Peter Helliar calls out Melbourne comedian Nick Trapani for sexist podcast remarks about murdered Gabby Petito

Australian comedian and actor Peter Helliar has spoken out to address the podcast discussion led by another comedian, which prompted backlash over its degrading and misogynistic tone.

Melbourne-based comedian Nick Trapani has since apologised for the comments made about murdered US woman Gabby Petito on his podcast, saying what was said was “wrong” and “offensive”.

In an Instagram video posted on Thursday, Helliar called out the four comedians involved in the episode, urging men in comedy to “be better”.

“Hey guys, as you know, if you follow me, that I try to keep this space kind of fun and a bit silly, and basically just to give you updates of what I am up to,” Helliar started the clip.

“But occasionally something happens and you feel the need to speak out.”

Helliar then goes on to reference the “video circulating of four male comedians in Melbourne” doing a podcast.

In the episode in question, Trapani was joined by three other comedians on his Trapanischoice podcast, where they discussed Petito, the 22-year-old American woman killed by her boyfriend Brian Laundrie during a 2021 road trip.

Her remains were found in Wyoming in September that year. Laundrie later died by suicide.

The men can be heard laughing as they joked about Petito’s murder, with one saying it was “fair enough, justified” before turning to her appearance and referring to her as “21, 22, hottish” and making a sexualised comment.

In the video, Helliar calls out the inappropriate comments and labels their remarks a “horrific joke”.

“What kind of cave are you living in where you are not aware that we have a major crisis in this country where women are being murdered, not only by strangers (that is happening) but also by people they trust — husbands, boyfriends, friends, neighbours, work colleagues,” Helliar continues.

“We lost one of our own eight years ago, Eurydice Dixon, walking home after a gig and she was raped, and murdered.”

Melbourne comedian and actress Dixon was heading home after a comedy performance when she was stalked, sexually assaulted and choked to death.

Dixon’s death sparked massive public vigils in Melbourne and a nationwide conversation about women’s safety in public spaces.