How To Get Fired From TV News Without Really Trying

It’s easy, really!

  1. Shoot profanity laden videos at the TV station with the company’s equipment. Broadly mock your business. Cast station employees as extras.
  2. Allow the video to leak out.

That’s what happened at KARK in Little Rock a few weeks ago. The videos (a short film, really) are sort of a cross between Office Space and Broadcast News, but more like Office Space. It was supposed to be a harmless side project, but things went bad when the local business rag got hold of the videos and decided to post them on their website. Three reporters and a photographer at the station lost their jobs and another five or so employees were suspended.

Here’s one of the videos — but be warned, there’s quite a bit of foul language:

The station’s general manager, Rick Rogala, called the videos “offensive and distasteful.” Satire does not fly in Arkansas.

8 thoughts on “How To Get Fired From TV News Without Really Trying

  1. I saw one of the videos a few days back and found it painfully unfunny and super awkward. My reaction was “guys, don’t quit your day job.” Except the on-air talent is supposed to have some semblance of camera presence, and it doesn’t matter because they got fired anyway.

    I guess what I’m saying is, if you’re going to be this stupid, at least be funny.

  2. To: Rob Madeo
    Re: Title of this blog entry

    ..Phfft- been there, done that..

    On the plus side.. openings in Arkansas… Wait..is that a plus side ?

  3. We save all of our Inotech jokes, TPS reports, and flair for the cafeteria. Occasionaly we’ll let slip out in the office about “having a meeting with the Bob’s” but we don’t have camera’s rolling.

    I’ve been guilty at least ten times saying, in Samir’s accent, “why does it say paper jam when there is no paper jam”.

    Maybe I should cut down on my Office Space references and just stick to political jokes πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

  4. What Kevin said. That was just dumb.

    Um, Rob, doesn’t that video violate a bunch of TU’s posting rules. I know I can’t get by with comments that contain those words. (My language isn’t as clean as you guys think.)

    1. Donna: Possibly. I did note that there was foul language and since the used has to select to view it, I thought it was OK. I’ll ask the boss.

  5. I’ve seen things posted in other blogs labeled as NSFW (Not Safe for Work) or with similar warnings about language and content. If this sort of thing violates the rules, it should have been stopped long before this. I say the user should read the warning and beware.

    I’d be a lot more angry if there were a warning and then found that there were NOT any dirty words. πŸ˜‰

  6. LOL, me too, Roz! I am actually quite frustrated with the censorship but I suppose they have to do it. I read that now and realize that came off as lecturing Rob instead of the teasing tone I meant to take.

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