FOX News Channel Insults LL Cool J Over Fake Sarah Palin Interview

FOX News Channel has released a press release insulting rapper and actor LL Cool J after he objected to having a 2008 interview recycled on the new Sarah Palin show as if it were a fresh exclusive.

This is a new low for the FOX News Channel, which means that it is very low indeed.

Real American Stories is an upcoming Fox News Channel special hosted by Sarah Palin. Promos featured LL Cool J as if he were to be a guest. However, LL Cool J is not scheduled to be on the show and had no knowledge of his participation.

FOX intended to run a 2008 interview with LL Cool J and disguise it as a new interview for the Sarah Palin show. In response, LL Cool J issued a very mild clarification through a spokesman.

"Contrary to what was reported, LL Cool J was never scheduled to be a guest on Real American Stories with Sarah Palin this week," spokesman Rhett Usry said in a statement. "The show had planned to use an interview from 2008 that was being repurposed without LL's permission. This statement is not a reflection of any feelings LL has toward Fox News or Ms. Palin, whom he has never met, rather a clarification of what we have seen published in the media."

What FOX did next is shocking in its immaturity and unprofessionalism.

It released a statement to media outlets insulting LL Cool J by refusing to use his correct name (the rapper's given name is James Todd Smith) and making a juvenile swipe at his acting ability.

Here is the FOX statement:

"Real American Stories features uplifting tales about overcoming adversity and we believe Mr. Smith's interview fits that criteria. However, as it appears that Mr. Smith does not want to be associated with a program that could serve as an inspiration to others, we are cutting his interview from the special and wish him the best with his fledgling acting career."

Although FOX is well-known for its one-sided bias and child-like antics the most telling thing about this public insult to LL Cool J is that the man wasn't trying to attack FOX or pick a fight, he just wanted to clear the air.

Country musician Toby Keith was also used in the same way as a fake guest for the Sarah Palin show and his publicist had to set the record straight as well. But FOX did not issue any statements insulting Toby Keith, who is known politically as a conservative artist.

I happen to respect Sarah Palin. Although I don't always agree with her views there is a lot to admire about her. I don't blame her for this mess. She will actually suffer because of the actions of FOX News, as people will blame her for this insult to LL Cool J.

The true blame goes to the woeful FOX News Channel which is as shoddy and unprofessional as a major network can get, and operates on (maybe) an 8th-grade journalistic level.

After insulting LL Cool J and making Sarah Palin look foolish before her new show even opens, FOX News channel should apologize...and start growing up.

Sources:

AP, "Palin's show drops LL Cool J after he complains"

For more of Jeffrey's writing see his blog A Dash Of Salty