What every celebrity has said about the Stefanovic brothers phone call saga.

It’s only March, but we’re calling it. The Stefanovic brothers phone call saga is the Australian TV industry drama of 2018 – and everybody has an opinion.

So far a number of other media personalities have shared their thoughts on a loudspeaker phone call between Peter and Karl Stefanovic allegedly recorded by an Uber driver.

During the 45-minute conversation, we’re told Karl, who was not in the car, said his Today co-host Georgie Gardner was “sitting on the fence” when it came to her opinions and needed to “step up” to stay on the show.

The early claims the conversation was recorded by the driver – and the fact he shopped the story around before selling it to New Idea, have celebrities divided on who should be facing the blame.

Waleed Aly

While The Project co-host Waleed Aly told Monday night viewers “nobody came out looking great”, he said the driver needed to be held accountable.

“We do all talk about work colleagues and it’s a privacy issue,” Aly said. “I mean there is nothing wrong with these two guys talking about someone they work with.

“The criminal here or the person who is at fault is someone who has intruded on that conversation. That’s the problem.”

Before the Uber call was made, it was already clear Georgie Gardner and Karl Stefanovic weren’t best friends – but that’s okay too. Post continues.

Aly added the build-up before the details of the conversation were actually reported made the whole situation worse.

“In the end when all this was supposedly revealed, and we have no idea if it is even accurate, right?” he said. “But when all that’s revealed, it wasn’t even that big a deal.”

Steve Price

Fellow Project pannelist Steve Price went one step further, essentially saying Australians should have the right to “bag” whoever they please, whenever they please.

“These days you really cannot say anything,” he said on the show. “You have to stop yourself whenever you’re referring to another individual and really think twice about it.”

“In the old days you could spray people all you liked, nothing ever happened and no one dragged you off … and you could bag people and swear about them.”

Jessica Rowe

Outgoing Studio Ten host Jessica Rowe – who also used to work at Channel Nine – held the opposite opinion to Aly’s, blaming the brothers for having their conversation in front of others.

“I don’t think these two [Karl and Peter Stefanovic] are victims,” she said on the show on Monday.

“If you have nothing nice to say about someone, do it behind closed doors. Do not do it on speakerphone where people are listening.”

The mum-of-two also spoke highly of her fellow “incredible” journalist, Gardner, countering that “she is not neutral about anything”.

“She’s strong, she’s committed, she’s passionate.”

“I’m sick of blokes saying negative things about women.”

Jessica Rowe defended her friend. Post continues. 

Em Rusciano

Meanwhile, radio host Em Rusciano took aim at anyone finding “enjoyment” from the Stefanovics’ shame.

The 2Day FM presenter said while putting the phone on speakphone wasn’t smart, Karl and Peter wouldn’t be alone in expecting a private phone call to stay private.

“It’s almost like they were putting on a performance for the driver. I certainly wouldn’t have a private conversation in a car with a driver I didn’t know on speakerphone,” Rusciano said.

“I have a problem with this whole situation. I mean firstly, New Idea – gross. Seriously, no good man. Also, to the Uber driver: dude, come on. Your job is to drive, not destroy people’s careers and lives.”

The mum contended most of us have had a conversation about a colleague or loved one we’d be embarassed to see go public.

“And then the next thing I thought was, there but for the grace of God, go every single human.

“If you’re recorded in a moment you thought was private – about a colleague, about your mum, your husband, your mother-in-law, your friend, your kids – are you telling me you could be recorded at any time and you’d be completely clean? Because I’d be stuffed. I bitch about everyone, we all do, because it’s how we vent as humans.”

“I just think, be very careful today reading this and getting enjoyment out of it. Be very careful and think to yourself, geez, would I be OK if was recorded, because I’ll put my hand up now and say I would be absolutely stuffed.”

Rusicano also suggested that the feelings between Stefanovic and Gardner could be mutual.

“You know, I don’t think Georgie would be surprised. I wonder – if she got recorded – what Georgie would say about Karl. I don’t think this is a one-way street.”

And over on Twitter…

Several other famous Aussie faces shared their thoughts – or opted to make a joke – on social media, including comedians Matt O’Kine and Scott Dooley and ABC’s Breakfast presenter Michael Rowland.

What do you think of the whole mess? Are you sympathetic to Karl and Peter or think they shouldn’t have been badmouthing their colleagues in the first place? Tell us in the comments below.