Gumbel fumbles
July 1, 2000: CBS’s Early Show anchor Bryant Gumbel found himself the target of traditional values activists after his microphone – which he thought was turned off – broadcast him calling a Boy Scouts of America supporter a “f***ing idiot” on live television.
Gumbel had completed an interview with the Family Research Council’s Robert Knight over a recent Supreme Court ruling upholding the Boy Scouts of America’s right to exclude homosexual leaders. Knight had articulated a very traditional religious viewpoint regarding homosexuality and had just left the set when Gumbel made the comment.
“In this day of tolerance and diversity, Mr. Gumbel’s obvious intolerance and bigotry is unacceptable,” said AFA President Donald E. Wildmon. “CBS should fire him immediately. There should be no place at CBS for such intolerance and bigotry.”
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