After terrible ratings at Studio 10, TV host Kerri-Anne Kennerley is in the firing line following rumours she is disliked by fans.
Watch: Where are your pants?’ Kerri-Anne Kennerly insults Studio 10 reporter on LIVE TV
Ratings for the morning talk show plummeted to an all-time low last month, and Ten insiders say the word in the corridors is that the execs, producers and on-air talent are blaming Kerri-Anne for the bad numbers.
“What happened to Denise Scott and Ding Dong [Denise Drysdale], who the audiences love but rarely appear? They resonate with the audiences, unlike KAK,” a well-placed insider tells New Idea.
“KAK just picks fights with guests to get publicity. But it is negative publicity. KAK has always loved getting a headline with her comments and on-air stunts from her days at Nine, but those days are long gone thanks to social media and digital outlets,” they add.
According to the source, Ten’s head honchos have now met to consider their options regarding Kerri-Anne and her future on the program.
“Studio 10 has become a promo vehicle for the network’s primetime shows, with day-old Hollywood gossip from the internet in between,” the insider explains.
Fans have also expressed disappointment in KAK of late.
“Being subjected to watching KAK five days a week is torture. What is the point of having Ding Dong and the newest member. They are barely seen because of the KAK show,” one Instagram follower shared.
Another wrote: “Sorry, but I can’t stand listening to KAK + her opinionated judgements!”
Last year Kerri-Anne was forced to apologise for “slut shaming” guest Antoinette Lattouf. The 66-year-old had asked Antoinette, “Did you forget your pants today?” before suggesting she’s “going to be thirsty”.
The network quickly released a statement apologising for her actions: “Kerri-Anne called Antoinette over the weekend and apologised for her comment. She reiterated her comment was not intended to cause offence. They had a respectful conversation and Antoinette accepted her apology.”
The incident came shortly after presenter Yumi Stynes told her she was “sounding racist” during a debate about Australia Day and Invasion
Day protesters.
“Has any one of them been out to the outback where children, babies and 5-year-olds are being raped, their mothers are being raped, their sisters are being raped?” Kerri-Anne said.
After public outcry, the media watchdog cleared the incident, but the network certainly didn’t forget it. And now with failing ratings, has the TV veteran taken it too far? Is this the end of her tenure?
Channel 10 has denied to New Idea that KAK is leaving the show: ‘Sarah, Angela, Joe, Kerri-Anne, Narelda, Denise and Natarsha are all well respected and permanent members of the Studio 10 family which is how it will stay.’
To read more, pick up this week’s issue of New Idea, on sale now.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
