Cathleen Crowell Webb and Gary Dotson. Crowell Webb had falsely accused Dotson of rape. Dotson had been sentenced to 25-years in prison for raping Crowell Webb (whom he'd never met) and had served six years before finally being released after DNA evidence and Crowell Webb's own recanted testimony proved he was innocent. As only the second prisoner to have DNA evidence prove he was wrongly convicted, Dotson was news and CBS decided to book them both so that the 'victim' could explain that she'd had a consensual affair with another man and, rather than admit that, had decided to lie and make up a story when she ended up pregnant. (Director John Waters rightly refers to her as "Liar Mouth Cathleen Crowell Webb" and has skewered Phylis George's handling of that interview in an essay.)
It wasn't just inappropriate, it was jaw droppingly inappropriate for Phyllis George to ask that. It was not something that a news program ever does.
"Give us a hug" became a punch line for weeks and weeks after.
And we say all that for many, many reasons. Among those reasons are there are few such moments of jaw dropping ignorance. When one takes place, it times to hand out a Katrina.
Ruth noted one such incident last week in "Chris Floyd and The Embarrassing Aimee Allison." Chris Hedges was brought on KPFA's The Morning Show to talk about the economic crisis and did so at length, not a surprise, he's well versed in this subject. What was surprising was the ending when Aimee decided to waste everyone's time by grabbing a bow and trying to create a happy ending (just like Phyllis George) by asking Hedges not to leave on such a 'downer' note and to talk about 'hope.' He was booked to talk about the economy. Asking him to find a 'happy thought' in that is a bit like after a school massacre asking a guest to find a 'happy thought 'in that.
It was disgusting, it turned a serious interview into a joke and it never needs to happen again. If reality is too much for Aimee Allison to handle, she should seek other employment. As it is, The Morning Show already has more than enough fluff on it. A little less giggling from Allison and little more attention to the news would greatly improve the show.
Until then, Allison's earned her Katrina.