BOSTON — A WEEI morning show producer has been suspended after he used an ethnic slur to describe an ESPN journalist while speaking on-air earlier this week.
During a discussion Tuesday on the “The Greg Hill Show” about a Boston city councilor’s proposed ban on the sale of miniature bottles of alcohol, commonly referred to as “nips,” co-hosts Greg Hill, Jermaine Wiggins, and Courtney Cox ranked their favorite nips.
Some brands that were mentioned included the popular Skrewball and Fireball whiskies. Producer Chris Curtis chimed in, saying, “I’d probably go Mina Kimes.”
Kimes, an award-winning journalist, is an NFL analyst, senior writer, podcast host, and television contributor for ESPN.
Michael M. Ego, a Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut, says the word nip is a derogatory ethnic slur towards persons of Japanese ancestry.
After a wave of criticism and outrage, Curtis began Thursday’s show by addressing his comment about Kimes.
“In a pathetic, failed attempt at a one-liner, I attempted to bring up Mila Kunis, which was not really that funny, sophomoric, and sexist,” Curtis said. “But for reasons I don’t understand, I said Mina Kimes. That was never the intention for me to say her name. It had nothing to do with the subject matter and it dragged her into a controversy through no fault of her own regarding a slur and her race.”
Curtis added, “I want to apologize to Mina Kimes, I want to apologize for a stupid attempt at a joke...I want the listeners to know I failed on Tuesday. I want you to know this is not who I am.”
Curtis also announced that he will be out of work until Wednesday of next week.
In response to Curtis’ comments, Kimes changed her profile picture on Twitter to a photo of Mila Kunis.
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