They seemed to be the only talent holding up the event last night.
The thing that used to be great about it was when they would have all the Seven talent there. Now seven only produces home and away, so there’s no “staple” stars anymore. They use to rotate through about 6 different “panels” each year as a minimum to keep it fresh.
As well as this, it’s clear they did it from NEP to cut costs.
My post covid recommendations:
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They really should have Nat and Kochie do the morning half like sunrise used to. Come live from the telethon I reckon for Sunrise and then have them host the morning of the Appeal.
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Mitch is just too awkward to host, he should be out among the kids at the MEC. He’s not great “on the fly” hosting. Not a fan or Jane Bunn either - she’s a draw card as a weather presenter but not to host, it’s all so forced and fake.
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Get Jacqui/Melina and Blake to host the lunch portion.
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Ditch the football panel. If so, have them on as guests but don’t have “football hosts” running it. It becomes too blokey and it’s boring.
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The big thing they need is interaction with audiences which is what they were limited to for this year due to COVID. Hopefully this returns.
(Likely I’ll come back and update this)
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I didn’t really see much of it yesterday, but the telethon in 2019 seemed similarly dull…
Seven just seems to be going through the motions nowadays. And that’s not a covid thing, it’s been happening for some time now.
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Yep, I agree. The traditional heart and soul of Seven is being ripped out bit by bit as a result of cutbacks and various other factors over the last few years.
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Of their own doing. If they weren’t performing poorly from a financial POV (which can be the result of continuous ratings loss) then they wouldn’t cut everything to the bone.
I personally thought that Mitch did well hosting. I preferred him to Hamish McLachlan.
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He was not good at all. Much preferred Mitchell.
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Kids Day Out returns to Good Friday after a three-year absence due to COVID pandemic.
EDIT: report on Seven News Melbourne this evening by Rebecca Maddern who also hosted the Appeal launch.
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Jess Mauboy will be in Melbourne for her Boss Lady Tour Concert around the Time the Good Friday Appeal is about to Begin, So Don’t be Surprised if she makes an Appearance at The Telethon for the Royal Children’s Hospital.
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What are the chances of Seven returning to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre to host daytime coverage of the Good Friday Appeal? It lacks atmosphere in the NEP Studios.
It would be good if they brought back the morning session, instead of starting the telecast at midday. Also, would be great if the Seven/Nine rivalry was put on hold for the day so some 3AW presenters could appear on the telecast like they used to do.
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Lewis Martin the other week told Neil Mitchell on 3AW that this years appeal would be the biggest it has been. I take it with a grain of salt, but I assume it would revert back to the previous venue
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He’s on the books for RCH, or at least he was
He is the head of BCM7, which is what was being referred to (the broadcast)
I realise that, also thought it relevant
Hopefully it improves… every year there seems to further cutbacks in broadcasting this event.
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The Kids Day Out will be held at MCEC this year, so Seven hosting telecast there is also possible.
3AW is a major partner of GFA so I can’t see why its presenters are not able to appear on Seven’s telecast (and conversely, Seven personalities appearing on 3AW shows during the day).
Not sure if still the case but in the past Seven / Nine used to pay AW for talent from their networks to appear on programs - news segments, Jane Bunn Weather spot (which ended after Nines takeover) etc
IIRC it did close to 100k in Melbourne last year, not terrible for a 5 hour telethon for these days, but hopefully it can do a bit better.
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I used to enjoy the variety concert in the evening. Shame they don’t have it anymore.