A bizarre photo of the New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has become the latest in a long line of images of Australian politicians watching television in baffling and unnerving ways.
Posted on Wednesday to drum up support for New South Wales in its upcoming clash with Queensland in the State of Origin rugby league, the premier’s photo was instead widely mocked for its bizarre composition and strange elements.
In the image, Berejiklian can be seen standing alone in a large room with the blinds drawn, watching a small, blurred television that is largely out of frame.
With her back to the camera, the Liberal leader is holding an unopened can of sugar-free Coke. She’s wearing a Blues beanie and scarf.
Getting ready for Game 1. Go the @NSWBlues ! pic.twitter.com/Y3BuTlFjIj
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) June 9, 2021
Within minutes of it being posted on Twitter and Facebook, the premier’s photographer and social media team were immediately criticised for having created the unsettling image.
The photo was published at 4pm on Wednesday – more than four hours before the game was due to start.
It's 4pm...Time to draw the blinds and stand in the middle of a darkened room, while I patiently wait a further 4 hours for the game to start on a tiny TV mounted at head-height approx 10 metres away from me
— Naaman Zhou (@naamanzhou) June 9, 2021
The premier’s televisual faux pas spawned hundreds of memes and drew comparisons to a surprisingly long list of other politicians who viewed their televisions from strange angles.
I'm glad that Gladys Berejiklian follows the iron law of politics: all TVs must be placed at odd and uncomfortable heights
— casey briggs (@CaseyBriggs) June 9, 2021
Another grave setup for your collection @jrhennessy https://t.co/j1iIglSS8S
— Mark Sutton (@mrmsutton) June 9, 2021
Getting ready for Game 1. Go the @NSWBlues! pic.twitter.com/Nhyp86KB2A
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) June 9, 2021
In 2017, the former prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, made headlines for watching the outcome of the marriage equality postal survey on an extremely low TV, mounted inside a cabinet on the floor, while he remained standing.
Turnbull’s Instagram stories continue to reveal details his odd lifestyle like this really low TV pic.twitter.com/UKSLpWvuzI
— Tom Joyner (@tomrjoyner) November 15, 2017
Later that night, he somehow found another way to observe a television incorrectly, when he watched the Socceroos beat Honduras in a World Cup qualifier from a very low angle, with the TV too high.
The Prime Minister watching the @Socceroos getting the job done against Honduras. pic.twitter.com/4Y6HcsqVFG
— The PMO (@thepmo) November 15, 2017
The current prime minister, Scott Morrison, has also been snapped watching rugby on a small TV somehow mounted in the corner of a room (while pointing at it) and watching the finale of Game of Thrones on a too-large bank of TVs.
Australia’s high commissioner to the UK, and former attorney general, George Brandis, watched the last federal budget on a tiny laptop while seated too far away.
Honourable mention goes to Scott Morrison’s disgraceful setups pic.twitter.com/dAXPUjm22j
— james hennessy (@jrhennessy) October 9, 2020
A brilliant Budget address by the Treasurer.
— George Brandis (@AusHCUK) October 6, 2020
This is a roadmap for Australia’s recovery — and it presents a significant opportunity for international cooperation as we emerge from the coronavirus crisis. pic.twitter.com/StDeo6FzCF
But on Wednesday, the fact that Berejiklian was pictured entirely from behind, with none of her face visible, also raised questions as to whether it was actually the premier in the photo.
A rapidly made template also enabled many to make their own memes of the premier watching other famous historical events.
the 'what is Gladys waiting for?' template pic.twitter.com/fBJukQ005I
— Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) June 9, 2021
Gladys Berejiklian watches NYE 2015 unfold in Manchester, UK pic.twitter.com/X6Kf6Qzs0g
— will kelly (@_wkelly_) June 9, 2021
This should keep us all occupied for the next 12 hours or so https://t.co/ZwbdZVLqHA
— Luke Henriques-Gomes (@lukehgomes) June 9, 2021
I refuse to believe this is Gladys Berejiklian and not a body double. https://t.co/DtDDpM3Kr7
— John Avocado 宇杰 (@SuperCroup) June 9, 2021
A shit setup from the archives. Like jazz, it's about the notes you *don't* play pic.twitter.com/5jxSxTF2ag
— james hennessy (@jrhennessy) June 9, 2021
'Gladys watches things' should be the new Bernie meme https://t.co/eDixidqBYv pic.twitter.com/CmGyNlyxsX
— Wade Shipard (@wadeshipard) June 9, 2021
