The web is alight with cricketer Chris Gayle’s exchange with Network Ten reporter Mel McLaughlin after he asked out for a drink during an interview.
However, social media appears to be divided on whether the remark wasn’t that bad or whether it was sleazy and sexist.
The exchange came after the Big Bash League where the Melbourne Renegades won over the Hobart Hurricanes, broadcast on channel Ten, and Gayle said he wanted to come over and have an interview with McLaughlin.
He then asked her out for a drink, following up with “don’t blush baby”.
Watch the video here.
Gayle has reportedly apologised for the comments, saying it was a joke and he hadn’t meant any harm by it at all, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.
Many have weighed in on social media about whether the remarks were harmless or sexist.
People who say ‘it’s just a bit of harmless fun’ & ‘it was a joke’ are part of the #sexism problem, so stop being jerks #dontblushbaby
— Pippa Reed (@pippa_reed) January 4, 2016
Gayle’s sleazy move ‘disrespectful and inappropriate’ says BBL boss. https://t.co/bPy8NvR95I #dontblushbaby #bbl pic.twitter.com/WTpoAlRK4T
— The West Australian (@thewest_com_au) January 4, 2016
@flintoff11 @Mel_Mclaughlin @henrygayle he was joking. If we go crazy over small issues then the big issues mean less #BBL05 #dontblushbaby
— Avijoy Roy Choudhury (@Avius110) January 4, 2016
Too many people get offended too easily, whinge about anything. Chris Gayle is the man #DontBlushBaby #ChrisGayle
— Igor J (@igzzz84) January 4, 2016
People, come on, stop making it a big deal. Absolutely nothing wrong with it! Thanks for the laugh Chris Gayle! #dontblushbaby
— Andrew Edmonds (@andrewedmonds2) January 4, 2016
This #ChrisGayle thing. The words mountain & molehill spring to mind. Aussie oversensitivity ignores WestIndian sense of humour. #JogOn
— Nick Eggleton (@NickEggleton) January 4, 2016
Can’t we just agree that #ChrisGayle‘s comments were BOTH “harmless fun” AND “the worst thing ever said in the history of words”?
— Adam Liaw (@adamliaw) January 4, 2016
I’m absolutely outraged that everyone’s so absolutely outraged by @henrygayle being a bit cheeky to a female TV reporter. #BBL05
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 4, 2016
When Piers Morgan is defending your actions you know you’ve done something most people will think was stupid and egotistic. #chrisgayle
— Danny Bishop (@dannybishop) January 4, 2016
After the exchange Network Ten had tweeted out about the remarks with the hashtag #smooth, however were lambasted after with some suggesting the network was encouraging sexual harassment.
The tweet has since been deleted, but The Sydney Morning Herald has a screenshot of the tweet beforehand.
Goes to work & gets harassed. Then her employer tweets it like it’s a great joke. WTF @tensporttv ??? pic.twitter.com/WEALx1y1Bq
— Luke Hilakari (@lhilakari) January 4, 2016
Nevertheless, many have commended McLaughlin on her handling of the situation.
Sexist? Sleazy? Harassment? Whatever it is, @Mel_Mclaughlin handled the #ChrisGayle interview superbly @henrygayle pic.twitter.com/7LpPrIdbGS
— Auskar Surbakti (@AuskarSurbakti) January 4, 2016
