I SWEAR to Give the Whole News, and Nothing But...
Here's something that's sure to become a TV classic... or at least a local TV classic that has become the ultimate blooper making its way around the internet. WARNING: this clip contains foul language, so if you're offended by swearing, don't click! Longtime WNBC-TV New York anchors Sue Simmons and Chuck Scarlborough during a promo two nights ago. Simmons obviously didn't know - or remember - it was live (which means hundreds of thousands of viewers in the New York-New Jersey-Connectictut tri-state area unwittingly watched her drop the F-bomb). My partner, funny guy that he is, wants Simmon's exclamation for a ring tone!
When I worked at WABC-TV Roger Grimsby offended nearly every ethnic group in NY on a weekly basis. I can't recall whether he ever said the F word, but I think some of his drunken remarks were far more offensive. I'm not so sure saying the actual F word was as offensive as how mean Simmons sounded. She always had that edge to her. She must be a real joy to work with.
Read the NY Post article from the other day... she's may not be as difficult as you think... she's apparently a loose cannon who can be tons of fun, according to co-workers interviewed... known to drink between newcasts at, guess where Amy... GALLAGHERS!!!! Some things never change! Folks say she's just a trip... but she does have that crazy streak. I wonder if she was really serious... sounded like it.
I'm sure she's a nightmare to work with, but as a viewer, I like her. AND her checkered suit. So what if she said wtf? I'll bet you anything her ratings will go up, if they have not already.
However, I do hate the Nazis that have already removed the video from our page. Check it out, has been eliminated.
POSTED THIS COMMENT ON ANT+OTHER PLACE ON THE SITE, TOO, BUT FELT THIS WAS MORE APPROPRIATE COMPANY.
NOTE: interesting to read you guys had the same notations I did AFTER I wrote this comment...
I think it's a shame Sue got blasted so heartily for that admittedly heavy mistake on live TV. But I imagine that sort of thing happens all the time, and isn't it the job of the producers and TDs to tell her she's still on air, or to lower her mike volume at the right time. Maybe I'm naive, but it seems like just as much the fault of these people (or the goof that prompted the comment) as it was Sue's.
And the idiocy of the You Tube people, taking this down off the site. Grow up, people, it's news. Anyway, it's not really the word that was offensive, it was the dragon-esque way in which it was spat out that was the real issue.
Though I do think politeness and professionalism obviously has its place in the media world, and while I do not want to see a TV landscape which throws these words around cavalierly without good reason, I think we need to get over our shock at "bad" language. One of the things I enjoy about writing for the net is my ability to write reviews with curse words in them. This is something I've never seen a reviewer do, and it's high time this ceiling was broken. Why? Because curse words can be effective, if used in a place where, frankly, no other word will do. Least, that's the way I see it.
By the way, what's The Nose's policy on publishing comments with the harshest of curse words in them (if appropriate, that is)?
Fine post, Scott, and yeah, the apology was the FUNNIEST part...such bald-faced sheepishness. But she sounded sincerely sorry, and I suppose it really won't happen again. 20 some odd years and one thing happens and BAM you're branded. Doesn't seem fair...
I was struck by how mean she sounded...she must be a doll to work with, eh? Yikes!
ReplyDeletePlus the apology part; the mock sincerity -- now that's what I find offensive! :-)
Great blooper! And wonderful post title, Scott!
Would like to know why this kind of language is considered a problem in the NY area. I thought you were SUPPOSED to talk like that in the Big Apple?
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked at WABC-TV Roger Grimsby offended nearly every ethnic group in NY on a weekly basis. I can't recall whether he ever said the F word, but I think some of his drunken remarks were far more offensive. I'm not so sure saying the actual F word was as offensive as how mean Simmons sounded. She always had that edge to her. She must be a real joy to work with.
ReplyDeleteRead the NY Post article from the other day... she's may not be as difficult as you think... she's apparently a loose cannon who can be tons of fun, according to co-workers interviewed... known to drink between newcasts at, guess where Amy... GALLAGHERS!!!! Some things never change! Folks say she's just a trip... but she does have that crazy streak. I wonder if she was really serious... sounded like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure she's a nightmare to work with, but as a viewer, I like her. AND her checkered suit. So what if she said wtf? I'll bet you anything her ratings will go up, if they have not already.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do hate the Nazis that have already removed the video from our page. Check it out, has been eliminated.
POSTED THIS COMMENT ON ANT+OTHER PLACE ON THE SITE, TOO, BUT FELT THIS WAS MORE APPROPRIATE COMPANY.
ReplyDeleteNOTE: interesting to read you guys had the same notations I did AFTER I wrote this comment...
I think it's a shame Sue got blasted so heartily for that admittedly heavy mistake on live TV. But I imagine that sort of thing happens all the time, and isn't it the job of the producers and TDs to tell her she's still on air, or to lower her mike volume at the right time. Maybe I'm naive, but it seems like just as much the fault of these people (or the goof that prompted the comment) as it was Sue's.
And the idiocy of the You Tube people, taking this down off the site. Grow up, people, it's news. Anyway, it's not really the word that was offensive, it was the dragon-esque way in which it was spat out that was the real issue.
Though I do think politeness and professionalism obviously has its place in the media world, and while I do not want to see a TV landscape which throws these words around cavalierly without good reason, I think we need to get over our shock at "bad" language. One of the things I enjoy about writing for the net is my ability to write reviews with curse words in them. This is something I've never seen a reviewer do, and it's high time this ceiling was broken. Why? Because curse words can be effective, if used in a place where, frankly, no other word will do. Least, that's the way I see it.
By the way, what's The Nose's policy on publishing comments with the harshest of curse words in them (if appropriate, that is)?
Fine post, Scott, and yeah, the apology was the FUNNIEST part...such bald-faced sheepishness. But she sounded sincerely sorry, and I suppose it really won't happen again. 20 some odd years and one thing happens and BAM you're branded. Doesn't seem fair...