KTUL anchor gets drunk, drives through yards

[milton77]

http://newsok.com/tulsa-television-news-anchor-arrested/article/3266596/?tm=1215314024

an area resident heard a collision from inside his home and chased a car driven by Giordano for two blocks before the car crashed in a yard.

Kind of reminds me of back in the days when Alan Mitchel was at kwtv.

 

[Bob Oshea]

Tulsa broadcasting takes care of its own. Pray for the guy and hope for the best. He is a terrific TV guy and a credit to Channel 8. Let's all lay off of the poor guy.
If even half the shit I've done in my life were pasted on a website I'd have to move to Amsterdam. I got pulled over one night for doing 40 mph on the sidewalk in front of the old Safeway store on Brookside drunk and naked! This was back in the days when driving drunk hadn't really been cracked down on and getting caught drunk and naked didn't seem like that big of a deal. The cop asked me if I'd been drinking and I told her I was drunk "so just take me to jail by way of Renbergs". I swear she let me go! She said she didn't think I was "that drunk" and I should really consider putting my "swimsuit back on before driving straight back home"! We exchanged phone numbers and I left for home. So you see? Anybody can make a mistake. Let's not get holier than thou with Jerry. Obviously the poor guy is going through a personal hell right now and he's embarrassed forever and posting a chickenshit blog for the sake of pouring salt in the wound is just plain against the code of the West!

Bob "By God" O'Shea

 

[G Thompson]

AMEN, BOB.

 

[cooptulsa]

Just pasted my reply from another thread, to reiterate the "let's not hammer and judge" message...

Serious thanks to G Thompson for the kind words about the contributions of three of us...

Didn't sense your cranium in my colon...but be careful. Those of us who contribute regularly realize the production of our crania and colons are often identical!

By the way...was reading about Jerry Giordano on another forum...almost refreshed that story hasn't made it to this one...altho I guess I'm guilty of bringing it in...and hope for the best for the guy. There was a lot of negativity and hammering on the other forum. A lot of speculation and jeering. I've never done what he's accused of, so I don't know what that's like. I don't know the man, and know no more than what's been reported. All I want is for this to end up in a way that's positive and productive for everyone involved. Let's shed more light than heat on everything from this point on, OK?

 

[GeneSavage]

I'm with you guys on this one; the general public seems to be having mixed reactions, from "leave the poor guy alone" to "oh, man!" I can't help but think those who are ready to "throw the book" at this guy don't know A) what kind of stress this work (and as much as we joke about it, it IS work) puts on us, and B) the skeletons all of us have in our closet.

I'm really hoping KTUL will make this a "win" by having him do a series about getting clean and sober, or how easy it is to be over the limit and think you're safe to drive, or something like that. My suspicion is they will either quietly let him go (which should NOT happen) or just ignore it in the hopes that it goes away.

And they're right, it will go away... but this sad incident could be a huge boost for Giordano, and for KTUL. Everybody loves seeing an underdog make good.

(I think I just blended my cliches, but hopefully you know what I mean.)

My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family & friends.

 

[JournalGuy]

Jerry is a nice guy. We have all made mistakes. Nobody tops Bob's "Drive Naked" story. I AM STILL LAUGHING.
The guy has talent and he will be okay. He has been on KFAQ several times and has always been professional.

 

[ionosphere]

Tulsa broadcasting takes care of its own. Pray for the guy and hope for the best. He is a terrific TV guy and a credit to Channel 8. Let's all lay off of the poor guy.
If even half the shit I've done in my life were pasted on a website I'd have to move to Amsterdam. I got pulled over one night for doing 40 mph on the sidewalk in front of the old Safeway store on Brookside drunk and naked! This was back in the days when driving drunk hadn't really been cracked down on and getting caught drunk and naked didn't seem like that big of a deal. The cop asked me if I'd been drinking and I told her I was drunk "so just take me to jail by way of Renbergs". I swear she let me go! She said she didn't think I was "that drunk" and I should really consider putting my "swimsuit back on before driving straight back home"! We exchanged phone numbers and I left for home. So you see? Anybody can make a mistake. Let's not get holier than thou with Jerry. Obviously the poor guy is going through a personal hell right now and he's embarrassed forever and posting a chickenshit blog for the sake of pouring salt in the wound is just plain against the code of the West!

Bob "By God" O'Shea

I agree, let's leave the guy alone. I think of the times when I've driven "impaired", and I am very thankful that those drives turned out to be uneventful.

Wagging index finger to milton77 for bringing it up here for no apparent reason and then for hammering on a guy and an event that occurred some 15 years ago.

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

I'm much younger than most of you on here, but that flip attitude about drunk driving leads to accidents like this day after day, year after year http://www.kktv.com/news/headlines/5814876.html

I wonder how his family feels? Survived Iraq, but couldn't survive the stupidity of getting behind the wheel hammered.

I'm not trying to sound preachy, but what Jerry did was immature and dangerous. It was July 4th at 6:00pm. How many of you have kids or grandchildren who were probably out in the front yard at that time? How would you feel if Jerry had struck one of them or it was your property he drove through?

This incident didn't happen on some dirt country road in rural Osage County, it happened near 35th and Peoria, a place not too far from where I grew up.

And according to the police, Jerry wasn't just drunk, he was extremely drunk. Drunk enough they didn't even complete the full field sobriety test. Here's the police report, see for yourself.

http://www.thelostogle.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/giordano-police-report-edit1.pdf

Yeah, the last two lines of the report probably aren't doing his reputation any favors. But he put himself in that situation.

Whether you're a board operator, newsman, or jack of all trades, drinking and driving isn't cool.

As far as I'm concerned KTUL should be ashamed they brought Jerry back with no punishment. The man is humbled by the support, but doesn't have the guts to apologize. What a shame. http://cfc.ktul.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=18720&ref=home

 

[Bob Oshea]

I'm much younger than most of you on here, but that flip attitude about drunk driving leads to accidents like this day after day, year after year http://www.kktv.com/news/headlines/5814876.html

I wonder how his family feels? Survived Iraq, but couldn't survive the stupidity of getting behind the wheel hammered.

I'm not trying to sound preachy, but what Jerry did was immature and dangerous. It was July 4th at 6:00pm. How many of you have kids or grandchildren who were probably out in the front yard at that time? How would you feel if Jerry had struck one of them or it was your property he drove through?

This incident didn't happen on some dirt country road in rural Osage County, it happened near 35th and Peoria, a place not too far from where I grew up.

And according to the police, Jerry wasn't just drunk, he was extremely drunk. Drunk enough they didn't even complete the full field sobriety test. Here's the police report, see for yourself.

http://www.thelostogle.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/giordano-police-report-edit1.pdf

Yeah, the last two lines of the report probably aren't doing his reputation any favors. But he put himself in that situation.

Whether you're a board operator, newsman, or jack of all trades, drinking and driving isn't cool.

As far as I'm concerned KTUL should be ashamed they brought Jerry back with no punishment. The man is humbled by the support, but doesn't have the guts to apologize. What a shame. http://cfc.ktul.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=18720&ref=home

Quag-
Like you said, you're much younger and from the read of your screed also much holier. I'm sure you enjoyed including the police report. No one takes this lightly, least of all Jerry. As far as KTUL, they realize he's facing an Oklahoma State Court judge who will mete out the necessary punishment. This is no laughing matter indeed....but it sounds like you've never had your ass in a sling. So you go right ahead and throw your stone. You are being preachy and you are being self-righteous. Just pray you never find yourself in a compromising discombobulationistic situation. I'll see you in Sunday School mister!

Bob O'Shea

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

Bob, I respect you and others on this board for what you've contributed to the radio biz here in town. I'm not a Sunday School going, right-wing loon, just someone who knows the difference between right and wrong. What Jerry did was wrong and someone could've died. His station should be ashamed for not admonishing his behavior. Broadcasting should be about the best of the best, not the dregs of society. We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard.

 

[Sgeirk]

I don't think Quagmire is being preachy at all.

In fact, I finished up a post here about a week ago but then decided not to post...Quagmire's got a point here. Giggity goo!

If we're on the air, we are public figures and should not expect different treatment, in fact, we should expect worse treatment.

Only because we not only have to answer to the po po, but we have to answer to listeners and our bosses.

Your antics these days can not only wind up in the back of the paper these days, they can end up on youtube or drudgereport...same day.

By all means, if you're gonna party, PARTY!!! That's your business, of course. BUT, it becomes everyone's business when YOU get behind the wheel. I can't imagine driving THAT drunk.

I saw a blurb on ktul yesterday, it looks like ch 8 and jerry will be making this a public deal...and I'm good with that. Good luck, Jerry.

 

[GeneSavage]

I have not gotten the impression the station is "admonishing" his behavior; they've been fairly open about it, and in fact had him record a statement and will have him do a series about the seriousness of his behavior. Watch the following video and see what I'm talking about:

http://cfc.ktul.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=18720&ref=home

First, he sounds like he's either been beaten, or threatened within an inch of his life... both are possible, and obviously he's been humiliated. He has to know NO ONE excuses his behavior, and that he is on trial right now literally in the Oklahoma court system and figuratively in the court of public opinion and by his employer.

Imagine for a moment that he was arrested again this weekend for drunk driving. I don't know if there's a single person on this board or a viewer of KTUL who would question firing him and locking him up and throwing away the key... without knowing what the justice system will do, he's already on "probation."

Second, I'd say based on what he says in the video, that his employment at KTUL is NOT guaranteed yet. My guess is it has to do with what the courts decide, and if he messes up again.

Third, the courts still have to decide... and with all he did in those few minutes, he could be look at significant punishment.

I don't think anybody here is giving him a "pass;" you're right, he could have killed somebody. We just have been in the biz long enough and known enough well-intentioned people to know "there, but for the grace of God, go I."

It doesn't make it right, but it does make a second chance (with appropriate penance) an appropriate response.

(Also, alcohol will mess your head up... you'd be amazed what you're capable of. So far I've managed to avoid it, but I've see the Jekyll / Hyde effect on friends.)

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

Good points all. Call me cynical, but watching the video I saw someone who seemed more upset at getting caught
For KTUL to turn Jerry's legal adventure into "must see tv" is exploitive to say the least. It exploits Jerry for ratings. Plus, it's highly unethical.
Be that as it may, KTUL has gone down a path here that is a slippery slope. I can think of 5 people who have lost their jobs at KTUL in the last 3 years for things far less offensive than this. I also know of others at KTUL who engage in this kind of behavior is a regular occurence. It's not my job to judge what people do in their spare time. But it would not shock me to see this happen again in the near future.

 

[GeneSavage]

I saw someone who seemed more upset at getting caught

Not to be cynical... but that's possible. 8)

to turn Jerry's legal adventure into "must see tv" is exploitive

For them to ignore it would be calling the viewers stupid, & missing an opportunity. Your exploitation is my opportunity. I suppose they could do some sort of awful "Pulling Himself Up By The Bootstraps: The Jerry Story" mini-series, but I don't see them doing that. To me, it's a form of community service he's having having to do for the station... I mean, who wants to keep reminding and keep reminding their audience, "I drank & drove"?

Plus, it's highly unethical.

What was unethical, was Jerry getting drunk and tearing through Brookside. I don't see how saying, "see what happens when you drink and drive?" is unethical... especially when you're pointing at one of your own staff members instead of sweeping it under the rug.

I can think of 5 people who have lost their jobs at KTUL in the last 3 years for things far less offensive than this. I also know of others at KTUL who engage in this kind of behavior is a regular occurence.

I don't work there, I haven't worked there, I don't know anybody who works there... you may be right, & if that's the case they're going to develop credibility issues in a hurry. Others could speak to this better than I could.

I was shocked when KTUL decided to face this head-on, and admire what I see so far. If they screw it up, then my admiration obviously will fade. To this point, I applaud them... and Jerry.

In AA, the first thing they teach you to do is stand up and say, "I'm an alcoholic." I will agree that I have yet to hear an "apology" from him, but perhaps he feels this is too big for an apology, he just has to make it right. I don't know what's going on in his head. Time will likely tell.

 

[Bob Oshea]

Good points all. Call me cynical, but watching the video I saw someone who seemed more upset at getting caught.



You're too young to be cynical. Go to an AA meeting and listen to some of the stories from people who could be cynical but instead found hope at the bottom of the well.

Bob O

 

[MINDonDAradio247]

I am impressed with the class in here.

My fellow radio nerds on the boards in my medium major market would eat this guy alive.

Call him every name in the book, claim hes guilty, attack every break he ever did, every bit, every phrase, probably even make assumptions he molested the car he was driving.

Okay I exagerated... but you guys get it.

Nice to know there are still colleages that are complete strangers that will still kind of in a sense have your back when you do something stoo-pid.

 

[GeneSavage]

Thanks, MINDonDAradio247... Tulsa is a different kind of (READ: great) market.

I'm proud of the people I work with, and the people I compete against! I'm sure we could all list bad apples, but the system has a way of weeding "those types" out.

For all our gripes, this is a great town with great radio people.