On Friday Rick Sanchez got his walking papers from CNN, Rick was the anchor of the 4pm-6pm slot. This is very much a coverted piece of real estate. It is too early to be classed as ‘prime time’ but there are few people that are in the news biz that would turn their nose up at this slot!
His firing had nothing to do with his excellent CNN program, it was as a result of him being lured onto a SiriusXM program. For months John Stewart has goaded Sanchez on the Daily Show. In what can be only viewed as stupidity, Rick Sanchez lost his job because of an interview on a channel other than CNN where he made the observation that John Stewart is a bigot.
I may not agree with all of Rick Sanchez’ comments, they did come from a man that was being rapidly put in a corner. Human nature makes you fight back. Rick was just fighting back.
This chapter is nothing more than another example of a well meaning person saying what is on his mind. When did that become a problem?
CNN’s sister station HLN seems to revel in personal rhetoric, why not fire the evil twins of Jane Valez- Mitchel and Nancy Grace? They seem to spend most of their time accusing people of far worse crimes than bigotry. In fact on November 1 Nancy Grace will be spending her day in a court room, she stands accused of causing a young lady to take her own life. Murder by media?
Actually the person that deserves the pink slip is the idiot at SiriusXM that put Rick Sanchez behind the 8 ball, and that would be Pete Dominic.
Destroying careers for ratings is alas an all too common story these days. I hope that Pete Dominic is pleased with himself. But I suspect that this will be a hollow victory, enjoy the 15 minutes of fame while you can.
Rick Sanchez is a man of integrity, he will bounce back!
CNN made a huge mistake in this decision.
Simon Barrett
29 users commented in " Rick Sanchez – Was It Fair? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI couldn’t agree more! I’ve watched his radio interview clip over and over again, trying to understand the reason behind his firing. I don’t get it. He simply stated his opinion, he didn’t believe that Jews were considered a minority. So? I think the REAL reasoning behind the firing, was the fact that Rick Sanchez revealed that he had experienced some discrimination at his company, CNN. That I feel, is the real reason for his firing. They don’t want it to be known. They want to be seen as this “fair and politically correct” media establishment.
I think it very unfair to fire Rick. My family loves to watch him. He is a Gentleman and you feel as though he is a family member visiting you every evening when he comes on t.v. My sister feels the same way I do. Rick makes us feel like someone cares about the everyday people who are the backbone of this country. We will miss him very,very much and what ever station(if he appears on one)We will be watching him. Thank,Judy Hunt
I agree, simon. Media person says whats on his mind and/or the truth and they get fired. spins eons worth of rubbish and be glorified.
Makes no sense, does it?
Come on CNN Rick had every right too make his statement. Fair game in this world its Just words I am a Gay male all my life been herassed Rick had every right too sound off at the dude. There are people that like rick I pay a cable bill every month I enjoy RICKS LIST
Didn’t Rick Sanchez have a tiff with Keith Olbermann as well? Good article Simon. I trust you will follow up and keep us informed of some aspects of the Nancy Grace issue in November? Talk about some irresponsible news programs…
I have to add one more comment. When a program ends it never really is due to the reason put out to the general public is it? I think your fans have learned this lesson well. I applaud the exposure of the truth in this case. It mirrors a lot of recent idiocy with other, “so-called” journalists. Great work.
Rick should never had been fired over these comments. Like most of the folks here state, he is a very likeable presenter. It seems that if you levy anything against Jews, you get the chop. They use the excuse of persecution to rally there cause but smash anyone who comments about them. The media might not be owned by the Jewish community but sadly, most of the management are. They need to lighten up some. If the comment was about a African American, Hispanic , Irish etc, there would have been a “debate”. It really is sad that “censorship” on anything Jewish that is negative is blown well out of proportion.
Rick Sanchez had an excellent show which I found extremely exciting and news-worthy. He let you know what was happening around the World! CNN was one of my favorite news source, however with Larry King leaving and Rick Sanchez gone, I will rely more on News online and Talk shows. Don Lemon is still a favorite of mine, but his appearance is unpredictable.
I think the straw that broke is when he said it “was run by the jews”. But really? I am Jewish. I liked Sanchez’s show more than other anchors. I like John Stewart, even if he is a bigot. The true loss here is CNN.
I know this is off topic but I have been thinking about Mr. Pittman and hope he is soon brought home.
The firing of Rick Sanchez just proves what he was saying. It is a crime in the U.S. to say that the jews are not an oppressed minority. Unfortunately, it is not true for other minorities. If someone says, for example, that muslims are not an oppressed minority, he will not be fired.
Lesson for others: Always say that Jews are a very oppressed minority in a lot of pain and suffering. This way you can progress a lot more.
As a black man that has worked at CBS, ABC and other media companies, as the “token” executive. I have seen first hand these companies routinely discriminate against minorities in hiring, promotion and salary on a very consistent basis. It’s all very subtle; they want to create the appearance that they are fair and equal. Nothing could be further from the truth! No, Mr. Sanchez’s firing was no surprise to me and the hundreds of monitories working in media today. It’s unfortunate he lost his very high profile position at CNN for expressing himself honestly and without all the politically correct BS. As you can plainly see…not many Hispanic’s on the air at CNN.
I don’t think many of you who enjoy Rick and his “gentlemanly ways,” know that in 1990 he behaved immorally and despicably. Driving home drunk from a baseball game, he hit another driver, who was severely injured and languished in a coma for five years before he ultimately died. Rick left the scene of the accident, but not before he pooh poohed the notion that he take a blood test to check his alcohol level. He never inquired into the condition of his unfortunate victim, as he later proclaimed he did. When he returned nearly two hours later, he still had a very high level of alcohol in him. His lawyer said that he had left the scene and gone home, had a few belts to fortify himself, then returned to the scene of the accident. (mmm. uh huh…SURE, I believe THAT!) He never paid one cent to the hapless victim OR his surviving family members. Good ol’ Rick.
Sanchez fancied himself a modern day Walter Cronkite. He filmed himself in a t-shirt, ala TMZ style, joking with co workers, and aired it during his own show, which was farcical. Watching him was unbearable, and I go back many years, when he was on MSNBC. He came off as someone who had people laughing AT him, and not WITH him, as he so desperately wanted them to be.
What he said may or may not be true. However, Sanjay Gupta, an Indian man, seems to be a golden boy of sorts at CNN. Dr. Oz has a show, too. Anderson Cooper, a gay man, gets plenty of airtime. Soledad O’Brien, of mixed race, does specials, as well. Fredricka anchors a show. There’s a beautiful Asian anchor and a male black anchor who headline during the morning hours.(Regretfully, my name suddenly draws a blank on their names) There seems to be enough diversity. I think Rick dumbed down CNN, though my husband enjoyed watching him. (He also likes Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly, so go figure)
Ultimately, it was probably karma that cost him his job.
Glad we agree, Simon.
I agree with your assessment of HLN – JVM & NG
accusing people of far worse crimes than bigotry! What has happened to integrity?
Is brow-beating and bullying of guests allowed?
How do you teach kids not to bully when it is constantly seen on tv shows with “adults” doing the bullying and berating of people on national television? Are the CEO’s of these shows blind or do they turn their head the other way? I have heard people called morans
and freaks.
CNN has a new show with Eliot Spitzer the NY
disgraced governor. What!!
I seen the prostitute ex-Governor Eliot Spitzer
was involved with as a guest on HLN Joy Behar Show a few weeks back.
Wow – all are missing the point.
He insulted his employer!
This is nothing to do with free speech or calling people a bigot. I see Jan and Simon write all the time about bullying and how it needs to stop, well gee, isn’t that just free speech? There needs to be a line drawn somewhere, and I’m sure as soon as he insulted his employer, the people that employ him made a decision.
What happens to people in the military that question their superiors people! Let me tell you that won’t change anytime soon…
What a slanted piece of writing.
His firing had nothing to do with his “excellent” CNN program, it was as a result of him being “lured onto” a SiriusXM program.
For months John Stewart has “goaded” Sanchez on the Daily Show.
In what can be only viewed as stupidity, Rick Sanchez lost his job because of an interview on a channel other than CNN where he made the observation that John Stewart is a bigot.
I may not agree with all of Rick Sanchez’ comments, they did come from a man that was being rapidly put in a corner. Human nature makes you fight back. Rick was just fighting back.
This chapter is nothing more than another example of a well meaning person saying what is on his mind. When did that become a problem?
I stumbled onto this blog via a google search. Last time I read this garbage.
People,
Ponder upon this: Glenn Beck – a white man – told the entire world that the black President of the United States is a racist; Rick Sanchez – a non-white man – said to the comedian who is also white but a Jew that he (the comedian) is a bigot.
Where is the white man now? Still has the job and still preaching. And, the non-white, fired and jobless.
A SAD DAY FOR CNN..RICK WAS A GREAT ASSET TO CNN, IN FACT THAT IS ONE OF THE ONLY ONES I WATCH, OCCASIOALLY ANDERSON..BUT RICK IS THE GUY..WILL MISS HIM GREATLY..UNLESS THEY GET HIM BACK I’M OUT OF THERE…DOESN’T MATTER TO CNN IF I WATCH OR NOT….
Does anybody know the reason why John Stewart kept goading Rick Sanchez, to the point that he completely lost control of himself?
I am just curious because I hardly watch the comedian’s show.
very unfair what happened to Rick Sanchez have you noticed that nobody on air is taking up for him. There is firm steel like grip on the american media not good for democracy. I hope Rick gets an “up yours”great job.
you cant keep a good performer down long live Rick, great performer , brave stands up for himself.
I miss Rick’s List! It was an interesting informative show and I looked forward to seeing it everyday.
I hope CNN reinstates him, he didn’t deserve to be fired.
I don’t watch CNN as I did out of anger at them for firing one of my favorite newscasters.
For one against you Mr Sanchez, there are 100 for you!
Judy Hunt said about Rick Sanchez…”He is a Gentleman and you feel as though he is a family member visiting you every evening when he comes on t.v. My sister feels the same way I do. Rick makes us feel like someone cares about the everyday people who are the backbone of this country.”
I felt that way also about him and you expressed well.
God bless him!
it is cnn’s loss
who is this woman who has replaced him/
cnn, you are a bunch of cowards- you don’t want real people, you want ROBOTS
GET RICK BACK!
YES, RICK- I AM SURPRISED THAT NOT ONE NEWS MEDIA INDIVIDUAL/ CORP STOOD UP FOR YOU.
IT IS CUT THROAT BUSINESS.
SO WHOM DO WE TRUST?
WITHOUT YOU, RICK, CNN IS BORING
SET UP YOUR OWN!
WE’LL ALL TUNE IN!
I feel Rick Sanchez was a great asset to CNN. He brought his points across in a very professional way. I watched him on a daily basis. CNN will no longer be the same without him. Rick Sanchez you will be missed. CNN you will lose ratings.
Well I have to disagree with all most everyone here.
I’m very happy Rick Sanchez is off the air. He was one of the most arrogant, biased, and a dishonest so-called journalist. He was blatantly anti-American. He was not a Christian as he often testified to, he was a Catholic, and being Catholic he spoke the words that many Catholics often speak out when pressed. He was also a hypocrite, self-righteous, and did not present truth in his reporting. Matter of fact did any of you realize that back in 1990, Dec 10, he was brought up on charges of driving while intoxicated, he struck and paralyzed a man, he ran from the scene, and returned two hours later. That same man died in 1995 due to complications from the hit and run that involved this so-called man with integrity, Rick Sanchez. Do the research people, and read it for yourself. I’m glad he is gone. It’s about time. CNN is a bit better for it, but it is still one of the worst news media that I have ever seen and heard. It’s a propaganda center, just like the rest.
Leave A Reply