CNN co-host John Roberts: “So inappropriate! I’m sorry!…Won’t happen again.” As Queen Elizabeth II returns to New York City for the first time in almost 35 years, CNN’s morning news show, American Morning, gave her the regal middle-finger salute. The rude welcome came from both CNN’s senior United Nations correspondent Richard Roth and AM producers.
During an otherwise respectful AM segment entitled, “The British Are Coming! with co-hosts John Roberts and Kiran Chetry and British CNNI anchor Richard Quest, Roth started the royal slams after his report. When the discussion turned to the Queen’s first scheduled address to the United Nations since 1957, Quest questioned, “Why now, why do [sic] the U.N. want her now?”* Less than respectfully, Roth retorted, “Look, who wanted who here?…They’ll take whoever they can get there. I mean, because the image of the place…has suffered over the years.”
Canadian-born Roberts was not amused. Taking umbrage at Roth’s comment, the Canadian/American riposted, “Speaking as a person who bridges both worlds, having grown up in a Commonwealth country, “I think we [Roberts and Brit Quest] ought to lay down the gauntlet here to Richard.” Undaunted, Roth retorted, “No. I mean it’s an impressive visit but why doesn’t she come in September during the General Assembly when more Presidents and Prime Ministers [are there]?”
Later, in the program’s final segment “Royally Psyched,” the producers themselves gave the Queen a bumptious Bronx cheer with a blast from the Sex Pistol’s notorious anti-Queen screed (mockingly named, “God Save the Queen).”** As the camera panned to the co-hosts and Roth, Roberts hid his head in his hand. Looking at Roberts, Chetry naively queried, “What are you laughing at?” Shaking his head and putting his hand over his mouth, Roberts exclaimed, “Oh, cause that was just so inappropriate! I’m sorry! I apologize for that!”
Still oblivious, Chetry asked, “Aren’t they a U.K. band?” Without responding, a chagrined Roberts turned away from Chetry, shook his head, tapped the desk repeated;u, and incredulously exclaimed, “Oh, gosh!” To make matters worse, after Roberts then introduced Roth’s report, Chetry cluelessly commented, “And, they sang that song the last time.” Without a word, Roberts rolled his eyes and sighed loudly.
Meanwhile, someone apparently put out THE word to Roth, Roberts, and Chetry. After Roth’s story ran this time, a rather repentant Roth immediately remarked, “And, the President of the General Assembly of the United Nations is glad the Queen is coming, hoping it will help the delegates press on with some of their big needs in the coming years.” When the segment had concluded, Roberts somberly addressed the audience, saying, “And, again sincere apologies about the Sex Pistols. We discussed that situation. Won’t happen again.” As he did, Chetry meekly looked down at the desk and rearranged her papers without a peep.
After American Morning today, Jonathan Klein may be really singing, “God Save CNN.”
*American Morning – 07/05/10 (@7:42 a.m. ET)
*American Morning – 07/o5/10 (@8:55 a.m. ET)
Carpe Diem 