More sponsors have quit The Circle in the wake of comments last week on the show about Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith.
Multivitamin group Swisse ended its association late last week, but has since been followed by Mirvac Hotels and Resorts, and coffee chain Jamaica Blue via Foodco. There are also reports that Yoplait will join them. BIG4 Holiday Parks has also stopped advertising its giveaway of a new Mitsubishi, but the contest itself must legally continue.
“We fully understand and respect the decision by some sponsors to stop their involvement with The Circle,” TEN said in a statement.
“Network TEN has publicly apologised to Ben Roberts-Smith for the inappropriate and unnecessary comments made on The Circle last week.
“Yumi Stynes and George Negus have apologised on-air and have also contacted Ben directly to apologise. Ben accepted their apologies and said, in a statement, that he understood their comments were not intended to be malicious.”
Co-host Yumi Stynes has also been subjected to online abuse.
A TEN spokesman said he was aware of the comments, which had been made on Facebook, Twitter and alterations to Stynes’ Wikipedia page.
“We are concerned about the extreme nature of some of those comments and are monitoring them very closely,” he said.
“We are removing the most offensive comments from The Circle sites.”
Whether some sponsors are using the incident to abandon the show due to softer ratings following the exit of Chrissie Swan and Denise Drysdale, is unclear.
Swisse ambassador Sonia Kruger now co-hosts Nine’s rival show Mornings.
Source: The Age, Herald Sun
You would have to be a bitter non productive ill natured human being to be “proud” of a campaign of hate against any fellow Australian.
I am proud of the responce by many australians . I think ten should sack Negus and Stynes.
I find it disgusting that Stynes is trying to hide behind her race. No one is criticising her because of her race or gender. Negus is a white male and he is coping it too. I wouldn’t be suprised if half the so called racist comments are from circle staff trying to drum up some sympathy for Stynes
Yumi Stynes has apologised let’s just get over it now and move on.
An amazing storm in a teacup. Good God if they want to hear something shameful and get angry they just need to check out Rush Limbaugh’s latest cup of vileness. That’s the sort of commentary to get upset about!
The Circle comments don’t even register on the Kyle-o-meter!
Everyone needs to get over this! What she said wasn’t nice but really who cares?
What is going on here, how have we become such a state. Whilst, like others, I agree the comments shouldn’t have been said. But they were. From what I saw there was no malicious intent, no attack on his armed services career. This has polarised so much more than what the original issue was. Again, as others have said, why can’t the apologies be said and dealt with and moved on. Perhaps get him on the show and talk about it all? And then… move on. Life doesnt have to be this difficult!
@goatracer – Many of the comments allowed through on the Herald Sun and other various news.com.au pieces are full of bile and hate that I’m surprised there actually is a moderator there.
I think it was possibly Media Watch and The Chaser guys have brought up stories on many of the comments that get posted there. Sometimes it just seems like a massive breeding pool of hate about everything.
Anyway I’m personally not a fan of Yumi (nor is the Circle my fave show – was so bummed Hey Hey didn’t get the Logie when The Circle did), but it really is strange that many of the comments being made against Yumi are much worse than anything she said. It does seem like some wait for a reason to spew forth built up race, gender and hate issues.
I think the sponsors are just using this excuse to pull out because the show isn’t doing very well, you watch Swisse will be advertising on Mornings any moment now.
Also the whole fact she is a woman and Asian is why racist and misogynist people are going after her.
Say she made those comments about footballers or just your regular army reserve guys, there would be hardly any uproar but because this guy was a Corporal (who another network choose to use those images of him without his shirt on- effectively using it as a way for people to tune in) all hell broke lose
And the comments Negus made about not good in bed wasn’t because of the IVF but the fact he had a body like that (whether it be steroid induced or not)
I would like to know just how much influence the editorial side of the Herald Sun has in it’s vetting of comments because if you are to believe the Sun the entire state of Victoria thinks she is the sucubus.
Yeah, this really is being blown out of total proportion. Unless it is a job to be a professional hater and complain about everything wanting everyone to be sacked and everything to be taken off air?
As some have said those like Alan Jones and so on have said much, much worse.
Its getting ridiculous and I really hope Yumi doesn’t quit over this. She did look really tired on Monday and not her usual self. The circle needs to get rid of colin males (female only show) and get some permanent funny ladies quick smart.
@ Stever
- “When did Australia become America?”
Way back, probably about the time all the AM radio “disc jockeys” started speaking with trans-pacific accents ……
@Paul Mall How can a physique be 100 percent heterosexual?
Get over it! This is seriously so extreme, the issue is over. Move on! Yumi is fabulous, shes said sorry, this issue has already been laid to rest. Move on people! Theres bigger issues out there!
Those bored and unhappy housewives need to calm themselves down me thinks!
I think they should get Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith onto the show and say sorry to him on television.
I truly believe Kyle gets away with the nonsense he says because he’s no.1 in Sydney FM radio.
Until someone takes that crown away, he’ll get off scott free with most things probably.
@Paul Mall As many have said before, Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith accepted their apology and like others have said that should be it. And like others have said why can Alan Jones, Andrew Bolt and Kyle Sandilands get away with much much much worst and not utter a word of apology to those they target.
@Paul Mall just because someone does something honourable, doesn’t mean no one has the right to speak of them negatively. I don’t know personally know Ben Roberts-Smith and no one should tell me if I should or shouldn’t respect him. It’s a decision that we should make individually.
He saved lives, but he has had no impact on my life. We all respect different people and we all have different opinions on war and the armed forces. I for one, don’t endorse either.
As long as the Genie Bra and Steam Mop don’t withdraw their support.. I think the Circle will be just fine.
People need to get past this already
Really they need to step back and take a moment to think, it was a bad joke, she apologized and that was accepted by Ben.
I can’t help but think there is more going on her they we’re being told. Maybe the last line in your story is close to the mark David?
Excuse me. Excuse me just a minute. I can’t believe what I’m reading in these comments. Channel 10 should sack Yumi immediately.
Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith put his life on the line for this nation. For You! Do you know what that means? Do you?
It means you don’t get to make fun of Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith. Ever. Even if you’re not impugning his integrity or valour. Even if you’re still immensely grateful for his service.
So the next time you feel like taking potshots at his not incalculable tattoos or his captivatingly 100 percent heterosexual physique, don’t, just don’t. You don’t have the right. And you’re not good looking enough.
When Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith wants to be made fun of, he’ll call that salad shooter Corporal Mark Donaldson. No one else. Show some respect.
those trolls are being more offensive than what yumi said so what cowards they are. I feel sorry for Yumi, I suppose her main worry at the moment would be her kids and the crap they must be hearing about there mum at school.
Yet certain footy shows get away with misogynistic and homophobic comments nearly every week.
When did Australia become America?
Why wasn’t there an outcry when this whole thing started, for a Soldier happy to have himself served up as a piece of meat on the show to be purved on. He was happy with that, people were happy with the slant the show took for the most part about same in the segment on the show(SN). No outcry at all.
I don’t particularly like YS but why is she solely coping all this, there should be equal guff out there about George Negus, moreso, he of the two should definitely of known better.
Why isn’t this all yesterday’s ooops for all concerned now. Sponsors need to get over themselves, they were happy to be involved with The Circle before this, they are just looking childish now.
What should most concern people about all this, is the ‘ugliness’ that exist out in society, that is just waiting for it’s next victim to maul, over things like this or similar that come up.
I do think these sponsors are using this ‘controversy’, all of which lasted 2 seconds, to ditch the show’s low ratings. The Circle would have to more than double its audience to be the second most watched morning show, let alone #1.
@ Mr. J…..I understand if you are in public life…you have to expect some barbs…but this does not include death threats…racial vilification and terrifying that persons family…un Australian and just plain not on….the punishment does not fit the crime.
And I agree with ‘Goatracer’….the companies pulling out could also find they are facing a backlash…rather than a pat on the back…
The act was thoughtless…but all parties have shaken hands and moved on…
Channel tens mix of rubbish programs brings out the worst in people – this is why this has happened in the first place ……..
The continuous complaints and abuse towards Stynes and those that sponsor The Circle really does show the level of those who are making such complaints when it has come to this stage. It’s not worth bothering about such a trivial show like The Circle anyway that hardly anyone watches.
My goodness, people need to get over it!
As for the sponsers, looks to me like they were just looking for an out anyway..
I agree, the show hasn’t been the same without Chrissie and Denise, but it’s still entertaining.
Some of the things I have read online towards Stynes have made my skin crawl, it saddens me to think there are people out there who think this way. It’s ironic the things they are saying – they’re much worse than what was originally said by Yumi.
I’m also thinking that maybe these sponsors wanted an excuse to end their contract early due to the low ratings and are using this as a reason to leave.
@kitkat very good point. Kyle gets away with way too much.
This really is contemptible behaviour by these companies and the storm in a teacup reactions seem to be made worse by the media not letting go, I for one found what they said to be an extremely misguided attempt at humour and nothing more.
I also believe there will be a lot of consumers such as myself that will no longer support their products because of Their narrow minded behaviour.
In a month’s time everyone will be over this and it will be old news
I couldn’t care less about The Circle and I bet 99% of people in this country couldn’t give a rat’s ass either and wouldn’t even know who Yumi Stynes is
judging from the ratings, this is especially true
I am over it, but it doesnt surprise me that others arent. the original comments were pretty bad. Ten are kidding themselves if they thought an apology was going to make it just go away.
@kitkat, politicians, reality stars, celebrities are in a different thing. they put themselves in the spotlight, offending them is fair game if they cant stand the heat they shouldn’t be in the kitchen.
Its a different game when it is someone like Ben Roberts-Smith. Kyle and Alan have been held on the same plate as Yumi in the past when they were in this situation.
I saw Monday’s show and Yumi looked awful. She looked like she hadn’t slept for days, poor thing. This is nothing like the Kyle (I’m out of control again) fiasco from last year regarding the female journalist spray. Sponsors are now being stupid and kneejerk. It was a mistake and they apologised and probably meant it, unlike somebody else I could mention….
This is just going too far… It’s a dead issue! All sides have made an amends, why are people still complaining? This isn’t a Kyle Sandilands situation where the man just keeps making horrible remarks. This is a so-far one off mistake. There really is no need to keep campaigning against them. It seems some people are so bored that they have nothing better than complain. Social media complaining can be too powerful at times
Funny the same people making these threats are making far more disgusting comments than what Yumi did.
This is just getting ridiculous.
They tried to be funny and failed horribly, not realising how insulting what they were saying was.
They apologised; it was accepted by Roberts-Smith: everyone involved has moved on.
The bandwagon has passed – yet sponsors are still trying to jump on it, in the attempt to appear proactive when it comes to listening to concerns.
It’s an over-reaction, and an attempt to use it to raise awareness of their brand.
“Look! We listen! They made fun of a VC Soldier; we dropped them. Aren’t we the best??
”
It’s the new “thing” within sponsorship – any perceived slight that reaches enough awareness is now seen as a marketing opportunity to demonstrate the brand’s willingness to do what their consumers are asking of them.
It’s an excellent sword when wielded correctly – unfortunately, when used too often it’ll blunt its’ effectiveness to the point where nobody cares any more.
“Another sponsor dropped them? That’s nice.”
Over-reaction.
Talk about an over reaction, seriously, people have apologised and that’s been accepted. I suspect the companies are using this as an excuse to back out of a show which is not rating so well.
Agreed. It’s way over the top… but I already said that a few days ago.
Wish people would get over this. A mistake was made followed by an apology which was accepted. We should just move on.
Interesting, I was surprised by Jamaica Blue as they had this little coffee shop house studio that they used to have the guests s.t at before they came on.
I think The Circle really is missing Chrissie. I still watch the show when I can but I think they really need a third regular to add a bit of stability.
Probably going to regret this, but the backlash against the comments made on The Circle is way over the top. Yes, they were stupid and thoughtless and should never have been said. They have apologised, Ben Roberts-Smith has accepted it. Yumi Stynes and her children are being physically threatened and racially vilified.
Yet Kyle has gotten away with offensive and derogatory comments for years. Alan Jones used threatening language towards the PM. And barely a fraction of the uproar.
I can’t help but feel that the difference was that their comments were made towards women. And that’s pretty much accepted as normal by too much of society.
But dare question a man’s virility?