Sunrise’s Michael Pell brands Karl Stefanovic a hypocrite

Sunrise’s executive producer Michael Pell has publicly blasted Karl Stefanovic after he criticised Channel Seven during a furious editorial on Wednesday’s Today show.

Karl, who is one of Nine’s most high-profile broadcasters, had accused the rival network of ‘not supporting the local industry’ after it emerged Seven’s top talent – including Samantha Armytage and David Koch – would not be attending the Logies.

But Michael tweeted hours later that the outburst was a ‘bit rich’ coming from Karl, who had previously vowed to boycott the Logies if it moved location from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, only to change his mind afterwards.

It's WAR! Sunrise executive producer Michael Pell branded Karl Stefanovic a hypocrite on Wednesday for backflipping on his Logies boycott

It’s WAR! Sunrise executive producer Michael Pell (left) branded Karl Stefanovic (right) a hypocrite on Wednesday for backflipping on his Logies boycott

‘Bit rich, Karl. First you said you’d boycott the Logies if they moved from Melbourne. Now you’re slamming Sunrise for not attending?’ tweeted Michael, 35.

‘The exercise is simply too costly for us in 2018. Responsible budget management [equals] supporting local industry.’

He added: ‘Let’s talk about supporting the local industry. How many producers, camera operators, sound recordists, editors, researchers, directors, DAs, lighting technicians, TDs, floor managers… actually get invited to the Logies? 

‘What’s the number? That’s what we should be looking at.’ 

Ouch! Karl accused Seven of 'not supporting the local industry' after it emerged the network's top talent, including Sam Armytage and David Koch, would not be attending the 2018 Logies

Ouch! Karl accused Seven of ‘not supporting the local industry’ after it emerged the network’s top talent, including Sam Armytage and David Koch, would not be attending the 2018 Logies

Michael’s comments were in response to Karl’s on-air tirade on Wednesday, which saw him call out Channel Seven for boycotting the Logies. 

It was reported this week that Seven’s top stars – including Sunrise hosts Samantha and Kochie as well as The Morning Show’s Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur – would be  skipping next Sunday’s ceremony because the Logies had ‘lost relevance’.

Karl, 43, said in a blistering monologue: ‘I hear our opposition isn’t coming this year. What, they’re too good to support the local industry? 

Tweets: 'Bit rich, Karl. First you said you'd boycott the Logies if they moved from Melbourne. Now you're slamming Sunrise for not attending?' wrote Michael. Pictured with Sam Armytage

Tweets: ‘Bit rich, Karl. First you said you’d boycott the Logies if they moved from Melbourne. Now you’re slamming Sunrise for not attending?’ wrote Michael. Pictured with Sam Armytage

Boycott: It was reported this week that Seven's top stars - including Sunrise hosts Sam and Kochie  - would be  skipping next Sunday's ceremony because the Logies had 'lost relevance'

Boycott: It was reported this week that Seven’s top stars – including Sunrise hosts Sam and Kochie – would be skipping next Sunday’s ceremony because the Logies had ‘lost relevance’

‘[Are they too good] to support their own network colleagues who have been lucky enough to be nominated for their hard work?

‘Well, we don’t want you there anyway. You’re all boring!’

Karl quickly added a dose of humour, mentioning that he nonetheless ‘quite liked’ Sunrise’s former weather presenter Grant Denyer. 

Too expensive? 'The exercise is simply too costly for us in 2018,' tweeted Michael. 'Responsible budget management [equals] supporting local industry'. Pictured with David Koch

Too expensive? ‘The exercise is simply too costly for us in 2018,’ tweeted Michael. ‘Responsible budget management [equals] supporting local industry’. Pictured with David Koch

‘So, to hard-working men and women in the Australian TV industry, I want to say this  this morning. The Today show supports you, the Today show loves you,’ he declared.

‘We look forward to celebrating with you. And celebrating… and celebrating, and celebrating all the way until our show starts!’

(Karl’s emphasis on ‘celebrations’ was likely a reference to his notorious drunken TV performance the morning after the 2009 Logie Awards.) 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Seven and Nine representatives for comment.

Backflip: Karl himself had previously vowed to boycott the Logies when the location change was first proposed last year. Pictured: Karl and his Today co-host Georgie Gardner

Backflip: Karl himself had previously vowed to boycott the Logies when the location change was first proposed last year. Pictured: Karl and his Today co-host Georgie Gardner

Earlier this week, a source told The Daily Telegraph that Channel Seven plans to keep its prominent on-air talent away from this year’s Logies.

The insider described the annual awards ceremony as a ‘Nine-biased event’ that has ‘lost relevance’ in recent years.

A network spokesperson also told the publication that the Logies’ change of location – from Melbourne to the Gold Coast – ‘had made life difficult’. 

Karl himself had previously vowed to boycott the Logies when the location change was first proposed last year.

However he later backpedalled on his remarks, telling TV Week that he actually supported the move and wanted to be the host. 

Sunrise v Today: The ratings war 

For years, the Nine Network’s Today show and Channel Seven’s Sunrise have been locked in a bitter ratings war.

Sunrise, hosted by Samantha Armytage and David Koch, is currently on top nationally thanks in part to its strong regional audience.

Today, presented by Karl Stefanovic and Georgie Gardner, is suffering from comparatively lacklustre ratings.

Journalist Peter Ford claimed last year that Karl’s personal life may be a reason for the low numbers, his high-profile divorce having turned off female viewers.

Today did enjoy a metropolitan ratings boost earlier this year thanks to the ‘golden touch’ of Married At First Sight, according to News.com.au.

However, these viewers returned to Sunrise after MAFS concluded and Today stopped airing regular interviews with the cast members.



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