons all the time. That’s normal.
How well do you know the others on the desk?
Not that well. The first time I met Sarah I was doing Mornings at Nine and she was in the makeup area nervously pacing up and down. I asked her, “Is something wrong?” She said, “I’ve just come down from Queensland and I’m doing the Today show weather and it’s my first day.” She was so sweet.
You’ve known Denise Drysdale for years. How is she going?
I think she’s doing a cruise this month. Whatever she is doing, I’m not privy to. I think when you’re doing a few days a week you do need a change of pace. And when people have been in a spot for a while it’s only natural they have a break and come back refreshed.
You won’t be throwing any brussels sprouts around the set, will you?
I don’t even know what happened there. I keep hearing stories about it, but I’m not really up with it. I hope she’s [Drysdale] having a fabulous time.
Away from the show, how is your husband, John, going now?
He’s in remarkably good mental health. He’s very dedicated to the rehab that he does. He can’t move anything, or very little, so it’s just about keeping the blood moving.
You received a fine for parking in front of your driveway. Has that been sorted out?
It did get resolved. The parking around Woollahra [in Sydney] is always a problem. I was in the wrong because I’d left the car in the wrong spot, in front of my garage. It was technically illegal, but the RTA let me off with a warning and said don’t do it again.
Are you still playing golf?
Well, joining Studio 10 means I’m having to give up Monday competition day, at golf, and I’m bit peeved about that. I’ll just have suck it up and get on with it.
“Television needs spirited discussion”