The Smoking Gun has all the icky details of a sexual harassment suit against The Weather Channel. A former anchorwoman, Hillary Andrews, claims her co-anchor, Bob Stokes, repeatedly propositioned her with classy lines like, "Will you lick my swizzle stick?"
Then, says TSG: When she rebuffed his advances, Andrews charged, Stokes's "hostility and volatility became a constant" and he sought to "sabotage" her on-air performance and even resorted to insulting her during live shows.
She also claims that because Stokes was popular with viewers, TWC blew her off when she complained.
Andrews won an arbitration case three months ago, at which point TWC fired Stokes. She's now filing suit against him in state court, so expect lots more great euphemisms like "swizzle stick" to go public.
TWC always seemed like such an innocuous channel, but now it's looking more sordid than Skinemax.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Well, having read the whole sordid story with the link, it is obvious this guy was a menace. Sounds like he was justly fired, but what does this woman hope to accomplish by suing him in state court? The Weather Channel got rid of the guy, so what else does she want?
We all know how these things can work - if she pushes the envelope too far, look for TWC to dump her too. No channel likes this kind of scandal - especially one as mundane as this one!
David S. at 5:10PM on May 7th 2008
2. Maybe he meant "loofah."
K at 5:35PM on May 7th 2008
3. It is great that TWC fired him, but David S. you seem to think that it should end there. No, she is doing a good thing by pursuing this further. She is showing people that women don't and shouldn't have to take sexual harassment in the work place or any where with out being afraid of victim blaming. If she gets fired from TWC because she refused to let this man get away with such inexcusable harassment then it opens up the station for criticism for their stance on equality and respect in the work place (more so than when they turned a blind eye to her first complaints). By bringing him to state court she is setting an example for other women to stand up for their right to a safe and comfortable working environment.
Pamela at 6:00PM on May 7th 2008
4. when will men learn to keep their swizzle sticks to themselves? ha! he deserves to be in court, hope he has to hand over a large sum of money.
Jennifer at 6:30PM on May 7th 2008
5. They were right to fire him and i hope she makes his life miserable just like he did to her.
Patrick at 6:55PM on May 7th 2008
6. How cute that so many are quick to blame the "guy", as it's always the "guy's fault". But lemme ask this...would you ever believe that, behind the scenes, she did whatever it took to deserve this unwarrented attention? People aren't interested in looking at all points of a situation, as you can see by the almost daily media crucifictions; take Michael Richards, for instance. He retaliated against a couple of worthless punks who showed up for the sole purpose of HECKLING HIM! You self-righteous retards out there would do the exact same thing were you in the same situation, so don't leap onto your precious gold podiums in defense of two idiotic jack-asses. Now, granted, Richards took a very WRONG approach with it, but I've seen people melt down in the face of over-whelming negativity just as often. People like her don't deserve the jobs they get if their desire is to parade in those "short skirts and high heels"; just a classic case of feminism gone wild, the tarted up "sleep your way to the top" mentality that permeates withing TOO many women. No wonder people can't take you seriously...don't obsessively shove your breasts in our faces and chew us out for looking! Worthless...
Me at 7:06PM on May 7th 2008
7. OMG! We women are so cute for getting worked up about a sexist pig who is getting what he deserves. Don't start with the victim blaming "Me." How can you say women can't wear skirts or shirts if they choose and if they do then they deserve to be harassed. You seem like a misogynist who wants to keep women from any freedoms and then blame them when men can't control their urges. You have no idea how she acted behind the scenes and even if she flirted a little if she decided it was becoming inappropriate then it should have ended with him understanding that she has a right to say no to his advances.
Pamela at 7:24PM on May 7th 2008
8. Swizzle Stick!!!
Of all the euphemisms he could have used, why compare yourself to a 5" long, 1/8" thick plastic straw? Maybe he was going for 'sympathy sex'?
Nice going there, stud.
Ike at 9:33PM on May 7th 2008
9. Thats why men should work with men and women work with women, this happens day in and day out every where around the world , obviously we can't coincide within the workplace.
triplepoint at 11:53PM on May 7th 2008
10. In light of most sexual harassment cases being silly and frivolous, it's nice to see a legitimate one work out in the right direction. Good for her. No sarcasm.
Strados at 7:58AM on May 8th 2008
11. http://evolutionfacts.blogspot.com
PROFESSOR X at 8:44AM on May 8th 2008
12. ME - He's not in trouble for looking you twit - he's in trouble for making comments and advances. Regardless of how a woman dresses that is crossing the line. With that said that doesn't mean her appearance should make you uncomfortable. If someone is dressed inappropriately - showing too much whatever - tell management - some type of professional dress code should be installed. But short of that no one has the right to make advances or comments based on how one dresses or the kinds of makeup one wears. Any man that thinks differently isn't a man in my opinion.
SLBushway at 8:49AM on May 8th 2008
13. Thanks for the link to crap Professor X
Shawn Bushway at 8:50AM on May 8th 2008
14. This guy is a pig and should be fired and potentially fined.... but that's it. After that leave the guy alone.
Look at all of these whining poor women. You want to get the door yourself but as soon as a man unjustifiably gives you a little grief, not only do you want to run over his career you want to ruin his life. Perhaps women should recall where they came from; the kitchen. And men should recall where they came from... their mothers.
Shlong at 10:58AM on May 8th 2008
15. Last I checked, mothers and fathers had an equal part in creation of life. shipping and handling is another consideration.
Strados at 11:21AM on May 8th 2008