Tom Gleeson didn’t hold back at the Logie Awards on Sunday night – using his moment on stage to take a swipe at Channel Seven.
The Gold Logie winner was presenting alongside MasterChef star Poh Ling Yeow when he delivered a deadpan tirade against the network, accusing it of favouring its own talent when it comes to awards.
‘G’day, congratulations Poh, we are nominated for the Gold Logie award, a prestigious award and cannot be mocked,’ Gleeson began, with his signature sarcasm.
‘I cannot think of anything critical to say about it. I will happily make jokes about religion but the Gold Logie is beyond critique. It can change everything – I was hosting Hard Quiz, I won… and I still am.’
Then, in a cutting jab at Seven, he quipped: ‘You are not going to win because you are not on Channel Seven. That is how it works. Channel Seven are giving out awards to themselves – it’s like they’ve invited us to their house so we can watch them win.’
While the room erupted in laughter, Gleeson doubled down – telling the live audience and viewers at home that voting was still open and urging them to get behind Poh.
Tom Gleeson (right) didn’t hold back at the Logie Awards on Sunday night – using his moment on stage to take a swipe at Channel Seven
The Gold Logie winner was presenting alongside MasterChef star Poh Ling Yeow (left) when he delivered a deadpan tirade against the network, accusing it of favouring its own talent when it comes to awards
‘Over one million people are watching – if everyone voted for Poh, it could be an upset. And you know I love an upset. You can vote for Channel Seven if you want, but if you don’t know, vote Poh.’
Poh, clearly relieved she didn’t have to say it herself, laughed: ‘Thanks Tom, I was going to say something but it would have been gross!’
Gleeson then switched gears to the mushroom poisoning case that shocked the nation, openly pitching for a role in a future dramatisation.
‘I’m aware the mushroom court case will get turned into a telemovie and the deadly custard people are probably in the room right now,’ he said.
‘I want to put my hand up and say I am more than happy to play Erin Patterson’s ex-husband. More than happy! Or the owner of an Asian grocery store that clearly did not exist.’
And in the end – Tom was right.
The Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television went to Home and Away star Lynne McGranger, 72, who was overcome with emotion as she took to the stage.
Kate Miller-Heidke and Sonia Kruger helped Lynne carry her dramatic dress train as she made her way to the microphone.
The Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television went to Home and Away star Lynne McGranger, 72, who was overcome with emotion as she took to the stage
‘Thirty-three years I’ve done this amazing show and I’m thrilled and honoured,’ she told the crowd.
The beloved actress revealed she would eventually place her Gold Logie next to her 1974 Wagga Wagga Drama Festival Best Actress award, which sparked her decision to pursue a career in acting.
But before doing so, she joked she’d be keeping it in her handbag – taking a playful dig at last year’s Gold Logie winner Larry Emdur.
‘I did promise that if I won the Gold Logie, I would carry it around in my handbag for a year – which is better than baring my white arse on morning television, Larry!’ she quipped.
Lynne also thanked her fellow nominees, the Home and Away cast and crew, and the loyal fans who keep ‘free-to-air television alive’.
Earlier in the night, after winning Best Lead Actress in a Drama, she also left the room in stitches when she thanked her husband – who bluntly told her he’d ‘rather swallow a hammer’ than attend her big night.
