(outtakes from a local news program that were never meant to be aired)
Videos here : http://www.frankmagazine.ca/vids/20040124/
QUOTE
'Crazy' Gord Martineau insults people everywhere
Glen McGregor
CanWest News Service
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
In outtakes now circulating on the Internet, Citytv anchor Gord Martineau calls a Canadian singer a "homo," mocks a walkathon for cancer-stricken children and says his penis has more news value than a pancreas transplant.
With co-anchor Anne Mroczkowski at his side in the Citytv studio, Mr. Martineau made the offbeat remarks during an undated taping of promotional items for the CityPulse at Six newscast.
In one clip, Mr. Martineau, lisping heavily and swinging his arms from side to side, warms up by referring to a prominent Canadian singer as a "homo."The anchors then refer to a news items about a memorial service for a slain Toronto-area high school student and a walkathon for children with cancer.
"Boy, we're sensitive, eh? Aren't we?" Mr. Martineau says sarcastically. "... I'll go to confession tomorrow."
In another segment, he ridicules a news story about Ontario's first pancreas transplant recipient. "Jesus Christ, what is that? Is this like National Lampoon? Who wrote this?.... Oh boy, Ontario's first pancreas transplant recipient."
When Ms. Mroczkowski defends the item as an interesting medical story, Mr. Martineau points toward his groin and says: "This is interesting. That is not."
Taping of another promo is interrupted by a technician concerned about a graphic, referred to as a key. Mr. Martineau leans back, holds a rolled-up piece of paper in front of his groin and says: "Right here is your key. See this key? Right here."
Mr. Martineau did not return a call requesting comment.
Stephen Hurlbut, Citytv vice-president, yesterday apologized for what he assessed as a lapse into a "bad sense of humour" such as is apt to occur in newsrooms.
No disciplinary action is required, he said. "That would be absurd."
Mr. Martineau was embarrassed about "something that may speak to a stellar career in broadcasting that might get a bit of smirch on it because he got crazy one day," Mr. Hurlbut said. He said the clips are taken out of context and would give viewers an unfair measure of Mr. Martineau's character.
"It's absolutely wrong. This is not who we are."
Mr. Hurlbut said he did not think the comments would offend gay employees who might have heard them in the newsroom.
"I think any employee, whether they be gay or not, is absolutely comfortable with Gord and the value structure within which we operate."
He pointed to the station's history of championing human rights.
"Our news channel, CP24, is the first station in Canada to have an openly gay show."
Mr. Hurlbut said he did not know how the outtakes ended up on the Internet.
Mr. Martineau is one of Citytv's most recognizable faces. He has been reading the news for the station since 1977 and is active with many Toronto charities.
"Off camera, Gord keeps us laughing with his wicked sense of humour and keeps me on my toes," entertainment reporter Liz West said on Citytv's Web site tribute to Mr. Martineau, who celebrated 25 years with the station in 2002.
(Ottawa Citizen)
Glen McGregor
CanWest News Service
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
In outtakes now circulating on the Internet, Citytv anchor Gord Martineau calls a Canadian singer a "homo," mocks a walkathon for cancer-stricken children and says his penis has more news value than a pancreas transplant.
With co-anchor Anne Mroczkowski at his side in the Citytv studio, Mr. Martineau made the offbeat remarks during an undated taping of promotional items for the CityPulse at Six newscast.
In one clip, Mr. Martineau, lisping heavily and swinging his arms from side to side, warms up by referring to a prominent Canadian singer as a "homo."The anchors then refer to a news items about a memorial service for a slain Toronto-area high school student and a walkathon for children with cancer.
"Boy, we're sensitive, eh? Aren't we?" Mr. Martineau says sarcastically. "... I'll go to confession tomorrow."
In another segment, he ridicules a news story about Ontario's first pancreas transplant recipient. "Jesus Christ, what is that? Is this like National Lampoon? Who wrote this?.... Oh boy, Ontario's first pancreas transplant recipient."
When Ms. Mroczkowski defends the item as an interesting medical story, Mr. Martineau points toward his groin and says: "This is interesting. That is not."
Taping of another promo is interrupted by a technician concerned about a graphic, referred to as a key. Mr. Martineau leans back, holds a rolled-up piece of paper in front of his groin and says: "Right here is your key. See this key? Right here."
Mr. Martineau did not return a call requesting comment.
Stephen Hurlbut, Citytv vice-president, yesterday apologized for what he assessed as a lapse into a "bad sense of humour" such as is apt to occur in newsrooms.
No disciplinary action is required, he said. "That would be absurd."
Mr. Martineau was embarrassed about "something that may speak to a stellar career in broadcasting that might get a bit of smirch on it because he got crazy one day," Mr. Hurlbut said. He said the clips are taken out of context and would give viewers an unfair measure of Mr. Martineau's character.
"It's absolutely wrong. This is not who we are."
Mr. Hurlbut said he did not think the comments would offend gay employees who might have heard them in the newsroom.
"I think any employee, whether they be gay or not, is absolutely comfortable with Gord and the value structure within which we operate."
He pointed to the station's history of championing human rights.
"Our news channel, CP24, is the first station in Canada to have an openly gay show."
Mr. Hurlbut said he did not know how the outtakes ended up on the Internet.
Mr. Martineau is one of Citytv's most recognizable faces. He has been reading the news for the station since 1977 and is active with many Toronto charities.
"Off camera, Gord keeps us laughing with his wicked sense of humour and keeps me on my toes," entertainment reporter Liz West said on Citytv's Web site tribute to Mr. Martineau, who celebrated 25 years with the station in 2002.
(Ottawa Citizen)
