ARN Stars Keller and Jones Express Shock Over Kyle & Jackie O Show's Dramatic Collapse
Fellow Australian Radio Network stars Amanda Keller and Brendan Jones have publicly weighed in on the shocking breakdown of The Kyle & Jackie O Show, which has dominated headlines this week following an on-air feud that has resulted in a $200 million contract being torn apart.
"Last People Standing" Joke About Industry Shakeup
On Wednesday, Keller, 64, and Jones, 57, who host the Gold Network show Jonesy & Amanda, humorously remarked they were the "last people standing" after news broke of their colleagues' dramatic split. "I always imagined if they were going to finish up, they would hold hands like Thelma and Louise and go off the cliff," Keller joked about Sandilands and Henderson. "I didn't picture a gunfight at the O.K. Corral. It's like everyone's in a bit of shock that mum and dad are getting a divorce."
Jones agreed, stating emphatically: "I take no joy in this situation." Keller continued, reflecting on the nature of radio partnerships: "You know, you want to think that the duos that you know and love, that they're duos. That's what they are."
Twenty-One Year Partnership Contrasts With Recent Feud
The pair then reminisced about their own twenty-one year working relationship, with Jones joking that they "have never fought." He declared proudly: "We are indivisible. We're still the last people standing," highlighting the stark contrast with the recently collapsed KIIS FM breakfast show.
The Kyle & Jackie O show imploded on Tuesday amid a high-profile and very public feud between hosts Jackie 'O' Henderson and Kyle Sandilands. KIIS FM's parent company ARN announced that Henderson's $100 million contract has been formally terminated after she informed executives she "cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands" following his harsh on-air comments that left her visibly distressed and in tears.
Contract Termination and Suspension Details Emerge
Sandilands has been officially suspended and given fourteen days to "remedy" the breach, or else he faces immediate termination. ARN provided written notice to Sandilands stating that it considers his behaviour during the show on February 20 "an act of serious misconduct which is in breach of ARN's services agreement with Quasar Media."
The KIIS breakfast show will be taken off air immediately, with "interim arrangements made for the show." ARN has offered Henderson the possibility of an alternative show on the network, signaling potential future developments in this ongoing media saga.
Feud Timeline and Emotional On-Air Clash
Henderson has been absent from the show since Friday, February 20, after Sandilands accused her of being unfocused at work. During the on-air confrontation, Henderson broke down in tears when the pair were discussing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. Sandilands grew angry when she proceeded to read out the disgraced royal's birth chart.
He lambasted his co-star, claiming that her love for astrology was negatively affecting her professional performance. When Henderson attempted to defend herself and accused him of launching a personal attack, he insisted he was merely expressing the "facts." An emotional Henderson stated she was deeply "offended" by his brutal comments during the clash.
She took a leave of absence following the altercation and was originally expected to return to the show on March 2. However, on Monday it was announced that her return to the airwaves had been pushed back another week. Sandilands started Tuesday's show by revealing that Henderson would return to the airwaves "at some stage" - a prediction that proved tragically inaccurate as the show collapsed later that same day.
