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News.com.au wrote:Rudd hits back after Robin Williams says Australians are 'English rednecks'

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has hit back at a jibe by US actor/comedian Robin Williams that Australians are just "English rednecks", the Herald Sun reports.

Williams, who recently toured Australia, made the comment while appearing as a guest on the popular Late Night with Dave Letterman Show.

"The Australians are basically English rednecks. 'You down there, how are ya? Good to see you. Hello','' he said.

Speaking to Triple M radio show host Eddie McGuire in Melbourne today, Mr Rudd said: "First of all, I think Robin Williams should go and spend a bit of time in Alabama before he frames comments about anyone being particularly redneck."

"That's my first response."

Redneck, which commonly refers to a poor white person in the southern states of America, is also a derogatory term in Australia - generally referring to a stupid, country person with ignorant views.

News.com.au wrote:Robin Williams apologises to Kevin Rudd over 'redneck' jibe

Williams pokes fun at Oz
US funnyman draws ire of Kevin Rudd with comments about Australia (Footage: Channel 10)
Views today: 4280

Robin Williams apologises for "redneck" jibe and invites Kevin Rudd out to a strip club. Source: The Daily Telegraph

* Williams calls Aussies "redneck"
* PM takes offence
* Comedian apologises for jibe

COMEDIAN Robin Williams has apologised to Kevin Rudd and offered to take him to a strip club next time the PM visits the US.

Williams yesterday laughed off the controversy after he dubbed Aussies "English rednecks" on US TV, but said he was sorry.

"Mr Rudd, I apologise," he said. "I would like to modify my terminology and use the term `English good old boys' instead."

Williams also jokingly begged the Prime Minister to let him back in the country and offered to send him transcripts of any future material he planned to use that mentioned Australia.

"If not, I'd love to go to a strip club with you in New York," he quipped, in reference to a storm created when it was revealed Mr Rudd had had a big night out at a New York strip club.

The US comedian, speaking on Fox FM's Hamish and Andy show, said his comments were an interpretation of Aussie accents, which combined the rounded English and drawling American sounds.

Mr Rudd angrily rejected the description of Australians and said: "Robin Williams should go and spend a bit of time in Alabama before he frames comments about anyone being particularly redneck."

Williams said he was shocked the Prime Minister had taken offence.

"The bottom line is I said that line on stage in Sydney and they didn't have a problem," he said.

"Every time I've been in Australia it's been wonderful. I love it down there."

In another backlash, the governor of Alabama has lashed out at Mr Rudd.

"I'm not sure if Prime Minister Rudd has ever been to Alabama," Bob Riley said. "If he has, he would know that Alabamians are decent, hard working, creative people."