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Robin Williams Apologizes For Aussie Redneck Comment
April 2nd, 2010
Robin Williams has upset the Prime Minister of Australia after describing Australians as “English rednecks” during an appearance on David Letterman, but has clarified to an Aussie radio show this week that he loves Australia, lamenting, “If the term redneck is offensive, forgive me, sir.”
Williams has spent a lot of time in Australia recently voicing a character in the animated film sequel, Happy Feet 2.
During an appearance on Letterman he referred to Australians as “English rednecks”, prompting Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to respond: “I think Robin Williams should go and spend a bit of time in Alabama before he frames comments about anyone being particularly redneck.”
On Thursday (April 1), Williams told an Australian radio station, “Nice comeback, way to go K-Rudd. How’s the food on the plane? Good day… I was just there for two weeks; every time I’ve been in Australia it’s been wonderful. I love it down there. Helloooo!”
Williams then offered an apology: “Mr Rudd, I apologise, it’s linguistics; I would like to modify my terminology and say: English Good Old Boy. If the term redneck is offensive forgive me sir…
“Please let me come back to Australia without a cavity search, and if not I’d love to go to a strip club with you in New York.”
Meanwhile, Mr Rudd’s reference to Alabama and rednecks generated a terse response from Alabama governor Bob Riley.
“I’m not sure if Prime Minister Rudd has ever been to Alabama,” Mr Riley responded in a statement.
“If he has, he would know that Alabamians are decent, hard-working, creative people.”
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April 1st, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Redneck is absolutely NOT an offensive term in the context RW was using. He was funny and typically genuine.
Loosen up K-Rudd. Typical situation now arises, K-Rudd insults Alabama residents because he used the term in a depricating manner.
April 1st, 2010 at 11:06 pm
I'm an Aussie, I don't find Robin Williams comment offensive. I don't consider myself redneck at all (quite the opposite) but we do have our fair share of rednecks in this country. BUT, for our Prime Minister to come out and make the comments he did is both appalling and embarrassing.
April 1st, 2010 at 10:23 pm
If you require any proof that the geriatric Williams is past it, then his comments on the Aussies are it. What a moron.
April 1st, 2010 at 11:08 pm
just like K-Rudd he made a comment that was not the smartest thing to say and was attacked for it. hope K-Rudd has the brains to say sorry as Whilliams has done? (even though the yanks all know Alabama is well known for rednecks) ha ha ha
April 2nd, 2010 at 12:21 am
ALL of the comments I heard about this on talk back radio indicated that people thought it was hilarious. It was the first time I had laughed out loud at something on the radio for a long time.
April 2nd, 2010 at 1:01 am
I saw the "offensive" bit and thought it was hilarious .. I would have thought Aussies would be used to being made fun of by now. .. why don't Australians become Pharmacists?? haven't worked out how to get the little bottles in the typewriter (ok, it's an old joke).
April 2nd, 2010 at 12:52 pm
This sounds like a great misunderstanding. Like the KFC advert or the fact that the great fight in Bourke Strret Melbourne 1942 started when an American took offence when being called a bastard which in Australia means different things than the USA. It needs clarity to what Williams actually meant or better still take it as a compliment> Only one thing worse than being talke about and that’s not being talked about.
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:15 am
I'm an Aussie and the remarks from Williams and Kevin Rudd were both extremely dumb! BTW, I really like the song Sweet Home Alabama.
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:43 am
I'd say it's mainly a situation of Robin Williams misusing his sense of humor and Kevin Rudd misplacing his. Hardly worth the attention it is getting in any case.
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:58 pm
More than half of the world is RedNeck Territory. 95% of the world are selfish assholes. The rest are the good guys that think before they speak. Rudd is right in what he said! Everyone who wants to disagree go speak to 10 different people each day from Alabama and average out a percentage of who has a brain and who doesn’t. You will be amused .
April 2nd, 2010 at 5:02 pm
And to Follow up… Seriously people! Stop crying! It’s not like white people can’t handle ‘racism’. People who can’t handle racism must have a guilty conscience… Find something better to cry about people! REDNECKS: Rudd Owns Joo!! Wd Ruddy! Tell it like it is you nerdy little fuck! :D
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:29 am
English rednecks??? ENGLISH rednecks?????? We are Australian!!!!
April 2nd, 2010 at 8:10 am
Skippy, Australian Rednecks? I'm guessing you too are an Aussie Redneck :P
May 12th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Not all white Australians are redneck but around 50% are. The other 50% are nice people but there are alot of ignorant racist people in Oz.
May 31st, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I’ve been to both America and Australia, and I must say that there are rednecks in both countries. HOWEVER, many of them that I met in America were friendly, nice people, but the ones in Australia were the most terrible people I’ve ever seen! Very aggressive and hate – filled, just total trash.
March 13th, 2011 at 12:00 am
Stop trying to quantify people in either place, in any context! These comments from people who insist on continuing the argument of "who is trashier?" or "which rednecks are worse, america's or australia's?" or "of course Alabama is full of rednecks!" are so inane and childish. Do you mean to tell me you're so narcisstic and self-assured that you honestly think everybody from alabama is a redneck, or that "rednecks" are all vile, horrible people? This use of labels is so gross, guys. Come on. You really honestly have preconceived notions of people from a certain place? The world – the entire world – is full of great people, and not so great people, people who are lucky, and people who have some bad circumstances. Please – for your children, and for the next generation of people who are going to end up becoming world leaders – please stop thinking that those judgments are okay… we can't let anymore stupidity and immaturity seep into public life.