David Leckie gives the game away
Posted February 14th, 2010 by debritz
The Sunday Telegraph has what starts out to be an interview with Matthews Johns about his new TV show, but the highlights of the story are the quotes further down from Channel Seven boss David Leckie:
"... We're in very good shape at this network. OK, the Cougar Town, it's a s*** show but we promote it and we get nearly 1.4 million watching it.
"If we can promote Cougar Town, we can promote Matthew Johns. At that time of night (Thursday at 7.30pm) we're against Getaway that has been there (at Nine) since I started - 15 years. It's a nice little program and The Biggest Loser is on Ten at the moment. By the time Matthew goes to air I'm not sure what Ten will have, the ABC have (Kerry) O'Brien. Matthew will do great."
Leckie goes on to say: "I look at it this way: Matthew in my view is an outstanding television talent and, my God, we're very happy he's here. We've got Kyle Sandilands as well. So, f***ing hell, do you think I'm worried about Matthew? Kyle. He's on fire!"
The Australian's Amanda Meade tweeted a link to the story with the comment: What will advertisers think about the CEO of Seven David Leckie saying Cougartown is a "shit show"? My guess is they won't care much as long as the numbers stay up. My take on it is that Leckie's like the magician who gives away the secret to his tricks. TV, apparently, isn't about finding and programming great shows, it's about using marketing to convince people that the shows you've got are good. Or, then again, maybe the viewers actually do like Cougar Town ...
Update: Seven spokesman Simon Francis explains here that Leckie is not in the demographic for Cougar Town but is "happy to be in the minority".
and a little bit of long term dumging down of audiences so that they no longer question the content handed out to them
Leckie, by his comments, should be the one hosting the NRL program not Johns.
In fact, give Shane Webcke his own show too, while your at it.