Australian actor Simon Baker has given an awkward TV interview in which he appeared to distance himself from one of his most successful films.
The 52-year-old, who starred in the 2006 Oscar-nominated The Devil Wears Prada with Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, was asked by Today fill-inco-hosts David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys if he'd ever watched the movie, after reports previously surfaced that he hadn't.
Jeffreys began: "I need you to set the record straight on this, that you have never watched the film."
The Mentalist star took a long pause as he looked away from the camera, before saying, "No, I haven't. That's true."
Baker didn't elaborate on his brief answer, as a stunned Campbell responded, "Oh, it's a cracker. You should definitely change that."
David Campbell's face says it all.
Appearing visibly uncomfortable, Baker again glanced away from the camera, adding, "I've heard. It's clearly been … quite successful."
Jeffreys then asked Baker why he hadn't watched it since it first premiered 15 years ago, with Baker giving another short response. "I haven't gotten around to it."
This prompted the Channel 9 co-hosts to burst into fits of laughter, with Jeffreys saying, "We've been under lockdown orders! There's been nothing else to do."
Baker then wrapped up the line of questioning: "Oh look I don't know, you've got to get a bit of distance from films sometimes."
At the time of its release, The Devil Wears Prada received largely positive reviews, particularly thanks to Streep's performance as vicious magazine editor, Miranda Priestly, in which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway in a scene from the film The Devil Wears Prada. Photo / Supplied
It also performed strongly at the box office, grossing US$326 million against a US$41 million budget.
Over the years it's become increasingly beloved among viewers, with some of Priestly's savage catchphrases spawning countless social media memes.
However, there are some aspects of the film which viewers feel have since dated, particularly with Adrian Grenier's character, Nate. Fans have accused the character of being a bad boyfriend to Andy (Hathaway), as he makes her feel guilty for pursuing her career.
In an interview with news.com.au earlier this year, Grenier said society had since evolved and we were now living in the "age of the female".
"I was unclear about that myself," Grenier said.
"I think we're in the age of the female and we want to support Andy. And Nate is a little bit immature. He's a young guy and he probably needs Andy a little bit too much for what a woman would want in an adult man."
