Screen shot
WLVT reporter Gordon Boyd during a news segment that has gone viral on YouTube.
Screen shot
WLVT reporter Gordon Boyd during a news segment that has gone viral on YouTube.
A WVLT, Channel 8, reporter whose brief on-air fit turned into a YouTube sensation before going viral recently is currently on leave from the station, management said this week.
Two weeks ago, reporter Gordon Boyd was wrapping up a live report when he paused, threw down his reporter's notebook and looked angrily into the camera. The station quickly went back to the anchor desk, where a stunned anchor Alan Williams said they were having "technical difficulties."
Footage of Boyd's fit was posted on YouTube within hours and, so far, has been picked up on dozens of sites. On Monday, the video had nearly 500,000 views on YouTube alone.
"The initial streaming of the video posted on YouTube was done so illegally," WVLT vice president Steve Crabtree wrote in an e-mail. "This person took copyrighted newscast video and posted it on the Web.
"That, of course, is a legal matter, which I can't go into publicly. Unfortunately, even if we reveal the person or persons responsible and seek legal action against them, you can't get the toothpaste back into the tube."
Crabtree said he could not comment on Boyd's employment status or if he is also suspended. He did say the station was "shocked" when the incident happened.
"This was, in my opinion, a very unfortunate reaction to a less-than-perfect circumstance and it was exhibited in the heat of the moment," Crabtree said. "In live television news, you can't hold the presses.
"Everyone regrets it. It was in no way indicative of WVLT's professional standards. And it was not indicative of Gordon's often stated standards."
Crabtree also did not comment on what spurred Boyd's seemingly out-of-the-blue reaction.
"Management, staff and even Gordon felt nothing but remorse," Crabtree said of the incident. "We especially regret any discomfort that this may have caused our viewers.
"As for how we deal with the matter going forward, I can't publicly address personnel issues per company policy. We're talking with Gordon. He wanted to take some earned vacation time to consider all aspects of the matter."
Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445. His blog can be found at www.knoxville.com.
© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 11
AtticusRex writes:
What happenned? Looks hilarious.
blahblahblahman2003#221344 writes:
See the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68kSse...
tisme writes:
The clip has been removed. waawaawaa
Momof3boys writes:
I don't think it is a big deal. Hopefully, Gordon Boyd will be back on the air at WVLT soon.
There's no such thing as bad publicity, fellas.
aguy#276948 writes:
Video can still be seen here:
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watc...
GinaLolaJupiter (Inactive) writes:
Find it on TubularGoldmine. Or just Google the reporter's name, "meltdown", and "video" and there are many ways to see it.
The look on Alan Williams face after the throwdown was priceless.
Number69 writes:
"The initial streaming of the video posted on YouTube was done so illegally," WVLT vice president Steve Crabtree wrote in an e-mail. "This person took copyrighted newscast video and posted it on the Web.
BUT the second post on U Tube was right off the feed as in someone from the station or someone with access to the feed had to have done it?
Was the second feed legal, did WVLT both know about it and do it? Just wondering???
bseaman7117 writes:
I've seen worse on D i c k Clark's "bloopers" show...suspending Gordon for this is bad form on the station's part. And I can't believe you can't use the first name D i c k on this website !!
Number69 writes:
BUT you can use Richard..as in some Richard Head posted the GORDOBLOWUP not only from a hand held but also right off the big feed! He must be found, the rope made ready and the media alerted!!! or not?
Johnnyrocker67 writes:
Yeah..this is silly...the video is hilarious..but it in no way says to me "this station and their news team are terrible"..it shows a heated reaction to a simple mistake,..one that anyone could have made. They need to lighten up-the guy is human..and just proved it. Why didn't WBIR suspend Robin Wilhoit a few years back when she kept wearing that hideous red leather michael jackson jacket on the air?..Now THAT was a travesty....
utenn99#317883 writes:
I wonder if something melted down after he called her "Christian Shannon" instead of "Shannon Christian." The wording of the entire script is difficult and hard to follow. I bet he thought he was off the air before he threw the notebook.
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