“I’m sick of it”: Jessica Rowe slams Karl Stefanovic’s phone comments
Jessica Rowe has come out in defence of Georgie Gardner, following New Idea’s publication of the details of the Stefanovic brothers’ 45-minute late night phone call today.
Speaking on Studio 10 this morning, Rowe took issue with the fact Karl and Peter Stefanovic are being considered “victims” in this week long saga.
“Georgie’s one of my dearest friends... the phone call shouldn’t have been recorded, or whatever, but I don’t think these two [Karl and Peter Stefanovic] are victims. If you have nothing nice to say about someone, do it behind closed doors. Do not do it on speakerphone where people are listening,” Rowe said.
In the phone call, Peter Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys were speaking to Karl on speakerphone in the back of an Uber.
The driver claims Karl vented his frustrations with his new Today co-host Georgie Gardner, accusing her of “sitting on the fence” and “not having enough opinions”.
Karl reportedly declared Gardner needed to “step up” if she “wanted to stay on the show”.
Rowe went on to praise Gardner, who took on the role after Lisa Wilkinson’s high-profile departure from the network.
“Georgie is an incredible journalist, she is not neutral about anything, she’s strong, she’s committed, she’s passionate. I’m sick of blokes saying negative things about women,” Rowe said.
Fellow panellist Angela Bishop pointed out that the pair had publicly apologised, and Karl had been effusive in his praise of Gardner in his apology statement, which was published a day before New Idea’s publication of the conversation.
“As they should have... as he should be,” said Rowe.