Kyle says sorry to avoid radio axe
Under pressure from sponsors and radio management, Kyle Sandilands makes a belated U-turn.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
Kyle Sandilands has apologised -again- for verbally attacking a journalist who wrote a negative review of Kyle and Jackie O’s Night with the Stars.
But this time his tone has altered significantly.
“I took my remarks too far and for that – and the offence caused to [journalist] Alison Stephenson and those exposed to my comments – I sincerely apologise,” he said.
“I regret the impact this has had on our (radio) clients and our hard-working staff, who have had to weather a storm of criticism in the media and on social networks.
“I regret that so many had to bear the brunt of my actions.”
The contrite apology contradicts the shrift “sorry” statement he made on the day following his caustic comments. Back then he said, “We live in a country of free speech, you’re allowed to say what you want and so am I.
“If you took a personal offence to it Ali I’m sorry, but maybe you should think again before you start going [against] different people.
“You can have your personal opinion, but I will also have mine because that’s the country we live in.”
But since then a string of advertisers withdrew their sponsorship of his programme. With a campaign waged by change.org some 15 brands, including Coles, Bunnings, Vodafone, McDonald’s, Ford and Blackmores, put $10m of revenue in jeopardy.
Foxtel did not reply when asked about its continued sponsorship of the radio programme.
Media also called upon Jackie O to take a stronger line with her long-term radio partner. A senior producer also resigned, but was reported as unrelated to the controversy.
“I have been in radio for more than 10 years, my show is based on controversy, I give as good as I get and I have never been shy in expressing my opinion,” Sandilands said.
“In the heat of the moment I reacted badly to criticism of my television program.”
Seven declined to comment on the radio scandal despite Sandilands judging its family show, Australia’s Got Talent.
Despite the furore and loss of advertising Sandilands will return to radio next year, “with a fresh and positive outlook on breakfast radio”.
Source: smh.com.au
31 Responses
Yeah because his sorry’s are so genuine. Pee off Kyle. Australia has had enough of your filth.
good ‘on him….great bloke
Well Moanique, you sound like Kyle himself with that sweeping generalisation. FYI, I used to quite like Kyle. In these days of corporate nu-speak and spin management, I appreciate people who are open and honest about there feelings and actually say what’s on their mind.
However, surely someone can be frank without resorting to nastiness, and there is certainly no cause to make deeply personally disparaging comments and threaten violence over what was simply an honest review, the first of many of similar tone. Kyle’s unpleasantness, recidivism, and unwillingness to take any responsibility for his words and actions lost any respect that I had for him some time ago.
Kyle’s aggressive personality shines through even with this supposed apology, and clearly he still wanted to get the first punch in. Starting your apology with a justification of your actions – “I have been in radio for more than 10 years…” – screams that you are not actually sorry for those actions. “… as good as I get…” implies that his response to Ali Stephenson was proportionate when it was clearly way OTT. His statement is neither contrite nor sincere but I suspect that it is all he is capable of. Jackie O, who sniggered on air while Kyle abused Ali Stephenson, also needs to address her apparent tacit approval of his actions.
As my 14 year old keeps reminding me, if you don’t feed the trolls, they starve to death.
All about the money, obviously. What a pity there is so many others in the Australian media who get away with it
axe him already
The employer of this shining example of Australian incompetency should be replaced with a system of substance. ‘dot au = absolutely useless’
His only job is to talk for a few minutes a day, and he can’t even do that without sticking his foot in his mouth. How does anyone so incompetent get paid so much?
contrived. also i’ll say it again. where did she have a go at him in the article and i think he should look at himself in the mirror and have a look at a pic of her before slagging someone or her off
How many lives does this man have.
If he really wanted to sound sincere then he should have said that this was the most humble day of his life.
Yes, I fondly recall the days of Paul Holmes, Wendy Harmer & Peter Moon on Sydney FM breakfast radio during the 1990s – 1000 times better than the crap served up.
Stop feeding the troll…
Now that Kyle has apologised, and as long as he doesn’t do it again, I think people should get of his back. The majority of people who are criticising him, including here, didn’t like him in the first place, and don’t listen or have never listened to him on radio. So move on people, and jump on another bandwagon !
Think he should be axed anyway, he has done so many things, his mouth runs away on him like a freight train that gas most its brakes. Today FM should chang the brekkie team all together, bring back Wendy Harmer and Paul Holmes for starters???
I think Kyle should stick to his guns and have his employment terminated. You go Kyle!
Ringing with sincerity Kyle – not. An apology means nothing when you’ve been forced to make it. Why do people put up with this clown? I certainly don’t.
You can bet Kyle had absolutely nothing to do with writing that ‘apology’.
Nobody’s buying it, Kyle!
The “apology” you make when you aren’t making an apoloy.
Too little. Too late. Of course the radio station sees him as a cash cow so they will save his a*se…yet again.
sorry for himself because his livelihood is under threat not to the people he degrades for nothing but self gratitude
Well sponsors have pulled out, but it will all mean nothing unless people stop listening and stop watching his shows. I stopped watching AGT the moment they signed him and haven;t watched a single episode since. Many people said they’d do the same, bu the ratings only went up. So stop watching people and then maybe Seven will get the point. Stop listening to his radio show and then maybe Austereo will get the messaage.
Until next time… in 6 months he will do it again. Its sad that advertisers have to show him and his bosses whats right and wrong!
Should start with Kyle hands in pockets looking down at the ground “Mum said I had to apologise so…”
Yeah i’m sure this is genuine! lol How pathetic! the better he gets lost the better for everyone