Comedian Tom Gleeson won the Gold Logie at the 2019 TV Week Logie Awards, capping a campaign that mercilessly mocked the ceremony. Accepting the award with a glass of red wine, Gleeson admitted to drinking heavily and declared, 'I have ruined the Logies, and it’s never going to happen again. Our industry is dying, and I’m part of that!'
Gleeson, host of ABC’s Hard Quiz, ran a series of faux attack ads against fellow nominees, including Waleed Aly and Amanda Keller. Keller called the campaign 'irritating', while 2018 winner Grant Denyer warned the prize had 'become a joke'. Gleeson acknowledged the irony, saying, 'I like it and I hate it at the same time.'
Retired journalist Kerry O’Brien delivered a powerful Hall of Fame speech, defending the ABC against government attacks. He criticised budget cuts driven by 'ideological obsession' and called for action on climate change and Indigenous reconciliation, urging ratification of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The ABC had a strong night, winning 10 of its 20 nominated categories, including two for Gardening Australia. O’Brien’s speech contrasted sharply with the event’s usual lighthearted tone, as he urged journalists to better hold politicians to account.
