Tom Gleeson ‘genuinely surprised’ people were offended by his Logies acceptance speech

Several stars criticised Tom Gleeson for his Gold Logie acceptance speech, but the comedian doesn’t get why they were so annoyed.

It’s been more than a month since Tom Gleeson put a number of noses out of joint by winning the Gold Logie.

And he’s admitted that he’s still “genuinely surprised” by how offended some people were by his acceptance speech.

Speaking to Triple M’s Moonman in the Morning, Gleeson said: “Some people were offended by my speech, but you know what I find offensive? People who get up on that stage and go, ‘Oh, I haven’t thought of anything to say, I didn’t think I was going to win,’” he said on radio this morning.

“You work in the media, you’re supposed to have something to say.”

Tom Gleeson wins the Gold Logie. Picture: Nine

Gleeson certainly had something to say when he was announced as the winner at the Logies.

As he accepted his award with a glass of wine in hand, Gleeson launched into an eight-minute speech that poked fun at Aussie TV’s night of nights and those who actually cared about the awards.

“Just because all of you want it and I have got it, don’t get angry with me,” he said on stage.

“There has been a lot of concern that I’m turning this award into a joke. But what you are forgetting is, I’m a comedian. I love jokes.

“This award has meant so many things to so many different people and that doesn’t cease to exist. It has done a lot of great things for a lot of different people … But for me, it represents a joke. But I love jokes. I really enjoy them. I really think we should all lighten the f**k up. I really do.”

The speech didn’t go down well with Tracy Grimshaw who blasted Gleeson on A Current Affair, saying, “We all waited for him to change pace and close his speech with some grace, but no chance”.

Amanda Keller, who was the sentimental favourite for this year’s Gold Logie, admitted that she was “a little unimpressed” with the acceptance speech.

“There was a lack of graciousness,” The Living Room host told Andrew Denton on Channel 7’s Interview.

Tom Gleeson and Amanda Keller arrive at the 61st Annual TV Week Logie Awards. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

He wanted to make it a joke, and I get that … (But) I thought it was unfortunate that we were made to feel that we were needy or up ourselves for wanting it, or for thinking it mattered.

“Carrie Bickmore changed the world when she won Gold. She’s raised like $20 million for brain cancer research.
“Grant Denyer spoke so beautifully about redemption, Waleed had spoken about inclusiveness … you don’t have to make a deep speech, it doesn’t have to be that, but I don’t think we should be ashamed of having it mean something,” she said.

When asked about the backlash to his speech by the Triple M hosts this morning, Gleeson said: “I actually thought they’d all take it in good spirits. I was genuinely surprised at how offended some people (were).”

Tom Gleeson and his partner Ellie Parker. Picture: Dan Peled/AAP

The Hard Quiz host almost rejected the notion that his win has taken the gloss off the coveted Gold Logie award.

“When you say that people held it in high esteem and took it seriously, I actually don’t know who you’re talking about,” Gleeson told Triple M co-host Gus Worland.

“All of my mates and everyone I’ve met have never taken the Logies seriously. There were some people in the room who were offended, but I wasn’t aiming for them. I was aiming for the one million at home.”

If you’re a fan of Gleeson, you can catch him performing his show Joy at the Sydney Opera House on August 24

Originally published as Tom Gleeson ‘genuinely surprised’ people were offended by his Logies acceptance speech