((HT: ESPN))
Reaction has been, understandably, against the really bad bit...
And when your parent affiliation goes after you, you know it was bad...
Rodney Ho, from the AJC, added to his column this morning:
UPDATE 6/18/13, 7:20 a.m.: This morning, the Zone has Beau Bock and Sam Radin on air. (They were obviously told not to reference what happened to Mayhem in the AM.)
Later in the evening, Cellini sent a follow-up note:
The comments that I made during the interview about Lincoln Financial were made out of pure emotion, as a result of losing my job after 16 years with the station. They've been nothing but fair to me over the past three plus years since they purchased 790 The Zone.
WWL-TV got the naturally-understandably-angry Saints fan piece last night...
Including some sound from former Falcon QB and Atlanta talk show host Bobby Hebert...
Showing posts with label bad joke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bad joke. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Monday, June 17, 2013
The New Orleans Side of 790TheZone's Bad Bit... (UPDATE: Dimino Apologizes)
First, here's the Saints statement, through team spokesman Greg Bensel:
“The New Orleans Saints support Steve Gleason not only for what he means to our organization and our city but more importantly what he means in his tremendous fight to find a cure for ALS...we have not heard the radio report, but if what is reported is accurate, it is grossly offensive."
Fox 8's Chad Sabadie started their team coverage
((HT: Fox8Live))
FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports
The HQ agrees with Scott Shanle...
And now has a bit of a question... if Team Gleason knew of the bit, but wouldn't comment to WWL-TV, what was the situation surrounding the apology that Cellini apparently gave to Michel Gleason...
We digress...
Here's the ABC26 version...
The HQ now lies in wait for the rant from hell that New Orleans talk host Bobby Hebert has to say about this- and his former station...
Actually, we have some links for that...
Bobby and Deke Bellavia did two interviews on their show. One with Jane Gilbert, CEO of the ALS Association, and another with D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC...
2300 UPDATE: Here is the full Chris Dimino apology on his Facebook page...
So where to begin. The obvious and rightful place is with an apology. And the reality of knowing that falls short...no matter what I say...is heartbreaking.
The sheer stupidity of trying to put this as a failed attempt at humor is not lost on me.
The words "Should have known better" mean nothing to me. And shouldn't to you right now
I would like to though offer my apology. Knowing that it is everyone's right not to accept it. Or even consider accepting it for now.
My apologies go out first to Steve Gleason and his family. The weight of what he and they are going through did not need to be made heavier or worse by the pure and straight insensitivity of my actions.
I also want to offer up my apologies to all who are not only dealing with ALS..but to those who are dealing with ANYTHING that has made themself or family and friends subject to the physical and emotional heartache of any debilitating disease or condition.
As a father of two girls, I put myself in a position that I have begged...pleaded..DEMANDED..they not put themselves in. That of the bully. The mean kid. The one who thinks what they say or do comes with no consequence. It does. It always does.
I have no illusion as to what 19 years on the radio...30 years of being a grown man..and most importantly almost 10 years of being a father..and what you build up in your name and reputation over those periods of time..should and does mean.
Now I know how quickly a stupid and worse than that non thinking moment can change all of it.
I hope I get a chance to prove this is not who I want to be. It was and is who "I am" today though. That much is not lost on me.
I have spent so long not trying to put other people in a bad place because of me. Today I failed miserably.
I'm very open to any and all dialogue as it pertains to the people I have hurt and disappointed. I've had that dialogue with myself..my wife and will with my kids.
Thanks for at least this much of your time
Chris Dimino
“The New Orleans Saints support Steve Gleason not only for what he means to our organization and our city but more importantly what he means in his tremendous fight to find a cure for ALS...we have not heard the radio report, but if what is reported is accurate, it is grossly offensive."
Fox 8's Chad Sabadie started their team coverage
((HT: Fox8Live))
FOX 8 WVUE New Orleans News, Weather, Sports
The HQ agrees with Scott Shanle...
And now has a bit of a question... if Team Gleason knew of the bit, but wouldn't comment to WWL-TV, what was the situation surrounding the apology that Cellini apparently gave to Michel Gleason...
We digress...
Here's the ABC26 version...
The HQ now lies in wait for the rant from hell that New Orleans talk host Bobby Hebert has to say about this- and his former station...
Actually, we have some links for that...
Bobby and Deke Bellavia did two interviews on their show. One with Jane Gilbert, CEO of the ALS Association, and another with D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC...
2300 UPDATE: Here is the full Chris Dimino apology on his Facebook page...
So where to begin. The obvious and rightful place is with an apology. And the reality of knowing that falls short...no matter what I say...is heartbreaking.
The sheer stupidity of trying to put this as a failed attempt at humor is not lost on me.
The words "Should have known better" mean nothing to me. And shouldn't to you right now
I would like to though offer my apology. Knowing that it is everyone's right not to accept it. Or even consider accepting it for now.
My apologies go out first to Steve Gleason and his family. The weight of what he and they are going through did not need to be made heavier or worse by the pure and straight insensitivity of my actions.
I also want to offer up my apologies to all who are not only dealing with ALS..but to those who are dealing with ANYTHING that has made themself or family and friends subject to the physical and emotional heartache of any debilitating disease or condition.
As a father of two girls, I put myself in a position that I have begged...pleaded..DEMANDED..they not put themselves in. That of the bully. The mean kid. The one who thinks what they say or do comes with no consequence. It does. It always does.
I have no illusion as to what 19 years on the radio...30 years of being a grown man..and most importantly almost 10 years of being a father..and what you build up in your name and reputation over those periods of time..should and does mean.
Now I know how quickly a stupid and worse than that non thinking moment can change all of it.
I hope I get a chance to prove this is not who I want to be. It was and is who "I am" today though. That much is not lost on me.
I have spent so long not trying to put other people in a bad place because of me. Today I failed miserably.
I'm very open to any and all dialogue as it pertains to the people I have hurt and disappointed. I've had that dialogue with myself..my wife and will with my kids.
Thanks for at least this much of your time
Chris Dimino
The Audio Of 790TheZone Making Fun Of Steve Gleason (UPDATE: They've Been Fired And They're Responding- As Are The Falcons)
((HT: 790TheZone/106.1 The Ticket-NewOrleans))
Update--6:45pm: Lincoln Financial, owner of the station released a statement that included the mention of the three people involved have been terminated. OSG Sports will continue updating this story as it develops.
Here's the statement:
"We deeply regret the offensive programming that aired this morning on “Mayhem In The AM” on 790 The Zone, related to former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with ALS. We suspended the three individuals involved immediately following their comments and have since terminated their employment. 790 The Zone, our owners, sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support this kind of content. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Gleason, his family and all those touched by ALS."
— Rick Mack, 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
Here's the two minutes...thanks to chria225
And here's a little cleaner version...
Here's the recap from the front office on the suspensions...
"We deeply regret the comments made by Mayhem In The AM this morning on 790 The Zone regarding former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason. 790 The Zone, Lincoln Financial Media, our sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support the unfortunate and offensive commentary concerning Mr. Gleason this morning. The members of the show involved with this incident have been suspended indefinitely pending further management review of their actions."
Rick Mack 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
OSG sources are telling us that the Atlanta Falcons received a phone call from the NFL over the bit. The future relationship the Falcons have with 790 is in play. The current relationship was somewhat dicey and acrimonious to begin with and this may seal it. There, simply, has to be a clause in the contract having to be the equivalent of a "morals" or "breach" to end the airings.
Sources also say the team has been looking for an excuse to get out of the deal, and this will do it.
The media relations departments all know each other and could black ball their coverage across the board and render them useless as a media entity in town.
Currently, they are an ESPN Radio affiliate, but on-air talent in Bristol this afternoon has taken the station to task with one host saying: "Whoever greenlighted this is the biggest idiot ever born."
More when we know more...
1920 UPDATE: Rodney Ho from the AJC caught up with Cellini and Shapiro...
Shapiro admits that he, as someone who went to school in New Orleans, admitted the bit was "ill-advised."
Cellini, on the other hand, thinks he was let go unceremoniously. He told Ho that Lincoln Financial wasn't investing in the station, and that "he said he got a response from Gleason through a third party and heard that he was okay with the apology that he gave." Where that apology was given is unclear, but if it's the Twitter apology that might be a bit of a reach.
From the article:
The dismissal, despite the circumstances, came as "a relief, really," Cellini said. "That station is a sinking ship."
His contract, he said, was up in November and he figured even then, it wouldn't have been renewed.
Ultimately, this was an excuse, Cellini said, for the station to cut salary and insert a cheaper syndicated morning show, Cellini said. "Mike & Mike" will likely be on tomorrow morning.
From Cellini's Twitter as of 1830:
No one made me apologize earlier, no one made me reach out. I was ignorant and it was the right thing to do. Got what I deserved..
An update: we all got wacked. I apologized to Michel Gleason, she understands it was a stupid joke. I'll do my best to help Team Gleason
Ho is still waiting to hear from Dimino...
Steak Shapiro posted the following on his Twitter feed:
What is so ironic is that I went to Tulane, love New Orleans and love the @steve_gleason story, what a moronic 2 mins, I am truly sorry....
18 yrs ago @chrisdimino named the radio station, I helped start it, today it ends but so grateful, hate if I disappointed anyone....
I love the people and city of New Orleans, always have, always will, @team_gleason I will work tirelessly to make this up to you....
Actually, what happened today has nothing to do with irony...
It's poor judgment...
Very poor judgment...
And there are a certain amount of people that will think the only reason you're truly sorry is that you got caught...
Nationally...
2130 UPDATE: The Falcons came out with a statement of their own...
“The Falcons are disappointed in the comments made about former Saints player Steve Gleason on a local Atlanta radio station Monday morning. The content concerning Mr. Gleason was completely inappropriate and is not representative of the views of the Falcons organization, nor does it represent the way we conduct our business on and off the field. To single out Steve the way he was this morning is totally lacking in taste and discretion.”
2145 UPDATE: Dimino addressed the situation on his Twitter feed...
Don't reach out to all the people I need to. I am in that process as we speak. Friends and family and most importantly those I know I hurt
I have so.many people I have to apologize to. I know this is not who I am...but it is who I am today. An apology here means nothing if I...
Every reference to the three and the show including bios, excerpts, and promotion have been removed from the 790TheZone website...
Update--6:45pm: Lincoln Financial, owner of the station released a statement that included the mention of the three people involved have been terminated. OSG Sports will continue updating this story as it develops.
Here's the statement:
"We deeply regret the offensive programming that aired this morning on “Mayhem In The AM” on 790 The Zone, related to former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason and his battle with ALS. We suspended the three individuals involved immediately following their comments and have since terminated their employment. 790 The Zone, our owners, sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support this kind of content. We sincerely apologize to Mr. Gleason, his family and all those touched by ALS."
— Rick Mack, 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
Here's the two minutes...thanks to chria225
And here's a little cleaner version...
Here's the recap from the front office on the suspensions...
"We deeply regret the comments made by Mayhem In The AM this morning on 790 The Zone regarding former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason. 790 The Zone, Lincoln Financial Media, our sponsors and partners in no way endorse or support the unfortunate and offensive commentary concerning Mr. Gleason this morning. The members of the show involved with this incident have been suspended indefinitely pending further management review of their actions."
Rick Mack 790 The Zone Sr. VP & General Manager
OSG sources are telling us that the Atlanta Falcons received a phone call from the NFL over the bit. The future relationship the Falcons have with 790 is in play. The current relationship was somewhat dicey and acrimonious to begin with and this may seal it. There, simply, has to be a clause in the contract having to be the equivalent of a "morals" or "breach" to end the airings.
Sources also say the team has been looking for an excuse to get out of the deal, and this will do it.
The media relations departments all know each other and could black ball their coverage across the board and render them useless as a media entity in town.
Currently, they are an ESPN Radio affiliate, but on-air talent in Bristol this afternoon has taken the station to task with one host saying: "Whoever greenlighted this is the biggest idiot ever born."
More when we know more...
1920 UPDATE: Rodney Ho from the AJC caught up with Cellini and Shapiro...
Shapiro admits that he, as someone who went to school in New Orleans, admitted the bit was "ill-advised."
Cellini, on the other hand, thinks he was let go unceremoniously. He told Ho that Lincoln Financial wasn't investing in the station, and that "he said he got a response from Gleason through a third party and heard that he was okay with the apology that he gave." Where that apology was given is unclear, but if it's the Twitter apology that might be a bit of a reach.
From the article:
The dismissal, despite the circumstances, came as "a relief, really," Cellini said. "That station is a sinking ship."
His contract, he said, was up in November and he figured even then, it wouldn't have been renewed.
Ultimately, this was an excuse, Cellini said, for the station to cut salary and insert a cheaper syndicated morning show, Cellini said. "Mike & Mike" will likely be on tomorrow morning.
From Cellini's Twitter as of 1830:
No one made me apologize earlier, no one made me reach out. I was ignorant and it was the right thing to do. Got what I deserved..
An update: we all got wacked. I apologized to Michel Gleason, she understands it was a stupid joke. I'll do my best to help Team Gleason
Ho is still waiting to hear from Dimino...
Steak Shapiro posted the following on his Twitter feed:
What is so ironic is that I went to Tulane, love New Orleans and love the @steve_gleason story, what a moronic 2 mins, I am truly sorry....
18 yrs ago @chrisdimino named the radio station, I helped start it, today it ends but so grateful, hate if I disappointed anyone....
I love the people and city of New Orleans, always have, always will, @team_gleason I will work tirelessly to make this up to you....
Actually, what happened today has nothing to do with irony...
It's poor judgment...
Very poor judgment...
And there are a certain amount of people that will think the only reason you're truly sorry is that you got caught...
Nationally...
2130 UPDATE: The Falcons came out with a statement of their own...
“The Falcons are disappointed in the comments made about former Saints player Steve Gleason on a local Atlanta radio station Monday morning. The content concerning Mr. Gleason was completely inappropriate and is not representative of the views of the Falcons organization, nor does it represent the way we conduct our business on and off the field. To single out Steve the way he was this morning is totally lacking in taste and discretion.”
2145 UPDATE: Dimino addressed the situation on his Twitter feed...
Don't reach out to all the people I need to. I am in that process as we speak. Friends and family and most importantly those I know I hurt
I have so.many people I have to apologize to. I know this is not who I am...but it is who I am today. An apology here means nothing if I...
Every reference to the three and the show including bios, excerpts, and promotion have been removed from the 790TheZone website...
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