Federal Election: James Weir recaps the fourth leaders’ debate
Dutton tripped up while Albo was blindsided during the final debate that producers ensured was full of bizarre pranks and a peculiar Trump claim. James Weir recaps.
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Channel 7 unleashed chaos in the final showdown between Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton with a debate that tripped up the leaders – not thanks to searing questions, but because of the unpredictable theatrics that included cutting off the gents mid-speech with orchestral music like it was the Oscars.
Sunday night’s broadcast brought the drama with a string of zany gimmicks that have now become an expected signature for the network that recently tried introducing star signs and skits into its nightly news bulletins.
Of course we weren’t surprised that, for this important debate that aired just six days before Aussies hit the polling booths, the pièce de résistance of the production would be ominous Star Wars music that interrupted the leaders mid-sentence — a signal that their allocated time to answer a question was up.
The thing is, it seemed no one involved was really briefed about when or why the music was going to play.
As Dutton answered the first question about the cost-of-living crisis, the music began to swirl and a crescendo built. He stammered and looked around the neon-lit studio.
“Interest rates started to drop in … other countries before they dropped here and … they’ve only dropped here and ... they’ve … only dropped by …”
The music gradually got louder, like the Jaws theme song – duunnn dunnn … duuuunnnn duun. The guy was terrified.
What was I saying? he racked his brain, losing his train of thought.
He began to scramble, stuttering a few words. As the music cranked up to full volume, he just started yelling random phrases before he got wiped out completely.
“Long-term relief is actually going to turn around Labor’s very bad position!”
Moderator Mark Riley then scolded the Opposition Leader for not respecting the wrap-up music.
“I’ve been lenient, Mr Dutton,” Seven’s political editor warned.
But then Mark got a taste of his own medicine.
Clearly the producer whose sole job it was to crank the dial on the music was jolly with power. From that moment on, this wannabe DJ just started blaring the tunes over everything.
Mark began to ask a question.
“To tax cuts. Mr Albanese, you’re promising …” he said before slowing down to a pause and looking around curiously as the music tried to cut him off even though he’s the damn moderator.
Execs really missed an obvious opportunity here for some Channel 7 cross-promo. Instead of this Hans Zimmer orchestra nonsense, they should’ve got those losers from Australian Idol in the studio to belt out some bad Ed Sheeran covers until the leaders shut up.
Anyway, feeling agitated by the whole debacle, Mark Riley decided to troll Albo about Trump ghosting his phone calls.
“You haven’t heard from Donald Trump, I know you attempted to get a meeting with him …” he snipped. “Did you ever text him?”
Albo, obviously feeling embarrassed, had to think quick on his feet. He fought back with a wild claim: Trump doesn’t own a mobile phone.
“I’m not sure he has a mobile phone … it is not the way it works,” he spluttered, wishing to high heaven that the Star Wars music would start blaring over this entire segment.
Mark then told everyone that Albo is a WhatsApp demon.
“That is the way it works with you! You text people!” he outed the PM. “Are we not good enough to have Trump’s mobile number or does he not have one?”
Albo then said he only communicates with Trump in special circumstances that involve both gents having their own personal stenographers.
“When we have discussions, we have note-takers on both sides, we have them in secure rooms…” he said, while also dodging the inquiry about whether his personal stenographer is paid for with our tax dollars.
“I am sure on your phone there are lots of text messages from world leaders,” Mark pressed.
Obviously there was only one thing to do: Have each leader pull out their mobiles and dial the most famous person in their contacts list. Albo’s was Ricki-Lee Coulter and Dutton’s was that least-famous Hemsworth brother.
To be honest, we’re a little surprised the producers didn’t quickly pull up these pics of Trump holding the mobile phone that Albo reckons he doesn’t own:
It’s around now co-host Nat Barr jumped in for a welfare check with the viewers.
“How are you going at home? Is this helping you decide?” she said through gritted teeth.
Not really, Nat. Not really.
The Sunrise presenter literally had to be awake just five hours after this debate broadcast to host her breakfast show. Let the woman go to bed!
But she was dedicated to this monumental debate that had the power to change the course of Australian history.
Case in point?
She joined Mark behind the moderator’s podium and decided to blindside Albo with a petty stunt. On the studio jumbotrons, she pulled up the realestate.com.au listing of the PM’s $4.3 million Copacabana beach house and started scrolling through the interior pics.
“Take a look at this,” Nat said to the PM. “What comes to mind when you see this?”
Albo was lost for words before spluttering out “marriage” and attempting to hit back with accusations of the media erasing his fiancee from history.
He started freaking out that producers may have also sent Sam Mac down to the house. At any moment, they could’ve cut to live footage of the zany weatherman standing in Albo’s bedroom, digging through the prime ministerial underwear drawer.
Before we had a chance to see, the Star Wars music began to swirl again.
Facebook:@hellojamesweir
Originally published as Federal Election: James Weir recaps the fourth leaders’ debate
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