Rumblings emerge on Bondi Rescue finances
If Bondi Rescue is a Documentary, should the lifesavers be paid for appearing in the show?
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News
News Limited today reports on the inner-workings of Bondi Rescue, amid rumblings of lifesavers and the revenue of the show.
All 33 lifeguards are reportedly unpaid as documentary cast, with producers Cordell Jigsaw making other financial payments to Waverley Council as well as promotional fees and a slice of merchandising profits to the lifesavers.
“But, obviously, with between 30 and 40 lifeguards … divided up that is not much,” acknowledges producer Michael Cordell.
He denied the show is a “millionaire’s factory” and that paying cast directly would jeopardise the integrity of a documentary.
News Ltd. notes, “Not surprisingly, after six years, four Logies and 58 episodes, the arrangement has started to wear thin among some of the cast.”
“Obviously we are not in this industry for the money and love what we do,” said one insider.
“But after a while you start to think: ‘Hang on. A few people are making a lot of money here and we’re not seeing anything’.”
On the surface it does seem odd that paying cast might jeopardise the integrity of a documentary but  selling merchandise does not. Is it fair to enjoy both? A quick re-definition to the “Observational” genre should solve that quick smart, just as Discovery’s Deadliest Catch sells merchandise and -presumably- remunerates its fishing crew.
While there seems to be more to this than what is reported today, it’s a little more surprising that it’s taken seven seasons for insiders to speak up about what has thus far been apparently harmonious. Initial contracts would be very relevant here….
You have to wonder: what’s changed to trigger these inner rumblings? That strikes me as the bigger question.
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- Tagged with Bondi Rescue, Logie Awards
8 Responses
The networks could easily find people out there that will do it for free. Your either a lifeguard or a wannabee celebrity. the choice is yours.
Why not. they are making the producers very rich. Why shouldn’t have have a piece of the pie?
Or at the very least have money go to the life saving org. Instead of the local council.
I would not call it a doco or observational. They are also not actors. They are been filmed for a reality show. I would assume they give Bondi rescue permission to film them. One would think they should be getting paid very well. What about the people getting rescued. They are the ones who cause the real drama on the show. Are they getting paid. I have also heard this show is popular overseas, so the show has to be making decent money to pay everyone.
The funniest bit in the story is the use of the word documentary to describe this show.
Fair enough, I say.
If people can get paid for an interview on Today Tonight, why don’t regulars of any show, be it Bondi Rescue, Bondi Vet, or Bondi Fishmonger and Shoe Repair, get paid for their appearances?
this is an interesting one, they are paid to be lifesavers, they’re show is extremely successfull.. so should they be paid to be in the show?? Absolutley not, they ain’t actors, this is a factual program just like kings cross er or those other police chase/patrol airport programs. if you start paying everyone in a factual program, well networks wouldnt want them. it would cost way to much. having said that i think the production companies and networks that use these programs should be made to atleast give a financial donation to help with resources. but at the end of the day these programs show us (the viewers and tax payers) just what these amazing people are doing to save our lives and keep us safe. (and remember we are tax payers who pay the wages of police, ambos, lifesavers and firefighters)
finally, im pretty sure the success of bondi rescue would have made the boys very popular with the ladies… im sure they get enough royalties…. lol.
I always assumed they were getting paid at least a little considering they have become reality tv personalities i.e Logies attendance and featuring in TEN’s promos.
I have noticed that past seasons featured lifeguards that are still working on the beach but aren’t featured quite as much on the show anymore. Perhaps they are the ones who don’t want to be shown if they aren’t getting paid.