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Sunrise goes from 'family show' to 'nasty' says ex producer

Reports Sunrise hosts Samantha Armytage and David 'Kochie' Koch are being nasty after the Logies
Has Sunrise turned 'nasty'? Hosts Sam Armytage and Kochie have been taking swipes at rival networks on air. Photo: Channel Seven

For a long time Channel Seven’s Sunrise has comfortably sat at the top of breakfast TV ratings, positioning itself as the ‘family show’ Australia can wake up with.

But according to former producer Rob McKnight, the program has shown a ‘nasty’ side in recent weeks, with its post-Logies ‘Elbow-gate’ feud against a MAFS star not the only new example.

Eyes on Ten

McKnight, who worked at Channel Seven for eight years until 2008, highlights in his latest TV Blackbox podcast that Sunrise host Samantha Armytage also took a swipe at Channel Ten following the TV Week Logie Awards.

“I found another clip and I just went, ‘Oh my gosh, someone's just become nasty,” Rob said on the podcast, before playing the clip where Sam’s co-host David ‘Kochie’ Koch mentioned the rival network after TV’s night of nights.

“[We] had a drink with Channel 10 last night... they took over the bar of our hotel,” Kochie said in the segment.

“They got a lot of Logies last night, more Logies than viewers!” Sam responded.

Ouch!

Former Sunrise producer and Studio 10 producer Rob McKnight.
Former Sunrise producer Rob McKnight. Photo: Instagram/rob_mcknight
Sam Armytage and Kochie on Sunrise, slamming MAFS' Martha and Channel Ten after 2019 TV Week Logie Awards
Sam Armytage took a swipe at Channel Ten following the TV Week Logie Awards. Photo: Channel Seven

“Has Sunrise become nasty?” McKnight then asked on the podcast.

“I just remember... and I've worked on Sunrise in the past and Sunrise was the ‘family’ [show].

“It was all about the family and friendship and rebuilding houses after cyclones and things like that. Has Sunrise just turned b**chy?”

Elbow-gate

Last week Kochie and Sam made headlines as their feud with Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis escalated after Kochie claimed the reality star had ‘elbowed’ him on the Logies red carpet.

“I've still got bruises in the ribs from the Married At First Sight woman who elbowed me on the way through on the red carpet!” Kochie told Sunrise viewers.

“The one with the dark hair? She was fierce,” newsreader Natalie Barr then said.

“Someone is saying Martha in my ear?” Sam chimed in. “I could not pick her out of a lineup, but my God she got you in the ribs.”

“Do not get between Martha and the camera,” sports reporter Mark Beretta added, to which Sam responded, “Especially when you've only got 15 minutes of fame!”

MAFS couple Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli pose on the red carpet at the Australian TV awards. Photo: Getty
MAFS couple Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli pose on the red carpet at the Australian TV awards - Martha was accused of 'elbowing' Kochie at the event. Photo: Getty

Martha then posted a new clip on her Instagram account, in a bid to set the record straight with her ‘truth’ about the apparent red carpet incident.

“I'm a person and I have feelings and Sam and Koch have caused me so much stress and anxiety these past few days and I just feel like it's so unnecessary, like for what, for ratings?” the reality star said in the candid video.

“It's at the expense of my wellbeing and it's not fair.”

Yahoo Lifestyle has contacted Channel Seven for comment.

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