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Bert Newton faces backlash for 'inappropriate' Logies joke
He’s one of the most beloved Australian television stars, but Bert Newton has come under fire for making an “inappropriate” joke at this year’s Logie Awards.
When the 79-year-old took to the stage to present the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent, he went off on a rather long tangent.
Reflecting on the late comedian who lends his name to the award, Bert made a joke about Graham “mentoring young talent” that didn’t go down well.
“He enjoyed giving young people a chance on television,” Bert said in his speech. “He was a great mentor, he mentored a lot of young people.
“You knew if you went to his dressing room and it was locked, he would be inside doing some mentoring.”
Whilst some of the audience laughed, many also gasped awkwardly.
The joke did not go unnoticed by many on social media.
#tvweeklogies awkward, inappropriate, not funny. Bert Newton out of touch and embarrassing … terrible show
— Suzanne Riley (@tootweetsuzanne) July 1, 2018
So Bert Newton, what a train wreck. Very disrespectful. 🤦♂️ #Logies2018 #bertnewton
— Synaptic Kid (@synaptickid) July 1, 2018
Bert Newton. Unfunny. #TVWEEKLogies
— Michael Hutchinson (@xLurch) July 1, 2018
However, some argued there was humour in his joke.
Waiting for all the Tweets from the PC brigade screaming how inappropriate Bert Newton was. I reckon he was awesome and the joke obviously lost on them. #Logies #TVWEEKLogies
— Scott Gumbleton (@scottgumbleton) July 1, 2018
It was a joke that Graham used to say, and Graham was gay. Bert and Graham were close and had in jokes. It wasn't a slur!! #Logies
— Salem (@Salem4444) July 1, 2018
Bert himself also clarified what he meant by the joke.
“I’ll tell you what I was referring to. I was referring to the fact it was totally innocent, as far as I’m concerned,” he said in the TV Week Logie Awards media room on Sunday night.
The late actor never made his sexuality known to the public, but it was rumoured he was gay.
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