By Amanda Gillies
Paul Henry seemed to get just what he wanted in his first appearance on Channel Ten’s Breakfast show.
The Australian Labor leadership battle prompted the channel to bring forward the new show, starting four days earlier than planned.
The reaction of viewers seemed to be just as usual for Henry - divided.
A “Henry Hotline” was popular with viewers calling in to comment about the new presenter.
“Who is that guy with the glasses on. I don't know him. I don't want him,” one viewer said.
And Henry responded:
“Now that guy I didn't like. “
Another viewer was not impressed with the show at all.
“Nor have I ever seen two out of three more unprofessional newscasters ever in my life.”
However Henry was not fazed replying, “thank you for watching”.
Someone else commented on Henry looking small next to the other presenters.
“Can someone give that Henry fellow a cushion to sit on? It is very distracting that he is sitting next to Andrew and gazing at his navel basically.”
Henry described this comment as “an exaggeration”.
The show was supposed to start on Monday, but the Gillard/Rudd debate could not wait.
Henry grilled the Australian Liberal Party deputy leader Julia Bishop about which would be a better leader.
“Neither of them,” she replied, to which Henry interrupted, “I know you don't like either of them, who would be the better leader?”
“Neither of them have chosen to be good prime-ministers,” Ms Bishop started saying, before Henry interrupted again.
“Sorry to interrupt again I know what you are saying is true. We all know that, except perhaps the individuals involved.”
At one point Henry also had a go at Gillard's protection squad.
“So they move from manhandling the prime minister to running over journalists.”
3 News