Tony Kornheiser Gets Suspension Smackdown for Trashing Co-Worker’s Attire

Kornheiser and Storm - not BFFs

TV and radio talk show host Tony Kornheiser of Pardon the Interruption has been placed on the back-burner for two weeks by his bosses at ESPN for disparaging remarks he made about co-worker Hannah Storm.

The remarks were odd and seemed almost personal as he levied insults against Storm about her appearance:

“Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now…She’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body … She’s what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.”

If his disparaging statements about Storm were meant to be a joke, then he’s the only one laughing. After what was surely an immediate backlash from management at CNN, Korheiser issued an immediate and awkward on-air apology:

“I apologize unequivocally. I was wrong. This is sort of what I do, and I’m sorry for it. … Not the first time and won’t be the last time but I apology for it this time.”

ESPN brass were not satisfied. John Skipper (ESPN Vice President of Content) issued a statement explaining the network’s decision to temporarily yank Kornheiser from the air:

“Tony Kornheiser’s comments about Hannah Storm were entirely inappropriate. Hurtful and personal comments such as these are not acceptable and have significant consequences. Tony has been suspended from PTI for two weeks. Hannah is a respected colleague who has been an integral part of the success of our morning SportsCenter.”

The news of Kornheiser’s suspension hit social media quickly. So far, the consensus seems to be that ESPN was unecessarily harsh. Having said that, in their analysis of whether Kornheiser should’ve received such a heavy smackdown, people should keep in mind that ESPN is a Disney company. ‘Nuff said

What we have here seems to be a case of excess (and everyone is guilty). Did Storm go too far with her outfit (pictured above)? Yes , (there should be a limit to how much red one human being can emanate from their bodies in one fashion ensemble). Did Kornheiser go too far with his on air criticisms of Storm? Yes. Did ESPN (Disney) go to far? Yes.

Will this be blown out of proportion and debated nauseatingly for the next two days? Yes! And that is the biggest offense in all of this.