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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.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1q5rXZskYk
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Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.
the Trinis would say – Chris Gayle is out a timing
He will never learn, he will never change. This is who he is.
What is the point about the Sharapova clip Kelvin? It isn’t new evidence. We have seen it repeatedly.
When is what someone else did ever justification for one’s actions?
If it were a court matter, you think he could play that clip in court and benefit somehow?
Gayle got fined based upon his teams regulations but both Gayle and Sharapova were being tried in the court of public opinion with different outcomes. The Sharapova plea is an appeal to equality before the “law”. Serena Williams’ advocates also argue similarly when she is chided for behaviour that white male tennis players are not chided for. African Americans are over represented in marijuana charges even though white Americans use just as much or even more. Male teachers who sleep with students face heavier sentences than female teachers that sleep with their male students. The treatment of men when they make domestic violence reports vs. when a female makes the same report. In the Gayle scenario the reporter appears uncomfortable because of cultural grooming…sexual harassment only applies to women and is unacceptable. In Sharapova’s case no straight man should be uncomfortable so it is therefore acceptable…an attractive woman cannot sexually harass a man…Lady Justice should be blind both in the court room and the court of public opinion.
Gayle was just being himself lol
Not good enough. He should try to be someone civil.
Don’t try to change him. Some training in media relations may help lol
There are many people in cells right now who found out that being themselves wasn’t good enough for society eh.
And the charge is battery.
Society, society,society
Lol
So the idea is better PR eh Stephen? You sound like Kamla. Lol.
It isn’t the nonsense that is the issue. It is trying to camouflage it better. N’est pas?
So much hullaballo over Gayle making a dick of himself. Gayle needs to be reminded that what goes on in the Caribbean stays in the Caribbean else Danny Morrison, whom i love, would be in a lot of stick for some of his antics while in our territory.
Gayle himself would have received some form of punishment prior to this
I have to assume that Danny picked his territory better than Chris did. Know your wicket might be the moral of the story
When will the slut shaming end? Yeah its not only women who are victims … men are victims of this horrible practice as well.
Comment of the year !!!!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tcWif3u4A0A
Gayle must know he is only accomodated in Australia because of cricket, it’s one of the most racist countries in the world ,black people ( Aborigines) were slaughtered by the thousands by these Australians, so know your place in people pkace.
His behaviour was unprofessional. At the end of the day- this is the woman’s job, and he was also out there doing his job on the field. I don’t believe it warranted such a heavy fine, but it’s really not the time nor place for that kind of talk…i think he realised it at the end of the interview that he made her feel uncomfortable though. then there’s this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-FIfVfvOMo
hahahaaa
http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/chris-gayle-isnt-the-first-cricketer-to-pickup-big-bash-commentator-mel-mclaughlin/news-story/f1706ce2e3cf1f46baafbc3d47256bc2
Looks like the caribbean boys love some Mel
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153332762453441&id=107787018440
What he did may have not have been appropriate, but how he did it is what made it so bad.
His lines failed because it seems as though he really liked the person – it happens. He seemed nervous when speaking to her. He misread the whole situation.
Had it been done by a woman though, she may have been labelled strong, and confident; worthy to be emulated
At least, now the world knows who Mel McLaughlin is; it will work in her favour. Her ‘value’ as a sport journalist just went up. Hey Mel, say thank you to fumbling bumbling Chris.
Not a word was said about this.. Not one word.. only laughter.. All the sensationalism surrounding Gayle are plain stupid..
I don’t think it’s true that not one word was said about that video but ok.
Apples and oranges. Allyuh condoning dotishness!
http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dc-FIfVfvOMo%26sns%3Dfb&h=WAQFV6BPn&enc=AZOQhpNKAD3fP9L3W_2EvqWjdvQnDtffKMIMHowNY_auWRkeXc8Gobdqpn_J276fxrIWagMcKqpr8xJSgKirwzPYuerv_U3bMpM0JZQvxkGVoFA4ijeGNseIS14FmHwTKYDK_44wC2eoBUwqwkg_tCWwCkvxDbNKbc6EKMazid2vTuTYT2h-aXz9K0OyVWkFem6ZNg8ffNzN6X-i680ZZR-g&s=1
Yuh right! Yuh right! Yuh perfectly right! Carry on! ??
Patricia, Chabeth.. Its my opinion.. He asked her out for a drink and called her baby.. Is that inappropriate? So is a man not allowed to ask a lady out for a drink in the workplace? When is he supposed to ask her? In a car park? Obtain her phone number without her knowledge and call her? He did it publicly.. I think it’s ludicrous this guy is being criticised for this. I wonder if a female player did what Gayle did if there would have been such a drama.. many sexist groups honestly don’t have a clue sorry to say. Hapless most of them are.. I don’t even know why he apologised.. There was no chance I was apologising for asking a woman out for a drink and then saying don’t blush baby.. She ignored his cheesy line so that should be it.. She knocked him back.. All these Sexist experts and their grotesquely draconian views create unnecessary sensationalism for what is a non issue.. But this politically correct world we live in obscure everything.
It is not the mere asking her out and pet name calling though. It is the context in which the incident occurred and the level of discomfort and disrespect it engendered for her. If somebody makes somebody else uncomfortable or is disrespectful, you don’t think an apology is in order? Or are you suggesting that a woman has no business being uncomfortable with a man hitting on her regardless of the context in which it is done?
If a man finds himself attracted to a female colleague, there has to be a more appropriate time for him to say so than during a meeting in front of other people. No?
Maria Sharapova did it in Australia. What was omitted is that when she did it there was no backlash. Something that is absent from the discussion. Similarly: Rasta man kicks up woman on camera and she makes no report….rasta is charged and before the court…Big burly man lassos woman suspected of engaging in praedial larceny and parades her on the road caught on camera and she makes no report…burly man charged and before the court….”Sabrina” busts up a man’s pick-up while he is inside with his companion, hurls obscenities and objects at the occupied vehicle, blocks traffic, near riot ensues all caught on camera and he makes no report….no charges, no court appearance….
Absolutely ridiculous this is regarded as sexist.. Inappropriate? Give me a break.. If anything Chris need some better chat up lines! How in Gods name was he disrespectful? He did it on TV and so what? Such a non issue and these people who regard this as sexist are clueless and are nitpicking..
Are you serious? You really see nothing wrong with hitting on a woman at her workplace? I agree that sporting events blur the lines because for some people who are there it’s a social setting and for others it’s a professional setting. But for both people in this case it was a professional environment and the incident occurred during the course of carrying out professional duties. You really don’t think it was inappropriate and worthy of an apology?
Well, Chabeth, Kelvin Jack entitled to say whatever want to come out he mout! He is a man after all! An he right! De woman farse to be vex! Let she shut she mouth an tank she God for Gayle lil ‘smooth’ talk. Ent Kelvin?
Is Chris Gayle the first man to be fined for asking a woman out for a drink? If the rule is applied across the board, then most men in this country would be bankrupt by the time they are 30.
She was at work. Which means that is sexual harassment.
Gayle was not her boss. I thought sexual harassment was a function of power (yes, I saw Disclosure!). What power did Gayle have over her? He could not possibly refuse her the interview as I’m sure BBL rules compel teams to cater to media needs.
If a coworker hit me that line.. he would be slammed with a report immediately. Sexual harassment on the job isn’t only a boss-worker thing, it’s also between suppliers and clients, co-workers, etc. Sexual harassment also has little to do with power. Go do some research and come back 🙂
Desiree is correct
‘Go do some research and come back’ – that sounds like the words of someone who suffers from the delusion of moral superiority! But fine, I’ll take my leave from this suffocating thread of political correctness ( before I’m accused of this ism or that ism).
Orin – there is no single truth, there are just differing views.
Sabir I was very to the point. Go and do some research and come back to me on that specific point. I don’t debate without a fair playing field. Don’t get emotional. Just go and read about it. No need for insults ?
Most expensive tusty man moment in history
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-35229309
If he tusty?
He has to issue a public apology to her and her husband/boyfriend.
He too damn fresh and farse.
And what irritated me the most was when he said “don’t blush baby.”
I hate when men who are not acquainted with you want to call you baby….steupssss!
That is the part that really got to me – the “baby” part
It’s good that the Sharapova flirt was pointed out. A quote from a website…”Maria Sharapova has incited a wave of pure jealously around the male section of Australian sports journalists after openly flirting with a Triple M reporter at a press conference.” Different Strokes for different folks..
I’ve commented plenty on this elsewhere. He has had many defenders. He was out of line. And also desperately unfunny. Always a tell when you’re the only one grinning at your joke.
when Robbie Williams asked Fearne Cotton out on live tv – nobody batted an eye-lid, they just thought he was a cheeky chappy
I’m probably going to get pilloried for this – but there seems to have been a massive social media over-reaction
An appropriate response, and hopefully that will bring the matter to an end. Hopefully, also, CG and others would have learned from the experience.
Chris, flirt if you want, flirt all you will, but just don’t do it on camera.
I watch a fair amount of BBL… I often want to turn the volume down as the coverage is relentlessly laddish. The commentary box is full of Aussies from an era where they won everything, all reliving their glory days. That locker room feel is amplified by their conversations with the players whilst on the pitch which to me spoil it as a real sporting contest and turn it into an exhibition. I can imagine someone must have thought they needed women in the mix, but that isn’t enough to create an open inclusive programme. This was an accident waiting to happen.
Worst apology ever. But to these revered sportsmen, she’s not human, she’s just another vagina, to why should he have respect?
As if it wasn’t enough, the West indies team already embarrassing the Caribbean down under. Now former players get in on the act… What a pity! !!!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-05/chris-gayle-chris-rogers-bad-influence/7069092?section=sport
Some jokes aren’t funny. Especially ones that demean women. But how would Chris deduce that if someone didn’t tell him? Steups… He’s still an ignorant are whose not funny.
“Gayle Apologises for simple joke”
To me the only major damage is that every West Indian man now look like they have no game. He sounded so pathetic, like some little 40 year old virgin on a bad day. So pathetic and embarrassing to black/Caribbean men.
I won’t go as far as to say he embarrassed all Caribbean men. But he surely didn’t do himself any favours.
Hon ppl generally have a belief that black men are smooth, got game and hung, especially the “exotic” Caribbean ones. He blew two of those theories out of the water with that shit he pulled. Teenage boys have better game than him. I was embarrassed for him. He did not represent I’m sorry. At his age and length of time in the cricket arena, that’s as good as it gets for him? Maybe in the past he didn’t have to try. Let’s pretend that’s it.
Surely blowing this out of proportion he’s only an embarrassment to himself not to us.
nope.
all of us.
a black man in Oz is gonna find it hard to get laid for a minnit
Steups
Travel advisory issued by Australia.
???
Lol Dennis. ?
BTW that was meant to be a a laughing emogie. Still reeling from the debacle. Lol
:-O
jusso jusso??? in the middle of a professional FB post?
i feel sexually abused. Lasana Liburd…deal widdat dey
I corrected my error immediately. Lol. Sir I would never want you to feel like some sort of object of my wanton desires.
At least not on FB anyway. ?
see???
she’s making me blush?!?!?!
where are the social worriers clicking to my rescue?
Lol. Don’t blush baby (in my thickest Guyanese accent possible).
LASSSSANNNNAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
Trump give him apology training awah?
And bless poor simple Chris. He said he tried to call Mel to apologise. I can close my eye and picture that scene.
Someone shouts across the newsroom: Mel, it is Chris Gayle on the phone… Says he wants to talk. Should I give him your mobile number?!
Hahaha. Chris, take win boss. Take win.
I don’t think any of that makes it right though Prince. And I don’t think she has to defuse anything.
She did her job. Why say anything? I don’t think she owes it to anyone to speak and I don’t think her reputation is at risk or that she needs to do anything to gain anybody’s respect from this scenario.
Not saying it’s right. Why not say anything about it? I am sure a lot of women want it to stop.
I didn’t get how what you said would contribute to it stopping though.
She has gotten some fame in the cricket world because of this. So why not say something to address it. At the same time make sure that everyone know she’s not offended.
She didn’t exactly run away crying. I think she has nothing to address personally.
Nonsense Prince Borde. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience and her work is well known. She acted in a completely professional manner and there is no need for her to say anything further. It is the buffoon Chris who needs to grow up and recognise that sexual harassment in the work place is not a damn joke.
http://bit.ly/1Z2dMxO
What would be awesome now if she comes out and defuse the situation. I understand that Chris shouldn’t have said what he said . I think she would gain a lot more respect from the cricketers if she shows that this doesn’t phase her. She is a pretty woman working in a male dominated industry. Heck there is video of Cahill giving her a kiss at a soccer game. She needs to make a statement saying this is not acceptable but she is not damaged by it. End the whole thing. I world say this Lasana Liburd, Chris looks like he says stuff like that all the time in jokes. I bet you this woman gets worse things said to her by sportsmen and her peers behind closed doors
Steups …he’s a clown and people losing their mind over that clown….? His mistake is his own of course he doesn’t reflect Caribbean men…. making a mountain out of a mole hill ….lol laughable
He is even more immature for not recognizing that he made a mistake.
Gayle was wrong, but the commentator sounded as if the man encroached on his territory as well..
The male commentators were trying to defend Mel’s reputation as a professional. They went through the sensitivity training after years and years of this and learning how to treat female sports reporters as professionals not tits and ass. They could clearly see what we all see that her face fell and she was uncomfortable and put off by Gayle’s inappropriate comments and could not wait to finish the interview and be out of there as quickly as possible.
Eh How my boy Serjio reach in this! haha yuh not nice
Lol. So you mean Serjio would make Serena forget herself? I’m watching the boy slight! Lol.
No harm done Serjio… A “simple joke” like Gayle said. 🙂
So now you know who is to blame. Everyone who “overreacted!” Certainly not Chris. But he is sorry people cannot take a “simple joke.”
Chris Gayle: “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.”
You see?! It wasn’t Chris Gayle’s fault at all. It was everyone else’s for overreacting. So now you know!
Great that he apologized for making her uncomfortable. Nobody likes dealing with unwanted sexual interest, especially at inappropriate times.
Which is why real cool men with TRUE charm, awareness, emotional intelligence and self respect never prematurely announce their sexual interest jes so to any woman just because her tits, ass and or face makes them happy in their pants. They wait, they observe, they make casual, non-sexual contact and feel out if there is a mutual vibe going on first. Is she making flirtatious eye contact back? Is she leaning in or leaning away? Is she letting her guard down and getting more at ease or is she tensing up and being glib and distrustful? Is she mirroring your actions or not? They gauge before they…take it there. Why, some even do look out for more meaningful qualities before taking it there.
Far too many Caribbean men presumptuously take it there first thing out the gate at ANY woman whose anatomy excites them. She could be married, underage, or even clearly not interested, they are oblivious. TITTIES AND ASS! TITTIES AND ASS! Bamboozled by TITTIES AND ASS!
It wasn’t Chris Gayle’s fault you see. The problem was in everyone else’s reaction. Ahhhh… Thanks for clearing that up Chris 😉
And his apology …..
http://m.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/chris-gayle-prepares-to-apologise-for-mel-mclaughlin-interview-20160104-glzecu.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nc&eid=socialn%3Atwi-13omn1677-edtrl-other%3Annn-17%2F02%2F2014-edtrs_socialshare-all-nnn-nnn-vars-o%26sa%3DD%26usg%3DALhdy28zsr6qiq
Gayle should apologize for being a simple mind
He apologised for the rest of the world not grasping his simple joke if you asked me…
His apology as bad as his pickup line.
He probably learn that from Vernella
After read what the international media have to say i wonder what they would have said it he had told a male reporter lets have a drink buddy?
Dunno where to start with one. Lol. *walks past whistling*