The Chaser beams an ‘ad’ with Alan Jones’ phone number onto the Opera House sails
SHOCK jock Alan Jones had his phone number projected onto the Opera House by The Chaser, who were made famous by the taxpayer-funded ABC. The broadcaster also apologised for publicly berating Opera House CEO Louise Herron over her resistance to use the building’s iconic sails to promote The Everest barrier draw.
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COMEDIANS have beamed an ad on the side of the Opera House that included the personal phone number of radio broadcaster Alan Jones.
The Chaser, made famous by the taxpayer-funded ABC, projected the words “Advertise here. Call Alan” onto the famous building, Parliament House and the NSW Art Gallery.
It comes as Jones apologised for publicly berating Opera House CEO Louise Herron over her resistance to use the building’s iconic sails to promote The Everest.
After a high-stakes stand-off between Ms Herron and Racing NSW, Premier Gladys Berejiklian intervened in a bid to use the landmark to promote the $13 million race at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
The agreement reached is for the Everest trophy, barrier numbers and jockey silk colours beamed on to the sails in a light show to announce the barriers tonight. Racing NSW has already conducted the barrier draw, citing security concerns.
Jones said today: “I used some words in these programs about the Everest, and the Opera House, and Louise, which in hindsight I now most regret hearing, having heard the impact they’ve clearly had on some people,”
“In relation to Louise [Herron], I was tough regarding an issue I and others felt is very important.
“So to Louise and those people who’ve been offended, I apologise.”
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Radio talkback king Jones on Friday told Ms Herron she should lose her job over her resistance in an extraordinary attack but he backtracked today.
Ms Herron had told Jones the Opera House was “not a billboard” but she was happy to project jockeys’ colours on the sails.
Jones responded by saying: “Who the hell do you think … who do you think you are?”
The Chaser, in a video of the stunt posted on their Facebook page, are heard trying to talk their way past a security guard, telling him “Alan called your boss … it’s all fine”.
The “Advertise here” message was also projected on to buildings including the Art Gallery of NSW and Parliament House on Macquarie Street.
The premier on Monday stood by her decision saying she was “incredibly comfortable” with it despite widespread perceptions she’d caved in to Jones, which she denies.
Death threats and guerrilla protest plans have forced police to upgrade security around tonight’s planned Opera House light show to promote The Everest.
“Some people have issued death threats and violence — we can have differences of opinion but I don’t think it’s necessary to resort to that type of thing,” Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys said last night.
“Everyone’s entitled to protest but make sure you protest without violence.”
Police are also monitoring a number of Facebook groups organising protesters armed with lights and torches to ruin the light show.
The Opera House conservation management plan states “the Sydney Opera House exterior, particularly the shells … should not be regarded as a giant billboard or commercial/advertising opportunity”.
Originally published as The Chaser beams an ‘ad’ with Alan Jones’ phone number onto the Opera House sails