Television has given us some of the most iconic and memorable moments in history, but sadly, it occasionally delivers content that's best forgotten.

One such example is the recent Shane Warne miniseries, Warnie, which has been met with an overwhelmingly negative response, making some wonder if TV has indeed hit a new low.

Viewers express their disappointment on social media, calling the Shane Warne miniseries 'the worst piece of television' they've ever seen. Image from Flickr

Channel 9's controversial miniseries about the life of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has faced social media backlash and been dubbed by some as 'the worst piece of television' they've ever seen.

The miniseries aired its first episode on Sunday night, followed by the second part on Monday, June 26th, starts by revisiting Warne's career in 1999 when he was dropped in the West Indies.

It then covers his disappointment at being delisted by St Kilda, getting selected for Australia (and dropped soon after), the Ball of the Century, the John the Bookmaker scandal, and his love life with his wife Simone Callahan, among other events.

Despite the colourful and fascinating life led by the beloved cricketer, the miniseries has been ripped apart by viewers on social media, with numerous criticisms aimed at the script, acting, and overall execution of the series.

CODE Sports' Lachlan McKirdy has described it as 'real bad, shocking script, and just a lot of cringe.'

Former Cricket Australia communications officer Matt Cenin went even further, posting: '30 minutes of the #Warnie telemovie … atrocious. What an embarrassment.'

Another social media user added, 'This #Warnie special on 9 is the worst piece of television I have ever seen.'

Shane Warne, unfortunately, passed away in March 2022, and the decision to create the miniseries so soon after his death attracted some criticism, particularly from Warne's daughter, Brooke Warne.

Brooke Warne criticised the timing of the miniseries, stating that it is 'beyond disrespectful' to her father's memory. Image from Flickr

'Do any of you have any respect for Dad? Or his family?' she wrote on social media, calling the quick turnaround 'beyond disrespectful.'

Brooke also confirmed that the family had met with producers, and a Nine spokesperson said the network and Screentime, the company producing the series, had collaborated with the family.

However, Simone Callahan, married to Warne from 1995 until 2005, slammed the show before it aired, saying, 'I think it’s a bit unkind and mean-spirited, to be honest.'

Callahan continued, 'He’s just passed. Let him rest in peace. And for the kids, I just believe that they’re not showing any compassion at all by putting this out there in such a short amount of time after this has happened.'

You can read more about the family’s sentiments regarding the miniseries here.

Key Takeaways

• The Shane Warne miniseries on Channel 9 has received a brutal social media backlash, with many viewers unimpressed and calling it 'the worst piece of television.'
• The first of the two-part series aired on Sunday, covering Warne's career highs and lows, personal life, and various controversies.
• Warne's daughter Brooke had previously slammed the decision to create the miniseries just six months after her father's death, calling it 'beyond disrespectful.'
• Despite assurances that the network and production company collaborated with the family, Warne's ex-wife Simone Callahan criticised the show as 'unkind and mean-spirited.'

It's disheartening when a television program fails to live up to the expectations and legacy of its subject, and this miniseries on the life of Shane Warne has not managed to do justice to the cricket great.

For SDC members who watched the show, what are your thoughts? And do you find the creation and airing of the miniseries so soon after his passing disrespectful and insensitive? Share your opinions with us.

 

[DrivingGirl]

Don’t know too much about cricket, but always remember the blond hair and big smile with zinc on the nose!
I haven’t watched the series and probably won’t, as I remember a lot of the news on his private life- which was sometimes not so private!
In my humble opinion- they should have waited a good 10 years longer and the public and his family might be more receptive to the series instead of hastily knocking out what seems to be a less than tasteful version of his life. How could that not hurt a grieving family and friends- very sad and a waste of a television opportunity which could have been really good if it had been done properly.

 

[Mindygirl12022]

Media is pushing the limits of respect, among other things. Warnie created the best show of his life while he was alive, which in my mind's eye, as an ambassador for his country and cricket, was despicable. Despite his skill, he should have been dropped years ago from the limelight.
Unfortunately, the media thinks people's lives are fair game for exploitation, no matter how rude.

Leave Warnie's Memories alone. This is disgraceful. I started watching it and had to stop. It disrespects him now he can't defend himself and hurts his family. Shame.