Where is the recognition for women in music and comedy?
That’s what comedian and Triple J breakfast host Matt Okine was asking after he took the stage to accept the Best Comedy Release award at last night’s Arias.
“I’d feel bad if I didn’t make a point about something, something I feel a bit weird about,” Okine said.
“I don’t think there was any women like nominated at all in the comedy category just then. I don’t think there’s any women who are like featured artists on tonight’s show even.”
Watch the whole speech here:
He then said Tina Turner instead of Tina Arena, quickly correcting himself, and as the audience laughed he responded “this is serious you guys”.
“Other than [Arena] there’s a couple of featured guests but it’s like there’s no one you know, and I’d feel stupid if I didn’t use this opportunity to say that.”
Okine also said he it would be “fine” if he got in trouble for the speech.
“But I didn’t feel great reading that list of people and just seeing… I know everyone’s a great artist but anyway, look, the fact of the matter is thank you so much for everything, I really appreciate that.”
Okine said he hadn’t planned the speech, and finished by saying: “My rant is over guys, cheers.”
Okine’s speech didn’t make it into Channel 10’s broadcast of the awards, with his win back-announced after an ad break.
The omission caused a lot of controversy on Twitter, with viewers angry at the network.
He later told reporters that the situation had made him feel silly.
“I thought, hold on there’s no women in my category. Now I feel silly about it,” he said.
“People might say that’s something you would say for attention, but I feel like, ‘what should I do, just be passive’?”
He also said men needed to do more.
“A lot of guys my age think you’re doing enough by not doing anything bad.”
Since the award was introduced in 1987 no woman has ever won an Aria for Best Comedy Release.
In the past 10 years no woman has even been nominated.
Check out all the best looks from the ARIAs red carpet here.
Top Comments
Because the best comedy award is never aired due to time restrictions... Irrespective of content or winner - this year is no excpetion.
Chill out everyone!
Because a woman has not been nominated in 10 years makes this sexism. Look at the past history just for the comedy award alone.
Mary Kenneally and Steve Blackburn won in 1987
Kylie Mole won in 1989
D Generation, which had female members won in 1990
Elle McFeast won in 1997
Judith Lucy won in 1999
There were also many team efforts that won, I did not check those to see how many women were involved. The judging is based on public sales as well so the award is not indicative sexism in the industry.