The Revenge Of The ‘Man On The Street’ TV Reporter
Pity the poor reporter dispatched to the Vegas strip to get “man on the street” reactions from drunk tourists on the death of Michael Jackson. Steve Ryan of “ABC13 Action News” was one such reporter, and he struck back hard.
Possibly the most worthless, airtime-eating tactic in the history of television news, the “man on the street” interview typically involves some fresh out of college pretty face quizzing some slob with a room temperature IQ and a complete ignorance of current events about issues they have no business giving public opinions on, yet the tradition lives on. Occasionally, the person being interviewed will say or do something incredibly stupid, which then leads to a minor comedic moment. It is on these occasions that the “man on the street” interview actually holds some shred of value for the viewer, though it’s still utterly worthless as a tangible journalistic tool.
It is with this in mind that we genuflect at the altar of Steve Ryan for refusing to take it anymore and physically assaulting an unruly street person. This, and the resulting looks of horror on the faces of the in-studio anchors at the desk when the director cuts back to them, may be the best moment in the history of television news.
via Wonkette
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
@uncivily obedient: that would explain why the Brits and Israelis are so friendly..
let's keep this secret from Alex Jones, mmkay
@Stream Of Consciousness: Nooo!!! You need sound so that you can learn that scat is "the good nature word for poop"
Have to hand it to the video editor for great comedic timing.
@ChillbearLatrigue: Don't you know? Steve Ryan is that local tv reporter who mushed Joe the Plumber in the face on live television. He's famous now!
@Helennellieforsythe: Oh man, that is hilarious! Somehow I think not having sound here at work made it that much better.
@SeniorPonzologist_GitEmSteveDave: LMAO...nice stuff!
I too would complain officially to officials.
ChaunceyReindeer
@uncivily obedient: You forgot the *ting*, but you're welcome.
@CaptainFantastic: And almost hit someone.
My favorite is when Lil' Sis goes, "Yeah I got it on my car", and the reporter goes, "It was being installed on her car".
And thus a Fox news anchor was born.
Ken Green
@irishflyesq: Cleveland. The land of bears and cardboard.
@Helennellieforsythe: Thank you thank you thank you for making my day. I particularly love the little "gallop" of the guy holding the cardboard bear.
Where was this, by the way?
irishflyesq
@ithabeleng metesunyane: The one on the left looks like she eats retired showgirls.
irishflyesq
I'm going to side with the douchebag on this one (ok, I should clarify: the passerby, not the reporter). You're out doing a LIVE SHOT somewhere, you are subjecting yourself to the elements, be it rain, sleet, or jackasses. There is absolutely no reason this kind of piece needs to be done live, even the set up, if they're going to surround themselves by jackasses. It's a public street, and that drunk clod can stand around all day in this guy's shot if he wanted .. The reporter had absolutely no right to smack that guy even though it's kinda funny.
There's a whole collection of these:
[www.haxxor.tv]
@spraytanman: I like how bub rub and lil sis speed off in the wrong lane and blow right through a stop sign.
Someone please let me know when a news report actually can trump bub rub and lil sis. This one deserves an oscar.
+ Watch video
@Foster Kamer: yeah, because Fremont Street is the only place in Vegas where you're going to encounter drunken idiot tourists.
@SeniorPonzologist_GitEmSteveDave: Thank you.
uncivily obedient
@SeniorPonzologist_GitEmSteveDave: (This is just a test)
uncivily obedient
@nathanst: I have the same number of first names as Prince William: William Arthur Philip Louis. I always knew the British royal family was Jewish.
uncivily obedient
@Astroblack: Would that be the one where he dropped the f-bomb on two FANS of two radio show hosts?
@uncivily obedient:
GitEmSteveDave; helping people post pics since 2007. *ting* [lifehacker.com]
Now we know why these remotes are also called "hits".
@Helennellieforsythe: Oh I can believe thats real for sure. I've seen some at my station almost as inane as that. I'll post some in the future when it's relevent to the topic. The squirrel suit kills me.
Fremont St. was the worst choice for that kind of standup. He should have gone to the Strip, where there's a much better class of stumbling outdoor drunk. But I can understand his fear of being happened upon by Criss Angel.
@Leege: The best ones were always on a children's program called Newsround, where they would interview 5-10 yr old children about current affairs. Iraq was always a good one.
Limitedappeal
@contradicto: Cardboard bear begs to differ (also there are comments on the video of people who saw it live. I'm choosing to take this as concrete evidence that this aired).
@Helennellieforsythe: That can't be real.
@Helennellieforsythe: Oh my god, that is too funny. I work at a local news station and I've seen some ridiculous "me-roll" before, but that re-enactment takes the cake.
If you're calling that the greatest moment in television news history, you have not yet seen this video.
+ Watch video
@Foster Kamer: I work in Times Square. I feel your pain.
cmd
Can we get a LAS VEGAS tag up in this?
Fremont Street's ground zero for America's Bluehairs, Assorted Sleaze, and Those Who Want To Remember Vegas As It Was 30 Years Ago (and who was going to Vegas 30 years ago and enjoying it?). Tourists who go there - let alone those who go there to get drunk in the middle of the day - are nothing short of some of The Worst. The headshove in question represents the exact sentiments of every local who's ever had to deal with shit like this. Stupid tourists support the Vegas economy - which needs every penny it can get these days - but goddamn if they don't need to be knocked in the dome every now and then. Huzzah.
@uncivily obedient: Are you a Jewish hillbilly? 4 first names, wtf Hiram-Elijah
The anchors looked like their fragile bubble of reality just popped when Steve pushed that guy.
What is with that anchorwoman's hair. It's like two colors. Is that what passes for respectable office hair in Vegas?
DaveDavies
That's it? That's all that happened? Disappointing. Arthur Chien (formerly of CBS2) dropping the F-bomb on those two radio douchebags who were interrupting his report was way more gangsta than this.
Astroblack
@airvault: I have four first names, but I also have a last name. So where does that place me?
uncivily obedient
Popular in Britain - known as vox pops, but a lot of people hate it over there too, journalists especially.
@uncivily obedient:
Perfect.
Airvault
@uncivily obedient: This made me laugh!
Bravo to this poor reporter for that punch (slap?). He should totally get a promotion to like weatherman or something.
uncivily obedient
I wish I knew how to post pictures. Anyway check this great web comic out: A Famous Person Has Died
uncivily obedient
Beware the wrath of a man with two first names.
Airvault
I bet that's the closing line to every story in Las Vegas.
I once saw footage of a Los Angeles reporter, Miriam Hernandez pushing a guy out of the street behind her. She never even skipped a syllable.
When is Bubbles going to release an official statement?
+ Watch video
are friends electric?
An unruly Steve Ryan fan? Who the fuck is Steve Ryan?
Unruly fan?
Of alcohol perhaps, but probably not of Michael Jackson or ABC13 Action News or Steve Ryan.
I wonder if those news anchors are retired show girls.