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“We are sorry”: Stefanovics apologise for phone call

Nine publicity attempts a pre-emptive strike ahead of magazine publishing lurid comments.

Nine is attempting to lessen the blow of juicy comments by Peter & Karl Stefanovic to be published in a magazine this week, with the brothers issuing a public apology.

A phone call reportedly recorded by an Uber driver took aim at Nine execs and Today‘s Georgie Gardner & Richard Wilkins.

“Peter and I were guilty of having a spray after a Sunday barbecue. We talk one hundred times a day and hardly ever about work. Mainly about terrible golf,” Karl Stefanovic said.

“But we did and the conversation was recorded.

“And we are sorry.”

Peter Stefanovic admitted the phone call was “a silly thing”.

“I feel awful for the embarrassment I’ve brought to my colleagues, who I deeply respect,” he said.

“I have spoken directly to the people involved and have offered my sincerest apologies as I have been raised to do.

“Do something wrong, apologise and try to move on.

“It is embarrassing to not only get myself into this situation but also my big brother, and the network.”

“For the record, Georgie is killing it as well. She is the best thing to happen to the show in years,” Karl Stefanovic added.

“I love working with her. Anyone who says differently, they don’t know.”

But the pre-emptive move by Nine publicity may not be enough to offset the remarks, due to be published by Seven-owned New Idea tomorrow, and may impact the way viewers perceive the on-air relationship between Stefanovic & Gardner.

A spokesperson for the Nine Network said the conversation was “clearly school boy behaviour between brothers, but that’s no excuse”.

“We appreciate their genuine apologies.”

Source: Nine.com.au

20 Responses

  1. Oh where to begin. I wouldn’t normally give the gossip mags much credence, but in this case I will. Given that they’ve preemptively admitted to it, there is no reason not the believe the forthcoming article. As for their behaviour – having a speakerphone conversation/rant whilst being driven by someone is plain rude in my opinion. And then choosing to discuss national television personalities (which happen to be colleagues no-less) in a public setting is just dumb and arrogant. Good on the Uber driver for cashing in.

  2. I really wish Karl wouldn’t come back. He’s awful imo. Georgie Gardner seemed to have much better rapport with Ben Fordham over the last week. It’s going to be even more awkward between her and Karl after this debacle. Really feel for her.

  3. What a debacle…..I really don’t know much about these two…don’t watch Nine much ..but seriously poor form to who ever paid for this and perpetuated such behavior…and the Uber driver definitely needs to be outed and suffer some consequence of their appalling actions.
    And people need to pocket their smarty pants phones when out…stop talking/texting all the time…get a real life.

  4. I reckon if it was any other celebrity I would be outraged at the invasion of privacy… but given these guys (and Nine) are guilty of invading everyone else’s privacy when the opportunity arises, I kind of don’t care.
    I must say though, I don’t like the Nine comment about how it was “clearly school boy behavior between brothers”… I mean, ewww… that’s like when Trump defended his recorded comments as “locker room talk”… “boys will be boys” is used like a free pass for being an a**

  5. Right, wrong, karma, leaks, whatever, Karl knows exactly who recorded him, so what I find very strange is how nothing has come up regarding the UBER driver himself. UBER apparently received no complaint. Surely apart from it being a sackable offence there would be some sort of potential charges laid.
    Anyhow, sounds like theres more details being left out. I don’t really care about the gossip, I’m just scratching my head at the fact this UBER driver has been let away with acting all News of the World.

    1. People are missing the fact that he never tapped their phone. He recorded from inside a Uber that he owns with his own device. Not much different than video cameras in Taxis and stores i would guess.

      1. He didn’t have to “Tap” their phone.
        “If a person has knowledge of a private conversation or the carrying on of an activity that was obtained directly on indirectly through the use of a listening device, an optical surveillance device or a tracking device in contravention of a provision of Part 2 of the Act (Regulation of installation, use and maintenance of surveillance devices), that person is prohibited from publishing or communicating to any person: knowledge of the private conversation; or a record of the carrying on of the activity, or a report of a private conversation or carrying on of an activity. (SmartSafe.org.au)
        In taxis and stores there are warning notices. Not so in Uber cars apparently.

  6. Ever since Today started this year, the tension between Karl and Georgie has been palpable – it is such an awkward, uncomfortable fit, and it simply doesn’t work. He is grating, childish, annoying and bombastic, and she puts up with it through gritted teeth – just as Lisa did for years. How they come back from this latest episode is concerning as I am not sure you can.
    This pair of brothers really need to get a reality check. Most people would not have a conversation of that type in a public space – be it a taxi, an Uber or a bus. As my late father would have said, ‘they need to wake up to themselves and stop acting the galah’. (And no, my father was not Alf Stewart, but they did have similarities in their vernacular)

  7. People are only sorry when they are caught out. If none of this never got out we wouldn’t have known about it. Karl would probably still bag out colleagues. I think he has learnt a massive lesson. Tomorrow will be interesting.

    I think it will be the last time Peter has phone conversations on loud speaker as well.

  8. Arhhhh that Karma is a dish best served cold ! I don’t feel sorry for them in the least. If it was another public figure, especially someone like Barnaby, they would be playing it over and over and over on the Today show and Karl would be on the attack!

  9. Both Stefanovic’s think they are above acceptable rules of behavior. Pity, Peter used to come across as a lovable and competent journalist. Since sitting in the host chair he’s become increasingly obnoxious and snide – a carbon copy of his slithery older brother. Its time for new blood.

  10. That Uber driver definitely did the wrong thing, and requires some form of reprimand. That said, is anyone really that upset that this happened to Karl? This is just the latest in a string of public blunders… unfortunately his power amongst the boys club at 9 means he could commit murder and get away with it. Also, his comment that Georgie was the best thing to happen to the Today show in years is quite telling, will poor Lisa Wilkinson be getting an apology?

  11. Karl is one of the most high profile personalities in the country. Drunk or not, he should have had the smarts to not expose himself and others to this kind of scrutiny.

  12. We have all let of steam about our work colleagues now amd again. It serves no purpose (other than destruction) to publish what was said it really is an imvasion of privacy.

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