The furor over Carol Costello’s hypocritical comments on Bristol Palin’s assault has boiled over from conservatives on blogs and Twitter to mainstream news outlets as Eric Wemple of the Washington Post has called for her to apologize on air.
Costello apologized quickly and in airtight fashion: “Over the past few days I have been roundly criticized for joking about a brawl involving the Palin family. In retrospect, I deserve such criticism and would like to apologize.” That statement was sent to Politico, but not said on-air.
The Erik Wemple Blog catches Costello’s CNN show daily — and thinks sky-highly of her anchoring work — but didn’t catch any moment of regret mirroring what she told Politico. A CNN spokeswoman confirms no such event has taken place. It must. CNN surely has more regard for its audience than to pass along such an important message through a bunch of media blogs.
As we pointed out, Costello was disgusted that Fox News’ hosts would make a joke about the Ray Rice assault, and even called for the suspension of ESPN host Stephen A. Smith for making comments suggesting that women could escalate aggressive encounters with men. That’s what makes her irrepressible glee at the thought of Bristol Palin tearfully recounting her assault so despicable and repulsive.
Will more voices call her out? Let’s keep the pressure on her until CNN is forced to address her stunningly smug mockery.