TEELING WILL NOT "BE BACK LATER IN THE BROADCAST WITH THE FIVE-DAY"
PITTSBURGH - WPXI Storm Team Eleven Chief Meteorologist Steve Teeling was suspended indefinitely yesterday for on-air remarks disparaging the size of Anchorman David Johnson's penis. Here is the verbatim transcript of Teeling's weather segment broadcast during the Saturday evening news. "So here's my forecast for the entire Channel Eleven viewing area. To the east in the higher elevations . . ., accumulation somewhere in the neighborhood of eight to ten inches, which by the way is the vicinity I'm in. In the western suburbs, you'll be getting just one to two inches overnight. Which, coincidentally, is exactly what Mrs. Johnson is getting every night."
An audible off-camera gasp was heard on the broadcast while Teeling smirked and continued with the forecast. Off the air, Channel Eleven Sports Director John Fedko attempted to revive anchorwoman Peggy Finnegan, who apparently fainted, by pouring a glass of water on her face. Finnegan regained consciousness and slapped him, claiming Fedko had been looking for an excuse to do "something just like that" for years. When the camera returned to Johnson, he was shaking his fist at Teeling, and spittle spewed from his lips as he mouthed what appeared to be a string of four letter words. Johnson had to be physically restrained by two cameramen as Teeling chuckled and calmly walked to his office.
Teeling later issued a statement saying he was only trying to lighten the mood in a newsroom that badly needs to lighten up, and he apologized "to any viewers prudish enough to be offended" by his joke. He cryptically added, "I'm also sorry for Mrs. Johnson for the matter I discussed on the air. She will know what I mean." While suspended, Teeling loses all Chopper Eleven privileges.
This brings the total to four Channel Eleven Meteorologists who have been suspended over the years for ridiculing an anchor's size. In one instance, the Meteorologist's ventriloquist dummy also was suspended.
