Nikolai Kartozia, the Managing Director of the Friday TV channel, spoke in an interview with Afishe Daily about recent developments and internal debates surrounding hosting duties. After her debut as the presenter of the show Eagle and Tails, a blogger revealed to Afishe Daily that there was at one point interest in replacing Nastya Ivleeva.
In recounting the show’s evolution, Kartozia recalled the moment when a newly introduced anchor appeared on screen in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The host pointed out landmarks such as the beach and the hotel, and seemed to suggest that not much had changed in the five years since the program began. This led Kartozia to ask the producers whether there was more the guest could contribute, expressing the sense that the segment needed a stronger point of view. The recollection underscores a preference by the channel leadership for fresh material and sharper storytelling, rather than revisiting familiar territory, as noted in the interview.
During the conversation, the channel’s top executive also touched on rumors about a well-known Russian writer’s alleged involvement in controversial tourism in Sri Lanka. After viewing the first issue, Kartozia reportedly contacted the production team with concerns about the host’s choices. Yet rumors persisted that Ivleeva had received the backing of senior management for the presenting role, which led to a decision to retain the blogger in her position.
Previously, Kartozia addressed claims regarding Anastasia Ivleeva’s personal life and their impact on the filming of the Tourist Police. He clarified that the assertion Ivleeva disrupted a shoot due to drug issues was incorrect, noting that the project had not even been conceived at that time. This clarification was offered to set the record straight and to emphasize the channel’s commitment to factual reporting and responsible public messaging.