Exercise Guru Richard Simmons Cited for Slapping Man at Phoenix Airport

The Associated Press ^ | Mar 25, 2004 | Anon AP Stringer

[Pharmboy]

PHOENIX (AP) - Exercise guru Richard Simmons allegedly slapped a man who made a sarcastic remark about one of his videos, police said. Simmons, known for his "Sweatin' to the Oldies" series of exercise videos set to songs from the 1950s and 60s, was cited for misdemeanor assault.

A fellow passenger recognized Simmons on Wednesday night at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport as he was waiting for a flight to Los Angeles, police said.

The man "made the off-hand comment, 'Hey everybody. It's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s,'" said Phoenix police Sgt. Tom Osborne. "Mr. Simmons took exception to it and walked over to the other passenger and apparently slapped him in the face."

The passenger, whose identity wasn't immediately available, wasn't injured but told police that he intended to file charges against Simmons, 55.

Osborne said Simmons was cited for misdemeanor assault and permitted to board his flight.

AP-ES-03-25-04 0447EST

[Pharmboy]

His boyfriend must have just broken up with him. Sheesh.

[xm177e2]

Was the pain from being slapped in the face or from complications related to excessive, uncontrollable laughter?

[BigSkyFreeper]

I don't know how tall Simmons is, but the guy he slapped was 6'2", 250 pounds, and reportedly considered a "cage fighter", according to the Arizona Republic newspaper.

[Pharmboy]

Simmonds does not appear to be a big guy. This sounds even stranger with what you said about the other guy...

[BigSkyFreeper]

That's what floored me, the size of the guy he slapped. I figured, as you say, Simmons isn't all that tall, at least I know he doesn't appear to be even 6' tall.

Arizona Republic story

[Graymatter]

His Phoenix Project...
Denial at 11.

[My Dog Likes Me]

Years ago, I heard from a reliable airline source that Richard Simmons is a real pain. At the height of his fame he would purchase the empty seat next to him in first class to ensure that nobody would sit near him and disturb him. He would pull a hissy fit otherwise.

Oh you big Drama Queen!

[Qwinn]

Oh Jeethuth Chritht!

(South Park reference, for those who don't get it)

Qwinn

[kcvl]

Simmons, the outlandish 55-year-old known for his raucous exercise videos and boisterous personality, slapped the 6-foot-2, 250-pound athlete after the man reportedly made a derogatory remark about Simmons, Phoenix police Lt. Lowell Spalla said. "He made a comment, something to the effect of, 'Hey, look everybody, it's Richard Simmons. Why don't you drop your stuff and start dancing to the oldies?' " Spalla said. "Simmons approached him and said, 'You shouldn't make fun of people who have issues' and then he slapped him."

[RipSawyer]

I am trying to imagine what Jonathan Winters could have done with all this.

[Samurai_Jack]

Simmons just spent 20 years on the aerobic exercise circuit. You treat him with respect regardless of his affeminate mannerisms or he will walk up and slap you silly. The aggrieved 'victim' in this case acted the fool in public and deserved to be slapped. He also deserves to lose this court case and pay court expenses and attorney fees.

[Riley]

The aggrieved 'victim' in this case acted the fool in public and deserved to be slapped.

This is true. As irritating a caricature of himself as Simmons is, nobody likes public ridicule. If I'd have done something as stupid and crass as that, I'd be doubly embarrassed to press charges. Simmons is more than a little weird, but he ought to be able to move around unheckled. I do think however, that a classier response on his part would have been a sharply witty rejoinder that would have had the crowd laughing at the heckler, instead.

How's Aku, the tall dude with the flaming eyebrows, BTW?

[Samurai_Jack]

Aku is currently running as the presumptive democrat presidential nominee.

[Glenn]

In Richard's mind, this was just foreplay.

[csvset]

'Hey everybody. It's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s,'"

[1rudeboy]

C'mon guys. "Alternative lifestyle" jokes aside, you have to admire what Simmons did. At least I hope you do, or I'm on this forum with a bunch of wussies.

[Riley]

Oh man. That is the best yet of a bunch of good characterizations. 'Aku' he is.

[WIladyconservative]

He's obviously irritating to a lot of folks.

Remember David Letterman chasing him around the stage on the Late Show with a fire extinguisher? Simmons was dressed as a Thanksgiving turkey! They had to bleep out every other word from Letterman!

[tdadams]

It seems if he was insulted by a 250 pound man teasing him about excercise, he's got a perfect comeback just dangling in front of him.

[commish]

oh you brute, you horrible beatht! I am tho inthenthed I mutht thlap you now! B*tch!