An utterly disgraceful email sent in to the Today show in 2003 by a sexist viewer has made its way around the internet after being posted by the subject of the letter herself.
Yep, TV journalist Sami Lukis this week published a letter online that her employer at the time received regarding her figure, suggesting she spend her salary on breast implants or be replaced by someone with a larger bust.
“Today I came across this delightful letter, which was sent to the Today show back in 2003. If anyone happens to know [name redacted] please send my regards,” she wrote alongside a copy of the email that read:
“Sami Lukis, your weather presenter, would have to be the most flat-chested woman on television.
“She looks revolting. Surely, you can find someone out of 20 million people in Australia with a normal set of breasts. Get her off TV.
“You’d think that with all the money she’s making she could afford $5,000 to pay for breast implants. Why are TV executives so afraid to put real women on television.
“He (sic) wearing a large padded up push up bra just make her look silly. Why not have Rebecca La Torneau (sic) take over Sami’s role. Now, Rebecca is a real woman!”
The sexist submission is certainly not the first time a woman in the media has been scrutinised by viewers.
Earlier this year, Sunrise host Samantha Armytage was forced to defend herself after The Daily Mail published photos of her running errands while off-duty and slamming the 40-year-old for her choice of very normal underwear.
“Sunrise host Sam Armytage dares to bare with granny panties showing a visible line as she steps out in Sydney… after slamming rumours she’s dating Channel Seven colleagues,” read the headline.
The article also mentioned that “the TV personality’s granny panties showed through the garment with a clearly visible line”.
Readers and fellow Aussie TV personalities reacted by calling the article harassing, perverted and the epitome of misogyny.
We can’t wait for the day stories like these become a distant and forgotten memory.
