GORDON LIGHTFOOT | Sport
TV’S NEWEST STAR
Sky Sport viewers were disappointed to miss out on this morning’s Rugby World Cup final, as the broadcast was replaced with the premiere of a brand new TV talk show, hosted by rugby referee Wayne Barnes.
“The Wayne Barnes Show” is a late-night style talk show, where Barnes is hoping to compete for attention against Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, and the All Blacks.
The first guest on the show was highly popular actor Chris Pratt, known for the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies.
While the general format for talk shows is for the host to ask their guests questions and let them talk, early critics say that Barnes appears to put more focus on himself.
As Pratt began answering a question, it only took ten seconds for the new host to interrupt and start telling one of his own anecdotes. Pratt reportedly found the experience “weird and off-putting” following the taping.
“He asked me what I’ve been up to the last year, and I was about to give my pre-planned spiel, but then he just started talking about his rugby refereeing career, and how much he doesn’t like the All Blacks,” said the actor.
“It was weird, you know? I get brought onto the show, so I assume the show’s producers want to hear from me. Kinda like how rugby fans really just want to see high performing athletes play at the top of their game.”
Hamilton rugby fan Regan Donaldson was disappointed he didn’t get to watch the game. “Yeah pretty disappointing. I guess the referee and his team of TMOs are just more important than the World Cup final,” he said.
“Would have been good if they’d just played the Wayne Barnes Show after the game, so we could have the choice to turn off the TV”.
Producers of the new TV show have not commented about the ratings for episode 1.
More to come.
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