A&E's hit show "Dog the Bounty Hunter" is currently experiencing a difficult situation. The show is in its fifth season and is one of A&E's top rated programs. Duane "Dog" Chapman, the star of the show, was recorded during a private telephone conversation with his son using racial language. He used the "N-word" repeatedly while talking to his son about his girlfriend, who Dog urged him to break up with. In a situation like this, what research can be done? The video clearly shows what Dog said, but people have questions as to why and how it happened. The conversation was recorded and posted online by the National Inquirer. During the recording, Dog states that it is not about the race of the person, but about their character. David Perel, the Enquirer's editor-in-chief said, ''There's no problem with how the tape was obtained and Dog has acknowledged its authenticity, and admitted to using the racist language." He would not comment on how the tape was obtained because it is its contents that matter.
A&E has taken control of the problem. They have already suspended the show and plan to do an investigation. Dog is planning to meet with his spiritual adviser, Rev. Tim Storey, who is black, and hopes to meet with other black leaders, including Rev. Al Sharpton, in order to learn who he truly is and how to make things right.
Much communication has been done to the media. Dog has issued many statements apologizing, for example: ''My sincerest, heartfelt apologies go out to every person I have offended for my regrettable use of very inappropriate language. I am deeply disappointed in myself for speaking out of anger to my son and using such a hateful term in a private phone conversation" and, ''I know that all of my fans are deeply disappointed in me, as well, as I have tried to be a model for doing the right thing ... I did not do the right thing this time, and hope you will forgive me." (You can view these and other heart-wrenching apologetic statements in this The New York Times article and this CNN.com article.) As pervisouly stated, A&E has suspended the show pending an investigation. A&E spokesman Michael Feeney said, "We take this matter very seriously" and when the "inquiry is concluded, we will take appropriate action."
Seeing as this case just hit the news today evaluation has not taken place yet. Everyone who watches the video will have their own evaluations, I'm sure. Hopefully A&E will take appropriate action so as not to be associated with any form of racism.
So far, I think A&E is handling things very well. Suspending the show was necessary; however, I don't know what excuses could possibly justify putting it back on. Dog has done the right thing by apologizing, but what were his other options? Ironically, the video clearly shows that exposing his racist beliefs was solely what he was trying to prevent. Too bad. I think people will find it hard to sympathize with him after such remarks and actual effort to conceal his beliefs. I would recommend that the show not be put back on. Even if it were, it has already lost a huge fan base. Would you watch his show again?
15 comments:
Anna,
I never watched or knew about the show to begin with, so I cannot say whether I would watch it again. I think Dog made a pretty big mistake by saying that stuff- there is no room in our society today for those kind of comments.
However, the comments were said in a private call with his son. How and why should that be exposed to the public? I am in NO way condoning his racists remarks, but in all fairness, I'm sure we have all said regrettable things out of anger in the confines of our homes or on the phone to close family. Dog has said he is not racist, and I even saw his African-American minister interviewed on FOX News, confirming that Dog is not a racist.
My main question with this case concerns the media. It is the media's job to disclose important information to the public in order to look out for us. How is this private call with Dog and his son important info that we need to know, or have the right to know? It is not like the Imus case where Imus made his racist comments on the radio. This is someone who blew up out of anger to his own son.
What do you think?
Dan, I like where your head is at with the points you bring up. I've watched the show a good amount, and the Dog is one of the most sincere and fair-minded people on TV. He's been in jail himself, and doesn't make judgements about people he doesn't know. No one would condone his using that word, but the context in which it was overheard has to be taken into consideration. Personally, this incident won't stop me from watching his show if they bring it back. Anyone think they will/won't lift its suspension?
Just like Bryan, I have also watched this show many times. Dog is a very understanding individual when working with people.
Dan brings up a great point about privacy. Where should the line be drawn? Did the media overstep their boundaries? I think that they did. No good can come out of this situation. It is a lose-lose. No one benefits from Dog's discriminating and hurtful comments. The point of journalism is to bring stories that affect people and their community. I think it would have been best if this was not brought into the public eye.
I wish that the show would be reinstated on the air, but I believe it will not be. It is too much of a risk for A&E. They could risk ratings on other shows. Does anyone else feel the same?
Thanks for commenting guys- I definitely see your point about privacy, and that should not have been exposed, by his own son none the less. However, many people in the public eye are just acting, they are not what they seem. And it kind of makes it worse that it was done privately (not only because he was caught) because it seems that he knows it's wrong, but he does it, and hides it, and that's why he didn't want the girlfriend there. But then again, personal opinions are just that. I guess it comes down to: Does using the n-word make you racist? Many people I know say it doesn't.
So, under the cicumstances, maybe he showed his true colors and to some people that's more important than what he acts like on TV. And by the way the show is will not be put back on "in the forseeable future." Personally, Dog let me down, but would I watch the show if it was on? Probably.
Just like Dan, I have never watched this show before, and I know nothing about the Bounty Hunter to know his personality or if this would be expected of him or not. No matter what, it seems like a horrible thing to do in a country that is trying to hard to promote equality. It is obvious that this man is a role model for a lot of people, and it would be terrible for his wrong doings to rub off on someone else. Situations like this make me think if he is really serious in his apologies or if he just thinks apologizing will get him his show back. In this case, I would recommend that the show be discontinued as well. A&E would be supporting his use of this word if they put the show back on, and that would not be a good reputation for them.
Shan,
I agree that A&E would be kinda supporting his racist language by putting the show back on the air. Even if they didn't support the language, them re-airing the show would at least make them look like they didn't think his use of that language was a big enough deal. You're probably right, A&E will have to keep the show off the air to save face.
I guess my whole original point was concerned with what type of personal info/convos should the media highlight to the public. Whether or not it was right for media to publicize Dog's convo, it is done and A&E has to preserve their reputation.
Thanks for an interesting case, Anna. This reminds me of similar cases in recent months, like the firing of radio host Don Imus for his racial slurs against Rutger's women's basketball team.
Like Imus, Dog is trying to publicly atone for his racist tirade by meeting with religious leaders, minority leaders, and others who might help him restore credibility. By seeking help, he is acting like other high-profile figures that get busted for drugs or alcohol and enter "rehabilitation." These are the kinds of actions that publics expect but I'm not sure they work very well.
This case is also kind of like the Mel Gibson case a few months ago. You may remember Mel went on a similar racist rant with a policeman when he was pulled over while driving under the influence of booze. He and his publicity folks tried to excuse his action by saying basically that "it was the booze that made him do it."
I'm not sure I can buy Dog's excuse that it was his anger that made him say such things any more than I can buy Gibson's excuse. Fact is Dog probably wouldn't have said such things in public ... but got caught saying these things in private. It doesn't change what he said and I think he will have to pay the consequences: canceled show, etc.
Public relations can only go so far. Remember, you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Regards,
Mark
Wow, talk about heated debate here. But I think I come with reason!
I think the BIGGEST picture that we all look over is...WE ALL SAY THIS KIND OF STUFF!! No matter if we mean it or not, it's been said. The fact that he's a role-model doesn't make him perfect. He's human just like any one of us and I think that some times people forget that and hold him on this pedestal that we almost forget his human-being characteristics. Sure, canceling a show for the rest of the season or indefinitely will get some point across, but where does that put us? Are we having our children live his the fake harmonious world? Of course not!
My biggest problem is that it's the 'n-word,' in the word nigger. As a dictionary definition, it is defined as an ignorant person. It doesn't donate a color or race, it just says ignorant person! This is what bothers me the most about our society. As soon as a 'white' person says the word, all hell breaks loose and the world must end because that is wrong and people can't say that. But let someone like Eminem get on a track, lets just COUNT the number of times that word comes out of his mouth...but that's seen as socially acceptable? Of course it isn't.
I'm like Shannon and Dan, I don't watch the show and for those of you that do, you don't know Dog as a person. Like Anna said, he's an actor and gets paid to do so...so he can put up a good front; but, no matter who we're talking about here...I don't think that we should get up in arms because some one used the 'n-word,' and to top it off in their own privacy! I can only imagine how many times rappers like 'The Game,' '50 Cent,' Cassidy,' and I mean the list could go on, say bad things about 'white people,' whether they be cops or someone working a the grocery, their conversations aren't recorded and albums pulled from the shelves.
So where do we call ourselves righteous for nipping one and not the other? I must say, this is when the true colors at Marist show when we are afraid to realize that maybe this society is being as one-sided as we were before - just this time, we're trying to make things TOO right.
I respect all of your opinions though, but please realize that I disagree with all actions held by A&E and any of the black community if they were to get upset. We need to stop living in the best - people have died for us to be where we are today...so accept their fight and continue to move forward!
"This has been brought to you by...D-Vo!" hahah :D
PUT A SMILE ON YA FACE!!
Mark,
Two questions:
1) Do you think it was the media's duty to report this private conversation Dog had with his son?
2) What is a Sow's ear?
What Dan, couldn't comment on what I had to say? Shying away from it? I see how it is buddy! I pass by you on 9 and now you're afraid ;).
But if I may, my answer to the first question is this: with this whole Patriot Act in effect, I believe that every one and any one can and will get their conversations recorded if the government, or in this case, the media feel a need to. However, I do believe that it isn't right and leaves anything open to the world. If we cannot have a personal life, we might as well leave our emotions, thoughts, and feelings on our shelves for the world to see.
As for the second question, can't help ya there bro! HA
I just can't believe that after so many years, so much progress and the Civil Rights Movement that we are still using those types of racial slurs. What's the point in making progress as a society when public figures drag us back down the landslide all the time?
I have never watched the show and no nothing about the character that "Dog" plays. This, however, does not matter to me. Nor does the issue of whether or not it was fair that the media published his racist remarks. Watching some of the media that "Dog" is appearing on I think that he his digging his own grave. He should have stopped after his public apology. Instead, he is appearing on different programs trying to explain the situation. I saw "Dog" briefly on Larry King and he was trying to defend himself stating that he only said those remarks because he doesn't like his son's girlfriend and was using a word that he knew would hurt his son and get his point across. I think by saying these things he is only making the problem worse. If I was his PR consultant I would have told him to apologize and then lay low for a while. I think by making more public appearances than necessary he is making the issue bigger than it has to be.
First off I heard Imus is coming back on the air, so all is not lost for Dog, as another network may pick him up. It is sad to see this happen, as his son ratted him out in a private conversation, like what happened to Alec Baldwin (It was him right who yelled at his daughter?). I hate to say it, but this word is thrown around so much it is horrible, and even african americans use the term in a loving way at times. I think we can't ban words, but I wish people could stop using a term of such hate. It doesn't matter who says it. I don't like the word, and it's not even appropriate in jokes. Unfortunately this word that we probably have all said at least once in some context, be it a joke or not, and we should just stop using it.
But I think privacy is what matters here. celebrities have no privacy, which stinks, but they need to realize that and make sure they act accordingly. Paranoia is no fun, but if you choose to be in the spotlight, you need to act like a role model and Dog should have realized that. If you don't want something getting out to the public, don't do it. If you can't pay the time... Don't do the crime. But maybe his apologies will clear up his image (it worked for Imus) and he will come out of this, if not, well he did it to himself.
To be honest, I'm very disappointed in most of your comments as a generation who has been dealing with this issue for quite some time.
I realize that most of you want to be politically correct and assure yourselves that you're making a 'right' decision, but what's worse: denying that these things happen every day or letting them happen as long as they get pushed behind closed doors?
We all need to open our eyes and see that this is the world we live in. Whether we like to see it or not, it happens. But the real disappointment is your lack of knowledge about the issue. We're working with the NMAAHC, what happened to being pre-professional PR people and understanding our audiences? I realize that every one doesn't see it, but people get called racial terms all the time! Why can't we look past this whole black and white thing and see the world for what it really is? I'm tired of living in the past that no longer exists and then having to hear people say things like, "African-American people use the term in a loving way at times," and how would you know? How well do you actually know your audience to even justify that response? And I'm not picking on Heather, because I'm sure I could pick on others statements that were said, but I love to see how people respond so well to other comments on other stories but once we get on the issue of white and black, it's turned completely different because you have a black kid in the class?
I'm not trying to start something that isn't, because trust me, I could go on for days; but I really want you guys to use the knowledge that you've grown up with and understand how much wealth you all have inside of you. Don't let the past defend your response or even dictate your answers; speak from the heart!
From this, use what I said and learn from it! I believe this will not only help you with your papers but in every day life! Open your eyes PR Case Studies to an America that has yet to show it's true colors! But ware of all and not be surprised by anything. It's out there...don't be afraid to go find it!
I watched the show once, for about thirty seconds. I think that it is terrible that "Dog" used the language that he did and I feel that A&E did the right thing by suspending the show. Personally, I agree with Anna, that the show shouldn't be aired again because that will give A&E a bad rep for supporting a racist. Every high profile person who gets into trouble always comes back with a thousand apologies, it's the name of the game. You screw up, you apologize, and the majority of America forgives you. Pardon my language but thats horse shit. I think it is so ridiculous how any public figure can do something wrong, apologize and have it be forgotten about.
These people only apologize because they get caught. Do any of you really think that "Dog" would say the "n-word" in a private conversation, and then apologize for his language to the person he was talking to? I don't. I think he probably uses language like that more often than most think.
Good case Anna and I agree with your recommendation. I salute A&E as well. PEACE "DOG"
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