Take Heart Sue Simmons, You Are Not Alone

The much ballyhooed Sue Simmons is not alone when it comes to gaffes, flubs and cock-ups. Several on-air personalities have let fly with the f-bomb or engaged in other unbecoming behavior. Having watched Sue Simmons antics on YouTube in the past, I can say that it is not so shocking that she is acquainted with the F- word.

I'm surprised more on-air types don't just flip out and go on a cursing rampage. They spend all day delivering the worst possible news to people while still trying to maintain a twinkle in their eye. It seems that it is probably a frustrating position to be in. One assumes that Sue thought she had her microphone muted. Hers seemed to be an honest mistake. Many have made a stink because she actually used the F-word. For goodness sakes people, she's working in New York. It's more amazing that more on-air personalities are not just cursing round the clock. But seriously, she's a New Yorker. You people can't honestly tell me you're surprised she knows the F-word. Even Bill O'Reilly's, much publicized, rant while he worked at Inside Edition, is understandable in the context of dealing day in and day out with older or antiquated equipment that doesn't work properly. Sure the clip makes him look like a total jackbutt, and it is easy to take that out of context and paint him with a broad brush.

In the grand scheme of things, Sue's mishap was understandable. Not so for a veteran reporter or a veteran anchorman from Good Day NY, who got into an argument right on camera. Apparently the older reporter had once been the anchorman's boss. There is obviously more to this story and a little research into a couple of online forums reveals the back story that led to this altercation between these two. To view the full video and draw your own conclusions click here. Both of these men are up in age and should have known better but they let their animosity and frustrations get the better of them. Perhaps they should be fired but they are so close to retirement that it seems a cruel irony that they would be fired for on-air antics that one might expect from some of their younger colleagues.

For other on-air personalities, the reasons for their gaffes are rooted in something far worse than just a slip of the tongue or the day's frustrations. More than one person has suffered a drug or drink induced meltdown while the cameras were rolling. A local Houston weatherman who was a veritable institution in the Houston market suffered a complete breakdown during his weather cast. Turns out someone was threatening to reveal his drug abuse. That caused him to escalate his use and made a bad situation worse. Rather than firing the weatherman, as had happened with other anchors in the past, he was allowed to resign and enter a treatment program. Upon his release he eventually was able to get his job back. There were no other publicized incidents. There is no way to know what problems may have occurred behind the scenes, but he remained in the job until he retired last year.

Many have questioned whether or not Sue Simmons should be fired because of her slip. I think not. It is fortunate for me that I don't have a microphone at my desk or I would be facing firing on any given day. I am shocked that more reporters don't make those kinds of cock-ups. People really are human after all and not one of us can say that we have not made the kind of mistake that makes one wish they had the power to dematerialize. This question of chastisement is a serious one.

If their actions are flagrant and demean and denigrate others then I think that they should be punished in some way. However, in the current economic climate, I am not so quick to suggest that a person lose their job unless their actions are habitual or undermine the credibility of the station or media group they are associated with. Take for instance, the Don Imus debacle. When Don Imus spoke about the Rutgers Women's Basketball team in the derogatory manner that he did, he was wrong and he defamed those young women's character. Not only that but he understood he was wrong. He seemed to feel that he had a right to say what he said. Perhaps he fell victim to a double standard. However, the truth is that there should be no double standard. No matter who calls who a nappy headed ho, somebody should have to pay.

However, it truly is a case by case situation. As an outsider, I am privy to no information that would make me believe that Sue Simmons utterance of the F-word is a threat to the people of New York City or the greater YouTube viewing audience. She seems to be a fun-loving gal working in a buttoned down world. Will she gaffe again? My guess is yes, but hopefully she'll make sure her mike is off the next time.

Sources:

Chron.com

Gawker.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TmxvlitVPE

http://www.newsday.com/ny-etsimm0514,0,6752896.story