Friday, May 16, 2008

sue, get a grip!


Sue Simmons, a 30-year veteran of TV news in New York, startled viewers on Monday night when she shouted the F word on the 10 o'clock news. Looking duly abashed, she apologized on the 11 PM news "for saying a word that many people find offensive." But what did co-anchor Chuck do to provoke her? Richard Wald, a former president of NBC News observes unenlighteningly: "Live television requires a great deal of concentration, and I guess her concentration must have slipped.”

Last year, more than her concentration slipped when she fell out of her chair on camera.

Is Simmons losing her balance due to cocktails she reportedly downs between the 5PM and 10PM news? Or is the station providing opportunities for her to mess up often enough for them to fire her? (She purportedly thought the cameras were off when she reamed Chuck on Monday.) According to Newsday, there have been widespread reports that Channel 4 is looking to cut expensive anchor talent, and after Scarborough -- the highest-paid local anchor in the country -- Simmons is next on the network food chain.

4 comments:

Craig McNamara said...

In a recent coincidence, Kelsey Grammer's anchorman character had a similar meltdown during a newscast in the pilot episode of "Back To You." Sitcoms imitates life, life imitates sitcoms.

(Daily ad commentary at craigmcnamara.blogspot.com )

Ad Broad, oldest working writer in advertising said...

Hmmm...did he fall backwards out of his chair, too? Can't screenwriters come up with their own material?

Anonymous said...

I used to see Mr. G at a watering hole on Third Avenue between his 5 and 10 oclock newscasts. He'd come in a large brimmed hat and a cape sort of affair, like he was Don Juan. I'm sure he's just coming down by the time he comes on at ten.....

Joker said...

Was he trying to cop a feel? Hmmmm..