Disappointed viewers switch off second part of telemovie Warnie

A much-anticipated show about the life of Shane Warne has been criticised for slip-ups and gaffes as viewers tuned out, saying it didn’t do justice to the lovable larrikin.

Alex Williams and Marny Kennedy as Shane Warne and Simone Callahan in telemovie Warnie.

Two-part telemovie Warnie has drawn mixed reviews but many have expresssed disappointment about the show, given how colourful Shane Warne’s life really was.

That disappointment was reflected in the ratings dip, with part two on Monday night attracting 434,000 metro viewers, down from its Sunday debut of 528,000.

There were a few sore points in how the script unfolded and pictures were presented.

Many eagle-eyed viewers noticed some gaffes, particularly around locations and timings.

In both parts there was also a lack of continuity as the storyline mirrored a googly and turned all over the place. If this was shown in 10 years’ time it may well have been an emotional trip down memory lane, but it felt way too soon.

Alex Williams and Marny Kennedy play Shane Warne and Simone Callahan.

Warnie’s trusted friend, wicketkeeper Ian Healy, said on breakfast radio that he didn’t like the start when Warne narrated his passing and memorial.

“The first voiceover bit of Warnie speaking about his life ... they didn’t have his attitude right. They made him out to be too cynical, sarcastic, he’s not like that at all. That’s not Warnie ... that got me annoyed.”

There were many parts of Warne’s journey to the top that could have been told more effectively.

One thing you could count on Warnie for was entertainment — this was boring and slow in parts, unlike the character we knew and had come to universally love.

One Twitter user noticed the MCG shot from the 1992 Boxing Day Test was a decade later.

1. MCG and footy vision

Many past images were used as historical reference points but one Twitter user noticed the MCG shot from the 1992 Boxing Day Test was a decade later — under lights with a VB series logo on the turf and the old Ponsford Stand reduced to rubble. As some other users pointed out, Nine had the rights to broadcast cricket for 40 years yet couldn’t find the right frame. There was also footage of footy players, referencing Warne’s love for the game and playing under 19s, but it showed the Tassie footy league when he clearly played in Victoria.

Surely they could have got an MCG ground shot from the 1992 Boxing Day Test rather than one taken a decade later under lights with a VB Series logo on the turf and the old Ponsford Stand reduced to rubble… #Warniepic.twitter.com/yFWD9vYeuk

— Daniel Davini (@davvers605) June 25, 2023

#Warnie and the Tassie Footy League? pic.twitter.com/GuRXB8UDPc

— Andy (@munrojumpers) June 26, 2023

Elizabeth Hurley spent much of her relationship with Warne by his side while he played IPL cricket and BBL. Picture: Getty Images

2. Elizabeth Hurley

There was an inference that Warne was still seeing Simone Callahan when he started a relationship with the British actor. According to Warne’s father Keith there was no overlap. He relayed to entertainment reporter Peter Ford that he was disappointed by the storyline. Hurley, who met the cricket great at the races in 2010, also spent much of her relationship with Warne by his side while he played IPL cricket and BBL but none of that was shown.

Shane Warne had an illustrious career behind the microphone.

3. Commentary career

Warne had an illustrious career behind the microphone, so much so that Sky Sports named its commentary box at Lord’s after him. After taking 708 wickets he became one of the sport’s best analysts and showed a different side to his personality. He worked for Channel 9 for years before switching to Fox Sports as its main man. Touching on this might have been a good lead-in to the time ahead of his passing.

Shane Warne and Steve Waugh in 1995.

Ben Hall and Tom Stokes as Steve and Mark Waugh in telemovie Warnie.

4. Mark and Steve Waugh

Many fans wondered if producers were going for a genuine likeness when they cast actors, Ben Hall and Tom Stokes, as the legendary cricket brothers. The two ooze talent but are far from lookalikes for the men they portrayed with many noting the non-similarities. Alex Williams did a commendable job playing Warne, obvious that he had put in many hours studying his looks and mannerisms. Newcomer Shanti Kali was impressive as Hurley.

Shane Warne celebrates Australia’s victory over England in the fifth Ashes Test by dancing on the dressing room balcony in 1997.

5. Ashes celebration

One of Warne’s most famous acts was his victory dance on the dressing room balcony after the 1997 Ashes Test. He was caught by cameras waving around a stump after victory over England in the Fifth Ashes Test and made front page of papers around the world. Would have been good to see more of the larrikin side of Warne, rather than just showing tedious and slow scenes before and after scandal.