Sydney KIIS FM listeners expressed confusion Monday morning when Ken ‘Smallzy’ Small suddenly vanished from his fill-in role on the breakfast show, replaced by Michael Etheridge.
Smallzy had been stepping in for suspended hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, whose program faced a two-week halt after a heated on-air dispute earlier this month.
Unexpected Fill-In Switch
Etheridge addressed listeners during the broadcast, expressing surprise at landing the gig. ‘It’s weird to get the call up to help fill in. So the reason I’m here? I wasn’t doing anything else,’ he quipped.
Longtime Kyle and Jackie O team member Brooklyn Ross explained his role in the decision. ‘Last week, when they needed someone to fill in again, they were walking around, saying, “Who would come in and work with one day’s notice and no idea of how long they’re going to actually get the job for?” I said Mike!’ Ross shared with the audience.
Kyle Sandilands’ Looming Dismissal
Veteran entertainment reporter Peter Ford indicated Sandilands, 54, faces likely termination from his ARN contract by Tuesday’s close of business at 5 p.m. Ford noted challenges in remedying the breach, especially amid instructions not to communicate with Henderson.
‘No one seems to know exactly how he is meant to remedy the breach. He is also going to argue that he was not allowed to remedy it because he had been told not to speak to Jackie, and vice versa,’ Ford stated. ‘So, 5pm tomorrow at close of business, that’s pretty much game over. That’s when we go into battle mode. Today is the last chance to reach some sort of peace settlement.’
ARN contacts informed Ford that reinstatement remains off the table. ‘My contacts within ARN were telling me they are not going to blink. He is not going to be reinstated, he is being fired, basically,’ he added.
Ford also critiqued Henderson’s statement declaring she ‘can no longer work with Mr. Kyle Sandilands,’ suggesting it should have specified ‘currently’ to allow for resolution. Sandilands appears proactive, having met Saturday with Stu Laundy—son of billionaire Arthur Laundy, recent buyer of Nine Entertainment’s radio assets including 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, and 6PR—at his McMahons Point offices. Sandilands’ manager, Bruno Bouchet, attended, fueling speculation of opportunities beyond ARN.
Suspension Background
ARN terminated Henderson’s $100 million contract last month after she informed executives she could not continue working with Sandilands following his harsh on-air remarks that left her in tears.
Sandilands received written notice citing his February 20 behavior as serious misconduct breaching his ARN service agreement with Quasar Media. He remains suspended with 14 days to address the issue, or face dismissal.
