Apparently, not rested enough from his Labor Day vacation, American Morning co-anchor John Roberts appeared to snap this morning at his co-host Kiran Chetry. After Kiran read a headline news story to his left, John began his preview to his interview with David Axelrod, President Obama’s senior advisor. Immediately before Axelrod appeared on screen, John glanced down to his left in ire but continued his introduction. After he then thanked Axelrod for his appearance (in a split-screen shot with Axelrod), John’s jaw suddenly tensed and his eyes blinked as he started his query. Mid-sentence, he again looked to his left and brusquely remarked, “Excuse me. Would, would you mind stop–not doing that while I’m talking? Thank you. Appreciate that.” As if in feigned apology, he added, “If you don’t mind.” Meanwhile, Axelrod looked on in bemusement and chuckled to himself.
John must have had some holiday. Perhaps, paradoxically, he needs a vacation after his vacation. Take a good nap, John: Kiran and Kyra will thank you.
American Morning – 09/08/10 (@7:08 a.m. ET)
Tags: American Morning, CNN, David Axelrod, John Roberts, Kiran Chetry, Kyra Phillips
Carpe Diem 
September 8, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Anyone that would ask that a co-worker be fired so that they could have their job should be able to take a few cross words.
I think John Roberts might be tired of Chetry’s non-stop typing on the computer keyboard while she is not on camera. The same thing used to happen while Kiran was at Fox-in fact, Kiran would be interviewing someone, and while that person was responding, you would hear her typing on the keyboard. She would do it when others were doing interviews as well. Probably very annoying.
September 8, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I noticed a definite chill in the air after the encounter. The control room/producer also picked up on the snap because the rest of the program was awkward. There wasn’t any interaction between the two and even Rob didn’t participate in any interaction.
September 9, 2010 at 6:54 am
Kep – thanks for explaining the probable source of Roberts’ irritation. My email request to CNN asking what caused his mini hissyfit was not addressed. CNN even left his remarks on the transcripts of the show – http://archives.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1009/08/ltm.02.html. While annoying, his outburst should have been handled off camera. A clear message must have been given to both of them because today they are all sweet as pie.
September 9, 2010 at 7:38 am
I was like shocked when I saw John go off on Kiran. I think John is a good newsman, but I look at him differently. Poor taste.
September 9, 2010 at 9:55 am
Paul F. I sent the same email to CNN. Very unprofessional. I actually like them both and I enjoy Kirans personality. I too believe this should have been handled off camera.
September 9, 2010 at 2:21 pm
when something is distracting and you can’t focus on what you need to, then you say something, no matter what. I have been in meetings when that has happened. You make a request and continue on. She obviously wasn’t getting the message when he kept looking over at her. He handled it the best way he could while he was on the air. It could have been a lot worse. He could have told her to get the heck out of there, which is what needs to happen. She needs to go.
September 9, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Does anyone know for sure that he was indeed speaking to his co-host? Seems there’s often a whole lot of goings on just off camera during these shows, which we only sometimes get even a glimpse of.
September 9, 2010 at 9:28 pm
He was talking to someone right at the desk next to him, so it wasn’t like he was talking to someone across the room. Chetry couldn’t have left her chair because right after the interview, the camera went back to her.
September 9, 2010 at 9:39 pm
I figured that, but the crew could be off-camera right next to him, too. Every-so-often we’ll see the sound guy’s ducking behind the desk after working on a replacement microphone or something.
I don’t know, just sayin’…
September 9, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I suppose Roberts could have been talking to someone else, but apparently Kiran’s husband Chris isn’t aware of it. Someone tweeted Knowles yesterday, asking him about what Roberts said to Kiran. Knowles simply responds “noticed and no comment.”
September 9, 2010 at 10:39 pm
I wouldn’t comment if I was him, no matter what happened. It was probably Kiran, of course.
September 16, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Mediaite has the video
http://www.mediaite.com/online/cnns-john-roberts-scolds-co-anchor-kiran-chetry-live-on-air/
and, after watching it, I still don’t see what the big deal is. It was a rebuke to someone, probably Ms. Chetry, but it was a fairly pleasant one.
September 17, 2010 at 8:12 am
Thanks, Al, for the “heads up” re the video. With all of the chatter about AM’s future, any discord b/w John & Kiran–especially on air–seems rather relevant.
September 17, 2010 at 8:52 am
[…] By jakeho Not quite. Over a week after the author penned Carpe Diem‘s “Crusty John: 2 Curt 2 Kiran?,” Steve Krakauer wrote his Mediaite piece, “CNN’s John Roberts Scolds Co-Author […]
September 17, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Come on – You have to walk on pins and needles around her and if a guy snaps at a little girly girl awe poor thing is she gonna cry? In the work place… I bet she takes advantage of this babying and thinks she can do whatever she wants. She is unprofessional. She is selfish and inconsiderate. I would hate working with her.
September 21, 2010 at 12:37 pm
[…] the author first reported almost two weeks ago (September 8), Roberts appeared to brusquely rebuke Chetry on air while he was […]
September 28, 2010 at 8:10 am
[…] jakeho After appearing yesterday to forgive her American Morning co-anchor John Roberts’ for his rough rebuke on air, Kiran Chetry finally got her sweet revenge this morning. During a high airfare headlines news […]
October 13, 2010 at 12:43 pm
[…] today: A poignant program, a simple prayer, and no Roberts’ rebuke redux. Not bad. Good job, John and […]
October 13, 2010 at 1:52 pm
[…] today: A poignant program, a simple prayer, and no Roberts’ rebuke redux. Not […]
March 7, 2011 at 2:24 pm
[…] a “gentler, kinder” Roberts. Today, almost six months ago to the day, American Morning co-host John Roberts infamously berated Kiran Chetry for typing (off-camera) […]
March 22, 2011 at 7:53 pm
[…] camera during an interview with President Obama’s senior advisor, David Axelrod. Carpe Diem reported the story that day; Mediaite ran with it (with vid) more than a week later; consequently, other media outlets […]
April 2, 2011 at 5:58 pm
I don’t care what Kiran or whoever was doing at the time, you don’t scold someone in public, especially not on national television! That was unkind, rude and just plain unprofessional! He obviously just wanted to burn Kiran which is totally child like. Thank God he’s gone from CNN and now he’s where he belongs: FOX News with the rest of the rude liars and crybabies!
September 10, 2011 at 11:45 am
Hadn’t heard about this. It’s good that john is at fox with
the “no spin” spin doctors. Hope we see more of Chetry soon.
October 17, 2012 at 4:11 pm
She is sexiest news anchor. He should be grateful to be sitting next to her.
October 17, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Yeah, all the Foxnews and CNN anchors should be bowing down to kiss her feet! She is a goddess!!