One way to think about talk shows in 2022 is to evoke the metaphor of a beached whale: an old thing washed up on the shores of a world where it could never survive. Yet last night, ABC TV launched a new one: Frankly, a half hour of good ol’ fashioned chit-chat hosted by Fran Kelly, the former RN Breakfast presenter, whose soft charisma has the vibes of an open-minded aunty.
Kelly stepped on to the set to the sounds of David Bowie’s Changes, performed by the house band. Her opening piece-to-camera revealed the song choice was machine-tooled for the monologue: “There sure have been a lot of changes around here lately,” she began, the major one being that “I’m now hosting my very own show!” Kelly continued: “I’ve definitely moved out of my comfort zone. If you can call waking up at 3.30 in the morning to interview Barnaby Joyce comfortable.”
