Awkward moment sports reporter throws bizarre on-air tantrum when anchor 'steals story'
THIS cringeworthy on-air meltdown shows exactly what can go wrong with a live news broadcast.
Sportscaster Accuses Anchor of Stealing Story During Broadcast
Veteran sports reporter Gary Radnich lost the plot during a live broadcast after he accused his news anchor of stealing his thunder.
The fuming sportscaster berated news desk colleague Catherine Heenan for taking his story.
She had earlier unwittingly reported on the news that basketball icon LeBron James will star in a sequel to 1996 film Space Jam.
Mr Radnich insisted that story was inside the remit of sports news and began what became an incredible minute-long out-of-control temper tantrum.
The fuming sportscaster berated news desk colleague Catherine Heenan for stealing his story
The bizarre on-air drama went viral as the embarrassing rant on the local San Francisco news channel even mentioned Mr Radnich's mother.
At the end of the sportscast, he said: "We should tell you LeBron James is going to star in 'Space Jam'.
Mrs Heenan responded: "We actually — oh, are you mad 'cause I already read that? Oh, I'm sorry."
Despite the anchor's quick apology, Mr Radnich continued with his rant.
Heenan immediately apologised, but that didn't stop Radnich from going on a minute-long rant
His colleague tried to explain that she was fed the LeBron story in her script and blamed a producer
But, the sports anchor fired back against his "friend of 23 years".
He said: "Have you ever heard me say, right before you came on, 'There is an irrigation problem in Gilroy'?
"It's hard for me to get mad.
The audience praised Heenan's professionalism
There's gonna come a time when you have to choose between the love of your mother and honor and dignity
"Catherine has stayed at my mother's home, she's written my mother notes, she's stolen my material. How do I get mad?
“There's gonna come a time when you have to choose between the love of your mother, and your mother's friends, and the honor and dignity of KRON.
“We may have reached that level.”
The reporter, who has worked at the station for more than 30 years, desperately tried to save face a week later and insisted the on-air spat was just a joke.
He posted on Facebook: "Wow! I must be a good actor. All this feedback from people who thought I was mad. Please watch again. I'm playing!"