Chris Smith to leave ‘wildcard’ days behind in 2020 line-up with Sky
Veteran radio identity Chris Smith says he promises to rattle a few cages and live up to his controversial reputation in his new TV venture.
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Controversial talkback host Chris Smith won’t hold back his opinions in his new TV career — but his “cage-rattling” will be professional only.
The veteran broadcaster, who left 2GB in July, says he has put his turbulent past behind him and will focus on the issues that matter in his new role at Sky News Australia.
Smith is a major feature in Sky’s 2020 line-up, revealed today, with roles in three shows.
“There was a time in my life where I was a wildcard but those days are over,” he said.
“I’m too busy with family and work to be wild anymore, but I am controversial.”
Smith, 56, copped a barrage of negative headlines ten years ago after a drunken bender at a 2GB Christmas party in which he harassed female staff.
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After a period of self-flagellating “hell” Smith gave up alcohol, sought mental health treatment and returned to the airwaves vowing to be defined by his journalism, not his mistakes.
While his first marriage broke down, Smith found new happiness with nutritionist Susie Burrell and their twins — and today he is very much back on track.
“In the opinion world of news and current affairs, you have a lot of people who don’t like what you say or don’t like who you are. That will always be the case because you put yourself out there so much — whether you’re delivering an opinion or misbehaving as I have done at least a decade ago,” he said.
“I think you’ll find on these programs, more than even on radio, you can detect the type of person I am, how much I care for family, how much I have regained my feet … and got on with my responsibilities rather than do what I used to do, which is too much partying and not treating myself very well.”
Smith’s first Sky program, Chris Smith: Inside The News, will kick off on December 16 and run as a special summer edition for six weeks, at 7pm weeknights.
It will be followed by Chris Smith Tonight from January 30. Smith described it as a combination of hard-hitting news, commentary, exclusive stories and “no sealing of opinion … within the boundaries of the law”.
“I don’t mind criticism,” he said. “I love saying what I think, especially when I know I’m right, and this should be something that’ll rattle a few cages.”
The third program, Chris Smith & Friends, will premiere on February 2 and run on Sundays from 10pm as an in-depth chat with high-profile guests and international celebrities.
Smith was tight-lipped on who he had lined up for 2020 so far.
“I’d like to sit down with the likes of Peter Dutton to work out whether there’s a terrific personality behind the straight-laced immigration minister,” Smith said.
“I don’t want to hear about jobs or portfolios. I want to get into (guests’) minds and find out how they make it work, how they go about picking themselves up and where family fits in.
“I want to do something like Graham Norton does and have one guest after the other and then another, and have them all on the couch at once.
“For instance, it would be great to chat to Jessica Mauboy, Peter Dutton and Dick Smith, and find out what they have in common. You might find there are some terrific similarities.”
Smith added, as a guarantee, all guests on Chris Smith & Friends will receive a showbag at the end of the program — containing a TV stress ball, Chris Smith USB and fluorescent golf ball.