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12/1: Fired WGCL anchor Cari Champion calls into WSB-AM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former WGCL-TV weekend anchor Cari Champion, whose debatable use of an obscenity on air led to her firing last month, called WSB-AM Thursday night to talk for the first time about the situation. (She emailed Richard Prince at the Maynard Institute Web site earlier in the week, first presenting her case.)
Mark Arum, subbing for Chris Krok, defended her, thinking it was overkill, even if she did accidentally utter the “MF” word (though she said it was “mothersucka.”) He noted that nobody complained and it happened at 11:17 p.m. on a Sunday night long after the kids were in bed and outside the purview of FCC regulations.
Champion said the letters “f” and “s” “often do sound similar.”
I listened to the audio and honestly, it’s a close call what she said. You could reasonably interpret it either way.
She did say she shouldn’t have even said “mothersucka.” “I was under the impression we were in between commercials and the mike was dead. I know all the rules… Sometimes you forget. We as humans make mistakes.”
“It’s heartbreaking,” she continued. “I’m really starting out in my career. I really want a second chance. I will be the first to say it wasn’t right.”
“I believe I’m valid in my decision to fight and protest it.”
“I’m just trying to deal with it. I love what I do. I’m very passionate about what I do. Everyone who knows me knows I care about this business. I care about freedom of speech and people waying whatever they want to say. This is the first real test in my life. We’ll see how it goes. I’m just going with it day by day. I really want my position back. I care about the station and everything I’ve been through. I love it here. I think there was a misunderstanding… I can’t change everybody’s opinion.”
Since this is a personnel matter, news director Rick Erbach last week declined to comment.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By shannon73447
December 3, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
If we can forgive Don Imus (and we have) and Miss America - cut her some slack - isn’t that what America is all about today?
By aeiger from Atlanta GA.
December 4, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
Hi Suspended for a week for poor judgement yes, well maybe. to fire her is wrong Others have made worse judgements and are on the air.
By TPM
December 4, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
I have never heard the word “mothersucka ” before. Who is she trying to kid ? … Nevertheless - she does not deserve to be fired. The punshiment did not fit the crime.
By LP
December 5, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, it sounds like they’ve been wanting to fire her and the opportunity simply presented itself because clearly, the punshiment was too harsh for what she did, no matter which word was used.
By Jesse's Girl
December 6, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
I think Channel 2’s constant poor judgement in allowing Monica’s criminal hair-dos is WAY more horrid than anything this woman said! I mean, come on!
By Deirdre
December 6, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
Speaking of ‘poor judgment’…was anyone else out there just a little upset that WSB-TV preempted A Charlie Brown Christmas for some stupid investigative report!?
By Deirdre
December 6, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
And speaking of Cari…didn’t a reporter launch the f-bomb at a bunch of obnoxious teens a few years ago, not realizing that his mike was open? He’s still reporting…I see him all the time.
By Michael
December 6, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
We’re gonna tear the roof off, we’re gonna tear the roof off the mothersucka, tear the roof off the sucka.
From 70’s/80’s Funk band, Parliament-Funkadelic. Their big hits for were Flashlight, One Nation Under A Groove and Atomic Dog.
By Chrissy Bee
December 7, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
I’ve enjoyed watching Cari. I think it is overkill to fire her. Is she guilty of poor judgement? Yes does she deserve to be fired? No. This is a bitter pill to swallow. Cut her some slack- everyone makes mistakes. How could they be so inflexible?
By SH
December 9, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
And Rodney Ho’s still working. Go figure.
By Roadkill
December 10, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
And speaking of Cari…didn’t a reporter launch the f-bomb at a bunch of obnoxious teens a few years ago, not realizing that his mike was open? He’s still reporting…I see him all the time.
Yeah, It was Tom Regan on WSB-TV. They gave him a couple of weeks off to think about it…..
By ANTHONY
December 11, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
I was just recently visiting my son in Atlanta and came across this story. I feel this is a Very Sad case of what the intention was in her statement vs. the punitive action accessed by this news station. In all the years of management in my background, I’ve found “MISTAKES” do occur. However, your job is to correct the deficiency and salvage whatever employment opportunities possible as to give each employee a 2nd chance. I recommend a STRONG DOCUMENTATION, week of suspension and allow this Employee to maintain her employment. Thank you!
By kccc
December 12, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
They were looking for a chance to fire her. Cari is notoriously hell to work with. She’s a diva. Not popular AT ALL at any station she’s worked at.
By Joy
December 14, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
I stop looking @ the station a long time ago. I recently located to Atlanta, GA via Maryland/DC/VA area—I have never in my life so many Reporters and Anchors leave a station—Maybe it The Administration..Maybe they should be the one to get fired—and another thing—what happen to the 3 strikes,was she given a verbal warning,followed by a written warning? Or was she just kicked to the curb—-If the above are the fact—I am glad I do not look @ that station anymore—- CBS—Atlanta, GA you also need to be eliminated from the TV…Your services are not in the top rating…Sorry to be so blunt—JUST THE FACTS….
By Joy
December 14, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
kccc—how much did you make for your comments?