Anastos — who once said "dot cock" on live television — told meteorologist Nick Gregory during the crosstalk between the weather report and a commercial break, "it takes a tough man to make a tender forecast." And then, to the utter shock of his co-anchor Dari Alexander, continued, "Keep fucking that chicken."

He then upped his creepy factor by drooling over video of Alexander working out, "Hey, look at you. Looking good up there." You can't see her face on that one, but we're sure it was painted with repulsion.

Post hack Steve Dunleavy, of course, was a legendary drunk. Page Six chief Richard Johnson had his own DUI, complete with a refusal to take a Breathalyzer test—a wise legal move known to many veteran drunk drivers. Staffer Hasani Gittens, we hear, "drinks like a fish," is an incessant gambler, and carries the nickname "Handsome Lyle" (all of which are things to be respected).

Further: Page Six's Chris Wilson is a boozer, his colleague Paula Froelich carries on with drunken midgets, and we've always suspected that the entire paper gets so soused on New Year's eve that they just toss any old thing in there the next day.

But the man who sets the tone is the paper's top dog, editor Col Allan. He must have been drunk as hell when he decided it would be a good idea to take the Australian prime minister to Scores for a night of booze and strippers. Of course, Allan is impervious to hangovers, as well. He should be, since his reputation as a lush is legendary:

At the Post, the party is slightly out of control, which is part of the fun, both for readers and reporters. The paper is aggressive, uninhibited, unpredictable, prone to anger and sometimes juvenile comedy in equal measure. Heroic consumption of alcohol has long been a part of this equation, but even in this tradition Allan stands out. "Col is a very engaging man," says his sometime dinner companion Graydon Carter. "And he can drink just about anybody I know, with the exception of Christopher Hitchens, under many tables. He's got real Aussie blood in him."

So, Sue Simmons: don't feel too bad.

hi,
i'm very sorry for what happened last night. i had no idea we were on live. i was playfully trying to get chuck's attention. unfortunately, i got the attention of thousands and many were not amused. i admit i have a potty mouth at times. never never did i intend for new york to receive an example of it. i can't take it back. i can apologize. i'm still very embarrassed today. i'm trying to answer each and every person thats contacted me.

i hope you will accept my apology.

thanks, sue

Indications Simmons' email address is gone:

Former Web page (August 2007):

Current Web page:

What's surprising about Simmons' apparent email address blackout is that it indicates people have been bombarding her with mail. Are there really that many New Yorkers outraged at hearing the word "fuck?" Really?

[Animal New York]

She's been here and she's had drinks with her dinner," a Jean Georges employee said. "She's had a cocktail or two, yes, between shows, with dinner."

The Times rounded up some New Yorkers shaken to their cores by the incident:

... said Omar Villaneuva, a doorman at 27 West 72nd Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue... "when you’re a news reporter, you’re supposed to report the news. You’re not there to swear.”

Peter King, who works in an architectural office on the Upper West Side, echoed Mr. Villaneuva’s point. “It’s overused, and we are crasser than we were for it,” Mr. King said. “It’s just another indication of standards declining. I mean, I curse like a sailor, but I know how to talk to my dad and talk to clients, versus how to talk to my friends.”

Sarah Bassine, a filmmaker, said that Ms. Simmons was a role model... “Certainly, a newscaster should be able to express herself or himself better. People who are in the public eye have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a responsible manner.”

Actually, between this cuss out, Bill O'Reilly's recently resurfaced Inside Edition tantrum and the million other on-air TV news meltdowns in recent (and not-so-recent) memory, on-air swearing (followed by not getting fired) has kind of become a sign that an on-air personality has finally arrived.
[Times]

[Animal NY]