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Golf Announcers Slip Up, Mistake Anthony Kim For 'All (Those) Chinese People'

Posted: Nov 15th 2008 1:00PM by Shane Bacon (author feed)
Filed under: Golf

You know, being racist is a bad thing, I'm sure we all can agree. But, being racist on live television? Yeah, that's going to get you a little heat.

Sky Sports reporters, when broadcasting the HSBC Champions last week from Shanghai, China, thought they had run into Anthony Kim the night before at the hotel. Yeah, that's fine. Not being sure if it was him because, "all these Chinese people" were around, is not.

Richard Boxall and Bruce Critchley are golf announcers on Sky TV and worked last week's HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, won by Sergio Garcia. But the most jarring moment came when the pair were talking on air about rising American star Anthony Kim.

"With all these Chinese people around, I'm not sure if I bumped into him [Kim] in the hotel reception last night," Boxall said. "I'm not sure if it was him."

Continue Reading Golf Announcers Slip Up, Mistake Anthony Kim For 'All (Those) Chinese People'

On Keyshawn Johnson Comments, Bloggers Gave MJD a Pass

Posted: May 9th 2008 1:56PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: ESPN, Blogs

18 COMMENTS

During the NFL draft, Yahoo Sports blogger Matthew J. Darnell, better known as MJD, wrote this about ESPN analyst Keyshawn Johnson's wardrobe:

". . . This is what happens when you hand Michael Irvin a giant blunt that had been soaked in embalming fluid for about a month, and then you say to him, "Mike, I want you to take an hour, smoke that, and then pick what I'm going to wear for the draft tomorrow. And if you could make the area from my neck to my chest look like a cracked-open watermelon, I'd really appreciate it. . . "

The bosses at Yahoo felt that those comments crossed the line, and they were taken down.

Continue Reading On Keyshawn Johnson Comments, Bloggers Gave MJD a Pass

Bobby Clampett on 'Chinaman': If I Offended Anybody Please Accept My Sincere Apologies

Posted: Apr 11th 2008 8:21PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Golf

855 COMMENTS

Former pro golfer and current CBS announcer Bobby Clampett referred to golfer Liang Wen-Chong as "the chinaman" during today's Masters broadcast and apologized afterward. Here's the full apology he gave on the Masters webcast, according to CBS spokeswoman LeslieAnne Wade:

"It has been a privilege to be here with you the last 2 days describing action of all of the players. In describing the Asian player Wen-Chong Liang if I offended anybody please accept me sincere apologies."

The style of apology that begins with "if I offended anybody" always rings a little bit hollow. The word "chinaman" is a slur, and it's the slur that should be followed up with an apology, not the reaction of being offended by the slur.

Having said that, assuming Clampett doesn't have a history of offensive comments -- and to the best of my knowledge he doesn't -- this doesn't seem like the type of offense that should get him fired. I just wish his thoughtless comment had been followed by an apology that sounded a little more thoughtful.

The Masters

Tiger Woods pumps his fist after saving par on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Zach Johnson reacts after his putt on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain hits out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Mike Weir of Canada follows his putt on the 16th green during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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Tiger Woods waves to patrons after saving par on the 11th hole during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Patrons rest in the shade next to the 18th fairway during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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Zach Johnson reacts to a missed birdie putt on the 16th hole during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

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Tiger Woods, right, accompanied by his caddie Steve Williams checks the wind on the 12th fairway during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

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Zach Johnson takes his fourth shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. Johnson had a double bogey on the hole. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Zach Johnson discusses his lie in a bunker on the 17th hole during the second round of the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday, April 11, 2008. Johnson got a double bogie on the hole. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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CBS's Bobby Clampett Apologizes for Calling Liang Wen-Chong 'Chinaman' at Masters

Posted: Apr 11th 2008 7:25PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Golf, The Word

40 COMMENTS

During today's Masters broadcast, CBS announcer Bobby Clampett referred to Chinese golfer Liang Wen-Chong as "the chinaman."

According to CBS spokeswoman LeslieAnne Wade, Clampett later apologized on the Masters webcast.

Clampett has been working Amen Corner the last two days, and his commentary can be heard both online and on DirecTV. He used the "chinaman" slur while describing Liang's round and explaining that he will not make the cut.

There is no word yet on whether Clampett will be disciplined by CBS. Clampett's slur comes three months after Golf Channel announcer Kelly Tilghman was suspended for two weeks for saying that if young players want to beat Tiger Woods, they should "lynch him in a back alley."

There has also so far been no reaction from Augusta National, which is far from the world's most politically correct organization but which is known for its insistence that television announcers not say anything controversial. CBS announcer Jim Nantz frequently talks about how much classier golf in general and Augusta National in particular are than other sports and other venues, and Nantz has even criticized Woods for cursing on the course. How does he feel about one of his colleagues using a slur?

UPDATE: Bobby Clampett on 'Chinaman': If I Offended Anybody Please Accept My Sincere Apologies