Kerry O’Brien: Australia’s finest political scalp-taker
The ABC’s Kerry O’Brien is of course a national treasure.
But I can’t think of another example where a single journalist has delivered the two biggest political stories of the last seven days purely through the power of his interviewing technique.
First came last Wednesday night on the 7.30 Report when prime minister Kevin Rudd lost his cool.
Absolutely gob smackingly beautiful TV. It was brilliant.
Adam I’m with you. You can possibly add Turnbull to that list of victims not so long ago. Kerry is a seasoned professional.
Definitely TV interviewing at its best. Thank god for the ABC!
Excellent journalist. So wonderful to have this quality of journalism in Australia. Rudd came off looking like a snotty little boy who felt his intelligence was insulted. Abbott came off looking like someone who hasnt got a clue what he’s talking about and who is clearly out of his depth.
He just doesn’t let go. Its terrifying and wonderful to watch. I’m surprised a camera man didn’t gently put his hand on his shoulder and say “Kerry, leave it. He’s already dead”.
Mr O’Brien had considerable assistance yesterday. His target was at a massive disadvantage… On account of the fact that he’s an idiot.
Most people hang around the ABC far too far past their use-by date. Kerry O’Brien ain’t one of them. Taxpayer money well spent.
Rudd will survive. But I think that might be it for the budgie smuggler.
Them pollies are all a bunch of tossers
You’re kidding. KerryoBrien is long past his useby date.
tedious grinding gotcha interviewing style that does little except provide gotcha moments for the media echo chamber.
while gotcha interviewing is the standard approach by most australian tv political interviewers time for KoB to vacate the chair and let some new talent have a go.
his celebrity interviews are truely cringeworthy
How someone who needs to read his questions out in such a plodding, pedestrian manner can be regarded as a master of the medium, is quite beyond me. You reckon this guy’s good? Well take a look at Youtube and type in Jeremy Paxman of the BBC. Now there’s a real interviewer. Check out when he asks Tory Michael Howard the same question 12 times because he won’t answer it. That’s a real master at work. And no looking down at the desk to read out a question that if Kerry was really good, he ought to be able to put to someone by looking at them straight in the eye. I don’t mind Kerry as an interviewer but the 7.30 Report needs a more polished performer who throws to him in a regular political interview spot. As a presenter, he’s nowhere near as good as Tony Jones and ought to be relieved of the autocue reading job.
can’t agree with either Geedee or jerrys – as in interviewer, Kerry O’Brien is a very good cross-examiner. He would make a mint if he ever went to the Bar.
Totally agree with the majority of posts. I happened to be watching this ‘live’ (okay, I live in WA) and recall thinking “Geez, Tony Abbott’s going to regret this tomorrow”. A classic piece of ‘Gotchya’ interviewing and congratulations to Kerry O’Brien and the ABC. I think Tony’s just done something very damaging to his party. The said thing is, the alternative sucks too (sorry, couldn’t resist)
@GeeDee I agree that Paxman is very good, but “our” Kerry is def in the same league. Slightly off topic, but if you are going to make a Paxman/O’Brien comparison, can we cast the net wider and consider David Dimbelby vs Tony Jones. #QANDA is very good, but when compared to #BBCQT it is no contest. I’m sick of hearing what urbane inner-Sydney types think about current affairs (even though I am one of them). Take #QANDA to Macquarie Fields or even Baulkam Hills and then you’ll see what democracy is really about.
Go Kevin Rudd.
A bit late here, but loved the interviews (I saw them as they went to air). Kerry rocks.
I’m not much of a political commentator but I do follow the goings on.
There was a book by Graham Richardson some years (and he’s said it since), that the political system necessitates lying.
Plenty of pollies have also said that you need to learn the lines.
KRudd danced off the line and showed a bit of what many suspects, he doesn’t like direct criticism or being exposed while Abbott pretty much said that he sometimes falls off the line.
Nothing really wrong any of this.
Great description – national treasure.
Another favorite recently Tim if you could post the footage with Senator Nick Minchin in the middle of the Turnbull push.
Kerry asked Nick “Do you support Turnbull?” Minchin, waxing lyrical about Malcolm – “I’ve said many times that Malcolm is the best leader we have, but the cabinet’s position on climate change is…”
Kerry”So anyone that replaces Turnbull as liberal leader will not be the best candidate going into the next election?”
Minchin just stared at the camera and asked to have the question again. Brilliant for all the reasons Minchin needed to be exposed for the vile internal push against their elected leader.