In PC 2014, Radio Rant Against Erin Andrews Yet Another Crazy Career Move

It seems to be a daily occurrence these days: A public figure — whether it’s a politician, TV, radio or reality star — gets on the air or social media to share a completely unfiltered and not well-thought-out-beforehand… thought.

Today’s winner by a country mile — at least for now… it’s still early yet — is radio host Kirk Minihane of the Boston-based Dennis and Callahan Morning Show. As Mediaite reported earlier, Minihane had this to say about former ESPN and current Fox Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews following an otherwise benign interview regarding the Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright possibly grooving a fastball to the All-Star Game guest of honor, the retiring Derek Jeter:

“What a bitch! I hate her! What a gutless bitch! Seriously, go away. Drop dead. I mean, seriously what the hell is wrong with her? First of all, follow-up. Second of all, the guy admitted he did it. He admitted it. He told reporters he threw a couple of pipe bombs. How is that social media’s fault? I hate her. I seriously hate her so much. Social media is the reason she has a big house! Shut up. Shut up. I shouldn’t call her a bitch, I’m sure she’s a nice person.”

Now… if Ms. Andrews was, say, a male sideline reporter and Minihane did the usual hyperbolic explosion heard all too often in sports radio by calling him a jerk, a gutless jerk, would this even raise a ripple of a reaction? Nope.

But this is 2014, and as we’re well aware, these are sensitive times. Ask Anthony Cumia, formerly of the Opie and Anthony Show after he took to Twitter with his candid thoughts. Ask Adam Richman, likely former reality star, if he would think twice before going to social media to provide instructions to a “fan” on how to off oneself with a razor and a bath. Ask Justine Sacco, formerly of mega-PR firm AIC, if she would take back sending this tweet:

There are dozens of other cases of utter stupidity to choose from. Take the young woman who thought it was a good idea to dress up as a Boston Marathon Bombing victim and thought it was an even better idea to tweet out that Kodak moment to the world (given she took the photo at her office, she obviously lost her job shortly thereafter):

Or ask free agent Martin Bashir, who decided it was wise to suggest on national television that someone ought to defecate in the mouth of a former female vice presidential candidate.

So what will happen to Kirk Minihane? He not only attacked a female reporter and called her a bitch twice, but it was Erin Andrews—she of filmed-through-a-hotel-room-peep-hole-infamy. Rest assured that trial-by-Twitter will now commence, and it won’t be pretty by the time the mob gets done with Minihane and those who employ him.

Only question now: Will WEEI Radio management bow to pressure — the same way unregulated Sirius XM did with Anthony Cumia — and fire (or at least suspend) Minihane? Those who listen to the Dennis and Callahan Show say rants like this are common. The Andrews “analysis” wasn’t something that just happened out of nowhere.

But these are PC times we live in. Shooting from the lip has its limitations, especially when the target is a woman or minority.

And social media brings attention to situations like this—and in the process, brings heavy pressure to those in the corner offices at media outlets as well. Consequences can be sudden and swift. Forgiveness can be fleeting. Whatever the case may be, on-air personalities hosts/anchors/personalities have to know the potential ramifications of their words by now. Except some still haven’t received the memo…

Does Minihane survive without being reprimanded in some capacity?

If recent history is any indication, the smart money is on no.

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This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.