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Exercise Guru Richard Simmons Cited for Slapping Man at Phoenix Airport
The Associated Press ^
| Mar 25, 2004
| Anon AP Stringer
Posted on 03/25/2004 2:20:46 AM PST by 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
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Arizona
KEYWORDS: assault; idiot; offmeds; oldies; richardsimmons
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His boyfriend must have just broken up with him. Sheesh.
1
posted on
03/25/2004 2:20:47 AM PST
by
Pharmboy
To: Pharmboy
Was the pain from being slapped in the face or from complications related to excessive, uncontrollable laughter?
2
posted on
03/25/2004 2:21:54 AM PST
by
xm177e2
(Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
To: Pharmboy
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.
3
posted on
03/25/2004 2:25:56 AM PST
by
BigSkyFreeper
(Liberalism is Communism one drink at a time. - P.J. O'Rourke)
To: BigSkyFreeper
Simmonds does not appear to be a big guy. This sounds even stranger with what you said about the other guy...
4
posted on
03/25/2004 2:30:50 AM PST
by
Pharmboy
(History's greatest agent for freedom: The US Armed Forces)
To: Pharmboy
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
5
posted on
03/25/2004 2:35:35 AM PST
by
BigSkyFreeper
(Liberalism is Communism one drink at a time. - P.J. O'Rourke)
To: Pharmboy
His Phoenix Project...
Denial at 11.
To: Pharmboy
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!
To: Pharmboy
Oh Jeethuth Chritht!
(South Park reference, for those who don't get it)
Qwinn
8
posted on
03/25/2004 2:54:34 AM PST
by
Qwinn
To: BigSkyFreeper
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."
9
posted on
03/25/2004 2:57:25 AM PST
by
kcvl
To: kcvl
I am trying to imagine what Jonathan Winters could have done with all this.
10
posted on
03/25/2004 3:07:17 AM PST
by
RipSawyer
(Mercy on a pore boy lemme have a dollar bill!)
To: Pharmboy
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.
11
posted on
03/25/2004 3:15:03 AM PST
by
Samurai_Jack
(Pacifism by its nature invites escalating acts of war on anyone who practices it.)
To: Samurai_Jack
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?
12
posted on
03/25/2004 3:57:46 AM PST
by
Riley
To: Riley
Aku is currently running as the presumptive democrat presidential nominee.
13
posted on
03/25/2004 4:13:32 AM PST
by
Samurai_Jack
(Pacifism by its nature invites escalating acts of war on anyone who practices it.)
To: Pharmboy
In Richard's mind, this was just foreplay.
14
posted on
03/25/2004 4:14:51 AM PST
by
Glenn
(The two keys to character: 1) Learn how to keep a secret. 2) ...)
To: Pharmboy
'Hey everybody. It's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s,'"
15
posted on
03/25/2004 4:18:00 AM PST
by
csvset
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.
16
posted on
03/25/2004 4:19:05 AM PST
by
1rudeboy
To: Samurai_Jack
Oh man. That is the best yet of a bunch of good characterizations. 'Aku' he is.
17
posted on
03/25/2004 4:40:07 AM PST
by
Riley
To: Pharmboy
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!
To: kcvl
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.
19
posted on
03/25/2004 4:48:23 AM PST
by
tdadams
(If there were no problems, politicians would have to invent them... wait, they already do.)
To: Pharmboy
oh you brute, you horrible beatht! I am tho inthenthed I mutht thlap you now! B*tch!
20
posted on
03/25/2004 4:52:27 AM PST
by
commish
(Freedom Tastes Sweetest to Those Who Have Fought to Preserve It)
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