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You don’t earn a reputation as one of the most feared batsmen in the manic-paced 20/20 cricket arena by measured and judicious stroke play. And when the people writing your cheques see it fit to name their enterprise the “Big Bash”, a sorta adventurous, free-spirited nature is implied.
Boy did Chris Gayle ever read the conditions wrong when an attractive Channel Ten reporter, Mel McLaughlin, came walking over for a brief interview with the Melbourne Renegades and West Indies cricket star.
Australian television presenter Mel McLaughlin (left) has little trouble dispatching Chris Gayle’s pitiful pick-up line.
“Your eyes are beautiful, hopefully we can win this game,” Gayle told McLaughlin, “and then we can have a drink after as well. Don’t blush, baby.”
It was hard to tell whether Gayle—who is 36 years old going on 15—was channelling his inner-Tiger or bootlegging Austin Powers. Either way, his swipe outside the off stump hit only air.
“I’m not blushing,” McLaughlin retorted.
And she really meant it.
It was as sad as seeing a three-year-old child try to tie his own shoelaces. Or watching Jack Warner try to pronounce: “electricity.” Or “extradition.”
Former Chaguanas West MP and ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner.
(Copyright AFP 2015/Alva Viarruel)
Anthony Everard, the head of the Big Bash League, described Gayle’s comments as: “disrespectful and simply inappropriate.”
Melbourne Renegades CEO Stuart Coventry vowed to discuss the matter with Gayle and Cricket Australia and warned that: “There’s just no place for that sort of behaviour.”
Everard pointedly noted that the Big Bash was: “all about its appeal to kids, families and females.” Translation: we have no intention of messing with our ratings.
The Daily Mail, never one to miss an opportunity for moral outrage when it isn’t spying on celebrities and rummaging through voice messages left with the families of kidnapped victims, referred to the West Indian’s interview as: “sleazy.”
And what does Mr Live Wire think?
First, McLaughlin deserves the opportunity to get through her work day in peace without having to bat away unwanted advances. And she probably will once she crosses 50.
Second, the lightbulb that flashed over Gayle’s head as he produced his pick-up line was clearly on dim voltage. But then it must be hard to tell whether you are truly funny, handsome and charming when your bank balance has seven digits.
Gayle, sorry pal, but you are less (Morris) Chestnut and more Forest (Whitaker). And that can limit your options in terms of the women who blush at your advances.
Third, Gayle did not insult, grope or intimidate McLaughlin. He was simply childish, cocky and stupid. So perhaps the penalty should match the crime.
And, chances are when you have a microphone thrust at you as often as sport stars do, you will sometimes say some really stupid things.
Male reporter (in post-game press conference): “How long does it take you to get over the disappointment (of a loss)?”
Russian professional tennis star Maria Sharapova: “There is so much of good self-esteem when you speak. It is really nice… What was the question? I was just admiring your form.”
Chances are that if McLaughlin wants to take a stance against sexism in the workplace, she would not have to look as far as the Caribbean.
Channel Ten’s first response to Gayle was a slap on the back and, far from a private snicker, they shared the joke with the embarrassed television host and the rest of the world.
The Channel 10 social media team was not sure whether to praise Gayle or their own employee after the incident.
Channel Ten tweet: “Gayle to @Mel_Mclaughlin: ‘Hopefully we can win this game & have a drink after. Don’t blush baby’ #smooth #BBLO5.”
It took another 10 minutes before Channel Ten’s social media manager recognised that maybe their employee wasn’t there as “eye food”, although the station still opted against rebuking the cricketer.
“Well played to our very own @Mel_Mclaughlin for staying professional during the interview. What a pro…”
Mr Live Wire does not want to cast aspersions but he has noticed over the years that, apart from the odd ex-world champion, female sport reporters at television stations tend to be strikingly attractive and generally blonde.
(Copyright News.Com.Au)
It is as though Tiger Woods hires them himself.
Whereas male reporters…
With all due respect to the gentlemen pictured above—who Mr Live Wire has the pleasure of all knowing professionally—none would probably reduce Serena Williams to a lustful, incoherent mess during a television interview. And, thankfully, we do not generally expect our male reporters to possess such powers.
The elephant in the room when it comes to the hiring of female reporters, so to speak, is a fox.
Which is not to say Gayle doesn’t deserve to be castigated for failing to read the wicket.
Sadly, poor Chris seems to be a relic from a bygone era who has struggled to come to grips with the 21st century and simply stands out like a sore thumb in progressive company.
Just like the West Indies cricket team.
(Courtesy WICB)
Editor’s Note: Chris Gayle subsequently apologised for his “simple joke” that was “blown way out of proportion.” Which sounded surprisingly close to Gayle saying: “you idiots just don’t get it.”
And Gayle was sweet enough to give his regrets to Mel McLaughlin with a sentence that included the word “if.” Awww… His apologies are as bad as his pick-up lines. But at least he patronised us.
(Full Chris Gayle “apology”)
“A lot of things have flared up from a simple comment, a joke, a simple joke on air and it seemed to went out of proportion.
“There wasn’t anything at all meant to be disrespectful or offensive to Mel and if she felt that way I’m really sorry for that.
“There wasn’t any harm meant in that particular way to any particular person like that.
“It was a simple joke, the game was going on. Entertainment, things get out of proportion but these things do happen.
“There wasn’t any harm done, I’ll leave it at that. I’m sorry for that, we’ll have to move on.”
Incidentally, former Australia World Cup and Everton footballer Tim Cahill and British television personality Piers Morgan both “get it” as evidenced by their tweets on the matter.
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Hahahaha. Oh lawd Melina Hutchinson allyuh will kill Ravi Balgobin Maharaj yuh know
Hahahaha. Oh gorm Melina… You have him between the headlights now!
Ah ketch him….lol.
Ravi is thinking that the Aussies are racist because he and the others were outraged at the fact that a young, beautiful indian girl was dancing with Dr. Rowley.
Ent Ravi, if it were a black girl you all wouldn’t have had a problem with it?
So who is more racist, the UNC or the Aussies?
Tell us Ravi.
I don’t believe he done it, despite the race of the person. But that not excusing the clear racial discrimination he facing in the punishment
So Ravi Balgobin, are you and the UNC apologising to Rowley then?
I’m not comparing the actions, I’m comparing the reactions.
Ravi Balgobin Maharaj yuh come first, second and third comparing this to the PM carnival wine oui ??????
And the indian girl was very much wining back on Rowley. As opposed to Mel who looked sea sick.
Ravi Balgobin, you were leading the backlash against Rowley at the time! This is getting hilarious!
YES HE WAS!!!!!!!
He pretty much admitted to being motivated by racism with regards Rowley’s carnival win.
Ok fine. If you all want a better example: this is the same as some of the backlash Rowley got during Carnival last year
This is absolutely nothing like that.
Ravi if your sister came home upset because a male colleague spoke to her that way in front of the whole office I’m sure you would want to fight.
I feel Ravi could see racism in a pile of gravel.
So simply because the reporter is a white Australian and the offender a black West Indian people’s disagreement with Gayle’s behavior is based on race?
Well look Ravi pulling the black card faster than Luis Farrakhan yes!
Make a better argument than: Aussies used to sledge us and it’s a black thing please.
Wait, is this the UNC trying to appease black voters per chance Ravi Balgobin?
Cause you misread the wicket as badly as Gayle I think.
What is “sledge”, picong?
Yes Vernal. The Aussies did it. But so did the West Indians. Viv Richards was an expert.
It’s part and parcel of cricket …. once the umpire can’t hear it’s legal!
“The Australians” don’t think a black man should be flirting with a white woman Ravi Balgobin? And you worked that out all the way from your couch in Trinidad?
Did you know that the first response of Mel’s Australian white colleagues was to laugh and call Gayle smooth? And that fellow white Australians egged on Bravo to also make advances to mel?
And there are white Australians in every sector of life that are supporting Gayle right now?
I not excusing what Gayle did. But at the same time, I’m highlighting the racism on the Australian’s part
Of course race plays a part especially with the penalty, but Gayle was wrong, plain and simple. And his ‘apology’ didn’t help.
To compare what Gayle did to McGrath insulting West Indies players is pretty daft Ravi Balgobin. You don’t know that some West Indies players were pretty good at sledging too and loved to fire back?
What does exchanging words during a game have to do with harassing a female reporter? Steups.
I believe the penalty is excessive to Gayle. But he was wrong.
But have any West Indian ever spit on another player? In a game? In front of the media, the crowd and the umpires?
This isn’t a case of sexism as everybody claiming. This is clear racial discrimination against Gayle. The Australians clearly don’t think a black man should be flirting white a white girl
Ravi…as a woman if he had said that to me a tiny bit of vomit would have rose in my throat…so that racial argument is bare BS
I not saying that he wasn’t out of place to do it. But the reaction from the Australians is still because they’re racists
I guess when you always see things along racial lines everything becomes about race
I probably need stronger glasses because I still can’t see what there is to support.
Good point yuh know Vernal Damion Cadogan…suppose that was your daughter interviewing Gayle, would the people saying it was all harmless fun feel the same way?
Ravi might feel differently had his sister been the interviewer.
or his daughter!
You notice that most (if not all) of the defenders of Gayle’s behavior are men right?
That’s even more disappointing.
But I’ve seen some women too eh!!
Hahaha Vernal, Ravi is actually saying that Chris Gayle is being judged by Twitter and is unfairly treated. I see Fuad Abu Bakr just posted in support of Gayle as well.
Vernal Damion Cadogan I actually defending the man somewhat
bet he watch his chupid comments now doh
https://www.facebook.com/CitizensforaBrighterTomorrow/posts/1671266326489623
Like I said the guy made a mistake and was fined, that should have been enough. Instead they are trying to take bread out of his mouth, trying to kill his career.
Oh God ….. now we go hear hpw Chris Gayle is ah PNM!
this made my morning
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/rita-panahi/chris-gayle-big-bash-league-hysteria-turns-an-idiot-into-a-victim/news-story/f80bfa4a3dcc44442fae0f7548bb898a
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/picture/2016/jan/07/david-squires-on-the-lessons-the-a-league-can-learn-from-the-big-bash
http://www.espncricinfo.com/big-bash-league-2015-16/content/story/959051.html
http://gu.com/p/4ftc6?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
http://www.cricket.com.au/news/feature/angela-pippos-chris-gayle-mel-mclaughlin-sexism-in-sport/2016-01-06?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bbl05
Eli Mark, you can post the video here. We don’t really want new threads on it.
It is not that the Sharapova or any of the other incidents excuses what he did. THEY WERE ALL WRONG.
The difference is that they weren’t vilified, fined and threatened with loss of their job.
The issue is the hypocrisy and deeply unequal treatment this incident has prompted. The response has been completely out of proportion compared to the others.
I watched the one with Casillas kissing the reporter in shock that he did so but more that the incident didn’t receive the widespread coverage that this did.
Chris Gayle was wrong but the reaction is totally different to how the white stars who crossed the line were treated.
About two posts up, I shared a clip about how Frank Sinatra was treated when he crossed the line with a joke about Australia’s female reporters. Sinatra is white.
One exception does not invalidate all the other experiences.
First question you should ask yourself is: Did Chris Gayle behave inappropriately?
Answer that and you’re halfway home.
Again you are completely missing my point – I clearly said that he was wrong. It is the treatment that followed that is questionable.
“So no, I am not averse to Chris Gayle having the liveliest of sex lives. Of infinitely greater concern is the current argument that his behaviour can be excused on the basis that Maria Sharapova once flirted with a journalist. Why should one excuse the other? The idea it should is born of the mindset that fancies itself supremely logical on the basis that it strips every encounter of cultural context or nuance.
It is the argument of those who excuse blackface on the basis that the Wayans brothers once whited up for a movie, or wonder why it’s wrong to call Jews “Yids” when some Spurs fans refer thus to themselves. Such people know just enough not publicly to suggest that the N-word is OK because you hear it in rap – but only just, and only out of commercial self-preservation.”
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/jan/06/chris-gayle-controversy-sexist-women-cricket
Maybe this quote is more relevant:
“So no, I am not averse to Chris Gayle having the liveliest of sex lives. Of infinitely greater concern is the current argument that his behaviour can be excused on the basis that Maria Sharapova once flirted with a journalist. Why should one excuse the other? The idea it should is born of the mindset that fancies itself supremely logical on the basis that it strips every encounter of cultural context or nuance.
It is the argument of those who excuse blackface on the basis that the Wayans brothers once whited up for a movie, or wonder why it’s wrong to call Jews “Yids” when some Spurs fans refer thus to themselves. Such people know just enough not publicly to suggest that the N-word is OK because you hear it in rap – but only just, and only out of commercial self-preservation.”
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/jan/06/chris-gayle-controversy-sexist-women-cricket
Some people said Chris would have never been harassed if he was white. I show a white person getting into trouble for sexist comments and you call it irrelevant, Kelvin?
Lasana. That’s irrelevant
I thought this was interesting for people who say Australia would never have minded if Chris Gayle was white.
Well, here’s how Australia dealt with the lily white and universally popular Frank Sinatra: (Source UK Guardian)
“As for Gayle, he has been relieved of $10,000 by his Melbourne Renegades chairman, who somewhat excruciatingly reckoned it was just “cultural differences” (well done, mate!). He has issued a non-apology apology on his way out of the airport – a detail that reminded me he is certainly not the greatest entertainer to have had unfortunate dealings with women reporters in Australia. That honour belongs to Frank Sinatra, who in 1974 took it upon himself to discourse on the country’s female journalists live on stage in Melbourne’s festival hall. “As for the broads who work for the press,” he opined, “they’re the hookers of the press. I might offer them a buck-and-a-half, I’m not sure.”
They used to say “it’s Frank’s world; we just live in it” – but at that moment in time Australia declined to be part of Frank’s world. The reaction was swift and comically stunning. The Australian press demanded he apologise; Sinatra refused. By noon the next day, the unions were involved, and airport refuellers flatly refused to fill his Gulfstream, while terminal staff announced none of their number would serve him. For the next few days, Sinatra ended up marooned and under siege on the 23rd floor of a Sydney hotel. It took the arbitration and conciliation services of Bob Hawke – then the ragingly popular leader of the Australian Council of Trade Unions – to get Sinatra to sign a grudging apology, which finally permitted him to escape the country.”
Why would they ban a major draw like Gayle from the Big Bash? The economics don’t make sense.
Well if Chris had said that he would be fine. But he didn’t did he?
Allyuh on kicks yes. She said you’re handsome and I’m blushing. You all think that was a pick up line?
Colin.. So many examples it’s scary.. And it’s not to justify Gayle’s supposed inappropriateness.. It’s a total non issue and the way the guy is being portrayed is quite disgusting.. If I were Gayle I would tell them exactly what I thought of their crap.. As I said he is Jamaican.. Probably as hard as nails so he would cope no problem..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NExxOKfGjQU Kelvin Jack
Prince, you want the Aussie press to protest about what we allow Danny Morrison to get away with in the Caribbean? Seriously?!
No but that’s what Gayle is saying. In the Caribbean it’s a norm. So he didn’t think twice about it
No. That isn’t what he said. What he said is that he made a simple joke that everyone is going nuts about that.
That isn’t what you said. And it has nothing to do with Danny or Maria. He has to stand on his own two feet.
If people here allow Danny to get away with whatever he likes, don’t be mad because other places won’t.
I thought somebody just put a comment saying things like this happen in the Caribbean. I thought it was Gayle. My mistake
Oh. Okay. No, he suggested that Chris might have been better off apologising early with that line.
Oh ok
Lasana Liburd Morrison has to Caribbean ladies on air and nothing ever came of it. Isn’t he Australian? The Aussie press is blowing this out of proportion
He was punished. Let it go
The Barraclough woman said
it perfectly!!! Beautiful article perfect sense!!!
“I’m sorry that I crossed the line with Ms. McLaughlin, who was doing her job with her usual professionalism. I guess I got caught up in the moment and slipped into the type of banter that is common between men and women back in the Caribbean. I certainly meant no disrespect and I have apologized to her personally for the gaffe on my part.” A statement like that from CG at the outset might have prevented this whole episode from snowballing the way it has. Just saying!
So then it would be okay for him to speak to Faine Richards or Samantha Jo like that?
Not at all, Lasana. I am merely putting forward what might have constituted a reasonable way to offset the furore early. The fact that that type of banter is common in these parts does not make it acceptable though, I agree.
India is not exactly renowned for its care and respect of women. So I don’t foresee too much backlash for Gayle in the IPL.
NatWest? That depends. It won’t be a moral decision. Just straight cash. Whether they think he will help the tournament to earn or lose money. That’s it.
And in the Caribbean? Anything goes here Mel. Don’t blush baby! 🙂
He hasn’t [and wouldn’t] learnt a thing!
according to Melina
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20160106/editorial-churlish-chris-gayle-and-sexual-harassment#.Vo0MQ3GX9Cd.twitter
I’m sure he’ll be at the IPL, CPL and the NatwestBlast