Shark Tank’s Steve Baxter has been branded ‘nasty’ by outraged viewers after making ‘sexist’ comments about a contestant.
The fiery entrepreneur reduced mother Tanya Wood, 44, to tears on Tuesday night after claiming that her timid nature explains why there’s a pay gap between men and women.
Steve’s controversial comments were widely condemned by the show’s fans, who flocked to Twitter to accuse him of ‘shaming’ Tanya with his ‘unforgivable’ rant.
‘The way he spoke to that poor woman is unforgivable!’ Shark Tank viewers have turned on Steve Baxter after he ‘shamed’ a female contestant with his ‘sexist’ rant on Tuesday
‘Steve is nothing more than a sexist pig. The way he spoke to that poor woman is unforgivable,’ one viewer wrote.
‘People need encouragement, they don’t need to be told that they are failing in business because they are female.’
Another added: ‘Steve might be making sense but I don’t really see how he thinks shaming a middle-aged woman on her lack of business experience a helpful tactic.
‘If you don’t like the pitch then move on or explain in a compassionate way, depending on your audience. Not that difficult.’
Oh dear: The fiery entrepreneur reduced small business owner Tanya Wood, 44, to tears on Tuesday night after claiming that her timid nature explains why there’s a pay gap between men and women
‘What is wrong with Steve this season? This is the second episode he has been nasty to an entrepreneur for no reason,’ a third user vented.
Another viewer pointed out the hostile reaction Steve got from his fellow investors Janine Allis, Naomi Simpson and Dr Glen Richards.
‘If Steve isn’t careful, he’s going to get a slap up each side of the head from Janine and Naomi, plus end up walking out with a very pronounced limp, possibly via Glen,’ they wrote.
The confrontation kicked off when Queenslander Tanya pitched her outdoor soft furnishing business to the sharks in the episode.
Backlash: Steve’s controversial comments were widely condemned by the show’s fans, who flocked to Twitter to accuse him of ‘shaming’ Tanya with his ‘unforgivable’ rant
She said she wanted their help in contacting retail outlets about buying and stocking her products.
Steve fired back: ‘Do you think we’re going to do that for you? Well, why don’t you do it then?’
Tanya stuttered and replied: ‘I know, it sounds easy. I know what you’re saying…’
‘You know what I’d do? I’d look up their address, I’d give them a call…That’s the reality: That you’d be prepared to do that in business. That’s your job. You’re not filling me with confidence at all here, right?’ Steve replied angrily.
Tanya apologised and admitted that she was ‘nervous’.
Unimpressed: Viewers couldn’t believe Baxter, 47, had come out with the controversial comments
‘You’re sort of saying, “I’ve tried and I can’t”. You’ve got to not take no for an answer. It’s unfortunate, but females tend to do it that way,’ Steve insisted.
‘Why do you think there’s a female pay gap? Because there is, I’m not denying there isn’t right. The reality is, you don’t come across as assertive enough.’
Glen looked horrified and interjected: ‘Because of a whole bunch of sexist pigs like you. You have three daughters – change the world.’
‘I’m not saying it’s fair but I’m saying it’s actually the fact right. You need to show more aggression, especially for a female,’ Steve protested.
His words enraged Tanya, who replied emotionally: ‘You’re wrong, Steve. I am not timid, I am just very scared at the moment.’
Steve soon encouraged her, saying: ‘Well good, get in there, because everything you’ve said today is that you’re being timid.’
Not having it: Steve’s fellow investor Dr Glen Richards was equally horrified at his comments and called him a ‘sexist pig’
Admiration: Vieweers praised Glen for stepping in and defending Tanya
Tanya continued: ‘This has been my life, my passion, my dreams for four years, and I’m here now. I will be on the phones for ten hours a day if that’s what it takes, because I’m going to make this happen with or without you guys.’
Struggling to hold back the tears, she continued: ‘I’ve worked my butt off for three years, and I have a child. So I’m trying to juggle everything.’
Steve said he was out of the deal, but Naomi Simpson was won over when Tanya said she ‘wants to take this to the world.’
Naomi offered her help with marketing, and offered $40,000 for a 30 per cent stake in her business, which Tanya accepted.
Shark Tank airs at 8.40pm on Tuesday on Channel Ten.
Backing her up: Steve said he was out of the deal, but Naomi Simpson was won over when Tanya said she ‘wants to take this to the world’