Business of Media
Katie Hopkins deported over Covid quarantine stunt
Controversial British TV personality Katie Hopkins has been deported to Britain after her visa was cancelled for flouting Australia’s hotel quarantine rules, reports News Corp’s Adeshola Ore.
Hopkins departed Sydney Airport on Monday afternoon as NSW police confirmed the 46-year-old was issued a $1000 fine for not wearing a mask on Sunday – a breach of the state’s public health orders.
Hopkins was dumped as a member of Seven’s Big Brother program at the weekend after she streamed a video describing Covid-19 lockdowns as “the greatest hoax in human history” and boasting about breaching quarantine rules.
Katie Hopkins speaks out after being deported from Australia
Far-right commentator Katie Hopkins has spoken out after being deported from Australia yesterday, reports News Corp’s Lexie Cartwright.
Hopkins took to Instagram with a smiling selfie writing, “See you in the morning, my lovelies. You may “deport” the Hopkins. But you cannot silence the truth. We will fight to TAKE BACK our freedoms.”
The controversial figure also took to her Instagram story with a detailed guide about how to “survive a media sh*t storm”, paired with a photo of herself wearing a Donald Trump hat.
“Don’t read stuff about yourself. That’s just weird. You were there, you know what went down. It is unlikely the word ‘flouting’ was involved.”
CNN+: A superfan service or main news destination?
Better late than never, reports The Hollywood Reporter’s Alex Weprin.
In early 2022, CNN plans to launch its entrant into the streaming news wars, CNN+, betting that its global reach, iconic brand and interactive features will help differentiate it in a crowded marketplace that already includes free streaming options from CBS News, ABC News, NBC News and MSNBC, and multiple subscription offerings from Fox News.
It also will likely arrive in time for the expected merger of CNN parent company WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc., a deal which is predicated on bringing together content from the combined entities to give it the scale it needs to compete with Netflix and Disney.
Television
More home stay for Home and Away
Sydney-based TV soap Home and Away has extended its mid-year production break due to the volatile Covid situation, report News Corp’s Stuart McLean, James O’Doherty, Linda Silmalis, Jessica McSweeney and Jonathon Moran.
Producers told actors and crew of the decision on Saturday, as the NSW Government tightened lockdown restrictions due to the worrying spread of the Delta strain.
Cast and crew had already been on a planned two week shutdown break.
“With the ongoing COVID-19 related restrictions, Home and Away’s scheduled two-week production break has been extended as a precautionary response to the current pandemic,” a Seven spokesman said. “The health and safety of all Seven West Media employees is paramount.”
‘Concentrate on your own lockdown’: Sunrise boss Michael Pell slams Georgia Love
Channel 7 reporter and former Bachelorette Georgia Love has been criticised for posting a video showing large numbers of people in Bondi during lockdown, reports News Corp’s Mibengé Nsenduluka.
Love, who lives in Melbourne, re-shared an eyebrow-raising video on Twitter writing, “Bondi right now, where masks nor social distance seem to matter #COVID19nsw.”
The post garnered mixed reactions and Sunrise boss Michael Pell was among those criticising the former reality TV star.
“And posting random videos from a different city… wouldn’t you just concentrate on your own lockdown?” Pell tweeted.
Radio
Former Victoria’s Secret model Bridget Malcolm criticised Kyle Sandilands for Kendall Jenner question
Former Victoria’s Secret model Bridget Malcolm has lashed shock jock Kyle Sandilands for asking her an inappropriate question about Kendall Jenner, reports News Corp’s Nadia Salemme.
Australian catwalk star Malcolm, 29, made the revelation on her TikTok account after being approached via email to be a guest on Sandilands’ KIIS FM radio show recently.
“Last time I did The Kyle and Jackie O Show I was about 25 and I had just done the 2015 Victoria’s Secret show,” Malcolm said.
“I thought I was going to be discussing the show and all that exciting stuff.
“And I get there and Kyle, charming fella that he is, asked if I watched Kendall Jenner change and get naked backstage,” Malcolm said, in reference to the supermodel.
Sports Media
Sprays and tears of Michael Maguire on raw display in new Tigers documentary
A behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of Michael Maguire has been put on raw display in a new documentary in which the Tigers coach is shown crying after the club’s 22-36 loss against the Eels in round 4, reports SMH’s Sarah Keoghan.
The first episode of the four-part Wild Wests: Tales from Tiger Town was released on Monday and featured Maguire in moments of anger and passion from the sheds and the coaches box.
The first episode ends with Maguire addressing the playing group in the sheds after the loss against the Eels, where he breaks down into tears in pride.