Another news anchor had a slip of the tongue on live TV.
WABC/Channel 7 anchorman Bill Ritter mistakenly described Bernie Kerik as the city’s former “top cock” during last night’s live 11 p.m. newscast.
Ritter meant to call the recently jailed Kerik, the former NYPD commissioner, as the city’s former “top cop.”
City viewers are no strangers to profanity on the air.
Last month, WNYW/Channel 5 brass apologized for Ernie Anastos’ chicken-flavored cussing during the 10 o’clock news.
The popular anchorman blurted out, “Keep f- – -ing that chicken” to the shock of viewers.
Salty-tongued Sue Simmons shouted, “What the f- – – are you doing?” during a live promo for her WNBC/Channel 4 show last year.
But one-time WCBS/Channel 2 reporter Arthur Chi’en wasn’t so fortunate when he lashed out at hecklers who were interfering with his live shot.
Chi’en screamed, “What the f- – – is your problem?” at the punks, in an on-air tirade that cost him his job.
No list of news gaffes would be complete without Shepard Smith. When talking about Jennifer Lopez and her song “Jenny From the Block,” the Fox anchor mistakenly combined curb job and block party into “blow job.”
And to bring it full circle, Jane Skinner blurted out the original “top cock” during a Fox News broadcast, and Smith wouldn’t let her live it down.
Judging by Smith’s track record — and those of his fellow anchors — no one is safe from the occasional blooper.