An ABC 7 anchor in New York has reportedly been fired for dropping the “c-word” on his female co-host.
Ken Rosato was “axed” after allegedly being caught on a hot mic insulting co-anchor Shirleen Allicot, according to Page Six, which cited a source to report that “he called her a c–t.”
A mainstay at the affiliate, Rosato was not on air when he allegedly used the vulgar term, the celebrity news and gossip site said insiders told them that his remark was picked up “on an open mic” and that he was “immediately let go.”
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Interestingly, Rosato’s rep denied that the anchor was caught on an open mic making “racial” remarks.
“Being fired for any racial slur is 100 percent inaccurate and untrue. Ken Rosato had a benchmark of 20 years at WABC of supporting all equality,” the rep told Page Six.
Rosato anchored the morning news program with Allicot, Heather O’Rourke and meteorologist Sam Champion, and his bio has reportedly been scrubbed from the station’s website.
ABC 7 has not publicly announced Rosato’s departure, but Page Six reported that the general manager informed staffers that the anchor “is no longer with WABC” via email on Friday.
“We thank him for his years of service,” the statement said.
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on Twitter:
If that’s what he said I’m glad he was fired.
— Debra (@DeeTripp) May 15, 2023
I thought there was gonna be audio of it
— Lee (@LeoRimmer69) May 15, 2023
I’m sure Ron Burgundy, I mean Ken Rosato, meant it in the nicest possible way.
— Ed Sherrill (@ed_sherrill) May 15, 2023
You can’t hide the beast from within.
— Love Humanity Stop Those That Don’t (@ALANDexter2020) May 15, 2023
They should’ve taken disciplinary action before termination. They clearly had it out for him to go that hard. ♂️
— Marquis (@MarquisHorace) May 15, 2023
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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