A former colleague of Kyle and Jackie O has addressed the break-up of the infamous radio duo for the first time on his podcast, setting the record straight and giving insight into what the next steps could be for the Aussie radio industry.<\/p>\n
Podcaster and radio personality Mitch Churi has weighed in on the Kyle and Jackie O fallout in the latest instalment of his podcast, the Mitch Churi Chat Show.<\/p>\n
Churi spent a decade working on the Kyle and Jackie O Show, starting out as an assistant for the pair in 2014 before he became their innuendo-infused competitor to the Sunrise Cash Cow; the Cash Cock.<\/p>\n
Churi said he had spoken to Jackie O personally in the aftermath of the break-up, and he was \u201chappy\u201d for her.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s been through a lot of sh*t, and she\u2019s realised some things. She\u2019s one of those people who, for her whole life, has put her wants and needs and desires behind many other people\u2019s, so I\u2019m happy that she\u2019s in this position,\u201d Churi said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI did speak to her, and I\u2019m happy she\u2019s realised those things.\u201d<\/p>\n
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In 2019, Churi began hosting the Night Show, and in 2023 he joined Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley on The Pick Up, which was cancelled in 2024.<\/p>\n
Churi said Kyle and Jackie O had \u201cset the tone\u201d for Australian radio over the 27 years they spent together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe magic and the craft of radio is connection, chemistry and authenticity. To be able to have that for a year or two is lucky and magical and brilliant. Three to five years is great. To do it for 27 years is exceptional,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou talk to any young person in Australian radio, that show has set the tone for the structure, the sound and the chemistry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Churi said the show\u2019s demise exposed serious flaws within Australian radio and the way it had built itself around rusted-on personalities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do wonder how ARN is feeling not having a succession plan because they don\u2019t have any fresh talent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI get a lot of people asking me \u2018would you go back\u2019. I\u2019m more saddened that there is no one that the KIIS audience know and love at that network anymore to slot in during that time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe now have a choice in culture in Australia to let a new wave enter, or we can try to recreate Kyle and Jackie O, which I don\u2019t think is the way to go. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t replicate them, and I don\u2019t think we want to and I don\u2019t think we should.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow is the time to rethink what radio is in Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n