Posted on 01/07/2002 3:04:43 PM PST by willieroe
NEW YORK (AP) — Embarrassed CNN executives on Monday yanked an on-air promotion that referred to anchorwoman Paula Zahn as ``sexy,'' accompanied by the sound effect of a zipper.
The 15-second spot promoting Zahn's morning news show aired about a dozen times on CNN Saturday and Sunday, the network said.
In the ad, a narrator asks, ``Where can you find a morning news anchor who's provocative, super-smart (and) oh, yeah, just a little sexy?
``CNN, yeah, CNN,'' the narrator answers.
The words ``provocative,'' ``smart'' and ``sexy'' are flashed on the screen, followed by a picture of Zahn. The zipper is clearly audible just as the narrator is about to call Zahn ``sexy.''
CNN said the advertisement was created and put on the air by its promotions department — by a woman — and not approved by top executives.
Jamie Kellner, chairman of CNN parent Turner Broadcasting, ordered it removed from the air as soon as he saw it, spokesman Brad Turell said.
``It was a major blunder by our promotions department,'' CNN Chairman Walter Isaacson said. ``I was outraged and so was Paula, who has spent more than 20 years proving her credibility day in and day out.''
Zahn said she was offended by the promotion when she saw it.
``CNN management has apologized to me and has assured me that a mistake like this will not happen again,'' she said.
The former CBS News personality was hired to anchor CNN's new morning news show last year from Fox News Channel, where she was host of an evening talk show.
CNN received some criticism last year for hiring former ``NYPD Blue'' actress Andrea Thompson as an anchor for CNN Headline News, then was red-faced when risque pictures of her turned up on the Internet.
Kellner, a former Hollywood-based executive who started the Fox and WB networks, has repeatedly said CNN had to be more aggressive in promoting itself.
``A promotion like that is unrelated to her professional abilities and you can't help but think it's a promotion we would be unlikely to hear about a male anchor,'' said Barbara Cochran, president of the Radio and Television News Directors Association.
Turell characterized the promotion's statement that Zahn is sexy as an error in judgment, ``whether it's true or not.
...This morning's Show produced AS ADVERTISED =
...PAULA ZAHN wearing a Tight-Fitting Black Dress with a Big Ringed Front ZIPPER that went down her entire Front that was visible to her TV Audience.
...PAULA ZAHN = LIAR on FoX = LIAR on CNN...
...FITS her TV "Reporting"..
...MATT DRUDGE spent about an hour on this last night on his Nationally Syndicated Talk Radio Show publically shaming CNN & PAULA ZAHN in the interests of Good Journalistic Pracitces.
...That's the ONLY difference between Sunday & Monday for THESE two TV LIARS to America.
Strikes me as a pretty face with a lot of emotional baggage.
Thank you Ronnie.
Before Fox, one of her gigs was Boston. They had an awful shot of her on the cover of Boston Magazine announcing her arrival as the new anchor. Emphasized the hugeness of her nose, most unflattering angle in general.
I wonder if she knew O'Reilly there. They may have been at the same station (channel 7, I think), paths crossing.
It is ironic that the media which has agitated for equality for women in all walks of life has done so much damage to the cause with an endless parade of pretty morons.
Where are the female Brit Humes?
Speaking of Rita - - but that's a bigg butt
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