stay classy nyc
I spent nearly five years working in television news during college. A lot of crazy stuff goes on behind the scenes of a typical news broadcast, but even the morning anchors, who can get away with a lot, know when they can talk and when they need to be quiet.
Tonight while the wife and I were watching Medium on NBC, the local news station did a little teaser for tonight's news. I thought it was odd that when they came up the male anchor, Chuck Scarborough, didn't bother to lift his head. Maybe he didn't know they were up, maybe he was reading his script, who knows.
The really interesting part came just moments after they went to video when female anchor, Sue Simmons, said "What the [starts with "F"] do you think you're doing?" while her mic was still hot. When the actual news came up she had a real deer-in-the-headlights look to her, and a bit of a wavering voice. Just moments ago, she made an official apology. "I said a word that many people find offensive" was how she summed it up.
Having lived here for over 4.5 years, I find it hard to believe that many people in this viewing area actually find that word offensive. Still, it's been a very amusing evening in television news!
11 comments:
Yep, not offensive. Who's got the time? Welcome to NY.
Please go back to SLC, "b-dogg". I'm sure back home they're impressed that you've learned how to read.
It seems everyone is putting the blame solely on her, but if you watch the clip -- you see that her co-anchor is asleep at the anchor desk! He's dozing off and misses his speaking part, and that's when she uses the profanity.
Anonymous #1:
Thank you very much for the helpful suggestion, which I'll certainly give all the consideration it's due. And thanks a million for the xenophobic ignorance you've brought to the discussion. You've really made this city proud!
Anonymous #2:
She's the one who said it, she's responsible. It's like a news anchor I used to work with once told me, "Whenever you're wearing a mic, you have to watch what you say. Even if you're sure the mic is off, you watch your mouth, because someday someone is going to make a mistake, and then it's your butt that's on the chopping block." That's why they made her apologize personally, with the camera only on her, and not just make a blanket apology for the company.
i love sue. she's the best in the business, and this is proven, by her tenure at wnbc.
what happened was NOT her fault. it was the inept floor director. he/she should be taken care of appropriately.
sue, we love ya babe! xoxox
Made us laugh. "Did you hear that!!!???" What the f--- Sue! Remember your mic is on. Just say "MY BAD", and move on.
takes a big man to hide behind anonymous.
anyways, how did these people find you?
Mike:
Who knows... usually the only strangers who comment on the b-log are people from Eastern Europe or Latin America who want me to buy stuff from their homemade websites. It's rare and fun for me to have real comments from strangers for a change.
Anonymous #1 here! Big man out of "hiding". Mike, we're all real tough in virtual reality. Now, I'm going to find you, when I weed through all the so-called Mikes and insult you in person.
People wonder how I found this strange little blog? Hmm, that darned internet. Searching for video of the Simmons gaff - you know, the...F...word. And here's a bunch of geeks pontificating over a freaking local TV newscaster. What fun.
I'm certainly a Troll within this context. However, I admit I remain quite convinced that you're exceedingly dim-witted and lacking great gobs of sophistication. What exactly indicates my xenophobic ignorance, white boy?
For your benefit, simply put: you discuss a blooper on local news (22mins of murder and mayhem, cats up trees, weather and sports emergencies) as if it has grave import and will put the cows off their milk. As opposed to the fun meaningless video joke it is. You wear your ignorance of literature and study with pride. And you're from SLC.
AND this native New Yorker, who does enjoy and welcome the company of ALL those who choose to visit or take residence, and only hopes they take pleasure in our storied home for what it was, is and will be, DOES take offense at the intimations of your "stay classy nyc" headline.
I appreciate that you and your compatriots come here largely for work. I understand you will eventually take your money and your milk-toast ass back to Utah. But must you demand and support laminated menu restaurants while you're here?
xo, Dave
Dave:
I guess when I wrote my original entry I thought that enough people had seen the movie, "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" that the majority of those who read it would get my little homage to that film. Since you obviously haven't seen the movie, I'll try to shed some context on this little misunderstanding.
The movie is about a television news anchor in California who says "Stay classy San Diego" at the end of every newscast as he's signing off. One day a rival anchor puts the same word Sue used last night into the teleprompter. He ends up saying it on air, and wackiness ensues. In the title to this blog entry I substituted NYC for San Diego, because this time it was said in New York, and for no other reason.
Having worked in live television news production for half a decade, I saw quite a few moments like last night's, and the situation tickled me a bit. I wasn't condemning Sue, NYC, or you personally when I alluded to the movie. I certainly wasn't looking to pick a fight, I just thought other people might get a chuckle out if it as well.
As for this whole you're-from-SLC-so-you-have-no-idea-what-you're-talking-about-you-ignorant-white-guy-and-you-should-go-back-where-you-came-from hostility you've got going on... I don’t get it, but I’ve come to expect it from people who are trying to gain credibility that they simply don’t have when debating. It would be much more sophisticated to objectively comment on the things I've written, and the motivation behind those things, rather than the place where I grew up (especially when it's irrelevant). I’m not politically motivated, I don’t have any agenda to push, and I’m not one to pontificate. I'm just a guy who happens to keep a blog which I hope is amusing to my friends, family, and the occasional stranger.
In the end, I hope I've given you the context needed to clear up any misunderstandings there may have been. I meant no harm, and I meant no disrespect. I simply wanted to share a funny moment with the few people who usually bother to read my musings.
You are correct. I haven't seen the movie so missed the reference. I do apologize for that and admire your joke.
As for the SLC shit. I'm just bustin' yr balls. I've been there, it's an easy target. Don't forget most NY natives actually DON'T know from the rest of the country and couldn't care less. But, I can't keep riding you. You're too nice! Besides, as a musician I've been privileged to see and appreciate most of the US.
All I ask is you enjoy our city for what it is, including lesbian old school local tv-news jerks. She gives as good as she gets and good for her. Fuck yeah.
Take care bud and thanks for the fun distraction.
No problem dude... that's what I'm here for!
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