Comedy Central, Buffalo Wild Wings Are Reconsidering Deals With Comedian Who Lied About 9/11

Comedian Steve Rannazzisi, best known for his role as Kevin on the The League, has admitted that he faked his account of surviving the 9/11 attacks. In December 2009 Rannazzisi told the tale to Marc Maron, whose interview style lends itself to a confessional environment for guests, on his WTF podcast. Rannazzisi detailed working for Merrill Lynch on the 54th floor of the south tower when the first plane hit the north tower. "I was there, and then the first tower got hit, and we were jostled all over the place," he told Maron. "I went downstairs, walked outside, saw all the pandemonium, and then about 5 or 6 minutes later, wsssh, bang. ... I called up to the office, and it was pandemonium." He then described running for safety and watching the towers fall from a distance. He mentions his wife, then his girlfriend, also worked in the World Trade Center but was riding the subway when the attack occurred. However, Rannazzisi never worked for Merrill Lynch, according to The New York Times, and he now says that he was working in Midtown that day. His interview with Maron, however, was not the only time Rannazzisi told his fictional account, he repeated the account on other podcasts and interviews. "I was not at the Trade Center on that day," said Rannazzisi in a statement provided by his publicist, Matthew Labov, to The New York Times. "I don't know why I said this. This was inexcusable. I am truly, truly sorry." The League, which started its seventh and final season earlier this month, airs on FX. "We are disappointed to learn that Steve Rannazzisi lied about being in the World Trade Center on 9/11," said a spokesman for the network in a statement. "It is upsetting that he would fabricate a story about having survived that horrible tragedy. It is also unfortunate that he did not admit to the truth sooner. That said we believe Steve is sincere in his apology and will do everything he can to make amends moving forward." The comedian, who has an upcoming one-hour special on Comedy Central this Saturday, was also recently named the spokesman for Buffalo Wild Wings. "We are disappointed to learn of Steve's misrepresentations regarding the events of September 11, 2001," said a spokesman for Buffalo Wild Wings in a statement. "We are currently reevaluating our relationship with Steve pending a review of all the facts." A spokesperson for Comedy Central says the network is reconsidering whether to air his special this weekend: "We just learned about this last night," the Comedy Central spokesperson said. "We are very disappointed to hear about Steve's misrepresentations and are currently determining how we will move forward." This morning, Rannazzisi posted a series of tweets apologizing for his falsehoods: As a young man, I made a mistake that I deeply regret and for which apologies may still not be enough. — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 After I moved with my wife to Los Angeles from New York City in 2001 shortly after 9/11, I told people that I was in one of the World Trade — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 Center towers on 9/11. It wasn't true. I was in Manhattan but working in a building in midtown and I was not at the Trade Center on that day — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 I don't know why I said this. This was inexcusable. I am truly, truly sorry. For many years, more than anything, I have wished that, with — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 silence, I could somehow erase a story told by an immature young man.It only made me more ashamed. How could I tell my children to be honest — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 when I hadn't come clean about this? — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 it is to the victims of 9/11 and to the people that love them--and the people that love me--that I ask for forgiveness. — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 It was profoundly disrespectful to those who perished and those who lost loved ones. The stupidity and guilt I have felt for many years has — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 not abated. It was an early taste of having a public persona, and I made a terrible mistake. — Stephen Rannazzisi (@SteveRannazzisi) September 16, 2015 Below is a YouTube clip of Moran's interview with Rannazzisi. The 9/11 portion begins around the 25-minute mark:

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Comedy Central, Buffalo Wild Wings Are Reconsidering Deals With Comedian Who Lied About 9/11

Steve Rannazzisi admits making up survival story

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