Joe Wheeler
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Storm in a teacup. Only in NZ.
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@billy-tell said in Joe Wheeler:
Storm in a teacup. Only in NZ.
Yes. No.
Happens everywhere. Difference is that the dumbfuck did it at the start of a long weekend where there is no news, news about the weather, old news and rehashed news.
He should have engineered a natural disaster that night. -
@billy-tell said in Joe Wheeler:
Storm in a teacup. Only in NZ.
I wish. This shit goes global now.
Bet he’s the type of person who questions what colour skin a baby will have. Could you just imagine the horror??
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@tim said in Joe Wheeler:
@mn5 said in Joe Wheeler:
Is he any different to any other NZ rugby ‘personalities’ though ?
They may be boring or dumb, but they aren't putting it in your face. He's just much more annoying.
Good point I guess but Izzy and his hair really annoy me
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Well, it is in the news here (seems via AFP). I expect it will make the morning shows tomorrow.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/81a967f08676b6ff50048a869acd8d9d38170e32
(Translation of the first article below)
AFP - Joe Wheeler, a former rugby player from New Zealand who now works as a television presenter for Sky Sports NZ, apologized on Wednesday for using an Asian accent to refer to Kazuki Himeno of the Otago Highlanders, who is playing in the Super Rugby Aotearoa. On the 2nd, Joe Wheeler, a TV presenter on Sky Sports (NZ), apologized for using an Asian accent to refer to Kazuki Himeno of the Otago Highlanders, who plays in Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Wheeler, who played for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan's top league during his playing days, apologized to the Japan national team after his former Highlanders team's 33-12 victory over the top-ranked Crusaders. After the Highlanders' 33-12 win over the top-ranked Crusaders, the former Highlanders player used a malicious accent when talking about Himeno's performance.
This was met with harsh criticism from social media, including "very unpleasant," "shameful," and "completely insane," with some users calling for Sky Sports to fire him, pointing out that he was "racist.
Later, Wheeler revealed on Twitter that he had met with Himeno in person and apologized, writing, "I messed up tonight! Spoke to Himeno and apologized to him, the Highlanders, and Sky staff," he said, "I fully accept that this is not the standard required for a local commentary position. It is clear that there are things that need to be worked on, and I am absolutely determined to improve," he wrote.
In response to this tweet, Himeno accepted the apology and wrote, "It's okay, Joe. Let's enjoy and celebrate our great victory," he replied.
Sophie Moloney, the station's CEO, also acknowledged that she was "extremely disappointed" by Wheeler's remarks and commented that "these are not appropriate for Sky officials and need to be improved.
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What a Muppet. Good to see he's apologised. But if he does get sacked I won't be feeling sorry for him.
Not because he's so terribly racist that he deserves to be sacked. Just because he's so terribly dumb. It's like going into your boss's office and pi$$ing in her pot plant. Is it the most heinous offence imaginable? No. Would it be a big surprise if she decides she doesn't want to keep paying you to be there? Also no.
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Normally I’d say this is an absurd overreaction but I’m quite happy to make an exception for this tool. Now if only they could find a way to take out Dagg as well.
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@dolamite said in Joe Wheeler:
The more I watch that the more obvious it becomes how unprofessional Wheeler was. It's obvious he doesn't understand the difference between jokes amongst friends and televising to an audience without any background.
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I am happy to give Wheeler another chance, in fact I hope they do. Not because I like him, but because I would like to actually see someone survive a fuck up like this. Give him a chance to learn. We are too quick to want to see someone fired.
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@crazy-horse said in Joe Wheeler:
I am happy to give Wheeler another chance, in fact I hope they do. Not because I like him, but because I would like to actually see someone survive a fuck up like this. Give him a chance to learn. We are too quick to want to see someone fired.
How many people actually want him to be fired over this? Calling him out for it is different than wanting him fired.
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What I don’t understand is how him teasing about a guy’s accent can be tied in with anti-Asian attacks. It’s not like it’s inciting anyone to go out and bash an Asian. Fark I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been teased about my accent or way in which I speak a foreign language.
If he needs to be called out on anything it’s introducing the equivalent of fart humour into his work.
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@nepia said in Joe Wheeler:
@crazy-horse said in Joe Wheeler:
I am happy to give Wheeler another chance, in fact I hope they do. Not because I like him, but because I would like to actually see someone survive a fuck up like this. Give him a chance to learn. We are too quick to want to see someone fired.
How many people actually want him to be fired over this? Calling him out for it is different than wanting him fired.
Wasn't referring to anyone on here. I have seen comments in other places.
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@snowy said in Joe Wheeler:
It's quite a dilemma, I don't want him fired for that, but I never want to listen to him again either.
I don't mind him doing commentary of live game, just after game and on talk progammes I really don't like his style or humour, much to close to some of those League ahows I saw little bits of in Aus. If people like that kind of thing thats ok, but I a got other things I find interesting.
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@antipodean said in Joe Wheeler:
@dolamite said in Joe Wheeler:
The more I watch that the more obvious it becomes how unprofessional Wheeler was. It's obvious he doesn't understand the difference between jokes amongst friends and televising to an audience without any background.
That is my feeling as well, lack of training, lack of professionalism. I'd imagine commentators are given guidelines and training even if they are not qualified journalists?
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@dan54 said in Joe Wheeler:
Um just to let you know Wheeler is right now doing commentary of Japanese top league on Sky!
I hope that isn't in English with the Wheeler idea of a Japanese accent!
Edit: Do they take live calls from the public during commentary? I am happy to ring the Japanese league on air to complain about the foreign commentator called Joe Wheeler and his insensitive parody of a NZ accent!
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@rancid-schnitzel said in Joe Wheeler:
What I don’t understand is how him teasing about a guy’s accent can be tied in with anti-Asian attacks. It’s not like it’s inciting anyone to go out and bash an Asian. Fark I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been teased about my accent or way in which I speak a foreign language.
If he needs to be called out on anything it’s introducing the equivalent of fart humour into his work.
Teased with affection and kind regard I'll wager.
You're right, it's mostly a story about what is acceptable to say as a tv presenter. Obvious answer: well d'uh