Ten Sport apologises for #smooth tweet following Chris Gayle uproar
The Ten Network has moved quickly to apologise for a tweet posted last night by its social media team that included the hashtag #smooth along with a video of cricketer Chris Gayle awkwardly complimenting sport reporter Mel Mclaughlin at a Renegades game in Hobart last night.
The hashtag accompanied a video post of the following exchange: “I wanted to come and have an interview with you as well, that’s the reason why I’m here – just to see your eyes for the first time. It’s nice. So, hopefully we can win this game and we can have a drink after. Don’t blush, baby.”
Ten’s head of sport David Barham told Mumbrella this morning: “The original tweet was posted by a social media producer who quickly realised it was inappropriate and removed it.
“Ten apologises for the tweet and will ensure that such an error is not repeated”.
Sexist, sleazy or both? Whatever it is, @Mel_Mclaughlin handles this exchange with Chris Gayle superbly @henrygayle pic.twitter.com/JQyIUiNV3l
— Auskar Surbakti (@AuskarSurbakti) January 4, 2016
Mclaughlin appeared uncomfortable but maintained her professionalism, telling Gayle: “I’m not blushing”, before returning to her cricket-related questions. While the exchange immediately drew comment Ten Sport chose to post the #smooth tweet which soon drew criticism, while the Network’s own commentator Andrew Flintoff tweeted that Gayle’s remarks to Mclaughlin had been inappropriate and that he had acted like a “chop”.
Well played @Mel_Mclaughlin !! Big fan of @henrygayle but made himself look a bit of a chop there @tensporttv #bbl05 — andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) January 4, 2016
Other sports commentators also tweeted:
Not smooth or clever from @henrygayle. Just going for cheap laughs. @Mel_Mclaughlin wasn’t playing. Her professionalism reinforced.
— DebbieSpillane (@DebSpillane) January 4, 2016
Chris Gayle. What a disgrace. It’s not the 1960s. #BBL05
— David Culbert (@Culbert_Report) January 4, 2016
However, as the controversy grew the @tensporttv account tweeted:
Well played to our very own @Mel_Mclaughlin for staying professional during the interview. What a pro ? — TEN Sport (@tensporttv) January 4, 2016
The @tensporttv account also retweeted head of the Big Bash League Anthony Everard, who tweeted:
Statement re: Chris Gayle on-air comments tonight. pic.twitter.com/Zq6xn8fquW
— Anthony Everard (@BigBashLeagueHQ) January 4, 2016
This morning, Ten also voiced its support for its reporter: “Mel Mclaughlin is a respected and professional sports journalist and deserves to be treated as such”.
“Ten prides itself on promoting women in sport and is pleased that Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Renegades have reiterated that there is no place for disrespectful behaviour in the game.”
In its Big Bash media summary this morning Ten publicity promoted how Chris Gayle’s name trended nationally last night.
The match between the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades was watched by a metropolitan audience of 983,000 across the five cities.
Nic Christensen
With laughs from fellow commentators and a tweet from a starfmember, there is evidence that sadly, many of mel’s own colleagues think the situation was humorous. The blame should not be solely on Gayle. All those men are responsible.
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You can always tell it’s a slow news week.
Silly man makes a goose of himself, and cops a hiding for it.
Now he’s forever tainted as a goose.
End of story.
Young reporter’s status skyrockets to mega-status. Massive career leap for her, and good for her.
End of story.
Sanctimonious, holier-than-thou commentators are boring. The end.
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Oh the outrage!!!!
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So why did they get a girl to interview him then ? For her intelligence ?
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