Channel Nine’s flagship current affairs show will be cut short on Sunday night after producers made a frantic rush to bring forward the episode.
The network has cut 60 Minutes runtime by 15 minutes in a desperate attempt to compete with the soaring ratings of rival network Seven.
Nine initially chose not to air 60 Minutes during the Paralympics but has made a 11th hour change of heart to go head to head with Channel Seven.
It means that 60 Minutes will only run for 45 minutes on Sunday, headlined by Tracy Grimshaw’s prerecorded interview with Aussie supermodel Elle Macpherson.
At the same time, rival program Seven Spotlight will feature an exclusive interview with Australian billionaire James Packer and British pop star Robbie Williams.
The pair will candidly open up about their mental health struggles.
Both programs will begin at 8.30pm AEST but only Spotlight will air for the full hour.
Macpherson has faced criticism from medical experts in recent interviews due to her controversial take on chemotherapy.
Sunday’s epis60 Minutes featuring an interview between Tracy Grimshaw and supermodel Elle Macpherson will only run for 45 minutes this Sunday
Nine has rushed to get its episode out the door in order to compete with Seven’s Spotlight which will see Liam Bartlett (centre) interview James Packer (left) and Robbie Williams (right)
The supermodel ignored doctors advice that she undergo the treatment after developing breast cancer. She chose natural remedies instead.
Macpherson credited her ‘holistic approach’ to breast cancer as what saved her life but medical professionals have said her beliefs are ‘dangerous and irresponsible’.
She has already discussed her choice on television, radio and in magazines throughout the week.
Macpherson will also address her secret alcohol addiction and the public reaction to her ‘holistic’ health beliefs.
‘I’m not here to be popular,’ she told Grimshaw in a sneak preview for the program.
Ms Macpherson is expected to discuss her controversial decision to battle her breast cancer diagnosis with natural remedies – a choice the doctors opposed
James Packer is set to discuss his mental health struggles alongside longtime friend Robbie Williams on 7Spotlight
Packer, a notoriously private man, has been featured in advertisements for Spotlight discussing his mental health.
‘Money is not a guarantee of happiness,’ the billionaire said.
‘I’m not here to play the victim … it’s a journey. You’re not interviewing someone who’s saying to you, ‘I’ve got it worked out and I’ve got all the answers’. I’m not that person. I’m here saying … I’m doing my best.’
Williams said the two shared an illness, ‘a disease of isolation’.
Mr Packer is the son of the late Kerry Packer who was the top boss at Nine for decades.
Sports fans hoping to watch the Paralympics this Sunday night can watch the Games coverage on 9Gem.
