Take One

All the Right Moves

^{Sarah Saunders, 50 something | JUNE 2010}

It takes something special to survive the cut-throat world of television. While she may appear all fashion and beauty, after thirty years as queen of daytime you’d do well not to underestimate Kerri-Anne Kennerley. She spoke to Sarah Saunders.

The media’s been talking about the swag of older women dominating the small screen lately – from Lisa Wilkinson (50) to Liz Hayes (54). Some see it as a significant generational change. Twenty-somethings just don’t wash as authority figures with the vast baby boomer audience and television executives are realising it.

When asked, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 56, fixture of Australian television since the early eighties, could easily claim to lead this new guard of powerful 40-plus women.

Instead she dismisses it.

“You see, I’ve been doing interviews like that for years,” she says “To me it’s a non-event question. It is what it is”.

“There are more women working in television than ever before simply because there’s more television. Compared to 20 years ago, there’s Foxtel, there’s sport channels, there’s now HD digital, there’s so much more work for production as well as on-camera stuff than there ever has been and women are very, very well represented – it’s fantastic”.

That’s Kerri-Anne – nonthreatening and hardly revolutionary, the very qualities that have made her a much-loved and enduring brand over three decades.

Her shows, Good Morning Australia, Midday and now Mornings with Kerri-Anne, are fun and light: celebrities, fashion, cooking, chat and, of course, our dancing politicians Peter “Macarena” Costello, Cheryl “Cha Cha” Kernot, and Kevin “Rumba” Rudd.

Watch, listen and join the party but, remember, Kerri-Anne’s been there longer than anyone.

What is your most memorable interview?

That’s hard to say. There are so many different types of interviews that we do. If you’re talking politicians Peter Costello was fascinating – especially the last time he co-hosted with me, a python got wrapped around his neck and ended up putting his tail in his pocket and quick as a flash he’s gone: “even the snake wants tax relief”!

If you’re talking musicians, Michael Bublé was just fabulous. Apart from being a huge admirer he, in fact, did his very first television appearance on our program a good five years ago, before anyone knew who he was. He is such a great vocal technician – that big band sound, he makes it funky and he’s a very funny guy.

If you’re talking movie stars, I’d have to say Jane Fonda is right up there because she’s such a fascinating woman. In her autobiography she laid it bare. She talked about being married to Roger Vadim first time round and having to acquire prostitutes for three in a bed, the drugs and the anorexia.

Who was the most difficult?

I don’t think any of them were that difficult. John Stamos was just fun – it was silly and fun.

You’ve had both Kevin Rudd and John Howard on your show. How did they compare?

Very different personalities but both consummate professionals. Kevin Rudd knew the game – clearly very focused guy. He co-hosted before the election with me for the whole two hours of the show. John Howard very much a straight talker – he’s not a ball of personality but very much the professional.

Would Peter Costello have made a good Prime Minister?

Oh, without question. I still firmly believe that had he hung in there just that little while longer the crown would have been his and rightly so.

What about opposition leader Tony Abbott, will you be dancing with him?

No, I don’t think so. Probably at this stage – I’ve danced the rumba with Kevin Rudd and chatted with John Howard many, many times – I’m politicked out and he certainly isn’t the same vibrant personality.

Is there anyone you’d like to interview that you haven’t interviewed yet?

Barack and Michelle Obama.

You’re very popular with the Australian television audience. Why do they love you so much?

I don’t know. I keep working. I’ve been able to do varying parts of shows and I guess people grow with you. And you’re around so long you’re just part of the furniture. But I’ve been doing shows since 1981 with Good Morning Australia, Midday, and in the last six years Mornings. We just produce the style of television that’s not threatening but still relevant because we’re live. We try to do new stuff that people find genuinely important to their daily lives. Of course there’s the great music and the stars, and just nonsense and silliness.

What are your beauty secrets?

I just have a good time actually! But there’s no question that as you age you take a bit longer to throw on the makeup. I think you’ve got to pay a little bit of extra time and attention to things. Exfoliation and light treatment are terrific for your skin.

In terms of energy I’m working with a German company called Tebonin that produces a high grade Ginkgo biloba product.

What about exercise regimes - do you have time to stick to one?

Not a lot of time but I try to do as much as I can. Bit of walking and I play golf.

And I see you ski?

Yes, every year virtually in January we get to ski. But during the year it’s mostly golf. So it’s not an aerobic fitness. It’s still a good seven mile walk most of the time.

You’re known for your style. Do you have any fashion tips for the older woman?

I think you’ve just got to learn as your body ages and changes - and it does - what feels comfortable and what suits you. The most important thing is to know how your body has changed.

Who are your favourite designers?

Alex Perry without question is my favourite glamorous designer. He’s done every Logies dress in the last five years and I wear a lot of his cocktail dresses.

What are you passionate about?

I am patron of the Look and Feel Better Campaign. It’s a national organisation that helps women with cancer deal with how they look - they get wig specialists in and they do seminars on how their skin changes with chemotherapy. The cosmetics industry gets involved so it’s fantastic. They deal with these women who have really personal issues – they feel like crap, they look like crap and it scares their children. So they get help on how to look good and feel better.

At the end of the day what makes you happy?

Living life.

Any regrets?

Never.

Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s book People I’ve Met, Places I’ve Been (New Holland) is available at bookstores.