What a complete overreaction
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A lot of radio stars have kept their jobs for things that Iād argue were much, much worse (Iām looking at you Mr Sandilands).
Marcus, you are one of the finest new radio talents to grace the airwaves in a very long time, Iām gutted to hear this has happened to you and very disappointed in the decision BOG has made.
I would hope that another network in this industry is able to recognise your talent and give you a go, you would be a great asset to them and would also help them attract new listeners (not easy in this day and age) with your unique style.
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Wow. Sorry to hear this @Marcus_Paul 
Seems a bit of an overreaction by the station IMO
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@Marcus_Paul Marcus, I donāt know you personally (although I am a former SRN News Journalist) but this seems pretty unjust. Many Announcers say worse things pretty much day in day out, so to me it seems mild in comparison.
I hope you can stand up on your own two feet when youāve taken all this nonsense in and go work for someone whoās willing to give you the resources to make the show you want to make properly.
This is just a blip on the radar so I hope you donāt take this to mean the end.
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That is absolute GARBAGE. 2SM were finally onto something good and now theyāve stuffed it.
Thereād better be someone good in the pipeline. And Iām not talking about Brent Bultitude - heās brilliant in afternoons.
I hope Billās ready to poach someone with good experience, rather than simply re-shuffle.
No offence, but putting Dave Sutherland back on 2SM Breakfast wouldnāt be a strong show either.
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Iāve read some speculation that 2SM have used this as an opportunity to free up the breakfast slot for Alan Jones. Worth noting that Alan is still on a break and hasnāt posted to his digital news channel since December.
Would be disappointing if Marcus has only been dropped to employ Alan, as others have said, other talent have got away with much worse than what Marcus did.
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My understanding is that Alan Jones has a clause in his exit contract with 2GB that prevents him from doing any morning programme before June/July?
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I am sorry @Marcus_Paul lost his job. The world is not very forgiving sometimes when mistakes are made. Anyway maybe you can join the Australia today channel alongside Steven Price. All the best.
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I wouldnāt say heās a new radio talent. I do remember hearing him on OneFM back in the day. But true words. Itās been a nice fresh sound to a very stale network. It was great to see someone with true passion and create something from nothing. Well done @Marcus_Paul.
Iām so sorry to hear you lost your gig. I agree with the majority in this forum. You were hard done by, It was a silly overreaction. Even a suspension would have been too harsh in my eyes. If you were sincere about it, and by the sounds of it you are. A simple heart-felt apology on air would be suffice.
I have worked for Bill and never had any problems. I didnāt mind my time there many years ago. I do personally know people who have had some awful experiences. Some have spent time in court just to get their pay owed to them.
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After the events of the past 2 weeks, that wouldnāt be a bad idea. While Bill wants a talk network, he have never been prepared to put in the resources and support to make it work properly (with the exception of John Laws). Weāve now seen the consequences of what happens when you donāt support your air staff. Could you imagine Ray Hadley working without producers and support?
A few years ago, listening to Poppy, she was going to music just so she could answer her own phones. What a joke!
I guess she doesnāt need to worry about that sort of nonsense nowā¦she has been on WS Sunday afternoons for the past few weeks and seems to fit in quite well! Not a bad progression, moving from what we could presume to be one of the lowest rating stations to Sydneyās No1 music station (even if itās only one day a week).
Iām disappointed in hearing the news about @Marcus_Paul. As has been previously mentioned, the station and whole network sounded ancient and Marcusās program did bring a fresh sound. I didnāt always agree with everything said when I listened, but I respected that fact that Marcus allowed all sides of politics to have a say and treated all the pollies with respect (even though some didnāt deserve it)
I always thought Iād heard Marcusās name somewhere before! Bingoā¦it was OneFM (before it was sold to ARN)ā¦ nights if my memory serves me correct!..and again from memory while the program wasnāt in the official ratings, the word around the market at the time was the program did extraordinarily well, even giving 2Day a run for their money out west!
Hope to hear you on air again real soon Marcus.
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I am sure Marcus will land on his feet elsewhere soon hopefully. As for breakfast replacement its hard to pick. Maybe they keep running 2HD down the line to 2SM for brekky in the short term at least ā¦ cheap and convenient. 2SM frustrates the hell out of me as they could (should) be so much better in Australiaās largest city. But of course we know how BOG do things, er ā¦ ādifferentlyā and with 2SM not in the ratings does it really matter what is dished up on air?
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Marcus had this great enthusiasm for the job, and was happy to partake in this forum is unusual (but great). Anyway it is what it is. Next breakfast announcer we will need to wait and see.
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Bill Carallis is over 80 now, time to pass the baton
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Iām genuinely sorry about this decision. I think 2SM management have over-reacted. Of course what happened with the quiz was absolutely wrong and unacceptable, and Marcus is the first to admit that. That said, others have done far worse and as far as I know, this was Marcusās āfirst offenceā on 2SM. Iād have thought something like a monthās suspension and an official warning would have been more proportionate.
Marcus was trying to do something a bit different in the slot from what Grant had done for so many years and was starting to make headway, sharpening up the output and appealing to broader demographics. Iām really sorry he wonāt be allowed to continue this journey at 2SM but hopefully heāll appear somewhere else very soon.
Live talkback radio always carries risks. If you broadcast talkback, you have to accept that - whilst at the same time investing in measures to minimise the risks, including strong production and rigorous compliance processes. Hopefully one positive to come out of this sorry episode will be greater investment in such matters. One thingās for certain - if Alan Jones ever rocks up at 2SM, that investment will definitely be needed!!
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If 2SM couldnāt handle @Marcus_Paulās minor mistake that doesnāt justify a code investigation, then imagine the headaches Alan Jones would give them?
Would need huge investment in researchers, training, delay similar to Kyleās ACMA imposed 2DAY era and a huge defamation insurance premium (I doubt Jones could be insured now).
Seems very unlikely.
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As a former employee of SRN, Iām sadly not surprised that this happened. Seems a massive over-reaction.
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I have now read what I believe is part of the transcript. I donāt actually see the hubbub about it. Seems like nothing to me. Unfortunate that 2SM has lost its breath of fresh air.
Absolutely no ill intent in it.
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2SM had something good going for them in a decent broadcaster in Marcus Paul and they axe him for a minor speed bump in comparison to some of the rubbish Alan Jones, Ray Hadley and Kyle Sandilands have churned out in recent years. Says it all about their management, out of touch and out of their minds.
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Yes I do think that this has made AJās arrival at 2SM rather less likely. If they couldnāt handle @Marcus_Paul without losing it at the first blip, they certainly wonāt have the appetite to deal with all AJās baggage! He wouldnāt last a week.
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Michael McLaren could be an interesting replacement
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