Eddie Obeid to spill political secrets in new TV show
HE was known as the “Puppet Master” - the one who pulled the strings within the NSW Labor Party. And it seems, jail has not slowed Eddie Obeid down, with the disgraced MP and his son Moses in talks over a new political TV show.
NSW
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EDDIE Obeid knows where the bodies are buried — the political ones — and now some of the jailed MP’s shocking secrets could end up on the small screen.
Discussions are underway to turn the inmate’s memoirs and anecdotes of political shenanigans into a TV show.
Before he was confined behind bars, Obeid started compiling notes for a book on his life — from a childhood in Lebanon to his stunning political downfall.
The tales, along with explosive information about political scandals Obeid supposedly knows about, have found their way into the hands of Vaucluse TV producer Harry Michaels.
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Mr Michaels, a former actor who forged his success buying the TV rights for the National Soccer League in the 1980s, said he was approached by Obeid’s son, Moses Obeid.
“I am very interested, the project has legs,” Mr Michaels told The Sunday Telegraph.
“I’m now working on the budget to allow me to take it to the first script. It will be a grandfather show, the kingmaker of politics.”
Obeid earned the nickname the “Puppet Master” after years as a Labor powerbroker who installed and deposed premiers during his decades in NSW Parliament.
He was found guilty in 2016 of misconduct in public office over dealings with Circular Quay leases which his family had interests in.
He was sentenced to a minimum three years jail and is eligible for parole in 2019.
However, Mr Obeid Jnr said his incarcerated father is not keen on becoming the star of a TV show.
“He is not prepared to entertain it, the only thing he did consider is doing a book about his life,” he said.
Undeterred, Mr Michaels’ synopsis for a 13-part fictional show will be based on true events involving high-profile political figures and rumours of drugs and paedophilia — neither of which involved Mr Obeid.
“I thought this kind of thing only happened in third world countries not in parliament in Australia where people are well looked after and don’t do this type of thing,” Mr Michaels said.
“I was shocked.”
Mr Michaels attracted fame after starring in the 1970s TV series Number 69 and directed his blonde bombshell wife Effie in the legendary Aerobics Oz Style.