Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony Slammed By Fans & Media
In an incredible outburst Channel Seven hosts Jo Griggs and Basil Zempilas took Commonwealth Games organisers to task live on TV while the closing ceremony was still going to air.
Griggs revealed that like the majority of viewers watching the telecast, she was angry that the athletes didn't actually enter the stadium during the closing festivities.
Fellow Games hosts Zempilas and Mel McLaughlin also backed up Griggs' comments.
We aren’t the host broadcasters or the organisers. We just have to show what they serve up. The sport was great.....
— Johanna Griggs (@JohGriggs7) April 15, 2018
The ceremony was criticized by viewers at home as well as at the venue, with fans leaving the stadium in droves along with 'bored' athletes, and took to social media to vent their anger.
Zempilas said at the end of the telecast, 'Look, we understand many people have been disappointed by tonight's closing ceremony,'
'To be perfectly honest Jo, so have we. It hasn't really lived up to expectations. I've got to say it's about the only thing they got wrong. They did get it wrong tonight.'
Thanks Australia!!! 🇦🇺 #gc2018 pic.twitter.com/bAcHHUsbqC
— Kurt Fearnley (@kurtfearnley) April 15, 2018
Griggs agreed, with a scathing assessment of the Games not allowing footage of the athletes entering the stadium to be shown.
'We can only show the pictures that are provided by the actual host broadcasters,'
'They made the decision not to have athletes enter the stadium. I'm furious. Actually wrecking a tradition that is so important.'
'There's no athletes in here. I've never seen the stadium so empty ... It's so wrong, Baz.'
Commentator Mel McLaughlin added, 'One thing I love [about the hosts' comments] is that you're not always able to be as honest as you like on TV,'
'Those two did not miss, and rightfully so ... it's what the punters are thinking at home ... it's a huge celebration.'
'The athletes want to relax, they want to party, they want to be on show ... Jo was filthy and she had every right to be.'
Fans also blasted Channel Seven for showing reality cooking program, My Kitchen Rules, instead of the finale of the 11-day event.
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