NBC Apologizes to Michele Bachmann for Offensive Fallon Song
NBC on Wednesday issued a formal apology to Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) for the offensive song that was played as she walked onto the stage to be Jimmy Fallon's guest Monday evening.
The issue was discussed in great detail on Thursday's Today show (video follows with transcript and commentary):
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY FALLON: Michele Bachmann.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTEN WELKER, NBC: Meantime, Michele Bachmann criticized NBC Wednesday after her recent appearance on Jimmy Fallon when the show's band played a song with a title that's offensive to women as she walked out onto the stage.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CONGRESSWOMAN MICHELE BACHMANN (R-MINNESOTA): And this is clearly a form of bias on the part of the Hollywood entertainment elite, but it’s also, I think, a sexism, sexism as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WELKER: In a tweet, Fallon apologized saying, “I'm honored that Michele Bachmann was on our show yesterday and I'm so sorry about the intro mess. I hope she comes back.” And the Roots bandleader released this statement: "The performance was a tongue-in-cheek and spur of moment decision. The show was not aware of it and I feel bad if her feelings were hurt. That was not my intention.” An NBC executive has sent a letter to Michele Bachmann apologizing for the incident, calling it unfortunate, but also unacceptable, and went on to say that the Roots bands has been seriously reprimanded. Jimmy Fallon also called Bachmann to apologize personally. The GOP candidates will be back on the campaign trail tomorrow. Carl.
CARL QUINTAINILLA, HOST: Kristen Welker, thank you for that. John Harwood is CNBC’s chief Washington correspondent. John, good morning. Let's pick up on that Michele Bachmann story that Kristen ended with. We’ve heard about the apology from Fallon and from NBC. Bachmann seems to suggest that there would have been a swifter response had this been say the first lady instead. Are the implications here more personal than political?
JOHN HARWOOD, CNBC: There probably would have been a swifter response if it was the first lady because she's more high profile. Ultimately, though, we got to the place that we ought to get to. Everybody knows that Jimmy Fallon’s a funny guy. The show is edgy. But if you are going to have a presidential candidate as a guest in your house, you’ve got to treat them with respect. The way she was introduced was outrageous, and eventually NBC and Jimmy Fallon have done the right thing.
It's a pretty lame excuse to say the response would have been swifter if the snub was on the first lady as it seems a metaphysical certitude the apology would have come far more quickly if this had happened to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Women's rights groups would have been out in force demanding an apology minutes after the incident took place.
Welker's report also ignored the fact that the drummer had tweeted before the show that something edgy was going to happen thereby refuting the claim that this was a spur of the moment decision.
Something else to consider is that when MSNBC contributor Mark Halperin called the President a "dick" in June, he was suspended for four weeks.
One therefore wonders what "serious" reprimand the band got for calling Bachmann a "lyin' a-- b--ch."
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Comments
Where is NOW on this?
Submitted by Wiiliam1972 on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 12:30pm.
Oh, right....
Bill Maher is allowed to call Sarah Palin a c@#!
Submitted by frank14 on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 5:07pm.
so this is no big deal. Conservative women are b$#@%es and conservative black men are mandingos. It's the lib media narrative.
If this was my wife...
Submitted by AgentAmerican on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 12:51pm.
Jimmy Fallon would be in hiding. You have to understand that the left can get away with anything, anytime, anywhere...because they're allowed to. They want trouble in the worst possible way.
This is why I am getting tired of visiting these blogs. Obama is almost guaranteed a second f**king term.
When do folks from both sides wise up and finally become Batman, and put the Jokers in their place?
Understandable, Agent American
Submitted by MacWell on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 9:02pm.
You're partly right, we do need some folks in DC to grow a pair and start treating the left in kind. Something to think about, next year will be the most important election in OUR nation's history. We the people will decide if we allow America to be fundamentally transformed into who know what, or do the words life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, still mean something. We the people MUST rid DC of all career politicians. These parasites have set up a good ole boys club that allows them to lie, cheat, and steal to and from us dummies, who-d-thunkit?
We, the silent majority MUST not remain silent. Next year we must send a clear message, NO MORE BUSINESS AS USUAL!
Don't give them back any power that they lost!
Submitted by neutron on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 2:07am.
AgentAmerican wrote:
"Obama is almost guaranteed a second f**king term."
If the MSM / LSM / MSDNC / liberal + Democrat party mouth organs were still super strong, like under "Uncle Walter," then the LANDSLIDE of 2010 -- which went down from the National through most states to the local city and county elections -- would never have happened.
Your clock / watch / cellphone needs to be rebooted and set to the 21st Century, like today, when most Americans reject the MSM / LSM / MSDNC / liberal + Democrat party mouth organs as too BIASED to be believed (or worse).
Republicans need to stop the DEFEATIST "poor little me" whining and declare the victory with the American public that they have won.
Operate on that premise!
Newt,
For the last 20 years, not a Demlican or a Republicrat, but a registered voter leaning heavily Libertarian.
NBC apology sets a good precedent . . for HBO?
Submitted by Gary Hall on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 12:55pm.
NBC apology sets a good precedent . . for Time Warner / HBO?
Thinking mostly of Bill Maher, but so much more to apologize for and so many people and groups to apologize to.
(;~> gary
PS - Smoking the big bird -- happy T - day to everyone. Taking a moment to consider all we have to be thankful for.
So Many
Submitted by miss911ninja on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 5:21pm.
Yes, and by the way, did Bill Maher invent the term "MILF?"
Apology? I don't think so.
Submitted by richflanj on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:07pm.
"...I feel bad if her feelings were hurt." Another non-apology the MSM will present as an apology.
This is typical of the left, and I am sick of it. Was Fallon fired, suspended or in any way penalized? Did the "band" that insulted Ms. Bachmann receive any sort of penalty? Nope.
They say some tripe about IF they offended her, they are sorry, and expect this whole incident to just disappear. I don't buy it, and I won't, until a substantial penaty for their conduct is made.
Maybe both Fallon and this group of musical idiots working for him should make a substantial donation to a charity of Bachmann's choosing? That I am sure would REALLY hurt them.
I expect 'the band" got a hefty bonus
Submitted by neutron on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 2:15am.
This is probably how it really went down:
NBC Execs (off camera) "Great job, guys! We showed Bachmann how stupid a Lying A$$ B***ch she is! It was great! I laughed so hard, that I pissed myself!
"Now, you realize that we need to make nice, so the public are fooled, so we will publicly reprimand you and Jimmy, but don't worry, a hefty bonus will be in your paychecks, and we've already authorized an extra full week of paid vacation for all of you. You deserve it... but don't tell anyone."
Please note
Submitted by Franksam on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 9:25am.
He's self-absorbed (imagine that in a musician) enough that his 'apology' is about how he feels. He might be looking for an apology from Michelle because she made a big deal out of the situation.
Excellent point, Franksam
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 5:34pm.
And the Roots bandleader released this statement: "The performance was a tongue-in-cheek and spur of moment decision. The show was not aware of it and I feel bad if her feelings were hurt. That was not my intention.”
Then just exactly what was his intention? What could possibly be inferred from this song beside a vulgar slur against a Congresswoman?
Just another misogynous male in the entertainment industry.
.
To the Roots bandleader
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:13pm.
Please explain how you call someone "Lyin-a$$-b**ch" without "intending" to hurt their feelings.
Did I read about the drummer,
Submitted by killa37 on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 2:11pm.
Did I read about the drummer, or the other band members - getting suspended, fired, or fined??? I don't think so................didn't Don Imus lose his damn job (at a HIGH price) for saying something that was in the same ballpark? And I'm not backing up Imus. And there are many other examples of various people being fined, suspended, or punished for these types of things - ANYBODY can come up with a weak-ass excuse for an apology that they don't really mean.
And let's not forget David
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 2:15pm.
And let's not forget David Shuster and Ed Schultz....
Why is Fallon's show special?
An apology is just words. I
Submitted by ricklail on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 3:38pm.
An apology is just words. I want to see actions. Send the whole lot of them pounding sand.
Again
Submitted by grammajane on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:17pm.
nbc proves how ethics mean zero toward Conservative women and why their network is in the gutter. Cancel Comcast!!!
Well, as much as I would like
Submitted by Liberallies on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:28pm.
Well, as much as I would like to say NBC shouldn't have done this. NBC is a private corporation and it has the right do what ever it pleases whether it is offending Right or Left.
Yes, the media dispproportionally goes after Republicans and Conservatives, but NBC has the right to do whatever it pleases in its shows.
This may not be a popular stand amongst us Conservatives with how NBC treated Michelle Bachman, but I have never liked it when the Left attempts to censor private corporations through outrages, write-ins, etc. I thought it was pathetic how ESPN fired Rush Limbaugh because the Left went crazy when he made the comments about the black quarterback. I thought it was ridiculous how the Left went crazy against Foxnews and Glen Beck.
I don't like it when the Left does it or when the Right does it.
NBC is a private corporation and has a right to carry out its business as it wishes.
We have enough sensitivity and emotionalism from the Left, we on the Right shouldn't emulate the crazy Left. If they want to make fun of our candidates, who cares.
I don't mind talking and showing the hypocrisy of NBC, the Left, etc, but I am very uncomfortable demanding that anyone apologizes or fires anyone for comments or anything done on air.
Disagree
Submitted by Model850 on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:50pm.
While NBC may be a private corporation, unlike ESPN and FOX they broadcast over the public airways, and that carries a certain responsibility. As far as the network having the "right to do whatever it pleases in its shows," could they broadcast pornography if it pleased them to do so?
Nobody is calling for NBC to be censored or trying to have Fallon's show taken off the air. All anybody wanted was an apology for the callous disrespect shown to Michelle Bachmann.
As for the left's actions over Limbaugh and Beck? Apples and oranges. Those incidents are nowhere near comparable to asking for a simple apology.
Model850, Why does NBC need
Submitted by Liberallies on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 4:03pm.
Model850,
Why does NBC need to issue an apology? I honestly do not see the point. Were Michelle Bachman's God given Rights taken away by NBC? Was she physically hurt?
NBC is a private company and as a private company it enjoys many if not the same Rights as you and me as Individuals. I have never liked the idea of the FCC, if you must know. Of course, I am not for anyone putting porn on television, but it shouldn't be up to the government.
We can't be as sensative and emotionally driven as the Left. I love politically incorrectness whether it is thrown at the Left or Right.
NBC insulted Michelle Bachman, so what. I am glad we are not Russia where a news lady was just fired for supposedly given the finger to Obama while on air.
let's be glad we are not Venezuela, China, N. Korea, etc, etc where NBC can insult a government official and none of them will be put to death for doing so.
but as they say, this is my humble opinion.
Why does NBC need to issue an apology?
Submitted by frank14 on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 5:16pm.
Common manners. Apparently that is foreign to you and your libertarian views. Take an introductory communications course and you'll discover that private companies that originally broadcasted over the air have been held to certain standards and restrictions since the beginning of TV. NBC does NOT enjoy the same rights as you and me and it does not make us Venezuela, Cuba or N. Korea to do so. But if you pulled the same vile misogynistic trick on Michele Bachmann I'd expect you to apologize also.
Liberallies
Submitted by Model850 on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 3:22pm.
Why does NBC need to issue an apology?
Oh, I don't know. Common decency maybe?
Perhaps I was just raised differently, but it's a sign of good manners to apologize to someone when you've insulted them.
Whether or not anyone was physically injured or had any of their God-given rights taken away is, to me, beside the point. What happened was rude and disrespectful and deserved an apology for that rudeness and disrespect.
I likewise would expect someone to apologize to you or a member of your family if they insulted you or them publicly. But that's just me I guess.
We agree to disagree.
Liberallies, when you come
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 2:25pm.
Liberallies, when you come down to it, all the networks (except PBS) are private corporations and can do whatever they want re suspensions etc. I don't believe in censoring or boycotts. But I think most of us would just like consistency. They should either suspend everyone who says something outside the bounds, or no one.
For example: NBC suspended David Shuster for his "pimpn'out" Chelsea comment, (and that was just thoughtless), but not Fallon's band when it was clearly intentional?
Motherbelt, Very good point.
Submitted by Liberallies on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 3:59pm.
Motherbelt,
Very good point. NBC needs to be consistant and I do not mind pointing the hypocrisy of companies like NBC. I thought it was dumb of NBC to suspend Liberal shill David Shuster for his comment against Chelsea, but if he was suspended, NBC should have done much more than merely put out an apology.
But I will still say, I thought it was beyond ridiculous when ESPN fired Rush Limbaugh, I don't feel that NBC should have suspended David Shuster or issued an apology now for Bachmangate.
I have never liked the thought police, the politically right police, I don't like it when the Left tells me that I can't say Merry Christmas at work or in public. I don't like it when they tell an NFL player that he can't speak against homosexuality on the airwaves. In the same way, I do not like it when the Right tells NBC what they can or cannot do. It was dumb and disrespectful what NBC did, but so be it. Bachman was not physically hurt and NBC did not interfere with any of her God given Rights.
But I agree, we need much more consistancy from the media and as it is proven on a daily basis, they love to viciously go after Republicans and Conservatives and treat Lefties with kid gloves. I by no means deny this.
Today Show - CYA at NBC
Submitted by acumen on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:32pm.
I'm sure Jimmy Fallon and his band will only prosper from this "intro mess."
It's not like anyone on Fallon's set did something totally unpardonable by the media. Like giving Obama the one gun salute.
Expecting Fallon's musicians to be the house band at the next entertainers giving themselves awards ceremony.
A day late and a dollar
Submitted by Reaver on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:37pm.
A day late and a dollar short, the only thing NBC is sorry about is that the drummer let the cat out of the bag that it was an intentional insult and removed their “plausible deniability”.
Exactly Reav!
Submitted by Rukus on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 5:11pm.
Bragging about something edgy going to happen BEFORE the show even aired derails any said deniability. Spot on.
apology caveat
Submitted by spepper on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:37pm.
"NBC Apologizes to Michele Bachmann for Offensive Fallon Song"-- but ONLY after a Democrat told NBC to apologize for it. ( New York Democrat Nita Lowey). If Bachmann had been alone in calling for an apology, I'm thinking that the Fallon show band would have played something like "Whiny Ass B*tch" as a followup tune. And typical of liberal Hollywood-type Democrat insincere weasels-- is that redundant?
Goes to show how the media
Submitted by GreenTea on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:53pm.
Goes to show how the media and politics wants to keep us all angry and separated..it's their game and the game of the devil and hell...God wants us to be happy and stay that way and not worry and be downed by the things of this and in this world, that is His will..that is partly why Jesus came into this world..to fill His children's hearts and souls with joy, happiness, peace, and a key to the kingdom to unlock greater things that He has to offer us and to unify us under Jesus and Him only...
How Long Was Cooper and Matthews Suspended For?
Submitted by Winghunter on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 1:56pm.
Matthews interviewing Bernie Sanders: "Well to reach back to one of our heros from the the past of the 60's, Saul Alinsky once said...I always try to remind myself of Saul Alinsky when I get confused." NewsBusters http://bit.ly/4J4pXg
Cooper: "It’s hard to talk when you’re Tea Baggin'" http://bit.ly/xpqyI
Oh I see - Open treason and vile insults of sexual deviancy (that would assuredly produce a broken jaw if drooled in person) is just fine in MSNBCs agenda.
MainSlime Media declared war on America decades ago.
Serious reprimand doesn't cut it
Submitted by starbuckk on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 2:05pm.
The band leader should be fired. Ms Bachmann was an invited guest. She should have been treated with some degree of respect.
Nothing less than firing the person responsible is acceptable.
I c da media
Submitted by donabernathy on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 2:48pm.
misread just how much they can show their bias....... Don't worry kids..... it won't take long to pass this benchmark.... what.... maybe....... a week ......or 2 at most.
roflmao
When are republicans going to
Submitted by mattm on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 3:35pm.
When are republicans going to learn that there is absolutely no point in going on any mainstream media show? It's pointless.
NBC's apology is weak;
Submitted by goon on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 4:59pm.
NBC's apology is weak; imagine if they had played this song when Michelle Obama had taken the stage. Unacceptable!!! The Band should be fired.
if it was obama on the show
Submitted by jimtrees on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 8:42pm.
The song would've been. I got republicans to the right of me, and dummies to left. Here i am stuck in the middle with my ugly wife and daughters.
I said NBC was scum when this
Submitted by michael lofrano on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 9:11am.
I said NBC was scum when this first happened. Now that they have apologized I say that they are insincere scum.