The premiere of former Radio National Breakfast host Fran Kelly’s new chat/variety show has prompted right-wing News Crap Australia columnist and persistent critic of the ABC, Gerard Henderson, to secure a similar platform in the Sky News “after dark” line-up.

Ms Kelly’s new 30-minute tonight show-style program Frankly had its first screening last night and featured interviews with comedian Shaun Micallef; Dr Richard Harris, the chap who helped rescue those young soccer players trapped in a cave in Thailand a few years back; and astrophysicist Kirsten Banks.

ABC sources tell me senior management is very pleased with the first episode of the 30-minute show.

But they will soon have a rival to contend with after Henderson convinced Sky News bosses to give him his own show that will go up against Frankly from next Friday.

“Gerard has been given the go-ahead for his new variety show and he insists he won’t be tolerating any guests who are as woke as Shaun Micallef,” a Sky News source told me.

“He also objected to the inclusion by Fran Kelly of Dr Harris on her interview couch last night.

“Gerard has always held grave misgivings about the massive rescue efforts the Thai Government put in train after those boys were discovered trapped in that cave.

“He’s always believed that their fate should have been left to the free market to sort out.

“Similarly, he says he would have vetoed an appearance by Ms Banks. She is after all into indigenous astronomy. Enough said, for Gerard.

“Another point of difference is that Gerard’s show will run for eight hours, not just 30 minutes.”

My Sky News source told me a pilot program of the new show called The TooRight Show was recorded yesterday with guests News Crap Australia right-wing columnist and Sky News “after dark” host Peta Credlin, and News Crap Australia right-wing columnist and Sky News “after dark” host, James Morrow. (main picture)

“Gerard and Sky News head honchos are very happy with the pilot,” my source told me.

“They think he’s got the balance exactly right,….. I mean exactly Right, and the show is going to live up to the idea of a variety show by having a variety of right-wing commentators airing a variety of right-wing views.”

All I can add about this imminent battle of the tonight shows is: watch out come Logie time!