The now famous KFYR anchor, A.J. Clemente, who was fired on his first day on-air when his first words were “fucking shit,” might find his career still has some life in it after all.
After the Bismarck, ND NBC affiliate posted an apology for Clemente’s outburst on its facebook page, a majority of commenters asked the station not to fire him. One wrote, “I think we’re all adults and are quite capable of getting over it. It’s a non-issue.” While another said, “This kid is probably torturing himself over what happened. Go easy on him, as we all make mistakes.”
Clemente was also a hot topic on the network morning news show circuit, which seemed to see the funnier side of the profanity issue.
On NBC’s “Today” show, Matt Lauer asked the assembled anchor team if Clemente should be given a second chance. Ryan Seacrest, who was on set said, “I think we could relate to possibly being in a situation close to this. So, maybe he deserves a second chance.” Al Roker, who told mediabistroTV in February his philosophy is “don’t be a jerk” and credited his first big break to a similar situation, agreed saying, “I think he should (get a second chance). You know, (he’s) a young guy. Obviously, he didn’t mean anything by it. It was an accident.”
The “Today” show’s “Professionals,” Star Jones, Donny Deutsch and Nancy Snyderman all agreed Clemente made a mistake and shouldn’t have been fired. Lauer then revealed a survey the show did with 87% of responders saying the rookie anchor should be given a second chance.
On “CBS This Morning,” Ben Tracy did a package on the news event about the news, comparing Clemente to fictional TV anchor Ron Burgundy from the movie “Anchorman.” In the movie, Burgundy famously told San Diego to “go fuck itself” in his sign off. TVSpy, however just wants it on record we prefer San Diego to “stay classy.”
CBS anchor Gayle King said, “I feel for A.J. I don’t think he should have lost his job. Was he wrong? Absolutely. I guarantee you he will never do it again.” prompting Charlie Rose to pipe in with, “That may be the best thing that ever happened to A.J.”
While on ABC’s “Good Morning America, George Stephanopoulos told viewers, “I’m looking forward to a great comeback story.” While ABC reporter Nick Watt avoided the moral side of the profanity issue and took the angle that Clemente’s mistake may be a fast track to fame. Watt also pointed out that one commenter on the KFYR website wrote, “Even Ron Burgundy got his job back.”