Ex-Chaser host Julian Morrow denies row with ABC boss

Former Chaser host Julian Morrow denies having angry confrontation with now-ABC boss David Anderson in Sydney HQ foyer.

Julian Morrow outside the Supreme Court in Sydney on Tuesday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Former Chaser host Julian Morrow has denied having an angry confrontation with now ABC boss David Anderson in a foyer at the public broadcaster’s Sydney HQ after being told his show The Checkout had been axed.

Morrow – co-founder of The Chaser comedy troupe – appeared at the NSW ­Supreme Court on Tuesday for day two of a hearing into his legal battle with former business partner Nick Murray.

The comedian is accusing Mr Murray of reneging on a deal to sell the rights to the now-defunct show The Checkout, with Morrow claiming the pair agreed to part ways in 2019 after six series of the show.

On Tuesday, Morrow was accused of hiding from Mr Murray the progress of negotiations with the ABC to bring back The Checkout for a seventh season.

According to a statement of claim filed to the court, Mr Murray agreed to sign over intellectual property rights in The Checkout to Morrow’s company for $50 after it was not commissioned for a ­seventh series.

Morrow claims Mr Murray reneged on a deal to part ways out of their company after finding out Morrow had been in negotiations with the ABC before the sale, ­resulting in the ABC refusing to commission another series of The Checkout.

Mr Murray alleges Morrow was deceptive and misleading over the plans for a seventh ­series, saying he did not advise him of discussions with the ABC for a seventh season while Mr Murray was a director of The Checkout.

On Tuesday, Morrow was cross-examined by Mr Murray’s barrister Ben Katekar QC, who referred to a July 2018 meeting he had with then ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie.

At the meeting, Morrow had been told the ABC would not be returning The Checkout from hiatus in 2018 and 2019. It is then alleged by Mr Murray that Morrow had a “confrontation” with then head of TV Mr Anderson in a public foyer of the ABC offices.

“Were you upset this time?” Mr Katekar asked.

“I was disappointed,” Morrow replied.

“Did you meet or run into Mr Anderson in the foyer?

“I did, yes”

“Did you have a confrontation with Mr Anderson in the foyer on that occasion?”

“I did not.”

He later put to Morrow that he hid the progress of negotiations with the ABC to bring back the show from Mr Murray. Morrow denied the suggestion.