OT: Kornheiser suspended from PTI for two weeks

[Gaddabout]

Actually, his comments were on the radio. He made them on his local Washington radio show, not on PTI.

He has not been suspended from his radio show.

Ah. I missed that part. This probably has more to do with ESPN trying to clean up the image of its insider culture.

 

[Gaddabout]

O.K. I may be wrong. Or tremendously out of date as I got out of that business a long time ago. Or too used to L.A. Will not be the first time I'm wrong about something. Will not be the last.

Of course admitting you're wrong about something on this board is pretty much unheard of so I am giving myself a cookie.

I'm sure there are some exceptions. It's not uncommon for an anchor -- usually a woman -- to be sent home to change what they were wearing. At Fox affiliates they seem to encourage more cleavage, and I get the impression ESPN producers told Hannah Storm to play up her ridiculously slim figure. She dresses like she wants everything to fit like she's wrapped in cellophane. Considering the esteemed history of strong female journalists at that network, it's a very weird departure. Linda Cohn and Robin Roberts would have given that whole buzz the finger.

 

[CaptTurbo]

no

 

[Brighteyes]

No, people aren't allowed to publicly disparage their fellow employees at ESPN.

There's a BIG difference.

Just a question, but if Kornheiser had made comments on one of the males on Sports Center, would he have been suspended?

 

[cardsfanmd]

Just a question, but if Kornheiser had made comments on one of the males on Sports Center, would he have been suspended?

Obviously, there are different standards for different genders/races/religions. What do you think would have happened had he said that one of the black female anchors looked like a streetwalker?

 

[Jersey Girl]

Kornheiser should be commenting on sports, not the dress of others. Actually, he can stop commenting on sports as well, as far as I'm concerned.

I would say, Brighteyes, that, no, he would not have been suspended had he said something adverse about a male colleague. There is and has been a double-standard since the beginning of broadcasting. It's well known that as male anchors get older, they get "distinguished." As women anchors get older, they just get older. There is major pressure for them to do their best to maintain their looks.

I agree with most of what Pariah has said, though that doesn't surprise me considering our similar backgrounds. This really has nothing to do about being PC. It's about being smart. Don't badmouth the people you work with. Hell, I learned that when I was 14.

 

[TheHopToad]

There is and has been a double-standard since the beginning of broadcasting. It's well known that as male anchors get older, they get "distinguished." As women anchors get older, they just get older. There is major pressure for them to do their best to maintain their looks.

I don't think this statement needs to be qualified to merely broadcasting; it applies to most situations in life.

 

[binkar]

It's irrelevant why you watch Sportscenter. In the broadcast industry, the talent is the product. That's why you see faces and names selling the show. ESPN is somewhat unique in that the brand itself is strong, but it was built on personalities. You can't just be a solid anchor on ESPN. You have to bring something else to the table, namely personality.

I say this as someone who works in broadcast. My print background is constantly challenged.

Agree to disagree.

 

[Southpaw]

It's okay to make fun of Meryl Hoge's crazy suits, Mel Kipers hair and makeup, Michael Irving's pimp clothes, but don't ever touch the Hannah. It has nothing to do with PC/SC, but all about fashion sense. Maybe Tony can get a one night gig on the Style Network to discuss Hannahs look. That would be a hoot.

Isn't that PTI show supposed to be humorous?

 

[82CardsGrad]

There is and has been a double-standard since the beginning of broadcasting. It's well known that as male anchors get older, they get "distinguished." As women anchors get older, they just get older. There is major pressure for them to do their best to maintain their looks.

Truth... But man, if only Sophia Loren was an anchor!!

 

[Syracusecards]

You must be registered for see images

Does she play the bagpipes for her Johns?

 

[ajcardfan]

You can't ignore the recent history of this organization when you look at this decision IMHO.

This is a place that had on air personalities sending pictures of thier penises to people who didn't want them and having affairs with interns. If those embarassing situations, which can lead to an argument in a court of law about a hostile work environment that encourages sexual harassment, hadn't happened just recently then Kornheiser probably just would've been asked to apologize and not been suspended.

 

[CtCardinals78]

I think Mike Greenberg's slip up on MLK day was as bad or worse than what Kornheiser did and what Kornheiser did was bad. Funny how Greenberg was never punished, but a weather man was fired a few years back for making the exact slip up.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Truth... But man, if only Sophia Loren was an anchor!!

Jesus 82, I get where you are going with that but maybe you could have picked someone under the age of 60?? LOL

 

[Southpaw]

Does she play the bagpipes for her Johns?

Maybe she was sharing some DMT with Cody, when she picked that outfit to wear.

Seriously, did she even look in the mirror and utter the words, "oh yeah, this is the look I want"?

 

[BullheadCardFan]

She had another wild looking dress on today. She isn't changing her style.

 

[Jersey Girl]

I don't think this statement needs to be qualified to merely broadcasting; it applies to most situations in life.

True, but personal appearance at some jobs matters a lot more than others.

 

[Lorenzo]

PC, the death of our country.

very true...i honestly don't care about these comments and his PTI show. I just didn't want him on MNF...that's when I used to complain about him. I can see why ESPN is upset about it, but i don't know that he should be suspended. just keep the guy or fire him. Or give him strict guidelines to follow so he knows who he can and cannot make fun of. would it be ok if he ripped someone else like hannah?? i guess it would because he rips people everyday on that show. he is what he is and let him have his show where he can be himself and have the people that actually like him watch.