The 2 Johnnies, a comedy duo who present a drivetime show on RTÉ’s 2FM, have apologised for publishing a crude and “offensive” video about women on their social media pages.
Their show did not air on Thursday as a result of the video.
Johnny McMahon and Johnny O’Brien, who have had their own podcast under their stage name The 2 Johnnies since 2018, began hosting the new show on the national broadcaster on Monday.
The Tipperary natives posted a video on social media before their first 2FM show which discussed women in an unfavourable way.
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In the video, which has since been deleted, the presenters read out vulgar car stickers sent into them by listeners of the podcast.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, the pair said they “would like to apologise” for the content.
“These posts were offensive and should never have been published. This is not who we are nor what we stand for. We aim to do better in the future, we are not perfect and we are learning all the time,” the statement said.
The national broadcaster confirmed the drivetime show wouldn’t air on Thursday, while a “review” of the matter takes place.
"RTÉ believes in dignity and respect and does not tolerate material or attitudes of this nature," it added.
The content was condemned by Social Democrats TD Holly Cairns and Fine Gael TD Ciaran Cannon.
Mr Cannon said: “Their comments directed at women were demeaning and lacking in basic respect. They objectified women’s bodies with absolutely no regard as to their personhood.”
He added that the use of this “deeply derogratory” language cannot be tolerated by the State’s national broadcaster.
