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"Get under your desks!": Incredible moment tornado strikes TV studio during live broadcast

<p>Dramatic footage captured the moment an EF-2 tornado slammed into the FOX 35 television studio in Lake Mary, Florida, on Monday morning. The on-air meteorologist, Brooks Garner, swiftly ordered his colleagues to take cover as the storm bore down on them in real time.</p> <p>Garner, a seasoned meteorologist for FOX 35, remained remarkably composed as the tornado, with winds reaching up to 200km/h, moved directly toward the station. The storm was first spotted on the studio’s outdoor camera, showing it charging across Interstate 4 before closing in on the journalists inside.</p> <p>Once the wind and heavy rain obscured visibility, leaving only swirling debris on the cameras, Garner issued an urgent warning.</p> <p>“We got debris? Okay. Take shelter! Everybody in the FOX 35 building, get to your safe space. Under your desk if you’re not in a designated area. We’re catching debris right now on the roof,” he said during the live broadcast.</p> <p>As debris pounded the building, Garner repeated his instructions with greater urgency. “Seek shelter immediately! Get under your desks, guys, anchors. Under the desks. Producers, everybody get under the desks.”</p> <p>After the storm passed, Garner quickly shifted his focus back to the safety of viewers still in its path.</p> <p>“Get to the ground level, an interior room, away from the windows,” he urged. “This is a very serious situation. This is a real, live tornado. It just hit our station.”</p> <p>According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the tornado formed at 9:35am. near the southeastern edge of Wekiwa Springs State Park. The twister carved a destructive path through residential areas in Longwood, damaging homes, shattering windows and tearing off roofs.</p> <p>Officials later confirmed that at least one home collapsed. Additionally, a semi-truck was overturned with its driver and his dog inside. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported, though the region suffered widespread power outages and fallen trees. Even inside the fortified FOX 35 building, lights flickered as the tornado struck.</p> <p>Emergency crews have since been deployed to assess the damage and assist affected residents. Authorities urge locals to remain alert, as severe weather conditions persist in the area.</p> <p><em>Image: FOX 35</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"Abrupt!": Viewers stunned by I'm A Celeb winner's reveal

<p>After a gruelling month of bug-eating, celebrity bonding and questionable jungle hygiene, Season 11 of <em>I’m A Celebrity! … Get Me Out of Here</em> wrapped up in a fashion so abrupt that even the credits seemed caught off guard.</p> <p>And the winner is…</p> <p>Sam Thaiday! The former Brisbane Broncos NRL player has joined an elite group of reality TV champions, becoming the sixth man (and fourth pro athlete) to claim the jungle crown. A remarkable feat, though fans barely had time to process it before the show’s ending hit like an unexpected power outage.</p> <p>Thaiday’s victory was followed by what can only be described as the world’s fastest television sign-off. No emotional speech, no teary gratitude, no dramatic last look at the jungle – just the words “Sam Thaiday wins” and a sudden, jarring cut to whatever program followed (presumably an infomercial about knives that never go dull).</p> <p>Viewers, understandably, were left bewildered. Social media reactions ranged from “abrupt” to “anticlimactic”, with one user likening the finale to “watching the season finale of Game of Thrones, only with fewer dragons and more termites”.</p> <p>Adding to the mystery, Thaiday, fellow contestant Matty J and host Julia Morris were spotted arriving at Sydney Airport earlier on Sunday – while the live finale was still airing. Either they had access to a teleportation device, or <em>I’m A Celeb</em> filmed multiple endings, choose-your-own-adventure style, before hastily selecting the right one based on viewer votes.</p> <p>This wouldn’t be the first time reality TV pulled such a move, but it does raise a few questions – like, did Sam even know he won? Or was he as surprised as everyone else when he touched down in Sydney to find himself suddenly more famous?</p> <p>Thaiday’s triumph capped off a season filled with unexpected eliminations – Dave Hughes and Sigrid Thornton among them – and some genuinely emotional moments. The final three, including two-time Big Brother champion Reggie Bird and former Bachelor star Matty J, had their families visit in the finale, leading to a lot of misty eyes and possibly the jungle’s first recorded case of a crocodile shedding tears out of sympathy.</p> <p>While Thaiday took the title, Bird remained a sentimental favourite. Ahead of the season, she revealed that her $250,000 winnings from her 2022 <em>Big Brother</em> victory had gone toward staying afloat rather than securing her dream home. “I feel like I’m a mouse in one of those spinning wheels," she told news.com.au "I just can’t get off this vicious circle.” A brutally honest assessment that may also apply to viewers endlessly watching reality TV finales that don’t quite deliver the dramatic payoff they expect.</p> <p>She also spoke about the harsh reality of the housing market: “I went to the bank to get a loan and couldn’t, because you need to borrow well over half-a-million dollars to buy a house on the Gold Coast, and I don’t have a job. No-one wants to employ me because of my vision. I’ve been trying to get a job, but I just can’t get any work, so I can’t get a loan.”</p> <p>It’s a sobering reminder that even reality TV winnings can’t always buy real-world security. And perhaps a sign that the true ultimate survival challenge isn’t the jungle – it’s the Australian property market.</p> <p>As for Thaiday, whether his jungle win translates to bigger opportunities remains to be seen. But if nothing else, he now has bragging rights as the man who won <em>I’m A Celeb</em> so decisively, the show itself barely had time to process it.</p> <p><em>Images: Network Ten</em></p>

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"Please stop": I'm A Celeb viewers slam Ten's "ridiculous" broadcast

<p>Viewers of <em>I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!</em> have slammed Network Ten's broadcast of the program over their relentless interruptions. </p> <p>After only two episodes back on air for the 2025 season, frustrated viewers have taken to social media after admitting they turned the show off thanks to the sheer amount of ads.</p> <p>Not only were there constant advertisements during the episodes, but the show's editors also interrupting the action and, at some points, even cutting people off mid-sentence. </p> <p>Viewers have taken to social media to slam Ten for the constant interruptions and voice their frustrations. </p> <p>One fan shared their frustration on X, writing, "Love the show but PLEASE STOP THE ADS!!! OMG!! It is ridiculous!! Literally 5 mins of footage and then 10 minutes of bloody ads!! So over it."</p> <p>"Anyone else’s ads starting randomly in the middle of a sentence &amp; cutting off part of the show?" another asked.</p> <p>"Seems to have been an issue @channel10au," a third said. "Less than half of the program being shown with ads out of nowhere interrupting most key moments."</p> <p>"What’s with all the ads, counted 12 in a row," someone else wrote. "Think I’ll just watch it later on 10 Play," another said. "The ads are ridiculous."</p> <p>"Just as many ads on 10 Play," one viewer responded. "I missed a bit last night and just wanted to skip through to find it… had to sit through several ad breaks"</p> <p>"Omg the ads and now the show is jumping ahead seriously sort it out," another wrote.</p> <p>"More ads than celebrities? Switching to the tennis..." yet another said.</p> <p>The criticism comes after the 2025 season of <em>I'm a Celeb</em> was slammed for their lacklustre cast. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Ten - Instagram </em></p>

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Lindt Cafe siege remembered ten years on

<p>Ten years on since the horrific Lindt Cafe siege, Louisa Hope quietly placed flowers outside the former eatery where she was held hostage for almost 17 hours - a private ritual she has performed every year since. </p> <p>“It’s something that does not go away,” she said, reflecting on the tragic day. </p> <p>“One of my fellow hostages said to me that, every morning when he wakes up and every night before he goes to bed, he thinks about the Lindt Cafe.”</p> <p>Hope was one of 18 people, including her mother, who were taken hostage by Man Haron Monis on December 15 2014 after he stormed into the cafe armed with a gun and explosives. </p> <p>While a dozen people managed to escape, two of the hostages were killed, including cafe director Tori Johnson, who was executed by Monis at 2.13am the next morning, and barrister Katrina Dawson, who was caught in the crossfire when officers stormed the building.</p> <p>On Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese laid flowers in Martin Place  alongside state and federal leaders, and Dawson's parents. </p> <p>The decision to hold a muted memorial without speeches came after discussions with the hostages and their families. </p> <p>"It was a terrible event that traumatised this city," Albanese said. </p> <p>Hope, who had battled PTSD symptoms, has been managing her "excruciatingly violent" thoughts and now feels a “sense of duty” to share how things can be better.</p> <p>In August, she helped launch Victims of Terrorism Australia in August, a support and advocacy group for victims and survivors of terrorism.</p> <p>“After the siege, when I was lying on Phillip Street, the one thing I knew in my heart was that we had to get something good out of what happened,” she said.</p> <p>“What happened in the Lindt Cafe happened to our entire country.”</p> <p>“There’s nothing like being in the company of people who just get it ... but also, there’s a lot of advocacy that we need to do in Australia to bring us to the international standard,” she said.</p> <p>She has formed a friendship with Ben Besant, a former tactical operations unit officer who killed Monis.</p> <p>Besant, who has only recently been named publicly after a suppression order forced him to be referred to as ‘Officer A’, has also opened about about his PTSD. </p> <p>“I’ve nearly spent 20 years in the police force ... but for me, Lindt (Cafe) was always the one that I couldn’t deal with,”  he told AAP. </p> <p>The one thing he still struggles to forgive himself for was having to watch Dawson die in his arms, and the revelation that she died from fragments of police bullets. </p> <p>“I’ve always blamed myself for that. Ultimately that’s still where a major part of the emotion comes from: that job. It was the just the one job that I couldn’t manage or deal with myself.”</p> <p>Now a carpenter, Besant is advocating for more Australians to have an open conversation about PTSD, especially fellow police officers, first responders and military. </p> <p>“Take the plunge, apply yourself to a fight, you have to fight to beat PTSD.”</p> <p><em>Image: 7NEWS</em></p> <p><strong><em>Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone.</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>Lifeline 13 11 14</em></strong></p> <p><strong><em>beyondblue 1300 22 4636</em></strong></p>

Caring

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Another Channel Ten star jumps ship to rival network

<p>As Channel Ten continues to make difficult choices about their future as they struggle to stay afloat, one high profile host has jumped ship to a rival network. </p> <p>According to <em><a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/channel-ten-star-jumps-ship-to-nine-following-mass-axings-214525599.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo Lifestyle</a></em>, Rodger Corser, who was the host of the short-lived series <em>The Traitors Australia </em>on Ten, is set to host a new show on Nine titled <em>The Floor</em>, with Channel Nine allegedly swooping in to steal the actor and presenter "from underneath Network 10's noses".</p> <p>An industry insider told <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em> that <em>The Traitors Australia</em> was being looked at again for another season, but Rodger's sudden move to Channel Nine has killed any hope that a third series would continue.</p> <p>As for Corser's new gig with Nine, <em>The Floor</em> is described as being a "game based around a floor grid of 81 squares, each of which is occupied by a contestant with expertise in a different trivia category. Pairs of contestants face each other in head-to-head trivia duels, with the winner taking over all territory controlled by the loser."</p> <p>After being made popular in the US with host Rob Lowe, the insider said Corser would be "perfect fit" to bring the show Down Under. </p> <p>"Nine didn't really want anyone else," they said. "<em>The Floor</em> is going to be massive and Nine are thrilled to have Rodger on contract."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

TV

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Another Channel Seven presenter announces shock resignation

<p>Veteran Channel Seven weather presenter Liz Cantor has announced her resignation on Wednesday after 17 years with the network. </p> <p>The TV host shared the shock news in a statement and revealed she has accepted a new position at Network Ten. </p> <p>"I was a seven, now I'm a ten. I feel honoured to be part of the return of local news to Queensland. I'm really excited to take weather out into our community," she said. </p> <p>She paid tribute to her former colleagues and shared her excitement at starting the new role alongside a gallery of photos from her time at Seven. </p> <p>"I just want to use this space to take a moment and jump in to say thank you to my 7News colleagues," she shared.</p> <p>"I cherish the friendships, experiences, lessons and growth I've experienced while running alongside you all, over the past 17 years.</p> <p>"You're the most incredible, hard working bunch of inspirational people. I count my lucky stars I got to share such an influential part of my life with you all."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_NSXdcTySW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_NSXdcTySW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by LIZ CANTOR (@lizcantor)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Cantor will start her new role on Monday. </p> <p>She joins Sharyn Ghidella, who was axed from Seven last month, but will soon join Network 10 to anchor the 5pm Queensland news bulletin. </p> <p>Her move to Network 10 will also bring the <em>10 News First </em>show back to the Brisbane studio after years of it being read from Sydney. </p> <p>In an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_OWPdxTOgF/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">update</a> shared on Wednesday morning, Cantor shared a photo alongside Ghidella in front of the Network 10 desk, sharing her excitement to be working with her again. </p> <p>"Also, @sharynghidella people know you as a calm, composed, intelligent news anchor - and you are all of these things - but I also know you as someone witty (YES!) and always encouraging and supportive of the people around you," she wrote. </p> <p>"I am beyond thrilled, to call you my colleague again. See you all Monday."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Top ten places in Australia to retire

<p>Each year, more and more Aussies are fleeing their hometowns and major cities after they retire for a slower pace of life to fully enjoy their retirement years.</p> <p>These small towns offer retirees more lifestyle benefits and affordable housing, while avoiding the busy hustle and bustle of city life.</p> <p>A new study by fintech firm Citro shared the top ten places retirees are choosing to move to, with New South Wales and Queensland housing the most desirable locations.</p> <p>In the top ten spot was Echuca in Victoria, followed by the Tasmanian town of Launceston, with both towns offering a unique sense of community and beautiful scenery.</p> <p>Three charming seaside towns were named in the next positions, with Wallaroo, the seaside paradise on the Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, taking out the 8th place spot, Mandurah in the south of Perth, Western Australia in 7th, and the town of Rosebud on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula landing in 6th place.</p> <p>Heading inland to the Australian capital was Belconnen in Canberra, ACT, in 5th place, while the whale-watching hub of Hervey Bay in southeast Queensland landed in 4th.</p> <p>Maryborough in Victoria came in 3rd, while Ingham – known as the "Little Italy" of tropical north Queensland – was crowned the 2nd most desirable place for Aussie retirees.</p> <p>However, coming out on top was the quaint country New South Wales town of Armidale, which was dubbed the best place in the country for Australian retirees, largely based on the fact that average house prices are currently sitting at $450,000.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Visit Victoria / Shutterstock</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Bruce Lehrmann ordered to pay millions to Network Ten

<p>Bruce Lehrmann has been ordered to pay a whopping $2 million to Network Ten to cover the network's legal fees from his failed defamation lawsuit. </p> <p>Lehrmann's suit against the network, and in turn <em>The Project</em> and Lisa Wilkinson, came to a end when Justice Michael Lee found he had, on the balance of probabilities, raped Brittany Higgins at Parliament House in March 2019.</p> <p>The former Liberal staffer's case was dismissed after Justice Lee concluded he was not defamed by Lisa Wilkinson's tell-all interview with Brittany Higgins on <em>The Project</em> in 2021.</p> <p>Following the conclusion of the case, Lehrmann was ordered to pay Network Ten's astonishing legal fees, returning to court on Thursday to discuss the manner in which they will be paid.</p> <p>Ten’s barrister Zoe Graus on Thursday told the court that the broadcaster had sought a $2m lump-sum payment from Mr Lehrmann which Justice Lee ordered that Lehrmann pay, though he noted Mr Lehrmann was a man of “modest means”.</p> <p>As a result, Mr Lehrmann could be forced into bankruptcy if he fails to meet the hefty costs order.</p> <p>The court was told that Network 10 had offered to pay Ms Wilkinson $607,850 for the journalist’s legal costs, given the fact that she had independent representation during the trial. </p> <p>However, an independent referee will determine the final amount to be paid to Wilkinson. </p> <p><em>Image credits: MICK TSIKAS/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Legal

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“We’re now in a death spiral”: Complete collapse of Channel Ten predicted

<p>The future of Network Ten is in jeopardy, as the broadcaster continues to face dwindling ratings nationwide, while also juggling a turbulent ownership battle at its American parent company Paramount. </p> <p><a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/media/network-10-is-in-total-turmoil-and-may-not-survive-as-australias-third-commercial-broadcaster/news-story/8834f836947d5f4ca478c9b88db9e47f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to a report by news.com.au</a>, the existence of the Network is in "total turmoil", after high profile shows such as <em>The Masked Singer</em> and <em>The Bachelor</em> have both been axed, leaving many wondering how long the broadcaster can stay afloat.</p> <p>Queensland University of Technology Professor Amanda Lotz, who leads the Transforming Media Industries research program, told the outlet that it’s unlikely Australia will still have three free-to-air commercial networks in the near future.</p> <p>“I would suspect by the end of the decade that we will have two commercial broadcasters,” Prof Lotz said. “It’s just math. We’re now in a death spiral. And eventually, it might be that we just have one.”</p> <p>QUT Professor Anna Potter, an expert in digital media and cultural studies, agreed that the landscape for commercial TV in Australia is now so stretched that television businesses are dangerously unviable.</p> <p>“I think there’s a big question too about whether Australia can support three television (commercial) broadcasters – and I’m not sure we can,” Prof Potter said.</p> <p>A major part of Ten's toppling has been the ongoing defamation suit against the network, launched against Bruce Lehrmann. </p> <p>While Ten successfully defended the suit, they hardly came out unscathed as the Federal Court criticised its handling of various matters related to the broadcast of <em>The Project</em>’s explosive interview with Brittany Higgins in 2021.</p> <p>Daily headlines about the court case overshadowed many popular programs, many of which failed to deliver a significant ratings recovery.</p> <p>As the network has consistently lost viewers over the past years, nationwide ratings have continuously put Network 10 behind its other commercial competitors, making parent company Paramount doubt how viable the business can be long term. </p> <p>Media analyst and Pearman director of strategy and research Steve Allen said, “A new owner of Paramount Global is unlikely to see Ten as an asset worth retaining because the business is in serious turmoil.”</p> <p>“There’s no programming momentum and they haven’t found a really solid anchor for prime time, their revenue looks steady but they can’t seem to significantly reduce overheads, and now there’s upheaval in terms of their US ownership."</p> <p>“Network 10 is in a real pickle and I don’t see a way out for them.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Ten </em></p>

TV

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Network Ten's heart-wrenching tribute to Jesse Baird

<p>Network Ten have shared a heart-wrenching tribute to former colleague Jesse Baird, whose remains were found alongside the body of his boyfriend Luke Davies. </p> <p>Sandra Sully introduced the emotional tribute to the 26-year-old, becoming teary as she remembered her slain friend, while calling on people to remember Jesse as a kind and talented young man. </p> <p>“We want to pay tribute to our friend and former colleague Jesse Baird, his murder alongside that of his partner Luke Davies has rocked Network 10. Our hearts go out to their family and friends,” Sully began.</p> <p>“We want to remember Jesse for the man he was, and not how he died.</p> <p>“Amazingly talented, funny, beautiful inside and out - and forever loved and missed.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C34z-Fux8E_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C34z-Fux8E_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by ☕️ #SandraSully AM 📺📻🎙️🎧 🏑🇦🇺 (@shortblack_)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The tribute, narrated by entertainment reporter Angela Bishop, recapped Jesse's career in the spotlight, from his first hosting gig on children's TV show <em>Totally Wild</em>, to all the unique experiences he took on during his role on <em>Studio 10</em>. </p> <p>He was also an avid AFL fan and worked as a goal umpire for the league, in a role that meant a lot to him. </p> <p>Other Network Ten colleagues have shared tributes to Jesse this week, with news reader Lachlan Kennedy writing on social media, “His talent was undeniable and energy infectious. Jesse Baird has had the brightest of futures stolen from him.”</p> <p>The <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/update-on-search-for-bodies-of-murdered-couple" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bodies</a> of Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies were found on Tuesday by NSW police, with their remains located in the NSW Southern Tablelands. </p> <p>Accused murderer and former police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon has been charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of the couple, after turning himself in to police in the days after their disappearance. </p> <p>Police will allege the murder of Jesse was premeditated by Lamarre-Condon, but his partner Luke Davies was killed only for being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Ten / Instagram </em></p>

Caring

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Police officer sought in connection to disappearance of two men

<p>A NSW police officer is sought in connection to the suspicious disappearance of two men, who haven't been heard from since Monday. </p> <p>Former Studio 10 host Jesse Baird and his boyfriend Luke Davies were last seen four days ago, with police launching an investigation into their disappearance. </p> <p>A number of their personal items, including a watch, clothes, credit cards and keys were found by a worker in Club Cronulla, with blood stains present on the items. </p> <p>Police have also searched two homes during their investigation - one in Balmain and one in Paddington - with officers "immediately" establishing a crime scene at the Paddington home after finding blood spatters. </p> <p>According to officers, a “significant” amount of blood consistent with a fatality and signs of a struggle were discovered inside Mr Baird’s Paddington home on Thursday afternoon. </p> <p>More personal items belonging to the couple were recovered from a skip bin 20 kilometres from the home in question. </p> <p>Police have called for Constable Beau Lamarre to come forward as part of their investigation, who is the ex-boyfriend of one of the men. </p> <p>Friends of Baird have revealed he previously expressed concerns he was being stalked by another man.</p> <p>Police confirmed on Thursday they wanted to speak to Constable Lamarre in relation to the case and were desperately trying to reach him.</p> <p>"Following inquiries, detectives are looking at a line of inquiry that a third person may be able to assist with the investigation," NSW Police said, in a statement.</p> <p>"Police are currently trying to locate him."</p> <p>Police have not said that the officer was involved in the disappearance, only that they would like to speak to him, as no arrest warrant has been issued.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Legal

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Kyle Sandilands storms out of studio after argument with Jackie O

<p>Kyle Sandilands has stormed off his hit KIIS FM radio program after an argument with his co-host Jackie O Henderson over Covid-19. </p> <p>Sandilands stormed off just 11 minutes into the show on Tuesday morning, after bringing up that NSW Premier Chris Minns had cancelled his appearance on their show after testing positive to the virus.</p> <p>The argument sparked when Henderson downplayed the seriousness of the virus and said it was "just like the flu". </p> <p>Sandilands hit back saying that Henderson would probably still isolate if she caught the virus, considering how cautious she was in the past. </p> <p>"I'm allowed to change my opinion," Henderson shot back. </p> <p>Sandilands then argued that she should have some "consistency" in her opinions, before declaring that he was going home and storming out of the studio. </p> <p>"Well that escalated quickly," a stunned Henderson said. </p> <p>Not long after their Executive producer Pedro Vitola confirmed that the radio host had gone home. </p> <p>"What's happening today?" Henderson asked. </p> <p>"I'm telling you this full moon, it messes with people," she added referring to what astrologers call the full moon in Gemini, which they believe is a period when people are a bit more restless and rife with misunderstandings. </p> <p>It is unclear whether Henderson also went home as it is reported that the show has been playing repeats of old segments. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram/ KIIS FM</em></p>

Music

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"It's a tough day": Studio 10 axed

<p>After a decade on the air, <em>Studio 10</em> has been axed by Channel Ten, with the staple morning show not returning for another season in 2024. </p> <p>The announcement was made on the show's Instagram page by hosts Angela Bishop and Tristan MacManus to break the sad news to loyal viewers, while admitting it had been a "tough day" as they learned the show's fate. </p> <p>"After an absolute epic decade on Australian TV screens, trying to put smiles on your faces every morning and love into your hearts, unfortunately we have some sad news for you today. <em>Studio 10</em> will not be returning for 2024," McManus said. </p> <p>“It’s a tough day for the whole <em>Studio 10 </em>family, because we have loved bringing you the show for the last 10 years,” said Bishop in the video. </p> <p>“We’re all really proud to be part of it."</p> <p>“To finish up, I’m going to pinch a quote: Don’t cry ‘cos it’s over, smile because it happened.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CznGGC8yeol/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CznGGC8yeol/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Studio 10 (@studio10au)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>A Ten spokesperson said in a statement, “<em>Studio 10</em> has been a great contributor to Network Ten's daytime program line-up. We would like to sincerely thank all those who have participated in and supported the program over the past decade and to the millions of viewers who tuned in over that time. </p> <p>“It has been a show that has provided copious amounts of feel-good fun, joy, passion, heart, entertainment, and unforgettable moments all against the backdrop of live television."</p> <p>“Although we are sad to be farewelling the program, the decision to cease production of <em>Studio 10</em> comes after a change in viewing habits in daytime television.”</p> <p><em>Studio 10</em> ratings and viewer number have been steadily declining in recent years, and took a plunge after longtime host Sarah Harris left to join The Project at the beginning of 2023.</p> <p>Even with Harris at the helm, <em>Studio 10</em> averaged just 31,000 viewers in 2022.</p> <p>The show copped its lowest viewership back in March with just 10,000 viewers recorded on the final Monday of the month.</p> <p>The Ten spokesperson went on to say that, “The hosts of <em>Studio 10</em> – Angela Bishop, Narelda Jacobs and Tristan MacManus, with special roving reporter Daniel Doody – will remain with the network in different roles and many of the staff will be redeployed.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / Channel Ten</em></p>

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Lisa Wilkinson sues Channel Ten

<p>Australian television personality Lisa Wilkinson is taking legal action against her former employer, Network 10, in a dispute that revolves around an alleged breach of agreement concerning the payment of legal costs incurred in their ongoing defamation case initiated by Bruce Lehrmann.</p> <p>According to a recent report by <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/lisa-wilkinson-sues-network-10-over-bruce-lehrmann-defamation-suit-costs/news-story/b796eceb7c9bf6f1700e5c4f27c6b27a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a>, Network 10 is refusing to cover two invoices totalling $723,000 for legal services that Wilkinson acquired when she hired prominent barrister Sue Chrysanthou SC and Gillis Delaney Lawyers partner Anthony Jefferies earlier this year.</p> <p>This decision by Wilkinson to engage her legal team instead of utilising Network 10's retained law firm, Thomson Geer, appears to be at the heart of the dispute.</p> <p>Wilkinson, a well-known media figure in Australia, left <em>The Project</em> in November 2022, citing being subjected to "targeted toxicity". This departure marked the beginning of a series of legal and professional challenges that have now culminated in her suing Network 10 in the New South Wales Supreme Court.</p> <p>Wilkinson's legal action claims that Network 10 had accepted liability to indemnify her in the defamation case, regardless of whether she chose to be "independently represented" or not. Network 10 has responded to these allegations by emphasising the importance of due process in justifying the substantial legal invoices. They expressed that their primary focus remains on defending the defamation suit brought by Bruce Lehrmann.</p> <p>Lehrmann is suing Network 10, Lisa Wilkinson, and the ABC for defamation in connection with their reporting of a sexual assault allegation made by Brittany Higgins in 2019. Lehrmann alleges that Wilkinson's interview with Higgins on <em>The Project</em>, which aired on February 15, 2021, conveyed a series of defamatory meanings, including the accusation that he had raped Higgins in then-defense industry minister Linda Reynolds' office in 2019. Despite the legal challenges, Wilkinson's interview with Higgins garnered critical acclaim, earning her two Walkley Award nominations and a Logie Award.</p> <p>After her departure from <em>The Project</em>, Paramount Australia executive vice president Beverley McGarvey indicated that they had plans for Wilkinson's future, expressing optimism about continuing their relationship with the renowned journalist. However, Wilkinson has not been seen on air since then, and her contractual obligations with Network 10 are reported to extend into the next year, with a deal rumoured to be worth seven figures.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Legal

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First look at the new and improved Brekky Central

<p>After completing their final broadcast in the legacy Martin Place studio, the <em>Sunrise</em> team have broadcast their first show from the new and improved Brekky Central. </p> <p>The breakfast program began its first show from Seven’s Eveleigh studios, unveiling the highly-anticipated state-of-the-art studio on Monday morning.</p> <p>Hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington could hardly contain their excitement as they greeted viewers for the first time from their new desk. </p> <p>Sunday’s <em>Weekend Sunrise</em> marked the end of an era at the Martin Place studios for both <em>Sunrise</em> and Channel 7 after more than 19 years.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvD5DnZgGtB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvD5DnZgGtB/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sunrise (@sunriseon7)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Sunrise</em> and <em>The Morning Show</em> have now joined <em>7NEWS</em> in Eveleigh, which began broadcasting from its new home in June, while 7NEWS.com.au and 7NEWS Spotlight moved across in May.</p> <p>The arrival of the <em>Sunrise</em>, <em>Weekend Sunrise</em> and <em>The Morning Show</em> teams means that for the first time in more than 40 years, the entire Seven Sydney operation and all broadcast and operational staff across all departments are now under one roof.</p> <p>Speaking of the move to Eveleigh, Seven Network Director of Morning Television, Sarah Stinson, said “From today, viewers will see a brighter and fresher look, but the heart of our shows will never change. Our teams will continue to bring the best coverage of news, sport, weather, entertainment and so much more – and we’ll continue to have a laugh as only <em>Sunrise</em> and<em> The Morning Show</em> can.”</p> <p>Throughout the show, viewers got an inside look to the brand-new set, while Mark Beretta gave the audience a tour of the studio, make-up room and control room.</p> <p>“Twenty years ago when we moved into Martin Place we did a tour, so now it is appropriate to do a new tour,” the sports presenter explained.</p> <p>With a <em>Sunrise</em> microphone in hand, Beretts proceeded to walk around the vast new set, sharing details of the layout and curtain that divides <em>Sunrise</em> from the <em>7NEWS</em> set.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

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Major change ahead for Sunrise

<p dir="ltr">Sunrise has had a lot of readjusting to do in 2023, with their casting change in the wake of longtime host David Koch’s departure being just the beginning. </p> <p dir="ltr">And now, the show is faced with another new development, as Channel 7 looks to pack up its Martin Place residence to move to its new studio. </p> <p dir="ltr">Fans of the show will be familiar with the window backdrop that came with the CBD location, as it’s where the company has called home for almost two decades. But<em> Sunrise</em> is next up to make the move to 7’s new Eveleigh studio, with<em> 7 NEWS</em> anchor Mark Ferguson giving the final go ahead.</p> <p dir="ltr">Over the course of a month, Channel 7’s flagship morning shows will be following their nightly counterparts to the new location, with <em>Sunrise</em>, <em>Weekend Sunrise</em>, and <em>The Morning Show</em> next on the removalist’s to-do list.</p> <p dir="ltr">They won’t be alone in the new studio, with the likes of <em>7NEWS.com.au</em> and <em>7 NEWS Spotlight </em>already having parted ways with Martin Place. </p> <p dir="ltr">And according to Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer James Warburton, the change marks the first time in 40 years that the network’s Sydney operation will be “under one roof”, as they embark on “the beginning of a landmark chapter”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Martin Place has served as an exceptional home for us but as we aim to unite even more Australians across our much-loved news and public affairs content, our transition to the purpose-built, state-of-the-art studio space in south Eveleigh is a pivotal move,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“<em>7 NEWS</em>’s relocation to south Eveleigh marks the start of this exciting phase and we look forward to Sunrise and The Morning Show joining our cutting-edge, new location soon.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Network Director of News and Public Affairs Craig McPherosn had his own words to share, noting that the move “marks a new beginning” for everyone involved.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Since first turning the lights on at Martin Place on August 30, 2004, Seven’s News and Public Affairs team has broadcast a mammoth 70,000 hours of television from the Martin Place studio,” he explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hundreds of careers started there, as did programs. Not all lasted but the constant demand for the content never wavered. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a wonderful workplace for all of us, but it had served its time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Sunrise / Channel 7</em></p>

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Ten slams “misleading” Masterchef rumours

<p>Channel 10 have put an end to rumours surrounding the next season of<em> Masterchef Australia</em>, in the wake of false reports circling that they were on the hunt for a new judge. </p> <p>In the wake of chef Jock Zonfrillo’s passing, rumours have circulated that the network was looking for a replacement. And according to a report from the <em>Daily Mail</em>, they even had a few frontrunners in mind. </p> <p>The publication claimed that no well-known chef was off the cards, and that while it was a “sombre” affair, an insider had informed them that conversations had begun, despite their ongoing grieving process.</p> <p>Their insider reportedly stated that the final decision would come down to on-screen chemistry, not existing popularity, as “that really earned Jock the position originally”.</p> <p>They suggested that Zonfrillo had been “a dark horse”, but that his chemistry with fellow judges Melissa Leong and Andy Allen had been what won everyone over, and that “the new host will need that more than anything”. </p> <p>The<em> Daily Mail</em> went on to list their reported shortlist of contenders for the position, from the likes of former<em> Masterchef </em>stars Dan Churchill and Hayden Quinn, author Danielle Alvarez, Hugh Allen, Josh Niland, Joel Bickford, Alessandro Pavoni, and Jordan Toft. </p> <p>Their most notable, however, was Poh Ling Yeow, who had made a return to the series a few nights prior.</p> <p>However, as Channel 10 have informed <em>news.com.au</em>, none of this is true. </p> <p>“Casting for the next season of <em>Masterchef Australia </em>has not commenced,” a spokesperson for the network declared. “To suggest otherwise is completely false and misleading.”</p> <p>Zonfrillo, as well as Leong and Allen, had only joined the cast of <em>Masterchef </em>in 2019. Their line-up marked a significant change for the series, with former longtime judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris, and Gary Mehigan exiting the hit cooking competition after nearly a decade at the helm.</p> <p>And although they hadn’t possessed the same public profile as the former batch, Zonfrillo and his fellow judges had proven a major success with viewers, with the show powering on in the ratings realm. </p> <p>The 2023 season - Zonfrillo’s last - had welcomed strong viewership for the network as well, and while many may continue to speculate about the following season, Channel 10 remain firm that pre-production will not get underway until much later in 2023. </p> <p><em>Images: Masterchef Australia / Ten </em></p>

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Huge broadcast blunder sees new footage of late Jock Zonfrillo mistakenly aired

<p>Footage from the delayed<em> Masterchef Australia</em> featuring late host Jock Zonfrillo was accidentally made available for streaming.</p> <p>Channel 10, the network behind the hit cooking competition series, had previously vowed to postpone the series in the wake of Zonfrillo’s death. In a statement shared on social media, they had written that they were “deeply shocked and saddened at the sudden loss”, and that “<em>MasterChef Australia</em> will not air” on its anticipated premiere week- nor any sooner than May 8.</p> <p>However, in a tragic broadcast blunder, 17 minutes of content made it online, showing Zonfrillo alongside his fellow judges - Melissa Leong and Andy Allen - as they welcomed special guest Jamie Oliver, and their contestants.</p> <p>Zonfrillo in particular had presented a former contestant - who had previously left the show in 2021 to prioritise his mental health - with an apron, before asking how he was doing. </p> <p>The clip was removed as fans and mourners drew attention to the mistake, but the damage had been done, and the upset was prevalent.</p> <p>As one insider told <em>The Daily Mail</em>, the future of the show was in the hands of the late chef’s wife, Lauren Fried, and family. </p> <p>“It will really come down to Jock’s family and what they feel he would have wanted,” they said, despite the network itself and the sponsors connected to the series reportedly believed to be onboard with proceeding with the new season. </p> <p>“Commercially, and in terms of timing, this is a disaster. It is simply diabolical,” the source continued. “But not even a major TV network would be ghoulish enough to put anything other than the wishes of Jock’s family first and foremost.”</p> <p>While the future of <em>Masterchef Australia</em> remains unknown, Zonfrillo’s co-hosts are taking the time to process their devastating loss, with both breaking their silence to share touching tributes to their friend on social media. </p> <p>“Four years ago, the three of us stood on a precipice and leapt together,” Melissa wrote, before describing the impact the late chef had had on her life, and how he was “always supposed to be the bulletproof one who outlived us all.”</p> <p>She went on to note everything she admired about him, from his kindness to his ability to carry “far more on your shoulders than most could ever know.” </p> <p>“This all feels too raw to process still, I suspect it will for some time,” she concluded. “Such is the impact of a life lived so large, with so much levity and entirely on your own terms.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CruwFWyLsPZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CruwFWyLsPZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Melissa Leong | FOODERATI (@fooderati)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Andy’s post began in a similar manner, with the chef opening up on how Zonfrillo had changed their lives, and how they never could have anticipated how close they would all grow. </p> <p>“You've become such an inspirational and important part of our lives. Sure, you've taught me so much about food, but it's the lessons I learnt about what it means to be a great father, husband and friend that I'll take away from our time together and will last forever,” he wrote, alongside a series of pictures and one video of his late friend. </p> <p>In a heartbreaking list, Andy outlined just a small fraction of the ways he’d miss Zonfrillo, wrapping things up when he declared “you really were the complete package mate and life will never be the same without you …</p> <p>“Give it up for Jock Zonfrillo.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrujL7AyMaF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrujL7AyMaF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Andy Allen (@andyallencooks)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Kerri-Anne Kennerley heads to the jungle … on one condition

<p>Former TV presenter Kerri-Anne Kennerly is returning to screens across Australia as one of 13 contestants heading into the South African jungle for the 2023 season of<em> I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!</em></p> <p>However, while the others will be forced to present a natural front to the cameras, Kerri-Anne wriggled her way into maintaining the “glamorous” look viewers have come to expect from her after 40 years in television. </p> <p>While speaking to Ten’s Nick Bond, Kerri-Anne revealed that the network’s head of entertainment, Stephen Tate, has been trying to get her to participate in the show every year since it began - something that gave Kerri some extra power when she finally did decide to dive in.</p> <p>She noted that the final offer had been one she “couldn’t refuse”, but that there had been “a few provisos” along with it. The most important of them was that she “get[s] to take makeup”, with Kerri stating that “natural is very overrated.” </p> <p>“I can’t be bothered doing that much,” she added, “but it won’t be natural because natural takes a long time. Every girl knows that.” </p> <p>But that’s not the only difference viewers can expect to see between Kerri and her fellow contestants, with the veteran presenter also scheduled to make her entrance a day after the rest. </p> <p>Not that she’s concerned, instead suggesting to Bond that they should simply “get better management. Not my problem.”</p> <p>The opinion of viewers doesn’t look set to faze her either. For anyone doubting that she’ll be able to handle the ‘rustic’ side of camp life, from outdoor bathroom facilities to some of the show’s more extreme challenges, Kerri had already dismissed their take, explaining that “I literally have ridden camels, bulls, horses … held snakes, including cobras and red-bellied blacks … been bitten by a ferret, been scratched by a lion cub.” </p> <p>Coupled with her experience with heights, Kerri-Anne may yet prove hard to beat for the others vying for the crown with her. </p> <p>12 dropped into camp the day before Kerri-Anne, each eager to face the challenges the jungle has in store for them, and to ultimately come out on top. </p> <p>Former <em>Australian Idol</em> judge Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickinson was the first to land, with <em>Married At First Sight</em>’s Domenica Calarco following suit, then <em>Yokayi Footy</em>’s Bianca Hunt, AFL Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney, <em>Home &amp; Away</em>’s Debra Lawrance, and <em>Geordie Shore</em>’s Nathan Henry. </p> <p>Up next came <em>KIIS National Drive Radio Show</em>’s Woody Whitelaw, celebrity chef Anna Polyviou, Olympic lightweight boxer Harry Garside, netball’s Liz Ellis, <em>Below Deck</em>’s Aesha Scott, and comedian Peter Helliar to round them out. </p> <p><em>Images: @kerriannekennerly / Instagram</em></p>

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10 worst movies based on TV shows

<p>There was a time when Hollywood executives were convinced that television would end the movie industry. They were certain no-one would want to pay for entertainment when there was free TV to watch.</p> <p>Both the film and television worlds not only survived but also thrived. To keep up with the growing demand for new products to film, the movie executives turned to the same industry they once feared. </p> <p>Television programmes were adapted into big screen productions. The trend continues with <em>Baywatch</em> being the latest feature film to draw on a TV show for inspiration.</p> <p>Some of the efforts worked while others should have been cancelled before being released. The following list includes some of the worst movies based on a TV show. </p> <p>The list is long but here are 10 of the worst:</p> <p><strong>1. <em>CHiPs </em>(2017)</strong></p> <p>Dax Shepard and Michael Pena should have been arrested for grand theft for their part in this robbery of the movie-going public.</p> <p>The effort to make this movie a spoof of the beloved TV show that ran from 1977-1983 might have worked had they had even one funny joke. No such luck as all the pair had to work with was a script - by Shepard - that banked on a running joke about masturbating to generate laughs.</p> <p>Shepard and Pena. Both are talented performers, but even those with skills can't milk laughs out of a script that is a lot like Los Angeles traffic. Most of the time it's moving at a slow pace but there are more moments when it just comes to a dead stop.</p> <p><strong>2. <em>The Honeymooners </em>(2005)</strong></p> <p>It was a monster mistake to make a film version of the 1955 series starring Jackie Gleason. As much as 75 per cent of what made the original <em>Honeymooners</em> such classic entertainment was Gleason. It was his bigger-than-life personality that made the show a classic. Cedric the Entertainer has skills but not enough to be a modern Ralph Kramden.</p> <p>This movie should have been sent right to the moon instead of into theatres.</p> <p><strong>3.<em> Lost in Space </em>(1998)</strong></p> <p>The biggest problem director Stephen Hopkins faced trying to adapt this '60s sci-fi series into a movie was that the original TV show never had a clear identity. In a span of three seasons, the TV show went from a serious space adventure to a cosmic goof.</p> <p>And, the film is just as big a cosmic goof.</p> <p>The casting of Gary Oldman as Dr Smith (the Snidely Whiplash of space hitchhikers) was smart but that's where the clever thinking left orbit. A convoluted script mixed with a bland Matt LeBlanc as Maj Don West should have forced the studio to have the prints lost in the space of a landfill.</p> <p><strong>4. <em>The Beverly Hillbillies </em>(1993)</strong></p> <p>Few films based on TV shows have featured so much talent and potential only to end up missing the mark so much. Director Penelope Spheeris was coming off her massive success with <em>Wayne's World</em> and put together a cast that included Diedrich Bader, Jim Varney, Cloris Leachman, Lily Tomlin and Dabney Coleman.</p> <p>The one thing everyone forgot was that the TV comedy, which started in 1962, was a painfully light sitcom that relied on juvenile jokes and backwoods humour. That's OK when it's free on TV and there are other shows to watch but not worth the cost of a ticket.</p> <p>This was a wee-doggies of a film (with the emphasis on dog).</p> <p><strong>5. <em>Inspector Gadget </em>(1999)</strong></p> <p>The only way this live-action version of the creative animated series could have been any worse is if the vanilla version of comedy, French Stewart, had played the robotic detective rather than Matthew Broderick. At least Broderick tried to bring the same kind of dry humour to the role that Don Adams had infused in the original series. Try being the operative word.</p> <p>Other than helping push some toys sales, <em>Inspector Gadget</em> had little worth. It was so bad that Broderick didn't return to the role for the sequel and was replaced by... French Stewart.</p> <p><strong>6. <em>Car 54, Where Are You</em> (1994)</strong></p> <p>It was impossible to figure out the audience this movie was trying to attract. The big screen version of the TV show came along more than 30 years after the original went off the air. The goofball script didn't come across as being aimed at an audience that would remember the TV cop comedy. And the youth target market would have only heard of the series from their parents.</p> <p>The only good thing to come out of it was that John C McGinley was able to rebound seven years later to help make the TV comedy Scrubs a hit. So far, no word on a big screen version of that medical sitcom.</p> <p><strong>7. <em>Dukes of Hazzard</em> (2005)</strong></p> <p>The entire movie comes across like star Johnny Knoxville is pulling a Jackass stunt on the audience, with a lack of funny jokes, good acting, interesting situations, human-like dialogue, anything really hazardous and the presence of Jessica Simpson.</p> <p><strong>8. <em>Starsky & Hutch</em> (2004)</strong></p> <p>Ben Stiller had to have a place on this list and it was his forgettable work with Owen Wilson that earned him the honour. Watching the two stumble along as the big screen versions of the cool TV detectives ended up being a form of police brutality. The only saving grace was... OK, there was no saving grace.</p> <p>A shootout with the <em>Dukes of Hazzard</em> guys wouldn't have been enough to save this disaster.</p> <p><strong>9. T<em>he Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas</em> (2000)</strong></p> <p>The cast from the original films - which included John Goodman, Elizabeth Perkins, Rick Moranis and Rosie O'Donnell - was replaced by the likes of Mark Addy, Kristen Johnston, Stephen Baldwin and Jane Krakowski.</p> <p>It's the best decision ever made by the original cast members to consider the franchise to be extinct. The replacements helped push this franchise back into the Stone Ages of movies.</p> <p><strong>10. <em>Land of the Lost </em>(2009)</strong></p> <p>What would such a list be like without one Will Ferrell movie? He almost made the list by ruining the big screen version of Bewitched but it was this monumental stinker that was the worst.</p> <p><em>Written by Rick Bentley. First appeared on <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Stuff.co.nz.</strong></a></span> </em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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