Local weatherman fired over on-air racial slur ...

[RochLion]

Looks like this is making national waves now. Local Rochester weatherman was fired for using a racial slur when referring to Rochester's Martin Luther King park.
When I first read the slur with letters blotted out it took a while to figure out what it was. Pretty odd.
The news station apologized for the not pulling the on-air broadcast last Friday and immediately fired him on Sunday.
He says that he's never used that racial slur and says he was fired without being given chance to explain his side of the story. Can't imagine what it could be but maybe a teleprompter error.
Jeremy is using Mike Greenburg of ESPNs Mike and Mike show as an example of someone else who made the same flub and was able to explain what happen and eventually keep his job 10 years ago.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/07/us/new-york-meteorologist-racial-slur/index.html

 

[pandaczar12]

His evil plan of going to college, and then working hard in his field for 20 years to find the right moment to purposefully slip in a radial slur has finally paid off! Thank goodness there were people out there, who never make mistakes, to catch him and expose his plan... and not listen to his "people are fallible" excuse.

 

[PSUcup1]

If you watch the video he clearly flubs his delivery and it was in no way intentional.

 

[fkkkjm]

Our society truly blows.

 

[BobPSU92]

How does tom izzo feel about it?

 

[massimoManca II]

If you watch the video he clearly flubs his delivery and it was in no way intentional.

In broadcasting - you get paid to read a teleprompter and not do this crap.... he’s a moron

As a follower of local news in this area, and a grouchy ol’ fart ta’boot, Channel 10 has always been a train-wreck as far as “talent” anyway.... it’s an island of misfit broadcasters...

they cut their annoying high-priced veteran meteorologist two years ago after he refused a pay-cut on his renewal , so they bring in two guys to replace him (Jeremy Kappel, a strapping 6’3” unlikeable hunk from Kentucky who has trouble annunciating because he seems to always be clenching his teeth; and Barney Rubble aka Robert Speta, the worst on-air personality I have ever seen.... guy can barely dress/groom himself... he’s freakin Shlepprock except he’s less-confident...I find myself tuning in every day to this shit-show)....

 

[Obliviax]

Interestingly, a local gal named Kristi Capel (the OP's guy is named Kappell) got suspended a few years back. They were discussing a Lady Gaga set and she said it was hard to hear Gaga's voice with all the "jigaboo" music in the background. Oops. She claimed that she had no idea what the word was but was searching for a word. She got suspended for a week. Most people realized she is just an airhead and didn't mean anything by it. Even the cohost supported her.

she's on the right in the photo:

 

[83wuzme]

“ Go f_ _ _ yourself, San Diego “

 

[Zenophile]

In broadcasting - you get paid to read a teleprompter and not do this crap.... he’s a moron

As a follower of local news in this area, and a grouchy ol’ fart ta’boot, Channel 10 has always been a train-wreck as far as “talent” anyway.... it’s an island of misfit broadcasters...

they cut their annoying high-priced veteran meteorologist two years ago after he refused a pay-cut on his renewal , so they bring in two guys to replace him (Jeremy Kappel, a strapping 6’3” unlikeable hunk from Kentucky who has trouble annunciating because he seems to always be clenching his teeth; and Barney Rubble aka Robert Speta, the worst on-air personality I have ever seen.... guy can barely dress/groom himself... he’s freakin Shlepprock except he’s less-confident...I find myself tuning in every day to this shit-show)....

 

[Obliviax]

In broadcasting - you get paid to read a teleprompter and not do this crap.... he’s a moron

As a follower of local news in this area, and a grouchy ol’ fart ta’boot, Channel 10 has always been a train-wreck as far as “talent” anyway.... it’s an island of misfit broadcasters...

they cut their annoying high-priced veteran meteorologist two years ago after he refused a pay-cut on his renewal , so they bring in two guys to replace him (Jeremy Kappel, a strapping 6’3” unlikeable hunk from Kentucky who has trouble annunciating because he seems to always be clenching his teeth; and Barney Rubble aka Robert Speta, the worst on-air personality I have ever seen.... guy can barely dress/groom himself... he’s freakin Shlepprock except he’s less-confident...I find myself tuning in every day to this shit-show)....

local weather lady lived down the road from me. She was in financial straits and sold her home. TV, like most media, is in a tailspin. They are hiring more and more cheap, young "talent". Take a major pay cut or you are out. The Fox model, young blonds with long legs, isn't helping the local talent.

 

[psuro]

Comical thread. Thanks for the laughs.

 

[Judge Smails]

The best on air slip up off all time was the hot (female) nba reporter saying “double penetration” instead of “dribble penetration”. She’s a goer, in the parlance of our times.

 

[Lion84]

Interestingly, a local gal named Kristi Capel (the OP's guy is named Kappell) got suspended a few years back. They were discussing a Lady Gaga set and she said it was hard to hear Gaga's voice with all the "jigaboo" music in the background. Oops. She claimed that she had no idea what the word was but was searching for a word. She got suspended for a week. Most people realized she is just an airhead and didn't mean anything by it. Even the cohost supported her.

she's on the right in the photo:

It looks like she is throwing down a gang sign with her right hand?

 

[Pardlion]

In broadcasting - you get paid to read a teleprompter and not do this crap.... he’s a moron

As a follower of local news in this area, and a grouchy ol’ fart ta’boot, Channel 10 has always been a train-wreck as far as “talent” anyway.... it’s an island of misfit broadcasters...

they cut their annoying high-priced veteran meteorologist two years ago after he refused a pay-cut on his renewal , so they bring in two guys to replace him (Jeremy Kappel, a strapping 6’3” unlikeable hunk from Kentucky who has trouble annunciating because he seems to always be clenching his teeth; and Barney Rubble aka Robert Speta, the worst on-air personality I have ever seen.... guy can barely dress/groom himself... he’s freakin Shlepprock except he’s less-confident...I find myself tuning in every day to this shit-show)....

You clearly have too much time on your hands.

 

[Obliviax]

It looks like she is throwing down a gang sign with her right hand?

LOL...I think she is pointing at the socks!

 

[Nitt1300]

idiots in low places like local news stations aren't a problem

 

[Chickenman Testa]

It looks like she is throwing down a gang sign with her right hand?

Or maybe just pointing down at the freakin socks

 

[Zenophile]

The best on air slip up off all time was the hot (female) nba reporter saying “double penetration” instead of “dribble penetration”. She’s a goer, in the parlance of our times.

View embedded media

cc: @massimoManca II

 

[Art]

Let's keep this simple. The guy created problems for his employer that the employer dosn't need. He can be replaced in three seconds and he was. End of story.

 

[jmorovich]

Renee Burgandy will read AN-Y-THING you put on the teleprompter...

 

[Obliviax]

best of all time, to me...

 

[JayWye]

In broadcasting - you get paid to read a teleprompter and not do this crap.... he’s a moron

As a follower of local news in this area, and a grouchy ol’ fart ta’boot, Channel 10 has always been a train-wreck as far as “talent” anyway.... it’s an island of misfit broadcasters...

they cut their annoying high-priced veteran meteorologist two years ago after he refused a pay-cut on his renewal , so they bring in two guys to replace him (Jeremy Kappel, a strapping 6’3” unlikeable hunk from Kentucky who has trouble annunciating because he seems to always be clenching his teeth; and Barney Rubble aka Robert Speta, the worst on-air personality I have ever seen.... guy can barely dress/groom himself... he’s freakin Shlepprock except he’s less-confident...I find myself tuning in every day to this shit-show)....

Well...there ya have it...

 

[caseofthemondays]

He merged the sounds from King and Junior together and stopped when we realized his mistake. K - un . I bet he had no idea what it sounded like.

Maybe this was the last straw, but the response is so over the top. I listened to the audio before reading any articles and had no idea what he said until I went back and read the article. I could hear it easily, once I knew what he said, a little trick our minds play with audio.

The CNN headline is leading. "Fired for using racial slur". Alternative Fox headline. "Fired for innocent flub after ridiculous social media outcry".

 

[Art]

He merged the sounds from King and Junior together and stopped when we realized his mistake. K - un . I bet he had no idea what it sounded like.

Maybe this was the last straw, but the response is so over the top. I listened to the audio before reading any articles and had no idea what he said until I went back and read the article. I could hear it easily, once I knew what he said, a little trick our minds play with audio.

The CNN headline is leading. "Fired for using racial slur". Alternative Fox headline. "Fired for innocent flub after ridiculous social media outcry".

Don't believe it was a simple matter of merging sounds. Dr. King was derisively referred to in that manner by his opponents in the '60s, and probably after his death.

 

[Pardlion]

Don't believe it was a simple matter of merging sounds. Dr. King was derisively referred to in that manner by his opponents in the '60s, and probably after his death.

Agreed. I have no doubt that this guy has been laying in wait like the Manchurian Candidate for the perfect opportunity to sneakily slip this slur into a weather report in a way that he hoped no one would notice, but thank God he was caught by twitter. My guess, if we went back and analyzed his weather reports, we would probably find out that he also falsely predicted rain to suppress the vote on Election day.

 

[demlion]

Isn't there a delay on these casts?

 

[Madsol]

Let's keep this simple. The guy created problems for his employer that the employer dosn't need. He can be replaced in three seconds and he was. End of story.

Yep. Who cares if the guy's life is ruined. It's not personal. It's only business.

 

[Obliviax]

Yep. Who cares if the guy's life is ruined. It's not personal. It's only business.

Agree....but if you are going to be a public person, you get a lot of perks and responsibilities. I wouldn't have fired him...but understand that these executives have to protect the brand. These public personalities exploit the fact that they are the brand. When they hurt the brand, on purpose or by mistake, game over.

 

[CDLionFL]

In broadcasting - you get paid to read a teleprompter and not do this crap.... he’s a moron

No weather forecaster uses a prompter to do their reports...at least none that don’t want to sound like Ben Stein.

 

[Madsol]

Agree....but if you are going to be a public person, you get a lot of perks and responsibilities. I wouldn't have fired him...but understand that these executives have to protect the brand. These public personalities exploit the fact that they are the brand. When they hurt the brand, on purpose or by mistake, game over.

Maybe, but doubt the local weatherman was the face of the brand. His explanation seems completely logical. Unless he has a history of making questionable comments, why not give him the benefit of the doubt and support him.

 

[AvgUser]

C

Don't believe it was a simple matter of merging sounds. Dr. King was derisively referred to in that manner by his opponents in the '60s, and probably after his death.

C'mon now. Who in their right mind would openly and on air refer to him as a coon. You're being extremely and over-the-top harsh toward the Wx guy.

I watched "Remember the Titans" over the weekend. Do you know what they said in that movie? Yep, Coach Coon. Should the producer and director and movie network executives be fired for willingly promoting that type performance? That wasn't even an accident. It was scripted. Intentional. Who cares if it was a re-enactment. Does this sound silly? You bet. So does your characterization of the mistake by the Wx reporter

 

[Art]

Agreed. I have no doubt that this guy has been laying in wait like the Manchurian Candidate for the perfect opportunity to sneakily slip this slur into a weather report in a way that he hoped no one would notice, but thank God he was caught by twitter. My guess, if we went back and analyzed his weather reports, we would probably find out that he also falsely predicted rain to suppress the vote on Election day.

Yep. Who cares if the guy's life is ruined. It's not personal. It's only business.

I don't think he did it intentionally. He got careless. You get careless, you die. Bu-bye.

 

[BBrown]

Agreed. I have no doubt that this guy has been laying in wait like the Manchurian Candidate for the perfect opportunity to sneakily slip this slur into a weather report in a way that he hoped no one would notice, but thank God he was caught by twitter. My guess, if we went back and analyzed his weather reports, we would probably find out that he also falsely predicted rain to suppress the vote on Election day.

I've heard that if you play his broadcasts backwards that it says the station manager is dead. Thats just rumor though.

 

[AvgUser]

Maybe, but doubt the local weatherman was the face of the brand. His explanation seems completely logical. Unless he has a history of making questionable comments, why not give him the benefit of the doubt and support him.

Maybe the TV station consulted the PSU BOT for advice on how to handle a situation whereby an otherwise worldly individual with a long-time established history of honesty, integrity and doing the right thing in private and in public should be treated for an honest mistake/moment of weakness.

 

[Art]

C

C'mon now. Who in their right mind would openly and on air refer to him as a coon. You're being extremely and over-the-top harsh toward the Wx guy.

I watched "Remember the Titans" over the weekend. Do you know what they said in that movie? Yep, Coach Coon. Should the producer and director and movie network executives be fired for willingly promoting that type performance? That wasn't even an accident. It was scripted. Intentional. Who cares if it was a re-enactment. Does this sound silly? You bet. So does your characterization of the mistake by the Wx reporter

Different context between the movie and the weather report. If you don't understand that I can't help you.

 

[caseofthemondays]

Agree....but if you are going to be a public person, you get a lot of perks and responsibilities. I wouldn't have fired him...but understand that these executives have to protect the brand. These public personalities exploit the fact that they are the brand. When they hurt the brand, on purpose or by mistake, game over.

I would have more issue with the response of the mayor and others than the fact that they fired him.
You can fire him, as he did make a mistake regardless of whether it was intentional.

 

[Madsol]

I don't think he did it intentionally. He got careless. You get careless, you die. Bu-bye.

Was it careless or was it a simple mistake? I think there's a difference. It's not like he was weighing in on a controversial topic and perhaps didn't choose his words carefully enough. If that were the case, maybe shame on him for even going there. But here, he was simply talking about a location (the name of a park) and flubbed the words. It seems like a grossly unfair overreaction for an employee not being perfect

 

[AvgUser]

Was it careless or was it a simple mistake? I think there's a difference. It's not like he was weighing in on a controversial topic and perhaps didn't choose his words carefully enough. If that were the case, maybe shame on him for even going there. But here, he was simply talking about a location (the name of a park) and flubbed the words. It seems like a grossly unfair overreaction for an employee not being perfect

According to Art's warped thinking, "Them's the rules." Make a mistake and please show yourself out the door. It must be great to have never committed and honest mistake.

 

[Art]

Was it careless or was it a simple mistake? I think there's a difference. It's not like he was weighing in on a controversial topic and perhaps didn't choose his words carefully enough. If that were the case, maybe shame on him for even going there. But here, he was simply talking about a location (the name of a park) and flubbed the words. It seems like a grossly unfair overreaction for an employee not being perfect

What's the difference? Does it matter?

According to Art's warped thinking, "Them's the rules." Make a mistake and please show yourself out the door. It must be great to have never committed and honest mistake.

Actually, my "warped thinking" didn't make the rules. His employer made the rules. Game over.

 

[Madsol]

What's the difference? Does it matter?



Actually, my "warped thinking" didn't make the rules. His employer made the rules. Game over.

I pointed out the difference in my post. Perhaps go back and re-read it.