Perils of live tv!

This cock-up from the finale of Australia's Next Top Model a day or so ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avmyg1km-80

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/harpers-editor-says-foxtel-changed-result/story-e6frg996-1225931736433

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/video.aspx?videoid=B17F9CD1-7DFC-4E25-9469-6D41F732CA0D

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8033520/Australias-Next-Top-Model-host-Sarah-Murdoch-denies-mix-up-was-deliberate.html

Surely there wouldn't be much point in a stunt as it was the last episode?
As many have pointed out the same thing happened with Wogan on a Eurovison selection a few years back, although at least on that occasion it was pretty instant rather than going through tears, thank yous etc...

Why would they do it as a stunt... especially as it makes the daughter of the owner of the channel look like an idiot?

It also makes the channel and the programme look pretty poor, considering Australia's Next Top Model is one of Australian pay-tv's biggest shows I don't think they'd need to pull a publicity stunt.

Here's a question though, do you think ten or twenty years ago if a winner had been incorrectly announced they would have actually corrected it?

It's produced by Granada Productions for Foxtel. News Corp only has 25% of Foxtel, Telstra being the largest shareholder (50%). FOX8 that aired the show is a Foxtel owned channel.

The editor of the magazine linked to the show isn't totally satisfied (see clip I posted). Sarah Murdoch's hasn't come out of it badly. Everyone seems sorry for her!

how anyone could think it was a stunt is beyond me? that's some academy award-winning acting..

Hardly. "Oim feeling a leetle seek".

Anyway, it wasn't a stunt as far as I'm concerned - just a poor piece of live telly. We'll probably see something equally hideous with Britain's Next Top Model, whose live final is this Monday.

The whole notion that you throw the final vote to a cash paying public is utterly grubby. The point of the franchise is that the experts make the decision - not whoever has the most "friends" on facebook.

Tyra Banks doesn't have any kind of audience vote in the original ANTM - I'm quite surprised she's allowed this in licensing the programme.

Why? If people are phoning in to vote for the winner then that's going to make the broadcaster money which could make other broadcasters in the world wish to take up the format in the hope of making a bit of cash, ultimately lining Tyra's pockets that little bit more.

You don't need to explain the business case to me - I get it, I just don't like it. Not everything has to turn into a populist vote by the great unwashed.

The US show is now in its 15th season (or "cycle", as they prefer to call it), and it doesn't involve the public at any stage. It gains a higher share each cycle and is one of the flagship shows on the CW. There are over 25 versions of the show (only the UK and Aus have a vote), and the original ANTM is shown in 200 countries.

She's not short of a bob or two - but she also knows a successful format, i.e. the version she produces.

I don't think the public are best placed to crown a winner - I think it should be down to industry professionals.

That's my judgement call, and as a long standing viewer I'm entitled to it.

Yeah, I was joking by referring to award winning acting . It wasn't a stunt, fullstop. Murdoch is the EP of the show or some such. She's a nice gal and she would never do that to those 2. Fullstop. Anyone who thinks it's a stunt is not thinking clearly at the moment.

I can understand casual observers making the suggestion, but there's no hint of scandal in my opinion - just a poorly executed live piece.

In an interview, Murdoch said, "in my ear they said, 'Kelsey 1, Amanda 2'", and she waited for further confirmation which never came, so she said what she had heard.

Well, that's plain stupid on the part of the production team. With only two places, why bother giving the second name? Why not say "Sarah, announce Amanda as the winner".

Really dumb.

At least she's better than Jodhi Meares as host - who couldn''t utter a single line in the shows without reading off cards - and her 2007 live show was completely dire.

Much as I am not a fan of ITV, Murdoch (Rupert -- I have nothing against this family member) or this grubby little format, it was a mistake. Human error. Nothing more to be said. Mildly embarrassing, but no more.

The losing finalist will gain in the long run -- she'll probably get offers of work on the back of this cock-up that she may not otherwise have received.