An apology for the “riot” poll

[Big Al]

I apologize for starting the poll/thread that asked the question, which city would have the bigger riot once the NBA playoffs end. It was a bad idea, and a badly failed attempt at some cynical humor. I should’ve known better, and have taken the liberty of deleting the thread.

To all offended, and to any residents/former residents of the cities mentioned in that poll/thread, my humblest apologies.

[Dan Gould]

I wouldn't sweat it, though I didn't see the reactions it got. I was, however, going to go in and cast a write-in ballot for Boston, when the Sox win the Series!

(I think its inevitable that if the Sox do win it all, the rioting in Boston will be horrific).

[Guest Chaney]

I hereby grant thee my most heartfelt forgiveness.

-_-

[Jazzmoose]

So, this means I can claim I never saw it, right?

[BruceH]

I DIDN'T see it! Damn!

[Chrome]

Admittedly, I didn't actually read the poll post, but the concept certainly seemed appropriate ... rioting after sports championships is pretty much part of the experience nowadays.

[ghost of miles]

Every city riots... it's a venerable American tradition! I was in one myself, Bloomington '87, when IU won the NCAA. Pretty friendly, though, as riots go--people were hugging cops, going "We won, we won!"

The riot we had here several years ago when Knight was fired was a much less friendly affair.

[BruceH]

Admittedly, I didn't actually read the poll post, but the concept certainly seemed appropriate ... rioting after sports championships is pretty much part of the experience nowadays.

Gosh----I love sports!!!

[Tjazz]

There were riots after the Lakers won?????

I don't think so.

[Jazzmoose]

The riot we had here several years ago when Knight was fired was a much less friendly affair.

Wow, and here I assumed firing Knight would stop the riot...

[Brad]

I never saw it. DAMN!

[Sundog]

To all offended, and to any residents/former residents of the cities mentioned in that poll/thread, my humblest apologies.

Yeah, you and Jimmy Kimmel! B)

[Joe G]

Ann Arbor, Michigan-- March 1989.

Where were the Organissimo dudes then? Not that I'm suggesting any correlation, I just wonder what resonance, if any, that U of M goofiness had to other Michiganders...

clem

meridian, mississippi

I was 19. I don't remember that one. We did have the infamous "beer riots" right here in East Lansing a couple of years ago. That was totally lame, and embarrassing. I think people are wound up pretty tight these days, and just looking for an excuse to go atavistic.

[PHILLYQ]

The funny thing is that in NYC we never have a riot after winning a championship. Most people would pick NYC as the first to riot.

[chris olivarez]

Didn't see it-DINGNABIT CONSARN!!!!!!!

[Chrome]

Kimmel show pulled for comments

Host makes fun of Detroit, later apologizes

Friday, June 11, 2004 Posted: 9:07 AM EDT (1307 GMT)

DETROIT, Michigan (AP) -- Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show was pulled off the air for a night following a joke the comedian made about Detroit during the NBA Finals.

Kimmel was talking to ABC sportscaster Mike Tirico during halftime of Tuesday's game when he said, "They're going to burn the city of Detroit down if the Pistons win, and it's not worth it." Tirico, an Ann Arbor resident, immediately objected, telling him to be careful about making fun of Detroit.

ABC made the decision to pull Wednesday night's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" from affiliates nationwide shortly after the program was taped that night in California.

Grace Gilchrist, general manager of Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ, said the taped show featured more disparaging remarks about the city.

"Frankly, we were shocked. We thought it was uncalled for," Andrea Parquet-Taylor, WXYZ's news director, said of Kimmel's remarks.

Kimmel issued a written statement to address his comments about Detroit, whose Pistons are playing the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.

"What I said about Pistons fans during halftime was a joke, nothing more. If I offended anyone, I'm sorry," he said. "Clearly, over the past 10 years, we in L.A. have taken a commanding lead in post-game riots. If the Lakers win, I plan to overturn my own car."

ABC publicity manager Jennifer De La Rosa issued another apology from the comedian Thursday: "It was never my intention to cause anyone pain. I was trying to make a joke and I'm sorry it resulted in anything other than laughter."

[Sundog]

Kimmel was talking to ABC sportscaster Mike Tirico during halftime of Tuesday's game when he said, "They're going to burn the city of Detroit down if the Pistons win, and it's not worth it." Tirico, an Ann Arbor resident, immediately objected, telling him to be careful about making fun of Detroit.

The truth hurts sometimes. Hell, they don't even need a championship team as an excuse. Don't the locals usually raise a bit of a ruckus on Halloween?

[Bright Moments]

i think we can put this thread to good use......................

[Jazzmoose]

I should have known....

[Bright Moments]

I should have known....

yep, that's me, dredger of old threads!

[ghost of miles]

i think we can put this thread to good use......................

Indeed!

[ghost of miles]

I was 20... The biggest riots were when U of M beat Seton Hall in the NCAA smei-finals. "We" won the championship that Monday evening too but where Saturday night was spontaneous, w/signifcant cop baiting (w/the usual reaction-- they're only too happy to oblige), as I recall it, things were pretty restrained Monday, more bc of intimidation than any lack of desire to go nuts but...

It was very interesting to be in such proximity to a sorta random mob mentality, like a bar fight times 100 or more.

clem

meridian, mississippi

Hey Clem, I know exactly what you're saying. I was 20 and in Bloomington when IU beat Syracuse in '87, and there were nearly 15,000 people in the streets... a weird sort of joyous anarchy and one of the most diverse street scenes I'd ever seen, because even the non-basketball fans were out either to rip it up or just check out the general mayhem.