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Ray Martin Hits Out At Sunday Axing

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

In the final episode of Sunday, hosts and journos came back to bid the show farewell and reflect on 27 years of public affairs television.

Jim Waley, who hosted the show from 1981-2002 was there, so too was the dependable Laurie Oakes. We heard from crusty journos including Charles Woolley, Ross Coulthard, Adam Shand, Jennifer Byrne, film reviewers Peter Thompson and Nell Schofield, original producer Alan Hogan, financiers Ross Greenwood and Michael Pascoe. Ray Martin also joined his one-time host Ellen Fanning.

Jana Wendt was a conspicuous absence. She was replaced in 2006 by Fanning when the network sought to lighten the tone against the might of Weekend Sunrise. In hindsight, the move was a “jump the shark” moment for Sunday. Almost two years later history will remember it as the beginning of the end. Wendt's indignation at an editorial 'dumbing down' may ultimately be vindicated.

The final show was unashamedly self-congratulatory, and why not? But some did not hold back on their criticism of Nine's decision. Ray Martin, no longer on the payroll, let rip.

"This [Sunday] is as important I think to Channel Nine as 60 Minutes. It may not make the money that 60 Minutes makes, but it's part of the brand," he said. “It's a dopey idea to drop a program like this because this almost says to an audience 'well we don't do current affairs anymore. Why don't you go and watch the ABC, or go and look at Sky Television, we don't do it anymore.' This program did it and this program propped it up."

In its final show Sunday again did what it has done with regularity. It made headlines later that day. In Laurie Oakes's final interview, Kevin Rudd's comments on the Liberal leadership were picked up by the wires. That's what Sunday does: gets good quotes. Rudd also said the program's end was a sign of changing media, including the rise of pay TV.

Ironically, the final Sunday incorporated a cross to Sky News where Helen Dalley, a former reporter, was hosting live to air. As both Fanning and Dalley reflected on the show's achievements it was impossible to ignore that a landmark news program was recognising the elephant in the room: an entire channel devoted to news. You could almost hear the crew pleading for Sky to pick up where Sunday left off.

Two years ago it looked like Today was about to be boned by Nine. But it has surged back, now close behind Sunrise. It is a tragedy the network did not have the leadership, budget or temerity to afford Sunday the same luxury.

At least Ray had the guts to say so.

David Knox for Citysearch, August 2008

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