Studio 10 apologises for 'offensive' segment

Studio 10 hosts Natarsha Belling and Joe Hildebrand were forced to apologise to viewers on Thursday following an interview with Triple M's Lawrence Mooney.

The radio host appeared on the show as one of his characters, Dutch TV critic Rudi Vanderstone and offered his brutal thoughts on Australian TV shows including Married At First Sight, Sunrise and Studio 10.

About the dating show, he said: "What's not to love about MAFS? Real estate agents and beauticians falling in love under the auspices of alcohol to rub the inked skin together”.

He then moved on to mocking Sunrise's Samantha Armytage following her engagement, however, perhaps the most savage of the takedowns was about Studio 10.

"It's great that there is a place on television where careers can go to die,” he said.

"I love to settle down in the morning with a cup of coffee to watch some sl*t shaming and casual racism. Nothing beats it!"

Natarsha was clearly shocked at the comments, her mouth falling open. The hosts quickly cut the segment short and apologised to viewers after returning from a commercial break.

"We just need to apologise to our viewers for that offensive language in that last segment," Natarsha said.

Joe added: "For everything in fact, just for everything."

Studio 10 has previously been at the centre of racism claims after a discussion about Australia Day protests between Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Yumi Stynes in 2019 got particularly heated with Yumi calling Kerri-Anne racist.

The argument kicked off on Studio 10 as the panel discussed the protests against Australia Day with Kerri-Anne suggesting protesters and their supporters should instead be more concerned about what is happening in Indigenous communities.

She said: "The 5,000 people who went through the streets making their points known, saying how inappropriate the day is - has any single one of those people been out to the Outback, where children, babies, five-year-olds, are being raped?"

She continued: "Their mothers are being raped, their sisters are being raped. They get no education. What have you done?"

Yumi jumped in, saying: "That is not even faintly true, Kerri-Anne. You're sounding quite racist right now."

Kerri-Anne quickly told Yumi that she was "offended", but Yumi didn't step down, instead adding: "Well keep going then, because every time you open your mouth you’re sounding racist."

In another instance, Kerri-Anne asked reporter Antoinette Lattouf if she’d forgotten her pants in a strange diversion from the conversation around emojis the two were initially having.

The comment took place while the reporter was presenting a segment on slang on the current affairs show.

Co-panellists were audibly taken aback and Antoinette looked visibly hurt for a moment before swiftly recovering with a light comment explaining her outfit.

“It’s a playsuit,” she told the veteran TV journalist.

Co-host Angela Bishop jumped to her rescue, complimenting the summery look.

“And she looks unbelievable,” the host quickly injected, but not before Kerri-Anne could follow up the comment with another shocker.

“And she’s going to be thirsty,” the 66-year-old said, in a nod to their earlier discussion of the meaning of the slang word.

‘Thirsty’ is often used to describe someone who is aroused or seeking sex, and considered by many to be an offensive descriptor to sling a fellow professional’s way on live TV.

Sign up to our daily newsletter here to get all the latest news and hacks. Or get in touch at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.