Channel 9 pays $200K to 'a total idiot'

[Flashback]

I admit I'm a total idiot - backpacker Jamie Neale | Travel News | News.com.au

A BRITISH backpacker rescued after 12 days in near-freezing conditions admits he was "a total idiot" to venture ill-prepared into the rugged Blue Mountains bush.
Jamie Neale, 19, last night re-enacted his trek for Channel 9's 60 Minutes program, which paid him $200,000 for his story.
Mr Neale told the program he was badly under-prepared for the trip.
"I admit I'm a total idiot," he said.
"In the UK you can walk for a day and you'd end up in a pub.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Actually I think what he meant to say was "In the UK you can spend a day in the pub and still be able to walk.":!:.
I heard that he was going to donate the money to the SES,IMO that's exactly what he should do.

 

[simongr]

I heard that he was going to donate the money to the SES,IMO that's exactly what he should do.

I believe that his father said that when they found him...

 

[Flashback]

I believe that his father said that when they found him...

Yep, and he also quickly changed from saying "all of it" to "a portion of it", even though the search cost in excess of $400k.

 

[Dave Noble]

He most likely does have travel insurance which may well be responsible for paying any SES costs if due

Dave

 

[JohnK]

And he still profits from his stupidity?

 

[Dave Noble]

And he still profits from his stupidity?

so what. If a television company is prepared to pay money to the person, then why wouldn't he take it

Who, in their right mind would not take the money if a media company is prepared to pay it; Channel 9 obviously felt it was worth that amount

Dave

 

[simongr]

This is no different than someone driving over the speed limit, crashing and the emergency services spending hours cutting them out of the wreckage and hours saving their life in hospital. No-one would expect that person to pay for the services would they?

 

[drron]

This is no different than someone driving over the speed limit, crashing and the emergency services spending hours cutting them out of the wreckage and hours saving their life in hospital. No-one would expect that person to pay for the services would they?

Well if they are a foreign tourist from a country without reciprocal arrangements they very definitely do have to pay for the hospital part.

 

[Flying Fox]

I think that Channel 9 was pretty stupid too as they paid $200K for an exclusive that got totally knocked-out in the ratings by MasterChef.

 

[zzyss]

I would have thought that $2k was chump change as far as payments for stories is concerned... isn't that a fairly standard ballpark figure for what they pay for all those cough stories that appear on A Current Affair?

I'm sure their production budget allows for it.

 

[JohnK]

so what. If a television company is prepared to pay money to the person, then why wouldn't he take it

Channel 9 should never have paid the idiot (amy) money for the story. Do we really need to encourage idiots with monetary reward?

 

[Flashback]

I would have thought that $2k was chump change as far as payments for stories is concerned... isn't that a fairly standard ballpark figure for what they pay for all those cough stories that appear on A Current Affair?

I'm sure their production budget allows for it.

Did you mean 2k ($2,000) or 200k ($200,000); there's a big difference between the two:!: :shock:

 

[auriga]

Channel 9 should never have paid the idiot (amy) money for the story. Do we really need to encourage idiots with monetary reward?

Absolutely agree. Rather sickening, actually.:evil:

 

[zzyss]

Did you mean 2k ($2,000) or 200k ($200,000); there's a big difference between the two:!: :shock:

Sorry my bad. I misread. Not sure about that then...

 

[munitalP]

This is no different than someone driving over the speed limit, crashing and the emergency services spending hours cutting them out of the wreckage and hours saving their life in hospital. No-one would expect that person to pay for the services would they?

a portion of the reg of the car goes to this cost as well...

Mr!

 

[Nigelinoz]

This is no different than someone driving over the speed limit, crashing and the emergency services spending hours cutting them out of the wreckage and hours saving their life in hospital. No-one would expect that person to pay for the services would they?

It is a little bit different because in that situation it is unlikely that a TV station would pay them $200,000 for the story-unless it was a miraculous escape from death.
And he wasn't asked to pay anyway,he offered.IMO if anyone gets lost in the bush through going unprepared then they should expect to have to contribute to at least a portion of the cost of the rescue-especially when they have sold their story to the media.
Remember Tony Bullimore who reportedly sold his story to the media whilst he was still on the naval boat that rescued him?

 

[UP4014]

Perhaps the title of this thread should be;

"Idiot company pays $200K to man with financial acumen"

 

[straitman]

Perhaps the title of this thread should be;

"Idiot company pays $200K to man with financial acumen"

...or Totally Idiotic TV channel pays $200K to 'a total idiot'

Could this be confused with, or be seen as insider trading :?:

 

[simongr]

IMO if anyone gets lost in the bush through going unprepared then they should expect to have to contribute to at least a portion of the cost of the rescue-especially when they have sold their story to the media.

Sorry but the same rules apply - if I get injured in a car crash I am not expected to pay for the firemen to cut me out - what is the difference for people getting lost in the bush?