TheArtist
12-07-2005, 02:15 AM
Originally Posted by The Star Ledger
'Opie and Anthony' fan disrupts live broadcast
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
BY ALAN SEPINWALL
Star-Ledger Staff
An Opie & Anthony fan took the radio duo's "Assault on the Media" contest literally when he sounded an air horn in the ear of WABC-7 reporter Anthony Johnson during a live broadcast Tuesday morning in Ocean Township.
Johnson was at a Hess station on Route 35 shortly after 7 a.m., reporting on the snowfall, when a man carrying an Opie & Anthony bumper sticker lunged into frame. WABC, like most TV news operations, has a policy against televising attention-seeking stunts, so the sound cut out and the camera spun away before viewers got a chance to see or hear the air horn go off.
Ocean Township police questioned the man, whom they would not identify, but no charges were filed. He faces a possible assault charge if Johnson suffered hearing damage.
William McFarland, WABC assistant news director, said he had spoken with Johnson but declined to elaborate on his condition or the station's legal plans.
"The safety and health of our employees is of the utmost importance to us," McFarland said. "We're doing what we have to do to make sure our employees are safe in the field so that we can serve the viewer and fulfill our license."
Greg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia host a show on XM satellite radio. They were fired by WNEW in 2002 after a stunt in which a couple was taped having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The duo have an ongoing contest on their show called "Assault on the Media," where they invite listeners to disrupt live TV broadcasts by waving signs, stickers or other Opie & Anthony paraphernalia. Their Web site, FoundryMusic.com, contains a list of rules for the game, including "DO NOT TOUCH THE REPORTER(S) -- You're trying to promote a radio show, not injure somebody." and "Don't pick fights with producers, and don't get nasty with anyone."
"This appears to be the unfortunate and irresponsible act of an individual," XM officials said in a statement. "We do not condone this behavior at all."
Meanwhile, Gov. Richard Codey's office issued a statement of its own condemning the incident.
"Encouraging fans to intervene in live news shots is inappropriate and dangerous," Codey said. "The person who committed this act should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The governor has his own history with radio shock jocks. Earlier this year, he publicly feuded with NJ 101.5 host Craig Carton over insulting comments Carton made about first lady Mary Jo Codey.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/firstglance/index.ssf?/base/news-0/113392112519900.xml&coll=1
'Opie and Anthony' fan disrupts live broadcast
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
BY ALAN SEPINWALL
Star-Ledger Staff
An Opie & Anthony fan took the radio duo's "Assault on the Media" contest literally when he sounded an air horn in the ear of WABC-7 reporter Anthony Johnson during a live broadcast Tuesday morning in Ocean Township.
Johnson was at a Hess station on Route 35 shortly after 7 a.m., reporting on the snowfall, when a man carrying an Opie & Anthony bumper sticker lunged into frame. WABC, like most TV news operations, has a policy against televising attention-seeking stunts, so the sound cut out and the camera spun away before viewers got a chance to see or hear the air horn go off.
Ocean Township police questioned the man, whom they would not identify, but no charges were filed. He faces a possible assault charge if Johnson suffered hearing damage.
William McFarland, WABC assistant news director, said he had spoken with Johnson but declined to elaborate on his condition or the station's legal plans.
"The safety and health of our employees is of the utmost importance to us," McFarland said. "We're doing what we have to do to make sure our employees are safe in the field so that we can serve the viewer and fulfill our license."
Greg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia host a show on XM satellite radio. They were fired by WNEW in 2002 after a stunt in which a couple was taped having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral.
The duo have an ongoing contest on their show called "Assault on the Media," where they invite listeners to disrupt live TV broadcasts by waving signs, stickers or other Opie & Anthony paraphernalia. Their Web site, FoundryMusic.com, contains a list of rules for the game, including "DO NOT TOUCH THE REPORTER(S) -- You're trying to promote a radio show, not injure somebody." and "Don't pick fights with producers, and don't get nasty with anyone."
"This appears to be the unfortunate and irresponsible act of an individual," XM officials said in a statement. "We do not condone this behavior at all."
Meanwhile, Gov. Richard Codey's office issued a statement of its own condemning the incident.
"Encouraging fans to intervene in live news shots is inappropriate and dangerous," Codey said. "The person who committed this act should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The governor has his own history with radio shock jocks. Earlier this year, he publicly feuded with NJ 101.5 host Craig Carton over insulting comments Carton made about first lady Mary Jo Codey.
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/firstglance/index.ssf?/base/news-0/113392112519900.xml&coll=1