Drinking at work a bad idea, just ask Sue Simmons
Filed under: Extracurriculars
Admitting to drinking on the job during a live television interview would typically be considered a bad career move. Not for Sue Simmons, though. The WNBC-TV New York anchor recently appeared on a chirpy lifestyle show, LX New York, where she admitted that she used to have a drink or two before going on the air.
So why hasn't the anchor been shown the studio door? Those days of boozy dinners before the evening news hour happened more than 20 years ago, she says. And after such a late confession, Simmons, who has been at WNBC for 28 years, isn't likely to lose her job.
"That stopped in the mid-'80s, late '80s," Simmons said in the interview with Bravo executive-turned-night-show host Andy Cohen. "Because I looked in the mirror before -- when I was about ready to go on the air -- and my eyes were red."
As Cohen eagerly points out, it was common back then for journalists to drink on the job. (Although the interviewer inadvertently insults Simmons, saying such actions were common in the "Mad Men" era, at least 20 years before Simmons' time.)
Nevertheless, the news is making the rounds on the Internet. This isn't the first time Simmons has come under such scrutiny. In 2008, while the cameras were rolling before a commercial break, she dropped the F-bomb while cursing out a colleague. Simmons promptly and soberly apologized for that "mistake," but it didn't stop newspapers like the New York Post from reporting that Simmons was known for her "liquid dinners between broadcasts."
For all those job seekers out there, don't follow in Sue Simmons footsteps. It may be alright for some people to admit to drinking on the job and cursing on-air, but it's generally advisable to keep those bad habits to yourself.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-03-2009 @ 5:25PM
NGS said...
Drink or no drink…New York loves Sue Simmons. A news icon, a New York City institution and the legendary beautiful face of WNBC since 1980.
Why would WNBC even think of replacing Sue Simmons at 5:00 p.m. with the absolutely awful “LX New York”? Sue Simmons is now approaching her 30th year at WNBC and is the most beloved news icon in New York television history. One wonders what top management at WNBC is doing lately — besides destroying their reputation as the former media crown jewel of news in New York City — the largest television market in America. If it were not for Chuck Scarborough, Sue Simmons and Janice Huff, what would really be left of WNBC? For over 35 years, WNBC has been the home to the top news talent in New York City, yet in recent years WNBC has completely failed to promote their legendary world class news team. Instead, WNBC has chosen to force feed New York City with the supposedly trendy lifestyle program “LX New York” in a timeslot that for almost 30 years was the home to “Live at Five”, one of the most successful news/entertainment programs in the history of modern day television.
I strongly encourage WNBC to bring Sue Simmons back to television at 5:00 p.m. where she belongs with “Live at Five” back in its original news/entertainment format. Sue Simmons has less then 1.25 years remaining on her contract with WNBC at which time she will most likely retire after spending close to 34 uninterrupted years in local news with NBC-Universal.
I appeal to all fans of Sue Simmons to immediately contact VICKIE BURNS, Vice President of Content and Audience Development at WNBC (VICKIE.BURNS@NBCUNI.COM) and strongly request that WNBC return Sue Simmons back to the air at 5:00 p.m. where she created the iconic “Live at Five” back in 1980. There is only one Sue Simmons — the premier female local news anchor in America. Although “LX New York” was a horrible mistake, it is not too late to reverse the error and bring “Live at Five” back at 5:00 p.m. for the duration of Sue Simmons tenure with WNBC. There is plenty of slot openings for “LX New York” after 2:00 a.m. where this type of fluff belongs
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11-03-2009 @ 9:08PM
loyal viewer said...
ngs - has to be sue's mom!
11-03-2009 @ 11:56PM
Rita said...
Is it wrong for man to have sugar baby?? You know it is an absolutely extramarital relationship, but more and more services focusing on this kind of relationship come out on Internet... such as ----Sugar Cupid.c om----where many hot sugarbabies and many rich daddies wait for hooking up!!!!
11-03-2009 @ 8:10PM
Peter King said...
She is not a beloved icon. She's a sanctimonious idiot. New Yorkers will be relieved to see her go.
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11-04-2009 @ 12:17PM
Tommy said...
Always loved Sue Simmons and still do. Was watching the broadcast when the infamous F bomb was dropped and didn't phase me in the least she apologized and moved on. It was a perfect apology. I agree, put her back at live at five. I change the channel every time the LX show comes on to another news channel.
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11-03-2009 @ 8:26PM
Tracy said...
She may be a New York icon to some, I think she is a New York idiot! Moved to the NY area five years ago and quickly decided I would watch a different channel,she was a mess and now I can see why! Also, wouldn't watch now as NBC is just an Obama mouthpiece via J. Immelt!
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11-03-2009 @ 9:04PM
M Vernon said...
Who gives a rat's ass about this. Find something more important to report about. This article is a waste of time. Of course, I had to read it to see who it was, but now that I know, it's still a waste of time to report on. Aaron Crowe, find something more pertinent to report on, but obvioulsy diggin dirt seems to be your expertise! Got a suggestion, become a cable ditch digger, you probably will amke more money at it!
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11-03-2009 @ 9:28PM
Brenda said...
Who really cares about LX NY? It's an early evening show for gossip mongers,...don't we already have enough of these types of shows...is there a winner in this competition? I really don't consider LX Ny the type of show to watch as you prepare dinner.....it'll make you gag. I agree with NGS about the time slot this show deserves (?) a time slot like 3:00 am. ....The remarks emanating from Tracy and Peter King sound like borderline bias
attacks..
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11-03-2009 @ 9:38PM
mike said...
c'mon, she's cool!
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11-03-2009 @ 9:53PM
david said...
Sue is indeed a New York City Icon. She deserves to have a proper goodbye for all of her service to NBC. All of the negative comments above seem to come from idiots themselves. Stupid crackas who always have an oppinion about everything. And theres no need to bring Obama into this. Stop hating cause he will be around for 7more years. Eat that crackas! No need to reply on my comment reply cause i'm moving on. Love ya Sue!
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11-03-2009 @ 10:11PM
day5628 said...
I bet you haven't gone anywhere! you threw out your racist comments to see who you could offend!!! (and what they have to say in response!!!) Guess what you low life gangbanger? Obama, Pelosi and Reid are being shown the door tonight, thanks to the elections in VA, NJ and NY!!!! you wouldn't know that though, because you don't read the news! you, my friend, will ALWAYS be a loser!!!!
11-03-2009 @ 10:55PM
Bleu said...
David - Who are you calling a "cracka" you useless, low-life, unwashed, stupid, uneducated, fatherless, neglected, abused, ghetto-dwelling, ass-picking, antisocial, unwanted baby daddy? Obama will be spending the next 7 years in prison where he belongs and not in the WHITE House. Why do you think they call it the White House? Cause you and your kind don't belong there except maybe to clean the toilets and scrub the floors. I chose to reply to your rude comment, despite the fact that you're a coward and was signing off, because other people will read this and realize that this is the only way to treat people like you. Dumbass.
11-03-2009 @ 10:07PM
diane said...
Thank you Sue Simmons for being so honest.
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11-03-2009 @ 10:20PM
Pa said...
Honest my ass! Twenty years late.
11-03-2009 @ 11:29PM
eglows@aol.com said...
read, read, read ... get the facts, make your own observations and conclusions... do not rely on this decades celebracasts ... seriously, do you really listen to these people?
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11-03-2009 @ 11:00PM
Marine said...
How would you like to meet me outside your ghetto apartment and call me a cracka?
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11-04-2009 @ 9:29AM
jsloroll said...
If he doesn't I will. Anytime anywhere. I am tired of all you bigots trying to intimidate people who don't care about your views. You want to prove your manhood. I'm in Los Angeles on 51st street. You name it I'll claim it. Your ass won't last a second.
11-03-2009 @ 11:02PM
MrBig said...
Cracka? Who called me a cracka? Maybe David needs a slap or two.
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11-04-2009 @ 12:04AM
sugarbowl2009 said...
COM'ON.......................WE ALL KNOW SHE DIDN'T GET FIRED BECAUSE SHE BLACK...................AND THE RACE CARD WOULD SHOW IT'S UGLY DEMON SELF ONCE AGAIN!..........USE IT AND YOU LOSE IN HEAVEN! JUST A REMINDER.....FOR ALL THOSE WHO WANT THE EASY WAY OUT AND THE $$$$$$$ BEFORE INTERGRITY! SAD :-(
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11-03-2009 @ 11:49PM
carmen said...
I really could care less, but if her name was joe smith, he'd be gone years ago. She is untouchable, a black woman. So long as she doesn't murder anyone, she is safe.
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