Channel Nine: The Happy Network!

We like nothing more than a royal spaz out at a special occasion from someone who should know better, and we particularly like it when it involves the ill-fated Channel Nine, whose year is about as ‘two-thousand-and-great’ as a punch in the face.

Apparently 60 Minutes reporter Liam Bartlett cracked it hardcore – for no real reason – at a farewell function for Ray Martin, who quit the station earlier this year. Amongst his amusing reported outbursts:

As the party drew to a close, Bartlett’s colleagues say he launched into an random attack on the return 60 Minutes episode, describing it as “s***” and cursing producers for allowing former Nine CEO Eddie McGuire to be a part of the show.

During the rant, which colleagues said “came out of nowhere” he is said to have referred to McGuire’s interview with his AFL friend Sam Newman as “not a story”.

Rumours of the rant were rife around Nine’s Willoughby camp last night but if the claims turn out to be true he will reportedly be “in big trouble” with management, a source said.

Bartlett is said to have taken aim at the ratings the show attracted.

“If you guys are satisfied with 1.2 million (viewers), you’re f******” Bartlett apparently told colleagues.

We love this shit! Someone should give Bartlett his own late night talk show, or make him the new Sam Kekovich and just let him rant at inappropriate moments during otherwise unrelated telecasts.

Bang bang, you’re f-cked, indeed!