(CNN's) Kyra Phillips Apologizes for N-Word; Related: CNN Is Playing Coolio on the Air

TV Newser ^ | May 26, 2010 | Kevin Allocca

[Beaten Valve]

CNN anchor Kyra Phillips had to apologize earlier today for some music containing the n-word that the network aired heading into a commercial.

Highlighting a piece about a 103-year-old Pennsylvania woman who's still out driving her Coupe deVille, CNN used Coolio's "Fantastic Voyage" for a bumper into the break. The lyrics in question can be found in the first verse (at 1:14):

Phillips' apology came about 20 minutes later:

We aired some music a few minutes ago, and, obviously for those of you that heard it, it was the wrong music that aired. We apologize for that. It was a terrible mistake. And we're working very hard to make up for it. No word on if CNN was unable to clear the rights to Warren G and Nate Dogg's "Regulate."

[PGR88]

The perils of political correctness.

the word “nigger” can be used in what some would call music, and that music can be played on the news.

But normal people can not speak the word.

[Freddd]

That was a ‘shout out’ to a 103 year old black woman! And CNN wonders why their ratings are in the toilet. (right where they belong)

[MozarkDawg]

A couple of days ago, I'm watching a re-run of one of the early episodes of "All In The Family" on TV Land, the Jeffersons have invited everyone but Archie to the engagement party of Lionel and Jenny. This is where we first find out that Jenny is bi-racial, black mother, white father -- different actors than those who end up on the show "The Jeffersons". Anyhoo, at the party, George is freaking out after finding out the father of his son's fiancee is white, her parents are arguing themselves, George eavesdropping, making side remarks to Weezie. At one point he says, "You watch, next he's gonna call her 'n****r'."

I use asterisks for the sensitive who read posts, but TV Land did not bleep it at all -- Sherman Helmsley says it bold as brass on the show, laughing from the audience, no stunned gasps ... but from me, I was stunned!! Not at the use of the word, but that it wasn't bleeped out!!

Kyra should have said it was old news footage or something, apparently there is a time-element to allowing that word to be broadcast over the airwaves.

[Mac from Cleveland]

There was a great episode of the Jeffersons back in the 70s, where due to some wacky situation, George and Weezy were locked in a small bathroom in their apartment with neighbors Tom and Helen Willis-you know the white man married to the black woman.

George had been making with the “honky” crap, and finally Tom got pissed and said “how would you like it if I called you nigger”? Just like that. The studio audience let loose with a low “Wooooh!” like they couldn’t believe it. I’m not making that up

Personally, I wanted big ol’ Tom to just go over and beat the $hit out of George, but that’s just me.....

ah, here we go—(I decided to look it up): through the magic of Google:

Season 2 / Episode 16: - The Breakup (1)

Tom Willis: [Helen and Louise are fighting] Now, now, now! This is no way to break up over crazy George.
George Jefferson: HEY! Who you calling crazy, honky?
Tom Willis: [enraged] Don’t call me honky!
George Jefferson: Huh! Why are you so sensitive all of a sudden?
Helen Willis: He’s not the only one!
Tom Willis: How would you feel if I called you nigger?
George Jefferson: [appalled] Huh! He called me nigger!
Helen Willis: That’s no worse than honky!
George Jefferson: You’re right. Nothing’s worse than a honky except being married to one!

and here’s a You Tube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lji3kw7dLOQ

[Joann37]

The newscaster involved here is NOT Kyra Phillips!

Please change the title of the thread, and take out any mention of her. I tried to tell the posters here earlier, but people still seem to want her involved in these posts.

This topic is trouble, and I do not think ANYONE should get their name dragged into a topic just because they were misidentified by a viewer.

[prairiebreeze]

Although something with “whitey” or “cracker” wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow at CNN. Are we to totally eliminate the N-word from the vernacular as if it were never part of the language? Is it only blacks who are allowed to utter it? If so, how does that erase it from the public conscience?

Or is it just whites who are supposed to have a conscience?

[Gilbo_3]

archie bunker to 'meathead'..."sticks and stones may break my bones, but you, are one dumb pollack"...best line ever...

was that mean ??? insensitive ???

[NFHale]

You know, words only have the power that you (we) give them (or let them have).

For some reason, white folks have let themselves be cowered into changing our language, denigrating our heritage and our heroes, apologizing for a past we personally had NOTHING to do with. (Well, Liberal white folks, that is).

I for one, will not EVER let anyone stop me from using whatever word I choose to use at whatever moment I choose to use it.

If it’s okay for me to be called a “Cracker”, a “Honky” (whatever the hell THAT is supposed to mean), a “white boy”, etc., then it’s okay for every other race to be called whatever racial or ethnic epithet that has ever been applied to them.

And if it’s NOT okay for that to be the case, then it’s NOT okay for ANYBODY to be called by ANY epithet.

For black folk to get worked up over a word that they themselves use to refer to one another seems to me, disingenuous at the very least...

In other words...if they can’t take it, don’t dish it out. And maybe a good ol’ fashioned, healthy “Awww, STFU and sit the hell down!!!” is in order as well sometimes with people who get worked up over it...

Was that mean??? Was that harsh? Do I care?

[stratman1969]

To think they made movies like this at one time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTIklFsMjjU