E11 | Chris Rattue
Episode Summary | Chris Rattue
You may never have seen him, but you’ve probably read one of his controversial opinion pieces over the years.
Meet Chris Rattue, reformed alcoholic who has spent over 40 years in sports journalism.
Hear about the time Chris accidentally deleted a match report a minute before deadline at the FIFA World Cup, how much ‘hate mail’ he receives, if he ever manufactures opinions, and the time he pissed off a whole country when calling out Welsh rugby.
Show notes | Chris Rattue
***Disclaimer***
This episode deals with issues of alcohol and drug addiction. If you or anyone you know is struggling with these sorts of issues, the alcohol drug telephone helpline is only a call away on 0800 787 797 or text 8681, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with a trained counsellor. All calls are free and confidential.
1.59 How Seamus and Steve know Ratts
4.44 Who is Chris Rattue?
5.50 That time at 2010 FIFA World Cup when Ratts lost his match report after Winston Reid equalised for the All Whites against Slovakia
14.29 The art of writing to a deadline and live blogging
16.17 The similarities of media writing and team management
16.55 The digital age vs the “good old days”
17.40 Becoming Ratts: The transition from reporter to columnist
22.40 Strong opinions: Does Ratts believe everything he writes?
24.18 Detached from social media. Ratts opens up on his “loner” personality
25.52 If you’re not on social media, then how do you form your opinions?
27.11 How social media informs opinion: Don’t F**k with Cats
28.55 Love him or hate him, Ratts is a conversation starter. How does he deal with feedback?
31.24 We go back to the power of social media
32.55 Columnists as enigmas: Are they real people or just created to deliberately wind people up?
34.20 Ratts’ talks on how his strong opinions on rugby union in New Zealand come from a place of love
35.27 The “village idiots of world rugby”: The power of a column and the origins of Ratts vs public opinion
39.55 “Don’t worry about the consequences”: The time Ratts wrote about Dan Carter needing to be dropped for the 2015 Rugby World Cup
42.40 How Ratts is viewed by his colleagues
45.49 We go deep into Ratts and his past issues with addiction. From the first “proper” drink to becoming a one day on, one day off drinker. A moral issue vs a health issue and how his previous addiction issues affected his work
52.34 What led to Ratts’ decision to quit drinking?
54.48 Seamus empathises with Ratts’ feelings of helplessness
55.30 Two states: “The 3 drink state” and “oblivion”
56.22 How hard was the journey? What support was in place?
57.55 How is it now? Is the temptation still there?
1.00.26 “Most addicts are just trying to feel better”
1.01.27 Steve praises Ratts’ on his bravery and acknowledges some of his best writing is about addiction and athletes
1.03.03 What was a day in the life of a journalist like 30 years ago? “Breaking” a story, and how doesn’t happen anymore
1.05.21 When Steve started at the NZ Herald and the transition from old school to new school
1.07.15 Ratts behind the paywall. Has is affected the popularity of his columns.
1.09.06 Has the horse bolted? Subscribing to The Athletic and a shameless plug for NZ Herald Premium Content. The realities of modern content and why lists are so popular?
1.11.17 Where to from here? Ratts reflects on his career, the characters and the current newsroom culture has changed
1.15.34 The collapse of domestic sport in New Zealand
1.17.28 “Cut the shit”: Keeping the media analytical and unbiased
1.19.32 New Zealanders and confrontation
1.21.25 Final words from Steve, Seamus and Ratts
