Should he have been suspended?

[Hudson_Hawk]

On Tuesday ESPN announced that Tony Kornheiser was being suspended from his radio talk show for two weeks due to unprofessional comments made about a colleague, Hannah Storm. See below for the full story and pictures of the outfit in question



http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/2010/02/23/2010-02-23_espn_supsends_kornheiser_for_storm_comments.html

Do you think he should have been suspended for bad conduct

Do you think his suspension was unwarranted

Other

 

[elrohwen]

Her outfit is a bit ridiculous for her age, and I would let it slide if he just made one comment, but going on and on about how her shirt looked like sausage casing? That''s a little out of line. And I think ESPN had to do something if they wanted to keep any female viewers around. Not sure he needed to be suspended, but a public apology is appropriate.

 

[Lauren8211]

Ok the outfit wasn''t *that* bad... I would not have picked it out, but she looks pretty good for her age if you ask me!

Suspended? No. But it was out of line, and I''m sure people (ahem, female viewers) are not happy about it.

 

[MonkeyPie]

I think he was WAY out of line - one comment about her boots ("Don''t teenagers wear those?") or something wouldn''t have been terrible, but he kept going on and on. I think the suspension is just to make an example of him so it doesn''t happen again, but I don''t think they took it too far. I''m sure she was horrified even if she took his apology graciously.

 

[elrohwen]

Date: 2/25/2010 2:14:28 PM
Author: elledizzy5
Ok the outfit wasn''t *that* bad... I would not have picked it out, but she looks pretty good for her age if you ask me!

Suspended? No. But it was out of line, and I''m sure people (ahem, female viewers) are not happy about it.

She''s pretty smokin'' for 47!

 

[tyty333]

Date: 2/25/2010 2:12:21 PM
Author: elrohwen
Her outfit is a bit ridiculous for her age, and I would let it slide if he just made one comment, but going on and on about how her shirt looked like sausage casing? That''s a little out of line. And I think ESPN had to do something if they wanted to keep any female viewers around. Not sure he needed to be suspended, but a public apology is appropriate.

I agree with elrohwen...ESPN is suppose to be about sports right? Not about what some girl sportscaster is wearing
(even if its NOT a great outfit). He should stick to sports.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

My view is that the suspension was definitely warranted. It''s not like he made an off-the-cuff comment about the age appropriate or professional nature of her outfit. In fact, in my opinion he crossed the line into sexual harassment as soon as he said she looked like she was stuffed like a sausage.

I heard about this on the radio yesterday and when you hear what he said and you don''t see the picture it sounds a lot worse. My view yesterday was the same, he was wrong and the suspension was warranted, but I also felt strongly that someone needed to sit her down and have a discussion about what and appropriate outfit was for a broadcaster-40 years old or otherwise. While her outfit isn''t really something I''d wear, I''m not offended by it, or not like I was when I heard the description.

I think it''s a shame because female broadcasters-especially on the sport networks, have worked SO hard to build credibility in the industry. I agree, I think ESPN had to do something to show that they have a no-tolerance policy for this sort of behavior.

 

[purselover]

While I do think it was unprofessional I don''t think he shoud''ve been suspended, made to apologize? Yes but suspended no. For what it''s worth I do think she looked ridiculous - I bet a lot of other people thought so too and were just smart enough to keep it to themselves.

 

[Kismet]

I thought it was fairly clear cut. Isn''t it against ESPN policy for one ESPN employee to bad mouth another ESPN employees (with suspension being the punishment)?

As for whether or not the comments were justified, well I personally wouldn''t wear that outfit but she looks pretty darn good.

 

[MonkeyPie]

I think it''s funny that both the article and this guy said her skirt was short, and it totally wasn''t! You could only see about three inches of skin between boots or skirt (give or take an inch, I''m bad at guessing).

 

[whitby_2773]

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

the woman is wearing a sweater, a skirt, and boots - SO WHAT?? her sweater looks fitted to me, not tight; it's not like she's showing *any* cleavage or busting out of the front! and she's showing her KNEES - wow! let's roll out every sexist stereotypical comment we can! because - god knows! - women over 40 are not supposed to be fashionable or - god forbid - sexually attractive!

my best friend is 51. she's 5'8". she has legs from here to next week and lovely knees. she wears skirts which show off her knees and it looks GREAT. i know for a FACT that she has red suede boots- because i bought them for her! and - horrors! - she wears them to work!

get real folks - there is altogether TOO MUCH judgment that goes on by men as regards women - and the sad part is that sometimes we, as women, pick up the tendency and criticize each other, too.

kornheiser is now off my viewing list.

 

[yssie]

Not suspended - his comments were unnecessary and overblown, but it sounds like she took them in good spirit so why not just let it die, instead of fueling the flames and making sure everyone wants to know all the juicy details?

As for the outfit itself, I actually do think it was somewhat inappropriate - though I must say she looks fantastic. We should all be able to wear exactly what we want without being judged, but this is real life, and she chose to wear knee-highs and a mini... she must've known some people would take issue with, strictly fair or not.

 

[decodelighted]

You''re d*mned if you do, you''re fired if you don''t. There is SO MUCH pressure on women in broadcasting to look young. Botox and creative surgeries and working out like a fiend are all AOK, encouraged even (if not mandantory) -- but dress in a way that shows off what you''ve worked like hell for and you''re ridiculed as if its YOUR idea that women must be "eternally youthful" in order to be watchable.

If she started dressing "her age" -- she wouldn''t last a month. Especially in a male-oriented field like sports where the sparse # of women hired are EYE CANDY - or at least have the eye-candy factor if they weren''t Olympic Gold medalists or something.

It makes me wonder if that guy has ever seen Entertainment Tonight with sixty something Mary Hart and her exposed gams? Its THE BUSINESS!!!! And making fun of a woman''s looks/dress etc is a cheap shot from a man who couldn''t hold himself to the same standards if he tried.

Yes on the suspension. Make an example of him. Maybe one day women will be able to have their jobs and "look their age" but its not going to happen overnight -- or before his suspension is up. Also, I think they should require him to do his radio show in a Britney Spears schoolgirl outfit for a full week. Thigh high socks & all. Maybe that''ll "learn him" some empathy.

 

[purrfectpear]

I don''t know. Would it have been OK if a woman sportscaster started pointing out all the really bad toupee''s

 

[Bia]

Date: 2/25/2010 3:01:50 PM
Author: purrfectpear
I don''t know. Would it have been OK if a woman sportscaster started pointing out all the really bad toupee''s

yes.

 

[VRBeauty]

I''ve never listened to the show, but I have to believe that if you''re part of a show called "Pardon the Interruption," you have to be prepared to roll with the punches.

Within reason, of course.

These comments were not within reason. In fact, I''d say they were closer to ridicule and bullying than comments. If he had made just a single observation, she would have had a chance to respond in kind and kept the whole thing in the realm of "lighthearted banter." He didn''t do that, however, he kept on and on... and some of his "observations" were anything but lighthearted.

Given that his comments were persistent, sexist, ageist, and rude... I think the suspension is totally reasonable.

 

[VegasAngel]

Her outfit makes me think of Sandra Bullock in All About Steve.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 2/25/2010 3:07:30 PM
Author: Bia

Date: 2/25/2010 3:01:50 PM

Author: purrfectpear

I don''t know. Would it have been OK if a woman sportscaster started pointing out all the really bad toupee''s

yes.

Yes and it might draw a stronger female demographic to the show....

I know, I know double standard...

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 2/25/2010 3:23:33 PM
Author: VegasAngel
Her outfit makes me think of Sandra Bullock in All About Steve.

HAHAHA You''re right! It''s totally the boots. BTW, who even wears knee-high RED boots (well while not on a stage with a pole?)

 

[Erin]

It doesn’t matter that Storm was allegedly satisfied with Kornheiser’s public and private apologies. ESPN executives have to concern themselves with future hypothetical situations involving Storm and every other female employee. ESPN, especially given its well-earned reputation as a giant male frat house, has to position itself as progressive on female workplace issues.

 

[waterlilly]

Not sure why he went on and on with his comments...BUT...

I think her outfit was just as unprofessional as his comments.

If he made rude comments about the way a man were dressed - would he be suspended? We aren''t made of glass, I hate double standards.

 

[waterlilly]

"I know she''s very good, and I''m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won''t. But Hannah Storm, come on now! Stop! What are you doing?" Kornheiser said.

"She''s got on red go-go boots and a Catholic-school plaid skirt. Way too short for somebody in her 40s - or maybe early 50s by now. She''s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body," he added.
___________________________________________________________________
What is sexist about this?

Sexism is not a term that should be weakened by tossing it around anytime a man says something rude to a woman. It diminishes the seriousness of the true act of sexism.

Rude, yes. Sexist? How?

 

[shertz1981]

He violated his contract, which has some hardcore "No ESPN personnel criticism" clauses in it. Any other ESPN commentator would have gotten it the same.

IMO she looked ridiculous (that would never have flown at any TV station I ever worked at, including the college station!), but it''s not nice to humiliate.

but it''s a moot point. Contract violation = suspension

 

[Erin]

"Stop. What are you doing? She’s what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point."

The Caulfield analogy basically implies that she went on air looking like a cross between a hooker and a stripper.

 

[VRBeauty]

Date: 2/25/2010 3:56:58 PM
Author: waterlilly
''I know she''s very good, and I''m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won''t. But Hannah Storm, come on now! Stop! What are you doing?'' Kornheiser said.

''She''s got on red go-go boots and a Catholic-school plaid skirt. Way too short for somebody in her 40s - or maybe early 50s by now. She''s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body,'' he added.
___________________________________________________________________
What is sexist about this?

Sexism is not a term that should be weakened by tossing it around anytime a man says something rude to a woman. It diminishes the seriousness of the true act of sexism.

Rude, yes. Sexist? How?

Interesting point. Worth thinking about...

But I''m guessing he''s never subjected his male colleagues or guests to this kind of ridicule.

 

[waterlilly]

Date: 2/25/2010 4:09:00 PM
Author: VRBeauty

Date: 2/25/2010 3:56:58 PM

Author: waterlilly

'I know she's very good, and I'm not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won't. But Hannah Storm, come on now! Stop! What are you doing?' Kornheiser said.


'She's got on red go-go boots and a Catholic-school plaid skirt. Way too short for somebody in her 40s - or maybe early 50s by now. She's got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body,' he added.

___________________________________________________________________

What is sexist about this?


Sexism is not a term that should be weakened by tossing it around anytime a man says something rude to a woman. It diminishes the seriousness of the true act of sexism.


Rude, yes. Sexist? How?

Interesting point. Worth thinking about...


But I'm guessing he's never subjected his male colleagues or guests to this kind of ridicule.

If a male guest came on wearing skin tight jeans and an unbuttoned shirt (or whatever the equivalent male outfit might be), I'm sure he would.

 

[Shoopy]

Date: 2/25/2010 4:12:30 PM
Author: waterlilly


If a male guest came on wearing skin tight jeans and an unbuttoned shirt (or whatever the equivalent male outfit might be), I''m sure he would.

And it would be against corporate policy and he should get suspended.

If I found out that a coworker, be it male or female, was talking about my outfit and making fun of me during a meeting or a presentation I would raise hell if the company didn''t do something about it.

 

[waterlilly]

Date: 2/25/2010 4:33:28 PM
Author: fiery

Date: 2/25/2010 4:12:30 PM

Author: waterlilly



If a male guest came on wearing skin tight jeans and an unbuttoned shirt (or whatever the equivalent male outfit might be), I''m sure he would.

And it would be against corporate policy and he should get suspended.


If I found out that a coworker, be it male or female, was talking about my outfit and making fun of me during a meeting or a presentation I would raise hell if the company didn''t do something about it.

Right, if its against CP, out you go. My point was that this was not a sexist rant - a rude rant, yes.

 

[lyra]

He was in the wrong. He deserves his suspension. Firing maybe.

 

[megumic]

He absolutely should have been suspended. I find his comments offensive and inappropriate. Isn''t he supposed to be talking about sports anyway? Not sportscasters?? Regardless of her outfits level of ridiculousness, the comments were unwarranted.