Chasers arrested again

[Spaced]

Chaser boys held over APEC stunt

September 06, 2007 01:26pm

Article from: AAP

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TWO members of the ABC's The Chaser team have been detained by police while performing a prank at Sydney's InterContinental Hotel, ABC management has said.

Julian Morrow and Chas Licciardello, stars of the satirical ABC TV program The Chaser's War on Everything, were detained late this morning during a stunt at the hotel where US president George W Bush is a guest during the APEC summit.

"At this stage we can confirm that Julian Morrow and Chas Licciardello have been detained," ABC spokesman Peter Ritchie said.

"Our ABC lawyers and management are currently in discussion with the police and that's really all I can say at this stage."

He declined to mention what the stunt involved or whether any prominent politicians were in the building at the time.

"They were producing a stunt, they were producing material," he said.

"They were shooting for the program, they were at the hotel, police detained them and ABC lawyers and management are with the boys."

However Chaser team member Chris Taylor told Fairfax the stunt involved a fake motorcade made up of three cars.

"A lot of people were involved (in this stunt)," he told ABC radio. "Some have been detained and some haven't."

Chaser team members yesterday staged a stunt during an anti-APEC protest, with Taylor appearing as a police officer on a pantomime horse - a dig at the fact equine flu has prevented NSW police horses being used for APEC security.

Mr Ritchie believed Mr Licciardello would be feeling relaxed about today's situation, given his prior experience with the police.

He was charged last year with offensive conduct over a prank outside a Bulldogs rugby league match, although the charge was later thrown out of court.

"Yeah, it's not the first time," Mr Ritchie said.

[hingo1983]

I love that show. The guys have been pushing the boundaries lately and I think they are running out of lives.

[drewins]

I heard one of them dressed up as Bin Laden.

[Troy711]

haha cant wait to see the episode!

[AttaBoy]

They suffer for us viewers!!!! Best show with real entertainment.

[Mr_Slim]

just read another article, yes - Chas dressed up as Bin Laden, and they had actually got him through 2 levels of security before he got out of the truck and ran on the street. thats when they arrested him.

good news is that apparently ABC still managed to hold onto the footage.

bad news is that i have a feeling it might not go to air. i think that because they broke the law they might be in a bit of trouble and not able to show it. in saying that though, it hasnt stopped them before lol

[Spaced]

haha yeah, i think it's a crack up. The one where he was out the front of the mufti's mosque swear that dude walking past was going to crack him one.

One of the best tv shows but agree they are running out of lives.

[pow3rslave]

lets see today tonight claim this one was set up!

[azkwazere]

hmmm, sounds like the surprise spruker could get hime out...

hahaha greatest show ever..

aZKk.

[holdensupporter2005]

great show, been watching all the older vids here ABC TV: The Chaser's War on Everything - Video
(Free downloads for Internode Customers)

[Spaced]

Haha I caught today tonight, god they couldn't miss a dig at chasers. They chopped up so much footage you could have made anything out of that story.

[JD]

so much for all that security if some dressed as bin laden can get through....

[coolvxss]

Haha on tt and aca they showed him dressed as Bin Laden. funny stuff

[drewins]

I read in an article that one of them said the reason they chose Canada is because they thought Canadians wouldn't get much scrutiny and that 3 cars was about the right amount for Canada as opposed to Bush's 30 car convoy. Long sentence I know.

[Greekos]

ha best show ever, im a fan of the aca tally

[chappy]

I wonder what would have happened if one of the police snipers seen this a a direct threat and took out one or two of this chasers?

Would that make the viewing even funnier and better entertainment.

Believe it or not they have the authority to do so if the foresee a threat.

I wonder if the chasers gave that any though before they set of on their idiotic adventure.

Dangerous game children play.

[minux]

I wonder what would have happened if one of the police snipers seen this a a direct threat and took out one or two of this chasers?

Would that make the viewing even funnier and better entertainment.

Believe it or not they have the authority to do so if the foresee a threat.

I wonder if the chasers gave that any though before they set of on their idiotic adventure.

Dangerous game children play.

When we were doing CT training for the sydney olympics we had certain distances set before a shot could be taken. It was also dependant on what possible targets any threat could take down. Had these moronic idiots gone 80-100 metres further, they would of left in a blue bag with a nice round dot between the eyes.
Its people like these chaser morons that cause trouble and waste resources just for a "laugh". I would have had a great laugh if their fraudulent motorcade were killed because of a prank. Will be a laugh to see what charges they get. I believe the cordoned off area is under international(APEC specific) jurisdiction? Could be a bad outcome.

[pow3rslave]

it's funny that everyone sees the chaser at fault, but if you can get into a 'secure area' with a pass with "this is a fake pass" written on it, something's wrong and it's obvious the blame doesn't just lie on them.

[chappy]

I also wonder what sort of charges they will be facing and what sort of fines, hopefully they will spend a little time at the leisure of the federal government and a hefty fine.

I think they can thank their lucky stars that no short were fired, but then again they wouldn't have heard a thing.

I don't totally agree with the way police handled the demonstrators but in the same breath what do you its not logical to let the run riot either.

I also wonder it the start of art surveillance set-up they had to cover Sydney will be dissembled or will big brother watch over the Sydney now its in place. Food for though.

[albert5268]

When we were doing CT training for the sydney olympics we had certain distances set before a shot could be taken. It was also dependant on what possible targets any threat could take down. Had these moronic idiots gone 80-100 metres further, they would of left in a blue bag with a nice round dot between the eyes.
Its people like these chaser morons that cause trouble and waste resources just for a "laugh". I would have had a great laugh if their fraudulent motorcade were killed because of a prank. Will be a laugh to see what charges they get. I believe the cordoned off area is under international(APEC specific) jurisdiction? Could be a bad outcome.

They turned around voluntarily as soon as they realised they were in a restricted area.

[chappy]

it's funny that everyone sees the chaser at fault, but if you can get into a 'secure area' with a pass with "this is a fake pass" written on it, something's wrong and it's obvious the blame doesn't just lie on them.

I don't think you read my post fully I was referring to the danger of one or more of the chasers going home in a body bag this was a very possible outcome with their stupid stunt.

I don't see the chaser at fault and the fact that they gain access to where they did need to be investigated for future security.

As for the blame yes it does lie on them they did this stupid stunt and for what to get their name in the papers and on TV big deal.

[pandaman]

When we were doing CT training for the sydney olympics we had certain distances set before a shot could be taken. It was also dependant on what possible targets any threat could take down. Had these moronic idiots gone 80-100 metres further, they would of left in a blue bag with a nice round dot between the eyes.
Its people like these chaser morons that cause trouble and waste resources just for a "laugh". I would have had a great laugh if their fraudulent motorcade were killed because of a prank. Will be a laugh to see what charges they get. I believe the cordoned off area is under international(APEC specific) jurisdiction? Could be a bad outcome.

Yes they're annoying idiots, yes they put themselves in significant danger. What really concerns me is that they managed to do what they did. A bunch of "comedians" with too much time on their hands infiltrated a supposedly secured area. Their costumes included armbands labelled "APEC INSECURITY" and they had a fella dressed as bin laden in the back of one of the vehicles. In addition to this, I'm pretty sure the canadian prime minister didn't even arrive until after the stunt! (not 100% certain, haven't been able to find exact times) One journalist made the statement, "they're bloody lucky it was just the chaser", and he makes a damned good point. What if a more serious class of dissident had tried the same thing with three cars packed with high explosives? As a taxpayer I'm extremely annoyed that all the money spent on security for this gabfest has apparently been a complete waste.

[pandaman]

They turned around voluntarily as soon as they realised they were in a restricted area.

One statement from an ABC representative stated that they expected to be stopped at the boundary. Where they would probably have done their usual "aww come on mate let us in, we're just trying to get our mate osama in to represent his point of view" annoying crap type spiel. Instead not one, but two checkpoints waved them through. They probably shat themselves when they realised how far in they were.

[chappy]

Yes I totally agree (What if a more serious class of dissident had tried the same thing with three cars packed with high explosives?).

As for the tax payers they might get a hefty relief with the pending fines for these idiots.

Hopefully their vehicles were ceased and are also sold.

I hope the federal police pursue this to the full extent or we will have more of this stupidity at future events.

[chappy]

In America or other overseas country's the news head lines would have just read.

"""Security police snipers shot and kill terrorist as the breached security checkpoints."""