Channel 7’s CEO Has Weighed In On Adele Interview Debacle And He Seems Weirdly Unconcerned
Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran also gave a teary apology about the $1 million bungle.
Last week, Channel 7 reporter Matt Doran infamously botched a $1 million dollar interview with Adele and now Channel 7’s big boss has weighed in on the debacle.
As we reported last week, Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran had reportedly been suspended by the Seven Network for two weeks after blowing Australia’s only television interview with Adele. The interview was for the release of her latest album, 30 and Doran was suspended for not bothering to listen to it prior to the interview.
Sources differ on whether the interview went south before or after Doran revealed he hadn’t heard the album (Doran maintains that she didn’t walk out at all). Either way, the end result saw Sony later revoking Seven’s rights to broadcast any of the interview footage.
“When I sat down to interview Adele, I was totally unaware that I’d been emailed a preview of her unreleased album,” Doran told The Australian. “I have since discovered it was sent to me as an ‘e card’ link, which I somehow missed upon landing in London. It was an oversight but NOT a deliberate snub. This is the most important email I have ever missed.”
No arguments there. Now, Seven West Media CEO James Warburton has now officially weighed in on the debacle. Warburton told news.com.au it was “obviously disappointing” the interview never made it to air, seemingly more concerned for lost ratings than the lack of professionalism from his employee.
“The extra piece to that would have obviously been some exclusivity and that would have been great content for Sunrise and Sunday Night the week before to promote the special, and we didn’t get that and that’s really disappointing,” Mr Warburton said on the matter.
On the actions of his employee, Warburton had this to say, “Matt’s a pro, he’ll get on with his job,” he added of the Weekend Sunrise host. “He’s got two choices, collapse in a heap or get on with his job. He’s said his piece and I’m sure everyone would probably wish that they could have done things differently but that’s life and we’ve got to get on with it.”
Adele’s 30 was one of the most anticipated albums of the decade. Doran has since apologised for the debacle, with an emotional apology while on air on Saturday morning.
“This story has sparked — from around the world, a torrent of abuse and mockery — and if I’m being honest with you, the bulk of this savaging I deserve and totally own,” said Doran. “To interview Adele, I flew to London for an unspeakable privilege, for what was to be one of the highlights of my career.
“I made the terrible mistake of assuming we weren’t to be given a preview because our interview was airing before it was released, and it was the industry’s most-prized secret.”
"I am so sorry"@MattDoran22 apologises to @Adele and her Australian fans over his recent interview with the music superstar. pic.twitter.com/0DeJtUe3gW
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) November 26, 2021
“But all that doesn’t matter. By missing [the album link] however I might try to justify it, I’ve insulted Adele,” he said. “To Adele, I say, I’d never knowingly have disrespected you by deliberately not listening to your work, I am so sorry. I also apologise to Adele’s Australian fans, and to you, our viewers, who — through my error — have been denied this interview and the insight into her character.”