Oh Chris, what have you done?
December 13th, 2009 at 01:46pm
I find myself in a position of being stuck for words here. On the one hand I like Chris Smith as a broadcaster, but on the other hand I am deeply disappointed by his actions.
RADIO host Chris Smith has revealed he is a bipolar alcoholic after being taken off air for a lecherous drunken bender at 2GB’s Christmas party.
A remorseful and emotional Smith yesterday also told The Sunday Telegraph that his latest alcohol-fuelled shocker had destroyed his family and could ruin his career.
The 45-year-old father-of-two said he was so drunk on champagne and red wine at the party and loaded on “the wrong antidepressants” that he became a “runaway train” and could not remember harassing four female colleagues or annoying two other workmates.
[..]
The talkback host said his embarrassed and humiliated wife Ali and children had walked out of the family home after learning of his crazed night.Although he can’t remember any of it, he was told he had been “inappropriate” with four female workers – and even tried to kiss one.
Smith said each of the women had accepted his apology. It is understood that one of the women was weathergirl Magdalena Roze.
[..]
Smith said he was determined to get help for his alcoholism and save his marriage and family.“They’re probably going though it even worse (than me) because they’re just humiliated and embarrassed by their husband and their dad,” Smith said, struggling to hold back tears.
“My family’s estranged from me at the moment. I totally understand that. It’s the right course – my wife has taken the right course and I intend working on that.
I also can’t help but feel sorry for the guy. He does seem to be genuinely remorseful, and willing to take responsibility for his actions. There is also a part of me that sympathises with Chris’ plight given my own mental health problems…although in my case I just hate the medication enough that I would prefer to deal with the problem myself. That hasn’t stopped me from “self medicating” on a few occasions, and doing some stupid things as a result…I suppose what I’m trying to say here is that I can identify with the shame that Chris must be feeling right now.
I am hopeful that he follows through on getting the help he needs. His apologies have been accepted, so I hope that Chris is able to work towards rebuilding the trust between himself, his colleagues and, most importantly, his family.
Samuel
Entry Filed under: Samuel's Editorials,TV/Radio/Media
2 Comments
1. BradZ | December 13th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
I am somewhat understanding of his situation here too, but would say that if the reporting is right, he really should have done something about it several incidents ago, or simply stopped attending events where he might be open to wiping himself out in this manner.
He would gladly hold others who carried on with this sort of behaviour should it serve his agenda, and I have far less compassion for his circumstance given this.
2. Samuel | December 13th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I can’t disagree with you Brad. He gets what he deserves and is being held to the same account as he held others.
It’s a strange paradox that his actions have led to his estrangement from his family, and it is that which may be the catalyst for his correction of his actions…this latest event may very well lead him to the help he needs, and a closer relationship with his family.
Chris, like all of us, is flawed, and I may be a bit too sympathetic. There’s just something about anybody losing their family when they appear to be genuinely and unreservedly contrite, which brings my compassion out of its box.
I agree though Brad, it is a matter of personal responsibility. Chris now needs to ensure that, no matter how late, he takes full responsibility for his actions, and does whatever is necessary to prevent a re-occurrence.