Literally, every single person has zonked out during a meeting or a presentation at work.
Almost none of us have become the focus of a heated online debate that wound up making its way to the upper echelon of a legislative branch. But that’s just what happened to one Australian on-air personality.
Natasha Exelby was at the desk of the Australian Broadcasting Network’s News 24 show Wake Up! when a prerecorded segment played. After it ended, the camera came back on her. Unfortunately, she had stopped paying attention and was instead staring aimlessly at a pen. When she finally realizes she’s back on live television, it’s amazing.
That feeling when you’re caught daydreaming at work :) (via @UmmRKSZ ) #mediawatch pic.twitter.com/lRkTbpygfo
— Media Watch (@ABCmediawatch) April 9, 2017
The clip was posted by @ABCmediawatch and instantly picked up support online. People loved it.
Why wouldn’t you? It is perhaps the most relatable thing since the BBC dad.
https://twitter.com/Task_Override/status/850913074588467201
That was refreshingly natural.
— Verner Verass (@VernVerass) April 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/el_jordinho/status/850939313390895104
When the professor calls on you but you’ve been on Twitter the whole class
— Adam Avalos (AH-vah-lows) (He/Him) (@ThePodcastAdam) April 9, 2017
We’ve ALL been there. Even Exelby let out an LOL online.
Thank U all for ur generous support. Not my finest hour. Myself and my mesmerising pen honourably salute you!
— Natasha Exelby (@NatashaExelby) April 10, 2017
Unfortunately, the executives at her network were none too pleased, and the Daily Telegraph reported that she’d been taken off the air for good.
Which didn’t sit well with people.
Including Australian MP and leader of the Labor Party Bill Shorten.
It’s live TV. This is just ridiculous.https://t.co/xy6dp7nKwi
— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) April 10, 2017
Another member of the Labor Party chimed in in support as well.
“The idea that someone would be punished for what is a very innocent mishap is extraordinary,” said Sen. Sam Dastyari to the Sydney Morning-Herald. “If she is going to be punished for such a minor, humorous, and innocent error—I think bigger questions need to be asked about the culture of the ABC.”
Indeed. If every person who didn’t occasionally pay attention at work was fired, there’d be no one in the entire world employed.
