Now unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’d be aware of the controversy surrounding “Australia’s Next Top Model” season finale that took place on Tuesday the 28th September 2010. For those that haven’t a clue what I’m talking about here’s the low down. Sarah Murdoch the host of the show accidentally announced the wrong name of the winner on live television. A mortified Murdoch who quickly realized the stuff up then had to retract the announcement and re announce the correct winner’s name. She said there was a communication error between her ear piece and the television prompter.
Reports have been mixed on what caused the mishap even suggesting that it was a stunt and that it was Murdoch’s fault that it happened. However according to Honery from the Sydney Morning Herald in his story “Curse returns to top model” (http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/people/curse-returns-to-top-model-20101001-16116.html?from=smh_sb) published on October 2nd 2010, an unnamed producer has stepped up to take the blame for the mix up. Honery’s article tells of the problems the program has had with the past hosts. And how there is a new host nearly every season because something goes wrong.
The article has incorporated the footage from the shows finale in order to give you an idea about the slip up and Murdoch’s reaction when she realizes her mistake. There isn’t any other sources used from people involved in the incident but the clip says a lot on its own. Honery has also used previous comments made from Foxtel boss Brian Walsh about having to get rid of Erika Hynantz one of the shows previous hosts to illustrate what he calls a “curse”. This is probably the only time I’ll say that the clip as the only main source of information is enough to convey the whole story. However this story could have done with a few more credible sources like Murdoch herself or the finalists.
After this experience producers should take note and bring back the good old fashioned envelope with the winners name in it in order to avoid catastrophes. But hey you got to admit it does make for good publicity and television!
