Sydney listeners tuned into KIIS FM’s breakfast show on Monday morning only to discover Ken ‘Smallzy’ Small had been abruptly replaced by Michael Etheridge. Smallzy had been filling in for suspended hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson following their on-air argument earlier this month.
Surprise Fill-In Takes Over
During the broadcast, Etheridge expressed his astonishment to the audience. “It’s weird to get the call up to help fill in. So the reason I’m here? I wasn’t doing anything else,” he quipped.
Long-time Kyle and Jackie O team member Brooklyn Ross explained how Etheridge landed the gig. “Last week, when they needed someone to fill in again, they were walking around, saying, ‘Who would come in and work with one day’s notice and no idea of how long they’re going to actually get the job for?’ I said Mike!” Ross shared with listeners.
Sandilands’ Fate Hangs in Balance
Veteran entertainment reporter Peter Ford appeared on Channel Seven’s Sunrise and predicted Sandilands, 54, faces termination from his ARN contract as the two-week suspension deadline approaches on Tuesday.
“No one seems to know exactly how he is meant to remedy the breach. He is also going to argue that he was not allowed to remedy it because he had been told not to speak to Jackie, and vice versa,” Ford stated. “So, 5pm tomorrow at close of business, that’s pretty much game over. That’s when we go into battle mode. Today is the last chance to reach some sort of peace settlement.”
Ford added that contacts within ARN confirm Sandilands will not return. “My contacts within ARN were telling me they are not going to blink. He is not going to be reinstated, he is being fired, basically,” he said. Ford noted Sandilands appears prepared for the outcome and anticipates proactive steps post-announcement.
He also critiqued Jackie ‘O’ Henderson’s statement declaring she “can no longer work with Mr. Kyle Sandilands.” “What it should have said is she can’t ‘currently’ work with Kyle, which would have led to discussion about fixing it. Instead, it was taken as a resignation to say ‘please let me out of this contract,'” Ford remarked.
Potential New Opportunities Emerge
Sandilands met with Stu Laundy on Saturday at his McMahons Point offices. Laundy’s father, Arthur, recently acquired Nine Entertainment’s radio assets, including 2GB in Sydney, 3AW in Melbourne, 4BC in Brisbane, and 6PR in Perth. Sandilands attended with manager Bruno Bouchet, fueling speculation of a move outside ARN.
ARN terminated Henderson’s $100 million contract after her declaration she could not continue working with Sandilands. The network issued Sandilands a 14-day notice to remedy the February 20 misconduct breach or face dismissal.
