Chicago Anchorwoman Forced To Apologize After Saying On Air That Santa Isn’t Real

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by Jon Bershad | 2:42 pm, December 2nd, 2011

» 29 comments

Yesterday, we had a few laughs watching Fox News reporters doing a story on a mall Santa accident and going out of their way to stress that the man wasn’t the “real” Santa Claus. Well, looks like they had the right idea as a Chicago anchorwoman got in a whole ton of trouble after saying on air that the jolly, old elf wasn’t in fact real.

And, um, just so I can cover all my bases, she was lying. Totally lying.

Yes, Fox Chicago’s Robin Robinson knee deep in the reindeer stables this week after a Tuesday night segment on whether or not, in this economic climate, mall Santas should try to downplay kids’ expectations. If that weren’t depressing enough, Robinson wrapped it up by declaring that she didn’t believe you should tell kids about Santa at all. Watching the moment, you can see Robinson has the clear look of someone with a strongly held opinion they probably shouldn’t share. Finally it bursts out of her and she tells viewers her feelings that, once kids are old enough to talk, the Santa fantasy should be just that; fantasy.

Well, it turns out that some people watch the evening news with their young children. And, while their kids were fine hearing about, say, child porn rings and pregnant women being run down with cars, this Santa thing was just one step too far. The station’s Facebook page predictably exploded and, the next night, Robinson had to devote an entire segment to her apology.

“Tonight’s Talker is about me talking too much without thinking about who else might be in the room with the adults watching the news.

And since I try not to make the same mistake twice: Warning, we are about to talk about Santa Claus again. You might want your children to leave the room (which is what we should have said last night).

It was careless and callous to say what I said in what could have been mixed company. So many kids don’t get to be children that for those who can live the wonder and magic of Christmas, I would never spoil it intentionally. I sincerely apologize!”

As if that wasn’t enough, Robinson’s self-flagellation continued. She then had to walk the streets of the Windy City, telling random people of her crimes against humanity, and interviewing them for their thoughts. The clip of that bit is pretty amazing. Watch as the light goes out of these people’s eyes and they look at Robinson like a dead woman walking. To use another crime metaphor, I imagine this is what it’s like when convicted sex offenders have to go door to door introducing themselves to new neighbors.

The whole thing’s pretty hilarious. Especially since, like I said before, Robinson was lying. Santa is real. He’s totally really. Super duper real.

Watch both clips below, first her comments and then the apology segment:

(h/t HuffPo)

Robin Robinson, Santa Claus

Gloves T. Donahue

Okay. The Easter Bunny is starting to seem a little weird. But, Santa, well somebody is drinking that glass of Bourbon and smoking the cigar we leave out every year at the Donahue casa.
Anonymous

Is it weird that I have ZERO memory on how I learned Santa wasn’t real? Didn’t move me or surprise me much I suppose..
Anonymous

I’d argue Santa is as ‘real’ as the President. Although an individual who is President is called President for life, the actual President is a different person at different times. For young children Santa may be Mom one year, or Dad, or an Uncle, or a biker dropping off a toy strapped to the back of his hog. The Santa who is an elf and lives at the North Pole may not be real, but the Santa who gives children presents and joy is absolutely real.
Anonymous

Liberals still believe the Government is Santa Claus!!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Williams/100000431800956 Mark Williams

That sounds like your eight year old son. P.S. He also urinates in your chimney.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mark-Williams/100000431800956 Mark Williams

What is it like living with brain damage?
Ricci Dats Me

UNREAL..! She had to apologize for telling the truth. NOW that is simply a USA ONLY classic moment in human events. KIDS close your ears, the nice lady on TV is going to LIE and tell us she is sorry for telling us the TRUTH.
EXCELLENT. http://www.youtube.com/user/LightningEyeball?feature=mhee#p/u/1/bs7fJ6jAOVU yes, DANCE DANCE DANCE.. he’ll be gone soon and you’ll be sorry you didnt.
http://www.facebook.com/kristin.woltjen Kristin Woltjen Gortowski

not believing in Santa is like not believing in God. Makes sense , they are both old men with white beards. Got to believe in both, right?
Anonymous

Believing in Santa Claus is like believing that Kristin Woltjen Gortowski is attractive.
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Edwards/588445226 David Edwards

wow who really cares lol.
http://www.facebook.com/people/David-Edwards/588445226 David Edwards

I feel like sending those commentors an email saying get over it
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_76F7SAA3N35X4IBY5BGVQML2YM James

Santa’s as real as her frickin’ hair. Who’s she channeling, Gidget?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003007486095 Seren Dipity

I guess we can throw this into the hopper now:

Democrats HATE God, Religion, 2-Parent Families, and now, SANTA CLAUSE!

Are they Cavemen?
Anonymous

Wow…just how materialistic and stupid the USA has become. I agree with the lady. The sooner kids come to grip with REALITY, the better they’ll become. You have grown women who have never outgrown the delusional “princess” attitude and mindset instilled by their parents when they were little. So, yes, fantasies should be destroyed early. The kid needs to know that Daddy and Mommy buy the gifts. They buy the gifts with money they earn from working. If Mommy gets laid off, there are no gifts. Even a 5 year old could follow the logic!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_76F7SAA3N35X4IBY5BGVQML2YM James

Aw, let ‘em have their few years of fun before they have to avoid 7 ft. tall transvestite hookers who dream of marrying a Chevy Coupe and OWS protesters with scurvy cuz they don’t watch the Discovery Channel.
Anonymous

Children can enjoy childhood without believing in sordid tales and myths.
Anonymous

Let me be the first to call Santa a RINO.
Michael T.

Could that male co-anchor have been any more condescending when he instructed her on her “homework assignment” — i.e., telling her which movies she had to watch?

She seemed genuinely contrite, but he came across as the real Scrooge here.
Dirk

The sap is oozing out through the computer screen.
Dirk

Actually, the average garbage can is chock full of items rich in vitamin C.
Anonymous

I all for the Christmas spirit Chuck.. I am just wondering where all these traumatized adults are?
Anonymous

This country has lost it’s mind. Now we have been reduced to apologizing for saying Santa isn’t real?? It’s become a madhouse, a madhouse !!
Anonymous

Howdy penisjuggling!

“Let me be the first to call” Barney Fwank an ALBINO.
Anonymous

…the prison system…
Anonymous

Religion/ spiritualism IS a mental sickness and ALL who believe in ANY Religion/ spiritualism ARE mentally sick, delusional, hallucinating and psychotic!
Anonymous

Speaking of mental, psychotic morons….While condemning those who have faith……I’ll bet you believe that Santa is real.
Anonymous

I couldn’t agree more – it’s high time we dumped ALL this tedious, stupid pretense . . .
Anonymous

That is very clever. You see, you took part of my name and changed it to penis.

You are a national treasure.
Anonymous

Since Santa does not exist nor gives anything out you have shown us Conservatives are real clowns.