Featured Image Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images / YouTube/ABC iview
Topics: Ben Affleck, Celebrity, Entertainment, Hollywood, Film and TV
Emily Brown
Topics: Ben Affleck, Celebrity, Entertainment, Hollywood, Film and TV
Longtime reporter Sarah Ferguson has named Ben Affleck as the subject of one of her worst-ever interviews for three specific reasons.
Thanks to decades of work in the industry, which includes landing her role as host of the Australian Broadcasting Corporations’s 7.30 two years ago, journalist Ferguson has encountered and interviewed all sorts of people.
Over the years Ferguson has spoken to everyone from extreme-right provocateur Steve Bannon, to an Israel Defence Forces spokesperson, to some of Hollywood's biggest stars, and she's not done yet.
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In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald's Sunday Life magazine, Ferguson revealed that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are among those still on her interviewing bucket list.
There are some interviews, however, that she'd probably rather forget.
When asked by The Herald about her 'least favorite interviewee', Ferguson responded to reveal that Gone Girl star Affleck is 'quite high up on the list'.
Affleck is considered by many as a Hollywood heartthrob, while his industry awards demonstrate his talent in front of the camera.
However, Ferguson alleged he didn't make for a good interviewee as she named three particular reasons why.
“He was just rude, not interested, going through the motions," she claimed.
Ferguson interviewed Affleck in March 2023, when he appeared alongside actor Chris Tucker to promote his movie Air.
Only four of the questions Ferguson asked Affleck during the interview were actually shown on TV, with some of his responses proving to be particularly wordy.
When asked how Air had shifted its focus from being about 'white guys in a business' to being about Michael Jordan's family, Affleck responded:
"It happened by my looking at the story and thinking initially, you know, knowing a little bit how these companies work, and knowing about, you know, knowing by instinct it wasn't only white people who worked at this company who were relevant to the story.
"And I didn't want to make that story. Luckily, Michael graciously made himself available to me, and directed me to the three people he felt were principally relevant here... and also he talked about his father and his mother."
When it comes to trying to get the best out of her interviewees, Ferguson explained it's 'all in the preparation'.
“I want new things, but I also want an experience, so I’m always balancing the nature of the interview against the style of the interview," she said.
"It’s not just about asking the right questions, it’s about a certain theatre that attends live television.”
While Affleck might not have offered up the 'experience' Ferguson was hoping for, at least she still got a story out of it!
UNILAD has contacted representatives for Affleck for comment.