Comedian and former radio host Sammy J has raised a stunning amount of cash, after he started a GoFundMe to pay his rent for “living in Kyle Sandilands‘ head”. So how did a silly feud spiral into raising $20K for a charity, and more importantly: what is it like to live in Kyle’s head?
In case you missed it, the musical comedian and former ABC Melbourne Breakfast radio host Sammy J made headlines last month when he invoked the wrath of Kyle Sandilands.
When announcing that he was stepping away from the microphone, Sammy quipped that his listener ratings in Melbourne would always be higher than Sandilands’, who has faced listenership woes in Melbourne ever since Kyle & Jackie O began airing there this year.
The Playground Politics host joked online that he would “forever live rent-free” in Sandilands’ head, due to the fact Kyle will never be able to say he beat him on the Melbourne ratings leaderboard.
I'm getting so many calls from the media that I thought it would be best to put this out there – won't be making further comment. pic.twitter.com/0duiU1aq9R
— Sammy J (@sammyjcomedian) November 25, 2024
In response, Sandilands called Sammy a “deluded flog” and claimed he’d “never heard” of the comedian — a fact that Sammy has since worked overtime to correct by tripling down on the joke.
Speaking to PEDESTRIAN.TV, the comedian explained what it’s like having Kyle Sandilands as a landlord.
“I honestly haven’t heard from him, which is a shame as I can’t get the dishwasher working and the hot water won’t turn on,” he joked.
“But I’m trying to be considerate, the man finished radio two weeks before me just so he could sit in a hot tub and think about me 24/7 so I don’t expect he’ll have time for much else.”
Sammy J raises $20K for charity
Last week, Sammy created a GoFundMe page where he accepted donations with the goal of helping him “pay rent for living in Kyle Sandilands’ head”.
“When I retired from Breakfast Radio in 2024, I was rating better than Kyle Sandilands. Sadly for both of us this means he will never beat me and I will forever live in his head as his eternal, uncatchable tormentor,” wrote Sammy.
“Since I had no say in this, I naively assumed it would be a rent-free arrangement – however I have now been asked to provide payment for my accommodation.”
$20,000 in five days – you are all incredible. I have just signed a 12 month lease, with rent to be reviewed every ratings day. These donations will fund and sustain six new life changing matches with @BBBSau Normal transmission may now resume. I’m the happiest flog in town 😘 pic.twitter.com/Zju6hgEoIf
— Sammy J (@sammyjcomedian) December 3, 2024
With an initial target of $1,000, the fundraiser managed to raise a total of $20,176 in just five days, much to the surprise and pleasure of the comedian who started it.
Of course, Sammy confirmed that he would not be accepting the money himself, and instead, it would be donated to a non-profit organisation called Big Brothers Big Sisters, which provides young people with “life-changing” mentors.
“To be clear, this money is for Mr Sandilands by way of a tenancy agreement. But as I said, for tax reasons it has to go to Big Brothers Big Sisters first and I can’t guarantee they’ll pass it on,” Sammy told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
“In which case they will be using it to help clear the backlog of vulnerable young people in need of mentoring and support. I’ve been involved for twenty years and it’s genuinely life-changing — and sometimes life-saving — stuff.”
And thus concludes the greatest feud that has ever gripped the Melbourne breakfast radio scene.
PEDESTRIAN.TV reached out to Sandilands for comment, however, he was unavailable (and may or may not be busy thinking about Sammy J’s tour next year).
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The post Sammy J Ends Feud W/ Kyle Sandilands By Raising $20K To ‘Pay Rent For Living In Kyle’s Head’ appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
