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Sunrise conspiracy theories denied by Seven

Updated: Seven addresses media speculation about behind-the-scenes motives in Melissa Doyle's Sunrise departure.

2013-07-05_0137You sure need a thick skin to work in television. It’s not enough that you are subjected to anonymous online criticism of your work and appearance, but media is also robust (and that’s putting it nicely).

In the past week we’ve had headlines about Helen Kapalos having an “on-screen death.” Today Melissa Doyle faces headlines that she’s been replaced for a “funnier, sexier” Samantha Armytage. Ouch.

Most presenters, regardless of network, have been subjected to articles about their appearance in an industry driven by aesthetics, but where they are at least financially well compensated.

Seven has angrily hit back at stories that claim Doyle was told to leave Sunrise after internal research suggested Armytage would be a more popular and youthful replacement.

Seven spokesperson Susan Wood said Doyle’s experience was an attribute.

“Those are the things that make her appeal to audiences,” she said.

“It’s a promotion. She is moving to a new prime time initiative from the news department.”

She declined to detail Doyle’s role for fear of tipping the opposition, but media reports have claimed Doyle will front a 4:30 bulletin and co-host a new programme at 7pm on 7TWO with Matt White.

Nine spokesperson David Hurley branded the move a “high risk strategy because she’s so associated with the so-called Sunrise Family”.

I agree it is a risky move to break up the Koch-Doyle duo at a time when TEN is re-entering the breakfast battle. Audiences don’t like change especially in formats that are part of their daily routine.

Seven also told Fairfax,  it was Doyle’s choice to take the new gig. “She could have happily stayed with Sunrise. She decided it was time and the announcement was made on her terms.

”Mel’s new agreement with the network was done months before the announcement [a fortnight ago]. She talked at length about this to all journalists shortly after the announcement, even going into specifics about how the negotiation played out.”

Two weeks ago, Doyle indeed told TV Tonight, “I’ve never had anyone say ‘It’s time to go’ or tap me on the shoulder or anything. I would never have left Sunrise unless it was an opportunity that I felt was the next step for me.

“I can tell you hand on my heart, there is no issue with any of my colleagues. Kochie and I are the dearest friends and forever will be. It is what it is. It’s a shame that some people don’t want to believe that.”

Time will tell whether Seven’s shake-up pays off or not.

Updated: On her Facebook page today Melissa Doyle has responded to articles:

“What I said on air and in all the media interviews when I announced my departure was correct. It was then, it is now. Obviously you can’t stop people making up stories and that seems to be what is happening now.
And as for my holiday, it was planned back in February when Nelson invited me to his 50th birthday party. I booked flights in late April – months ago. This was not a hastily planned getaway.
In that context, I decided I wanted to announce my departure from Sunrise before I went on leave. The network supported my decision to do so. I wanted to ensure our viewers heard it from me and that it didn’t leak out.
I was presented with a new opportunity at the network and I decided to accept it. Of course I will be sad to leave the Sunrise couch, but I’m also excited and happy about my new challenge. I know the conspiracy theorists would like you to believe otherwise, but it’s just not true.”

I can confirm that Nelson Aspen told me in a February interview that Doyle would be joining him for his 50th birthday in the US so her holiday was already locked on.

26 Responses

  1. This is oddly reminiscent of the ALP leadership speculation (which I always dismissed as a media beat-up but turned out not to be quite so baseless).

  2. Sunrise is looking a bit cheap and past it nowadays. This morning Today featured weatherman Steve Jacobs in a restricted area right next to Niagara Falls. All Sunrise could offer was what’s her name with an ice sculpture in the Hunter Valley NSW. Last week on State of Origin day Today showed Origin rock candy being made and given away. Last Monday Sunrise had – you guessed it – bags of rock candy but you had to buy it. It seems like Mel left Sunrise at just the right time.

  3. I watched the Shannen Doherty interview on Sunrise today (normally an avid Today watcher) & I laughed out loud when Kochie through Armytage under the bus with a comment that she was terrified before the interview. Armytage then had to scramble to say that Doherty’s reputation as a bad girl had made her nervous about the interview but that she was a very nice person.
    I would love to know the true nature of their relationship as they seem to have zero chemistry.
    Also when did Sunrise ditch the large windows with Martin Place in the background? As I said I am not a regular viewer.

  4. Weren’t her most recent contract negotiations apparently difficult because of talks about her future at Seven after Sunrise?

    If so then it seems to me that’s she’s been keen to get back to ‘real’ journalism for a while. She should be saying that (in the most diplomatic way possible so as not to insult Sunrise) rather than flapping about with her family or about how the ‘time is right’.

  5. Doyle quitting to take a lower paid job reading the afternoon news is suspicious without a good reason. Especially in the middle of a cost cutting drive where Seven are rumoured to have reduced on air salaries and several experience expensive staff decided to quit.

    Replacing an older female host with a younger female with higher Q scores is hardly unheard of in Television. And boning Doyle quietly while she was on leave would not be impossible. Or maybe Doyle saw the writing on the wall and decide to leave on her own terms.

    But there is no evidence Doyle hasn’t just decided she needs a change.

    Seven would spin it this way no matter what. And Doyle would say what she said if she wants the newsreading job.

  6. There was a little contradiction in News Ltd reporting – one article saying she got the boot and a pay cut then another suggesting she’s being warmed up to take over the 6pm news seat from Chris Bath. Seems a lot of just trying to stir the plot and spark gossip . . .

  7. The media in this country is a joke especially that Ford guy and News limited. They fabricate everything and this isn’t fair on Mel or Seven. Oh and don’t get me started on Nine and TEN. They are commenting to fueling stupid speculation only to try and get Seven to show their cards. I am disgusted in some people who call themselves journalists. All they are, are spin doctors who write stories based on nothing.

    I have a feeling Seven have big big plans for Mel and others who have been named and i look forward to seeing what Seven do. Mel wouldn’t just up and leave Sunrise if it wasn’t something she thought would be worthy enough. She said that herself in her interview. Its a huge opportunity.

    Now stop with all the speculation and just wait. Seven will tell you their plans i would think once they feel the timing is right. Its amazing how gullible people really are to believe all this crap.

  8. I don’t think anyone thinks there’s anything untoward about her taking the overseas trip or the timing of it but rather there is the suspicion raised by these newspaper reports that her promotion isn’t quite what it seems and that it’s convenient that these changes fall when said person is out of circulation for a few weeks.

    At the end of the day though it’s none of our business the only one that has to be happy with the situation is Melissa Doyle.

  9. Quotes such as “Its a High Risk Strategy” and ” Its a Risky Move to break up the Doyle-Koch Duo”, and also especially ” At a time when Ten is re-entering the breakfast market “, must be doing wonders for the ego of Joe Hilderbrand, as “He” will think that it is himself and himself alone that has got all the other networks petrified, because such quotes have been uttered after “His” appointment and not immediately after the announcement of Ita Buttrose’s appointment.

  10. During my long working life I have often observed, that it’s during ‘planned leave periods’ that some really sneaky gutless bastards strike, and I certainly hope that this is not happening to Melissa Doyle, and only time will tell.

  11. ” A Funnier, Sexier Samantha Armytage” virtually proves these people are definitely talking rubbish!

    But it cruelly boils down to a complete lack of consistency by many, where many decry News Ltd when it comes to some celebs, but lapped it up when News Ltd reported/distorted news items about our former PM Ms Julia Gillard’s and her achievements, along with intrusions/innuendo’s into her family life.

    Life can be made cruel by some, but only when it suits them, seems being ” Fair Honest and Consistent ” is often forgotten by the Instigators and Observers again only when it suits.

  12. Funny how those News Limited writers who criticise the appearance of the women on television have these wonderfully photoshopped images of themselves attached to their columns. When you see them in real life, they don’t resemble their photos in any way. 😆

  13. I think Mel is in a good place right now…No more early mornings (3.30am starts ugh!!) and a better quality of life. Who really cares about media bs, she has done a good job on brekky tv, is well liked by most folk and will be fine in the long run…So good luck to her in the future

  14. More rubbish journalism from surprise, surprise News Limited. Just thought I’d let you know David that Mel has just posted a statement on her facebook page.

  15. Well of course 7 will deny it, same as others who work at 7. Sam tweeted yesterday not to believe what the papers say & Kochie said something similar. But there were a few articles, all basically saying the same thing. If what they are all saying is true, it’s a pretty pathetic way to treat someone who has been with them for so long and remained loyal all that time. And then to have to pretend she got a promotion when it is a demotion. I feel really bad for Mel at the moment, then she has to front Sunrise next week with a big smile on her face as if nothing is wrong. And to top it off, Chris Bath & Jim Wilson just renewed their contracts for another 3 years.

  16. Speaking of ‘conspiracy theories’, I wonder if these News Ltd articles are being penned by the journos who constantly report Karl Stefanovic’s ‘hilarious antics’ as news?

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