Louisa Claire

Opinion

An Open Letter To Jackie O

Posted November 23rd, 2011 in Opinion. Tagged: .

Dear Jackie O,

I’ve been watching the discussion taking place on twitter today about the latest outburst of obscene behaviour from your co-host Kyle Sandilands; you know, how he called someone a “fat slag” and threatened to “hunt her down” because she didn’t like some TV show of yours the other night.

I admit I’ve never been a listener of your show, though I do remember you from back when your co-host was your ex husband, the equally vile “Ugly Phil”. The few moments of it I’ve caught have been enough to leave me disgusted, but clearly you’ve had good ratings and have been on air for some time now.

I could never understand why you wanted to work with such jerks, nor how your show stayed on air after your interviewed a 14 year old girl about her sexual experiences. It was bad enough you sat by and let that happen, but that you did nothing when you were told that she had been raped and Kyle proceeded to ask “so that’s the only experience you’ve had?” was truly disgusting. I do wonder if you have a new appreciation for just how terrible that was now that you’re a mother…

It leaves me very disappointed with humanity that so many people have kept tuning in and making your show viable.

But I get it. If you get ratings, then you get to stay on air.

What I haven’t been able to get is why you are still on air with Kyle. You’re very pretty and blonde and happy – we can all see that you don’t look like a nasty person. I’ve often wanted to ask you, to say in solidarity “hey love, do you really think this is a great idea? Don’t you realise that when you stay silent you condone his behaviour, don’t you realise you get tainted with the same brush?” But now I realise, you do know – you know exactly and you don’t care.

Of course we all see that when he says something shocking you do a little giggle and “try” to interject or lighten the mood but it’s pathetic, and your ongoing partnership with Kyle tells me is that you don’t give a shit about anyone or anything but yourself. It tells me that you’ll stick by Kyle and the network, because they are offering you what I can only imagine are the big bucks. I no longer wonder, like I have in the past, why you stick around because after listening to you laughing while Kyle called someone a “fat bitch” I know why.

What I don’t know is why noone else ever says this; why none of the mainstream media ever comment on your complicity in these events. I suspect it’s got to do with the aforementioned “pretty blonde” thing but I’m fed up.

I am not writing this because you’re a woman and you should show some solidarity, nor because you’re using the pretty blonde thing to scoot under the radar on these issues. I am writing this because as the co-host of the show you are the only other person with a voice and you’ve failed to use it.  Of course, Kyle is 100% responsible for his actions and comments but so are you. Your failure to speak up makes you equally guilty.

It’s not too late Jackie – it almost is, but you’ve probably got a chance left.

How are you going to use it?

 

Incoming search terms:

  • graph primary school happiness self esteem australia
  • kyle jackie o sponsor graph
If you liked this post, please share it...

Thoughts on “An Open Letter To Jackie O”

  3. I have been wondering about Jackie as I’ve gone about my day, too. Chewing over why the media never mentions her and the fact that she does nothing.

    This is a great letter and, I think, something that needs to be said. It’s not okay to sit back and say nothing when your ‘partner’ is slandering another person and you have a voice, you are an equal part of that show.

    Her silence speaks volumes.
    Becky from BeckyandJames.com recently posted..Is It Over Yet?My Profile

    Reply ↓

  4. I absolutely agree, Louisa! With all of this I have been wondering the same thing! Why has she said nothing? Not made a statement? At least tried to get out of her contract with him?
    It seems to me a lot of this is about image, and if staying in a show with him makes her look like the “good one” and she stays with that understanding from audiences.
    Obviously her moral compass doesn’t extend beyond her paycheck. And if it does, and she is bound by some kind of contract – well, I’d rather break a contract like that then be tarred with the same brush as Kyle.
    Daisy recently posted..Jump in my CarMy Profile

    Reply ↓

  10. Brilliant. Well done Louisa!

    Being in Adelaide, we don’t get much Kyle and Jackie O (and thank God), but we do hear about all of his bad behaviour and it just makes me sick.
    He is a wanker, plain and simple. The fact that he is still allowed to speak publicly speaks volumes about the morals – or lack thereof – of the entire network.
    Kellie – Good, Bad & Unnecessary recently posted..Christmas made easy + giveaway!My Profile

    Reply ↓

  12. I absolutely LOVE this!!
    She is 100% as much to blame for her complicity. She has failed to use her voice. He is an idiot who is constantly running his mouth and not getting censored by anyone.
    Those two are an example of how wrong society is going. I can’t believe they have been on air for as long as they have. I was overseas for the whole rape story so didn’t really know what happened, but going by you wrote here, that is so disgusting. He should have been sacked then and there and so should she for not standing up.

    You would think being a mother now she would have a bit more respect for women herself. Kyle is just an idiot. I thought she could have been better. Time for a new morning show.

    And I can’t believe people want to call blogger’s sell outs!
    Caz Makepeace recently posted..Wear SunscreenMy Profile

    Reply ↓

  13. Thank you for putting into words what I have been thinking all along. And to think Jackie O is a mother to a little girl – how would she feel if some vile shock jock called her daughter a “fat slag”, or posed to her questions about her sexual experiences?

    Reply ↓

  17. F*ck yeah. I’m disgusted by his behaviour, and have almost started to feel sorry for him – how horrid must it be to be so festering in hatred. But to not speak up is just as reprehensible. You’ve summed up my feelings perfectly. Jackie O, how do you sleep?

    Reply ↓

    • He must be a pretty sad individual, that’s for sure. Not sure I feel very sorry for Jackie though – she’s starting to seem like the typical “mean girl”.

      Reply ↓

  20. I was with you right up until you started on her hair colour. What the hell does being a blonde have to do with anything? Ruined your credibility.

    Reply ↓

    • Sorry you feel that way Bitty. The point of this post has nothing to do with her hair colour; the point of that line has to do with the way she appears – ie, not as a nasty cow – she’s a perky, smily, blonde who giggles a lot. Sorry if you feel that comment detracts from the sentiment of the post but thanks for visiting.

      Reply ↓

  21. Do you know Louisa that generally people that put other people down usually have low self-esteem (or small penises :)) and they only get their heightened sense of self-worth through making others feel bad. That’s Kyle’s excuse anyway. As for Jacki-O – well I agree with your comments. Whilst I don’t think she’s fully responsible for his behaviour, she can certainly maintain some level of humanity in her own behaviour by controlling her ‘giggly responses’. She’d gain a lot more respect from people if she took a stand and refused to work with him. He needs to be muzzled!
    Jacqui (CRAP Mamma) recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Hill rolling takes a little practice…..My Profile

    Reply ↓

  23. Bravo, Louisa. Leaving all that nonsense behind in Sydney when we returned to Hobart after 11 years of enduring the shock jock behaviour up there has been brilliant. J x

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks Jane, I am not a fan of the shock jock thing, and really it feels quite disappointing me that so many keep tuning in and giving the network a reason to keep them on the air. I am sure that no matter what happens to Kyle & Jackie O they will be replaced by another pair who do much the same thing. *sigh*

      Reply ↓

  24. I actually signed up to your blog today but I will be unsigning following this post and I do not do this lightly as I have enjoyed reading your blog as it came highly recommended.

    I have listened to their show on and off and while I do not condone a lot of what he says, all of what he says is not 100% evil.
    I have actually read stuff she has written and listen to her tell him off on quite a few occasions.
    Obviously not listening to his show you are simply judging and presuming and your opinion is what a blog is about but the way in which you have said things is wrong.

    Perhaps you could also look at what the journalist said and whether she wrote according to the journalistic code of ethics.

    Having being a radio announcer and a journalist I understand being in the public eye and the sense of responsibility, and there is quite a high number of calls that are staged. Once again I do not condone all his content and having being raped if anyone should be offended it should be me. However yours is a public blog and all you are doing is slagging him off and thats what I do not agree with I thought this blog stood for more than that.

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Sarah,

      Thanks for sharing your opinion and I’m sorry to hear you feel this way. I wrote this post as it’s something I feel strongly about – interviewing a 14year old girl about her sex life is not the sort of thing I stand for, nor is calling someone out so aggressively and personally for not liking your TV show. I certainly don’t think that 100% of what they say is evil however I have heard enough from them to know that they have very different values to mine and they are not the sort of people whose voices I want in my head.

      I can appreciate that a lot of what they do is staged, however I don’t think either of these examples fall into that category and to be honest, I am unwilling to listen to people who decide to run their careers around such topics, staged or otherwise.

      Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts – as I have thought about my response this morning, I can honestly say I do stand by these comments and am sorry that means this blog isn’t for you.

      All the very best,
      Louisa

      Reply ↓

  25. Well written & a most needed post. I have wondered for ages WHY that woman continues with that rat on the radio. tonight, I got a close look at her. She is in fear of him… She looks vulnerable & her girly smiles mask a wee bit of fright. He is an out & out bully. As I said to Mrs Woog on twitter… Who the hell listens to him? Why would anyone with a sense of decency & fairness.
    Denyse recently posted..Play is Their Work. W.W.My Profile

    Reply ↓

    • Unfortunately a lot of people listen to him and in doing so have kept him on the air. One can only hope that after this and the reaction by sponsors he’ll get pulled BUT I think if that happens the show will most likely be replaced by something equally as “shock” oriented because that’s what listeners want.

      Reply ↓

  26. Bravo! The bully always has a sidekick, usually standing behind them enjoying the show. I think Jackie O has had enough chances to stand up. It’s time for both of them to disappear.

    4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle.

    Reply ↓

    • Thanks Kirsty, it’s such a shame she hasn’t felt willing or able to speak out. I’d be very happy to see the network finally say “enough” and get them off air.

      Reply ↓

    • Thanks Megan, obviously there a lot of people feeling this way and unfortunately an even bigger number just happy to go along with the hype of it all. It’s a bit sad really. xx

      Reply ↓

  33. I think Jackie O may have been through so much with Kyle that has blown over maybe she is hoping this will too? I listened to their show on and off over the years, as my kids have gotten older I stopped as I didn’t want them listening to such things. For Jackie O to stand by and not say anything to Kyle isn’t right. If she had of it would have lifted her credibility somewhat but I think this is how these two continue to make their name. Maybe Jackie O should be reminded of how she felt when she was being attacked for carrying her child across the road while feeding it and returning to work to what some deemed too early. It is never a nice feeling when someone is doing those sorts of things to you but sadly people forget that and do it in all walks of life not just on the radio. What has been interesting to see is the companies pulling their sponsorship of this show. I wonder if there wasn’t such an outcry from the public if they would have just kept on sponsoring a show because lets face it its not the first time he has mouthed off at someone.
    Fee @ Oh Gorgeous Baby recently posted..Asher Keddie shares all with The Australian Woman’s WeeklyMy Profile

    Reply ↓

  35. I arrived in Sydney nearly 10 years ago. The most vivid memory of my arrival was that when I jumped in the van of the people collecting me from the airport, they had 2dayFM on. This was back when kyle was doing the top 40 at night I think?
    Within 5 minutes I requested a change of stations as his conversation was making me feel physically ill.
    Now, the only time I switch to 2dayFM is to listen to Hamish & Andy.

    I cannot for the life of me work out why he’s still on air.

    Like you, I have also wondered about Jackie O and her silence. Especially with the case of the 14 year-old girl a few years ago.

    I wonder what would happen if she genuinely spoke out against Kyle?

    Reply ↓

  37. Now even though I agree with you about Jackie O’s silence, if you’re a regular listener to the program (my family nags me to put it on in the car in the mornings and it’s a fraction above the idiot footy heads on Triple M), you might have noticed that there is never any support from her when Kyle says something stupid (which is often, he is a bit of a douche) as you would expect from such a long standing work partner.

    But just as often, Jackie says the dumbest and shallow things to some callers and celebrities, and when she’s in trouble Kyle will jump in and try and save the situation. My husband and I have noticed this lately and have actually formed an intense dislike for her.

    She comes across as fake, shallow, selfish and disloyal, even to her husband when she ‘outs’ him on embarrassing situations. She has admitted on several occasions she values appearances above character (that game they have for the money or the date – aaarrrgh!). Whereas Kyle might be stupid and outspoken, at least he is honest about himself and has shown loyalty to his friends and partners.

    Just for the record, I don’t agree with his outburst on the journalist about his show, but can understand his misdirected disappointment with something he has been wanting to do for a long time. I watched it for about 10 minutes but when he was invited to feel some old model’s fake boobs, I changed the channel. I was waiting for Jackie to say SOMETHING, but nothing came out. She might be feeling bullied, but if so, what is the point of her working with him?

    Frankly, I can see how Kyle can be entertaining to some people, but as for Jackie O – Oh what a vacant lot she is!

    Reply ↓

  39. Agree with you 100% Louisa. The lovely lovely Pip Lincoln wrote a similarly great open letter to Jackie (the link is over on her Meet Me At Mikes blog), the contents of which were very generous to Jackie, but got the message across just the same. To the journalist that reviewed Kyle and Jackie’s show, I think you have a very good job and that you look super-dooper.

    Reply ↓

  43. Brilliantly said, Louisa. This complacency has gone on long enough. Why he keeps getting airplay I don’t know. That will probably change now that sponsors have finally listened to their paying customers. As for JO… well. Holding her silence and not growing a backbone seems to have gotten her this far. Why would she do anything else? That pretty much tells me where her morals are.
    Kirrily recently posted..Keep going, keep going, keep going!My Profile

    Reply ↓

  44. I have been reading the comments with interest, and have been pondering, for the first time about Jackie. I wonder if she has some sort of “battered wives” syndrome, not in the bruises and black eye way, but in the sense she feels the need to back him no matter what he says or does, the little giggles that are referred to may be her way of coping with an uncomfortable situation, also her own nasty comments may be her way of connecting with him. OR it could be that she has a big mortgage to pay and sticking with him is the only way to afford it, who knows, either way she may reveal all in her book

    Reply ↓

  47. Thank you for this wonderful, articulate and frank letter. Having given it some thought this week, I think you statement that ” [she doesn't] give a shit about anyone or anything but [her]self” is a perfect summary of the heart of the disturbing matter. Well done!

    Reply ↓

  48. Brilliant post. You worded exactly what I think and feel, and exactly how I have failed to word it for myself. I couldn’t possibly agree with you more. Well said. And I, for one, admit to listening to their radio show on a semi-regular basis (for the music…certainly not their fake and often inappropriate interviews and banter). Never ever again.

    Reply ↓

  49. The cold hard fact remains that Jackie Henderson (I refuse to call her by her moniker, it’s an insult to a beautiful and revered woman) has stood by and giggled like a schoolgirl during Kyle’s disgusting antics. For sic long years, Jackie has sat by, laughing away, as Kyle demeaned and publicly humiliated Geoff Fields, a gentle soul. When Geoff had finally had enough and walked hour, Kyle continue to carry on, and said that Geoff was na older gay man and couldn’t ‘hack’ it.

    Hack what exactly? The taunts of a bully so insecure that he must bloodily attack anyone who doesn’t agree with him? I would ask you all to google Ernie Dingo and Kyle, and listen to the exchange. Ernie calls him on the floor for being a horrible being, and Kyle – being unable to hold his own against a calm and reasonable argument, cuts him off. If someone has right of reply (see Dave Hughes) Kyle is incapable of responding. This is why he only survives in a position of power.

    It is the same as the school bully – take away the giggling school girl support – and suddenly he’s nothing.

    I hope this is the last of Kyle – and his milquetoast excuse for a mean girl – Jackie Henderson.

    Reply ↓

  50. FABULOUS post! Couldn’t agree with you more… as 18th century Irish philosopher, Edmund Burke said: “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good [wo]men do nothing”.

    Reply ↓

  52. I used to listen to them all the time when I was doing full time work. Every morning on my phone. I couldn’t miss a program. He’s irked me a few times but I think that’s why it didn’t bother me because he’s uneducated and kinda illiterate. I’ve dealt with many people like that and you can’t really argue with them cause they’re frame of reference is very limited. As for J, he’s her bestfriend and they’re in showbiz so I think she just needs to ride along to get up there with him. The more controversial he gets, the more she gets to ride. I do cringe at the thought of what influence Kyle will have on Jackie’s kid though.
    Kris recently posted..Six quick guide on using Createspace for self-publishingMy Profile

    Reply ↓

  53. I agree completely with your sentiment but the way you wrote this, trying to back her into a corner, is rather unsubtle. Your open letter reminded me when the people at the bank ask you a loaded question like, “and are you interested in maximising your future wealth?” and of course there’s only one answer… “of course I bloody am”, but you elect to say, “no thank you, I’m not interested” because you don’t want to get into THAT conversation with them.
    Dan Warne recently posted..In memory of my friend John PospisilMy Profile

    Reply ↓

  54. Simply you rock ! On hearing and reading this whole saga it saddens me and I feel it undermines all the work I do with kids, especially teens. I teach them respect and acceptance of others, then a radio celebrity talks absolute trash and seems just to get away with it. Not a great example. Nx

    Reply ↓

  55. Brava! This blog post made its way to Italy where I am living and I am applauding you with hands-stinging, standing-ovation type pride. About effing time someone called this enabling, self-hating, jelly-spine embarrassment out. Shame on you, Jackie, honestly, shame on you.

    Reply ↓

  56. Yes, it needed to be said… I’ve kinda kept out of this as I vote with my feet/radio… Jackie’s contract may have something in it that holds her back… certainly leaving the show would break her contact and maybe she’s just not willing to risk the legal aspects… but she’d gain a lot of respect if she did something.

    The radio station need to wake up, don’t they… but I have got to say that most of my ire is with the dimwit listeners!! Switch off!!
    seana smith recently posted..Sydney’s Seven Best Cafes Beside PlaygroundsMy Profile

    Reply ↓

  57. This woman should go as well as Kyle.
    Her giggling and her support of Kylie is unbelievable.
    “Hunt you down”, excuse me?
    This borders on being criminal
    Go away forever and don’t returm.
    2 DAYFM is losing advertisers and any respect it may have had by the day.

    Reply ↓

  58. Hi, Louisa.

    Your blog on Jackie O (dear) re the moron (I won’t repeat his name) she ‘works’ with is spot on.
    I’ve worked in commercial radio for 40 years (the moron would refer to me as ‘an old fart’ , ‘a has been’, ‘jealous prick’ or worse and she would kind of giggle I guess !) in both on-air, sales & management positions.

    Without going over old ground on the subject, I can assure you and your blog followers, the vast majority of Australian broadcasters would agree with your thoughts. We have worked our guts out over the years because we feel priviliged to work in the business we love, have a passion for communicating via radio and quite frankly take our jobs seriously, whilst attempting to have fun with our audience, without consciously insulting their position in life or opinions. Sure the pair in question have knotched up bigger ratings and pay packets that I and many others will ever achieve, however we have our ethics, egos and (hopefully) our mortgages largely under control.

    Advertiser withdrawal will be the ultimate undoing of these two and ‘yes’ it’s professionally embarassing that the licensee Southern Cross Austereo hasn’t acted (still as I write) in the past, when the said host and his sidekick have acted as immaturely as the young, loyal, impressionable audience who feed off their drivel. Mind you, many of the advertisers who have now already withdrawn their advertising on The ‘Oz’ Goon Show have stuck with the pair in the past, hopefully they have finally taken stock of their financial and brand investment versus advertising return versus the tarnished radio product on offer.

    Louisa & followers, don’t give up on Australian commercial radio for you or your kids, it’s a great business and great friend to many listeners. As individual employees there is only so much ‘power’ we wield, however if public groundswell on an issue is large enough against a station, a network and their advertisers ‘people power’ will ultimately WIN ! Merry Christmas to you & yours. IAN WRIGHT

    Reply ↓

  60. Marketing is what this is all about. Don’t you think that the radio stations who employ these morons don’t know who they are selling to! Of course they do – as long as 51% of the listening population are similar types of feeble minded morons, dweebs and no-hopers and exhibit comparable traits, there will be an audience. And now, after all this, we (I mean us – who are on this site complaining) are giving them extra publicity. This has become a marketing dream for the morons who allow them air time. why don’t we all shut-up and direct our comments to where they will have an effect. WE should all be sending endless emails to Sandilands and Jackie O in the hope that their sites will crash from the overload. I wanna’ be the first – please tell me their best line of contact. P.S.- I know a great stunt that will fill their office with paperwork – if I just knew their fax address.

    Reply ↓

  62. so you don’t listen to the show and you’ve formed your opinion from what you’ve read in the media? Interesting. Kyle should be commended for speaking the truth.

    Reply ↓

  63. Pingback: The 11 Most Popular Posts for 2011 | Louisa Claire

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

CommentLuv badge