43 Jennifer Keyte $1.2 million

Proving that newsreaders can do more than sit behind a desk and follow an autocue, Jennifer Keyte has become the newest member of Nine Network's galaxy of stars. The former newsreader for Seven Network's Melbourne evening bulletin, Keyte rose to national prominence through Steve Vizard's Tonight Live. Nine grabbed her, eventually installing her as host of Good Medicine. Nine wants her to become a co-host of its evening news in Melbourne. Keyte has said no.

The hand that rocks the cradle

By DOUG AITON

This interview with GTV-9's managing director, Ian Johsnton, helps show Jen's place in the Australian TV star heirarchy

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... What is it about a television star, I asked. How do you know? How do you recognise one?

"I dunno. I reckon it's just a gut feeling."

"Do you find you have to manage a lot of big egos?"

"I sure do. I sometimes call myself the highest-paid baby sitter in Melbourne."

"And you pay many of them much more than you are paid, I suppose."

"Oh yes. That doesn't concern me. They get what the market's worth. I understand that. It doesn't concern me at all that they are paid so much. And remember, the short term does apply in many, many cases. But the whole star system of the Nine Network is going very well."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Well, I'd say we have the 10 top television personalities in Melbourne here at GTV-9."

I ASKED him to name them. Johnson became slightly nervous about this, but only momentarily. He started laughing.

"In no particular order," he warned, "Brian Naylor, Daryl Somers, Eddie McGuire, Sam Newman, Jennifer Keyte, Rob Gell, Glenn Ridge, Nicky Buckley, Larry Emdur, Geoff Jansz, how many's that?"

"Ten."

"Oh! Better cross out Geoff Jansz and put in Frank Holden. In the past, there's been Ernie Sigley, Denise Drysdale, Don Lane, Bert Newton. What I'm worried about is who I've left off. Without being biased, I'd be struggling to find any names at our competitors who would get on that list."

"How about Bruce McAvaney," I suggested.

"Yeah, for certain duties. He's an outstanding sports caller and commentator, but not for us at the moment. You've got to have something for them to do."

"David Johnston?"

"Very capable. But we still have no vacancy."

"Naomi Robson?"

"Well, she's okay. We've got Jennifer Keyte."

"What about Rex Hunt?"

"I think Rex is very, very . . . well, he could nearly sneak into the ten. But we haven't really got anything he could do. Even if he wanted to join us."

I asked Johnson for an example of a tough decision he's made. He replied immediately that the toughest time is cancelling programs ...

Copyright (c) David Syme & Co 1999.