I agree that Power’s creativity will bring a much needed fresh perspective to the show. However, the article raises some equally valid concerns too… Is an ideas man qualified enough to practically produce 17 hours of live TV a week?
On a show that always promotes from within, an outsider coming in can naturally be daunting and foreign. Their perspective allegedly is that Power lacks the intrinsic knowledge of their audience and the loyalty to the Sunrise legacy. The production team that work there day in-day-out already have this in spades. It’s important to remember Boland always credited Pell’s understanding of the show as the reason for the smooth and successful transition.
Stinson did eventually concede in the article that Power didn’t have the live or breakfast TV experience, meaning that she expected the Sunrise production staff (which would have been led by Lepore) to guide him on a daily basis.
Regardless, Stinson will urgently need to “settle the troops” because, as seen with Today, such internal division can be fatal.
I had never heard of Monica Lepore until today - I assume Sean Power would be the more recognisable name? I do feel sorry for her though, 20 years is a long time to be there and then miss out on the top job.
I love how we are all experts on Sean when really we have in a limited capacity followed his career…
He’s qualified. More, less, he’s got the job for a reason and will do well, we need new blood in commercial TV and an ideas man is what Seven needs rather then the same resting on your laurels and then have to play catch-up down the track (which seven have been frequent in needing to do)
I also doubt Seven would give someone the role that is under qualified when the stakes are so high for Sunrise to continue to be successful. You also have to remember that Sarah will be the overarching boss across Morning TV, so it’s not like the Pell or Boland eras now.
I for one am very keen to see the direction he takes the show
Sure. Sharp was pitching a Power vs Lepore scenario in her article. At face value, who is more qualified- a producer who’s done short stints on different shows over a shorter career or a producer who’s been with the show since its inception and is one of Pell’s 2ICs? I suggested it was less personal and that Lepore thought someone who worked hard at and was loyal to Sunrise deserved the promotion over an outsider.
Being recognised isn’t an important trait for an executive appointment.
Yes. But what’s happened is that the three supervising producers who have really been doing all the ground work for the last two years weren’t promoted. As I’ve said here before, this is creatively wise. But you can see how it’d create some hostility amongst the production staff with their hard-work, dedication and commitment not being rewarded.
It’s life, just because you work internally doesn’t mean you get a job.
Sure it sucks, but it happens in business every day. A good opportunity for them to move on if they choose or they mightn’t have even wanted the main gig? This assumption that everyone wants to rule everything in life, it’s very presumptuous. Not everyone wants top gigs.
It’s probably a good thing, again, fresh blood and not the same 20 year creative ideas.
Things need to evolve.
Guys come back in 6 months and make a call. Executives come and go. Generally need to give them 6 months, and we are dealing with a duo executive team here, not done before.
You raise some good points and frankly, we’ll only find out the answer to the question you posed in the months to come.
What I will say though is you would think Power will spend some time at the outset talking with (and more importantly for him, listening to) the production staff so he can understand how Sunrise operates/functions and is able to get a grasp on things before beginning to perhaps implement changes. He’s probably not going to go in and rip up everything about the show nor will he ignore the production staff’s views moving forward.
Kochie leaving Sunrise will be like Karl leaving Today. Not something Seven would want to see until they’re absolutely sure they can do it without him.
Doran is the only one who’s got everything at the moment. Maybe Michael Usher if he’s had enough of Seven News, or Mark Beretta if a pie falls from the sky. Hope they don’t go for Shirvington.
Hopefully Kochie’s contract is extended. IMO no one else at Seven is better, or even at the same level, as him at hosting Sunrise.
When it is eventually time to replace him, I hope they hire a complete outsider to freshen things up. Preferably not a serious news journalist, but someone who can at least hold their own in an interview, keep politicians accountable, and have a great personality for morning television.
I reckon with Sean Power taking over, he might push for Michael Usher to replace Kochie, as they worked together before launching The Latest.
When Sam left, I was pretty adamant Matt Doran should replace Kochie. At the time, who else was there? Michael Usher hadn’t filled in years, Shrivo hadn’t filled in at all and Larry had just been announced as host of The Chase. But then Michael Usher started to fill in, and in my opinion they had better chemistry than Nat and Matt Doran. The fact they are similar in age and are both from WA is probably the reason (although I will say Musher has good chemistry with Sam too, and yes I know about their history). With them hosting I feel the show is a lot more news focused and more professional, which the show needs with Karl and Ally on Today.
Based on the fact Matt Doran hasn’t filled in for Kochie since his suspension because of the interview with Adele, I don’t think he is in the running now. And considering the fact he was apparently in a mental institution Matt may not want the job, because of the constant scrutiny, and that’s OK and completely understandable.
I can see Shirvo replacing Larry on The Morning Show in the future. He has certainly got a big future at Seven. But I just don’t think he is the right fit for Sunrise. I personally feel he has better chemistry with Eddy and Monique than Nat, but I can’t point my figure as to a certain reason. I feel if Sam was still there, they could have worked, due to being a similar age. The news credibility isn’t a big issue for me, mainly because Kochie was pretty much the same when he first started. You’ve also got to remember Bryant Gumbel on NBC Today, who certainly raised eyebrows when he was chosen as co-host, and the fact a lot of people (me included) called for David Campbell to be a co-host on Today when the 2019 disaster happened.
I felt that way the first time I found out he was going to fill-in. Having seen him present a number of times since then, he actually gels in quite well with the rest of the team. Additionally, he was able to handle the ‘lighter’ segments well and show bits of his personality.