Smile, Tatiana Limanova! You’re on Candid Camera!
As a seasoned T.V. talking head person one of the first rules you learn about being on the air is to assume: 1.) That the moment you enter the studio everything you do is possibly recorded; and 2.) Be on your best behavior because of rule #1.
So when I’m in studio I don’t crack crude jokes, blow my nose too loud or do anything that might possibly end up in the back corner of some part of the morning news or overheard during a reading of recent depressing jobs figures. You’d think that since I know that so would an award-winning Russian television anchor who’s won a ton of awards for her on-air work. Based on recent events, I guess not.
Tatyana Limanova, an award winning journalist on Russia’s REN TV, was fired last week for flipping her middle finger at Barack Obama. Yes: literally.
While reading about the Asian economic conference she flipped her finger right as she read Barack Obama’s name. This occurred while she was reading through information for a voiceover so it was clear that Limanova didn’t expect to be caught on camera.
But, somehow the video got out. And in this digital world she was being introduced to the world audience in a way that she probably never intended. Initially, REN TV spokespersons tried to say that she was actually flipping off the producers of the segment because she was mad they were screwing with her timing. But, when the collective laughter died down from that excuse they finally fired her.
Funny thing is this president just can’t attract enough vulgar gestures and epithets from talking heads, reporters and elected officials caught on tape keeping it real. From Rep. Joe Wilson’s (R-SC) “You Lie!” moment to MSNBC’s Mark Halperin calling him a Dick … Cheney, it seems like it’s gone global now.
The moral of the story? Tatyana should apply for a job at FOX News. You can get away with saying or doing just about anything negative about Obama and you’ll probably get your own show out of it.
This article originally appeared online at Politic365.com.