The comments about running down cyclists that Tony Kornheiser made last week first bubbled up to former pro cyclist and Versus commentator Bob Roll, who does a good job of pointing out that cyclists are people - parents, friends, teachers - who are taking on many of the problems of modern life. From there it was a short jump to Bob Roll's friend Lance Armstrong, who tweeted
Listening to Tony Kornheiser's comments/rant on ESPN radio re: cyclists. Disgusting, ignorant, foolish. What a complete f-ing idiot.
Tony Kornheiser on cyclists on the road, "run 'em down". Really? Big mistake, Tony.
Meanwhile, ESPN980 seemed glad for the attention
Hoping to be a Trending Topic Worldwide today, keep your fingers crossed...
Which led Lance Armstrong to respond, accurately,
How douchebags apologize...
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post's Sports Bog took Tony Kornheiser's side, with the "it's just a joke" defense, accusing Lance Armstrong of foaming at the mouth, and even took a swipe at yours truly.Perhaps Steinberg was scared of meeting Dave McKenna's fate. I mean the sports news business is a small world, best not to offend one who can get people hired and fired, right?
I mean, he's been saying things like this for years and years, way before bloggers decided that radio transcription was an acceptable pastime.
This isn't like squatting on someone else's land. It doesn't become OK if you do it long enough. How many years do I have to not pay my taxes before it becomes OK? (Note to IRS: I always pay my taxes).
If you listen, you also realize that he's playing the character of a crotchety old man
Anyway ESPN980 must've thought there was something wrong with what Tony said, because they took the podcast down. And Tony must've thought it was wrong since he told Lance Armstrong he was sorry.
Just off the phone w/ Tony Kornheiser who's very sorry 4 his comments re: cyclists. Going on the show 2morrow 2 discuss this w/ him.
To me this is all about a relationship. It's bikes and cars. Both will be here forever. Awareness needs to exist as well as mutual respect.
Well put. I look forward to tomorrow's show.
The thing is, I'm probably not as angry as others. I get that it's meant to be a joke. I get that it's part of the character Tony Kornheiser that Tony Kornheiser plays on the radio. That's why I didn't really respond when I originally put it up, because I knew it was intentionally ignorant. And I know how hard it must be to be entertaining on the radio (live without writers) for an hour and a half everyday. If you add the character with the long, unscripted format you're bound to put your foot in your mouth at times. Not that I feel sympathy for him. You live by the unscripted offensive character, you die by it. I don't think Tony Kornheiser wants people to run cyclists over or that he thinks it's funny or acceptable for others to do it. But still, that doesn't mean it's all OK.
While Tony is playing a character, just like Stephen Colbert does, his is not played as the ridiculous caricature that Colbert's is. He's not playing the fool who confidently espouses his wrong-headed philosophy, while everyone laughs at how crazy he sounds, like Archie Bunker. A character like that can get away with almost anything, because the joke is always on that character. He instead plays the misanthrope who speaks his mind because he doesn't care about politeness or political correctness - like John Becker. That character's humor lies in that he says what everyone thinks, but what no one will say. "Others think like I do, and it's OK to feel this way." The joke is on the people obsessed with politeness.
That's what's bothersome about this. There are people that think this way. That cyclists don't belong in the road. That it's only the law that prevents them from running cyclists down. That maybe if they bump them or intimidate them a little, they can teach them a lesson. And when they hear Tony Kornheiser (the character) say this, they feel slightly more validated in their feelings. "Others think like I do, and it's OK to feel this way." And that's disturbing.
Also, Kornheiser is not only the guy playing the character, he's also the guy writing for the character - again unlike Colbert. So one has to wonder how far from TK the person is TK the character. Maybe he doesn't want cyclists run over, but I wouldn't be surprised if he felt like roads were for cars.
It doesn't help that the segment wasn't funny. And I don't mean that it was offensive. I mean it wasn't ha-ha funny. Back when I did stand-up, I'd watch others with their script and mark it up for them and they'd do the same for me. We'd put hash marks at the "laugh points." One where someone should laugh, and two (or three if people went crazy) where they actually did. I count five "laugh points", only one of which would get two hashes. That's over 8 minutes. We used to say if you don't have 6 per minute, you need to punch it up - or dump the bit. So if it was meant to be a joke, it failed miserably.
But, if Kornheiser apologizes, the matter will be closed in my mind. Of course, it ain't an apology if you do it again. So he'll have to mean it.
On a personal note, yesterday the blog got three times as many hits as it has ever gotten in one day - and a lot of places aren't even linking here.
Good news on the high number of visits on the blog washcycle!
I definitely spend way too much time checking it in the mornings. ;)
Posted by: TurbineBlade | March 19, 2010 at 07:40 AM
A more sincere apology from Tony would be the offer of not only appearing at, but joining in (ie-funding) a bike rally on Bike to Work Day-with a live brodcast-on a bicyle. He can say allot right now-we sould exploit him tastefully.
Posted by: Ellen | March 19, 2010 at 08:47 AM
I really like Ellen's idea. But how do we make that happen?
Things could not have worked out better for Kornheiser. More people are paying attention to his radio show. Lance Armstrong will be a guest. Really, it's been a win-win-win for him.
Posted by: freewheel | March 19, 2010 at 08:54 AM
I knew the guy and can assure you it's not a character. However, good on him for apologizing.
Posted by: anon | March 19, 2010 at 08:59 AM
Colbert attacks the powerful, and bears.
TK is a big guy who makes jokes about women; works for major media outlets jokes about people who write in minor newspapers; drives an SUV jokes about running over people on bikes. Apparently he also can't take any criticism.
When your jokes are always about those weaker than you in a given situation, there is a fine line between humor and being a bully.
I'm no fan of Armstrong, but I hope he rips TK
Posted by: SJE | March 19, 2010 at 09:09 AM
SJE nails it. "Bully" was exactly the word that sprung to my mind.
Posted by: Contrarian | March 19, 2010 at 09:22 AM
Freewheel. I thought the same thing. I'd like to interview Lance Armstrong, maybe I should threaten cyclists.
Posted by: washcycle | March 19, 2010 at 09:45 AM
Stand-up comedian becomes bike blogger.
That's worth at least one hash, zing!
Posted by: Am I right, or am I right, OR AM I RIGHT? | March 19, 2010 at 09:56 AM
We can handle Minnesota Senator, so bike blogger is easy.
Posted by: washcycle | March 19, 2010 at 09:59 AM
It might clarify things to point out that the line "way before bloggers decided that radio transcription was an acceptable pastime" was not actually a swipe at WashCycle, but a joke about the number of times Steinberg ends up doing the same thing himself.
Posted by: Jon | March 19, 2010 at 10:02 AM
DC, it's T-bone doing her annual visit to The Washcycle. Just wanted to note that the Lance Armstrong quote made it to today's Style section if you can believe it, which is what brought the issue back to my radar. Great job...
Posted by: TA | March 19, 2010 at 10:53 AM
UPDATE: Kornheiser just told LA that he won't do this type of rant again. LA says we'll all be listening to make sure.
Posted by: freewheel | March 19, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Yep, just like on the playground, the bully is all contrite when someone's big brother comes on over. Lets see how long this lasts, or whether he will just focus on another group.
Posted by: SJE | March 19, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Just to put it in context, a few days after TKs rant, NC pro-cyclist, father, and husband, Adam Little was killed by a car that 'tapped' him.
"According to the Concord Police Department, Little was cycling southbound along the shoulder of NC Highway 49 near the intersection of US Highway 601 when he was struck by a car on Wednesday at 7:30 a.m."
Posted by: SJE | March 19, 2010 at 11:38 AM
I actually like TK. I thought his humor column in the Washington Post was very funny. And I like PTL. I don't listen to his radio show, but it sounds like Washcycle has it figured out. If you have to run your mouth for hours and hours your going to put your foot in it sooner or later. (Michele Obama had this happen during the campaign. "For the first time in my life I'm proud to be an American." THUD.)
TK ought to clue in. What if some knucklehead took him to heart and "tapped" one of his kids while he/she was out riding. TK is an intelligent guy. He knows he screwed up. He should participate in Bike to Work Day - wearing red leather go-go boots.
Posted by: John | March 19, 2010 at 12:24 PM
The bottom line is that this clown needs to be taken off the air. His "joke" is not funny it is in violation of Moral turpitude clauses and will get someone killed. The only way to make sure this happens is to take out his advertising base. I am sure once they get enough heat this clown will be back under the rock they found him under. Also I would contact the Redskins as they are a stake holder and the ESPN network, who he also seems to work for. This mentality is not just a joke. It is a serious character flaw, Until such time as people stop and think and change bicyclist for something else, children, dogs, joggers, blacks, Mexicans, people wearing plaid pants, and let that settle in...you only then realize the magnitude of the hate this person expressed. Then look up the Los Angles incident of the "doctor" who almost killed two guys doing a speed limit and in traffic as the law permits. This is not humor this is not just an I am sorry this needs to be your fired get out issue. Sad to say but We need to let our voices be heard boycott his advertisers, and boycott the stations advertisers they will have no choice but to listen. the Alternative is to have a bullseye on your back from this clown and people of his ilk
Posted by: Bicycle Lawyer | March 19, 2010 at 01:01 PM
What is truly humorous is the level of TK's knowledge about the sports he supposedly covers. He is not really noted as an expert on any sport, including football. This is obvious to any long-time listener or viewer. He has more than a passing interest in the sports but he doesn't understand nuances of any of them.
So it's not surprising that he doesn't understand cycling, laws pertaining to cyclists and basic principles of safety and decency when it comes to behavior on the roads.
He always came across as a crotchety middle-aged guy on the old NBC4 shows "Full Court Press" and "Redskins Report" with George Michael. He would often get very angry except when he would refer to his obsession with The Suze (Susan O'Malley, former president of the Washington Wizards organization).
There was genuine animosity between him and Michael Wilbon, week in and week out. Those guys appeared to really hate each other. Only George Michael could keep the show from devolving into a knockdown brawl. Well, at least a hissy-fit slap fight. TK doesn't scare anyone physically when he's not driving an SUV or when he doesn't have the authority to get someone fired. I was surprised to see the two of them join up for the ESPN show PTI. (I have to admit that I've found that show amusing in the past, but after this month, I'm not going to watch it anymore, unless TK gets replaced permanently.)
Posted by: Michael H. | March 19, 2010 at 09:04 PM
I contacted ESPN the national network, they seem to feel this is acceptable behavior, perhaps a boycott of ESPN advertisers as well is in order. At the very least more of us need to contact them and push this issue. Just having Lance on does not and will not make this ok.. it can't be left to stand until he is off air
Posted by: Bicycle Lawyer | March 20, 2010 at 02:11 AM
As for Archie Bunker, by the end of the show he got his comeuppance, or he realized how wrong he was because of some sort of personal interaction. That's what made the character palatable and an American icon. You can't hide the lesson, moral or humility 3 weeks later and still be compared to Archie Bunker.
Posted by: Brendan | March 20, 2010 at 06:51 AM