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Friday, June 29, 2007

Woman Files Sex Harass Suit Against ESPN

A woman who worked on the set of the ESPN talk show “Cold Pizza” is suing the sports network, saying she was fired after complaining about sexual harassment by the show’s host and a regular panelist.

In the lawsuit, which also names ESPN host Jay Crawford and sports commentator Woody Paige, Rita Ragone claims she was subjected to crude sexual comments from Crawford and that Paige pinched and fondled her.

Ragone, a makeup artist and hair stylist, said Paige once grabbed her backside so forcefully that she was “propelled forward and into the air.”

Harold Reynolds was unavailable for comment.

Boots Day Posted: June 29, 2007 at 06:38 AM | 65 comment(s)
  Related News: Television

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   1. Latnam is busy defending the Public. One at a time Posted: June 29, 2007 at 07:39 AM (#2421902)
I expect both Paige and Crawford to be fired immediately. *reads the blurb* Oh, now I really mean it.
   2. kevin Posted: June 29, 2007 at 08:02 AM (#2421910)
Why does this not surprise me about Paige?
   3. JMM Posted: June 29, 2007 at 08:04 AM (#2421912)
The only real surprise is that Bayliss wasn't involved. Skip, not Tim.
   4. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: June 29, 2007 at 08:16 AM (#2421919)
Paige once grabbed her backside so forcefully that she was "propelled forward and into the air."

That's why they call him "Catapult Hands."
   5. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: June 29, 2007 at 08:34 AM (#2421929)
Ragone said the situation was exacerbated by a few female employees who didn't seem to mind the atmosphere, including a stylist who gave the men lap dances.

How could this not be in the intro?
   6. kevin Posted: June 29, 2007 at 08:50 AM (#2421944)
yeah, ####.

man, that's a perk, huh? The women in the office give you lapdances while you're getting paid?
   7. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 09:26 AM (#2421976)
Ragone's website.

Honestly, the part of this that surprises me the most is that Cold Pizza was still on the air a few months ago.
   8. EddieA Posted: June 29, 2007 at 10:18 AM (#2422017)
Looked at the website. Goose Gossage's caption is "Guiness record holder" - what is his record?
   9. Buster Olney the Lonely Posted: June 29, 2007 at 10:21 AM (#2422023)
Why does this not surprise me about Paige?


Easy. Because he's an ESPN employee.
   10. Rowland Office Supplies Posted: June 29, 2007 at 10:25 AM (#2422030)
Was she the one who gelled and spiked him up to look like a sixtysomething Chandler Bing? Yikes.
   11. CFBF Has Neither Diabetes nor Cryabetes Posted: June 29, 2007 at 10:27 AM (#2422033)
The only real surprise is that Bayliss wasn't involved. Skip, not Tim.

I had the same thought.
   12. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:13 AM (#2422078)
The "best" part about this is I can totally picture Paige doing this.
   13. Ivan Grushenko of Hong Kong Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:14 AM (#2422080)
Some of the people on her client list are a bit curious for a hair stylist:

Rudy Giuliani, Al Sharpton, Marv Albert, Jon Lovitz, Lanie Kazan...John Edwards is good though.
   14. SoSH U at work Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:19 AM (#2422085)
The only real surprise is that Bayliss wasn't involved. Skip, not Tim.


I don't know. The fresh-scrubbed Bayliss straight out of the mayor's detail would not have pulled something like this. But Tim was getting a little trippy by the end of his run with the murder police. It wouldn't surprise me if he got a little handsy along the way, especially with Sheppard.
   15. AuntBea Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:21 AM (#2422086)
The only real surprise is that Bayliss wasnt involved. Skip, not Tim.


My gaydar is off the charts with Skip.
   16. CFBF Has Neither Diabetes nor Cryabetes Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:23 AM (#2422088)
My gaydar is off the charts with Skip.

/stereotype

But aren't the gays a happy, pleasant people with nice taste and hygiene? Skip Bayless is the most hateful person I know, and I don't even know him. Plus, he looks absurd.

/stereotype
   17. Pasta-diving Jeter (jmac66) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:26 AM (#2422089)
so far this story's been just about everywhere on the web

except for the ESPN site
   18. McCoy Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:28 AM (#2422090)
on a sidenote his brother is a pretty cool dude, though both guys are tiny wafer thin creatures.
   19. TVerik fondly recalls Todd Palin's facial hair Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:29 AM (#2422095)
I expect both Paige and Crawford to be fired immediately. *reads the blurb* Oh, now I really mean it.

If the company is defending itself against this litigation, I'd have to imagine that firing these guys right now would look like an admission of guilt at trial.
   20. SugarBear Blanks Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:32 AM (#2422100)
so far this story's been just about everywhere on the web

except for the ESPN site


If it were a competitor, they'd be debuting the (breathless) "Outside the Lines" on it tomorrow.
   21. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:38 AM (#2422107)
I expect both Paige and Crawford to be fired immediately.

I don't, because they're White.

Ragone said the situation was exacerbated by a few female employees who didn't seem to mind the atmosphere, including a stylist who gave the men lap dances.

Frak, I wanna work at ESPN
   22. JMM Posted: June 29, 2007 at 11:57 AM (#2422145)
The only real surprise is that Bayliss wasn't involved. Skip, not Tim.


I don't know. The fresh-scrubbed Bayliss straight out of the mayor's detail would not have pulled something like this. But Tim was getting a little trippy by the end of his run with the murder police. It wouldn't surprise me if he got a little handsy along the way, especially with Sheppard.


Yeah, but these days, the only people Tim's getting handsy with are his fellow inmates at Statesville Prison, though I guess he might be out on parole by now, especially given who he killed and why. And even if he got handsy with Sheppard (and who wouldn't, even if Michael Michele's acting was more wooden than redwood forest), he wouldn't sexually harrass -- it's be completely consensual. Probably creepy and terribly unfilling in the end for both parties, but completely consensual.

(Wow, I'm trying really hard to avoid doing actual work. I actually looked up Luke Ryland's name when puking out that crap).
   23. SoSH U at work Posted: June 29, 2007 at 12:05 PM (#2422155)
Probably creepy and terribly unfilling in the end for both parties


Yes, particularly when he blurted out "Frank" in the process.
   24. andrewberg of udub law Posted: June 29, 2007 at 12:05 PM (#2422156)
Here's my theory: ESPN paid this woman to come forward with the story and fabricated evidence to back it up so that they could cancel the show without admitting that it was a horrible idea in the first place. Clearly, they aren't willing to just allow that it failed- several changes in the layout, shuffling the hosts and guests, and altering the time slot are all deck chairs on the titanic.
   25. The Polish Sausage Racer Posted: June 29, 2007 at 12:50 PM (#2422217)
So.....if all this stuff is fine and dandy with ESPN execs, what the hell did Harold Reynolds do that got his well-dressed ass fired?
   26. Lujack Posted: June 29, 2007 at 01:04 PM (#2422238)
I'll bet Dave Del Grande has a theory...
   27. kevin Posted: June 29, 2007 at 01:10 PM (#2422249)
My gaydar is off the charts with Skip.


If AuntBea is a woman, this is a great line.
   28. JMM Posted: June 29, 2007 at 01:45 PM (#2422308)
Yes, particularly when he blurted out "Frank" in the process.

My noth hurths from the hot caufthey that came out it when I read thith.
   29. PepTech Posted: June 29, 2007 at 01:52 PM (#2422324)
Anyone heard how Reynolds' suit is coming along?
   30. Jerk Store Posted: June 29, 2007 at 02:08 PM (#2422367)
The only real surprise is that Bayliss wasn't involved. Skip, not Tim.


You sure it wasn't Jonah?
   31. Craig Calcaterra Posted: June 29, 2007 at 02:10 PM (#2422371)
Anyone heard how Reynolds' suit is coming along?


If those guys aren't all fired, much better thank you.
   32. kevin Posted: June 29, 2007 at 02:19 PM (#2422393)
Heh.

Hadn't thought of that, Craig. good catch.
   33. RB in NYC (Now with Resolutions!) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 02:35 PM (#2422425)
Yeah, but these days, the only people Tim's getting handsy with are his fellow inmates at Statesville Prison, though I guess he might be out on parole by now, especially given who he killed and why
I think they probably would've put Tim in federal prison, given his status. But I think it's all a moot point since Frank never turned him in. He ate his gun and now he's playing cards with Gee, Felton and Crosetti.
   34. MM1f Posted: June 29, 2007 at 02:46 PM (#2422448)
You know what would be the perfect addition to this thread..a Jump to Conclusions mat!

Seriously, how are you all so damn certain that all this unfolded exactly as is claimed right now?
From the article I see no evidence other than Ragone saying these things happened, no one corroborating her story. Why do we need to get as judgmental as possible ASAP before we have a better idea as to what actually happened?
   35. JMM Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:08 PM (#2422476)
But I think it's all a moot point since Frank never turned him in. He ate his gun and now he's playing cards with Gee, Felton and Crosetti.

I think it was pretty clear -- Frank saying he caught two bad guys that day when he talks to Mike Giardello at the end of the episode -- that he did turn Tim in. Hell, Frank would turn his wife and/or kids in in such a situation, even though it would kill him to do so.

Seriously, how are you all so damn certain that all this unfolded exactly as is claimed right now?
From the article I see no evidence other than Ragone saying these things happened, no one corroborating her story. Why do we need to get as judgmental as possible ASAP before we have a better idea as to what actually happened?


Yeah, but that would deny us the pleasure of talking trash about people who suck doing sports on TV.

More seriously, I think that the caveat of "if this is true" is presumed for the most part. If we were expected to have any journalistic integrity, we should be absolutely clear, but as it's just yackoffs talking out their a-holes on the internets, it can be left sloppy and unexplicit.
   36. Craig Calcaterra Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:10 PM (#2422481)
Seriously, how are you all so damn certain that all this unfolded exactly as is claimed right now?


No MM1F, I'm almost positive Bayliss killed that guy at the end of the series finale.
   37. The Josecruz Blues (GGC) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:17 PM (#2422494)
I'm totally lost in this thread. Who the hell are Tim Bayliss and Luke Ryland? AFAIK, Paige is an independent contractor.
   38. JMM Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:24 PM (#2422508)
Don't lie to us like we're Montel Williams. You know damn well who Tim Bayliss and Luke Ryland are.




Okay, Luke Ryland doesn't really have any direct entry anywhere, but he was an internet serial killer during the final season of Homicide: Life on the Street, who (after being freed on a technicality) is slain in the series finale; Bayliss confesses to his long-time partner Frank Pembleton in the series wrapup made for TV movie.
   39. Craig Calcaterra Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:28 PM (#2422516)
Don't lie to us like we're Montel Williams.


You just gave me the biggest smile I've had all day.
   40. The Josecruz Blues (GGC) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:33 PM (#2422530)
That's scary. Wikipedia has more comprehensive entries on those detectives than they do on some historical personages.
   41. Backlasher Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:36 PM (#2422536)
I'm totally lost in this thread. Who the hell are Tim Bayliss and Luke Ryland?

REDACTED: I was late, but I still should slip in props for Luther Mahoney. I don't think Bayliss should go down if Lewis could get away with that killing.
   42. The Buddy Biancalana Hit Counter Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:38 PM (#2422541)
Wikipedia has more comprehensive entries on those detectives than they do on some historical personages.

"People who liked that show really liked that show," says this owner of the box set packaged in the shape of a miniature filing cabinet.
   43. All Bets are Mad Off Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:43 PM (#2422556)
So did she get harassed by Dana Jacobson too?
   44. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: June 29, 2007 at 03:50 PM (#2422568)
Don't lie to us like we're Montel Williams. You know damn well who Tim Bayliss and Luke Ryland are.


JMM, you definitely repaid me for the coffee through the nose. Outstanding.
   45. JMM Posted: June 29, 2007 at 04:07 PM (#2422606)
I was late, but I still should slip in props for Luther Mahoney. I don't think Bayliss should go down if Lewis could get away with that killing.

Well, of course Lewis should get away with that. Kellerman, on the other hand, ....
   46. Shake that Laffey Taffy Posted: June 29, 2007 at 04:16 PM (#2422618)
Paige once grabbed her backside so forcefully that she was "propelled forward and into the air."

Look out. Tushy squeeze!
   47. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 04:31 PM (#2422649)
"Wikipedia has more comprehensive entries on those detectives than they do on some historical personages."

Speaking as someone who's spent WAY too much time working on Wikipedia: The level of coverage of a given subject is proportional to the general public's level of interest in that subject. Old dead guys from a couple hundred years ago are probably more important, but they don't really make that visceral connection with most of the user base.
   48. Tony H. Posted: June 29, 2007 at 04:40 PM (#2422673)
I can think of few things that would be more horrifying than being sexually harassed by Woody Paige.
   49. JMM Posted: June 29, 2007 at 05:26 PM (#2422734)
Things that would be more horrifying than being sexually harassed by Woody Paige.

1) Being sexually harrassed by Jay Mariotti
2) " " " " Rosie O'Donnell
3) " " " " Ann Coulter
4) "Leather, you're with me"
   50. My Name Is rLr And You Can Count On It Posted: June 29, 2007 at 05:43 PM (#2422752)
Woman Files Sex Harass Suit Against ESPN

Reached for comment, Woody Paige noted, "I really tried to sex her ass, but she wasn't into it."
   51. Softball-Playing Human Refuses to Be Walked Posted: June 29, 2007 at 06:01 PM (#2422767)
So did she get harassed by Dana Jacobson too?
I would watch that show.
   52. Swedish Chef Posted: June 29, 2007 at 06:23 PM (#2422785)
   53. The Josecruz Blues (GGC) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 06:49 PM (#2422805)
Skip Bayless

Tim Bayliss

The article about John Munch is longer than the article about Richard Belzer.
   54. My Name Is rLr And You Can Count On It Posted: June 29, 2007 at 06:57 PM (#2422818)
The article about John Munch is longer than the article about Richard Belzer.

John Munch is a more interesting character than Richard Belzer.

Mendel Beilis gets even less than Skip.
   55. RB in NYC (Now with Resolutions!) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 07:12 PM (#2422849)
I think it was pretty clear -- Frank saying he caught two bad guys that day when he talks to Mike Giardello at the end of the episode -- that he did turn Tim in. Hell, Frank would turn his wife and/or kids in in such a situation, even though it would kill him to do so.
I think it's ambiguous at best, probably deliberately on the part of the writers. The hand writing in RYLAND on the board looks like Tim's to me, and the line (Crosetti's, maybe) about how the cares and worries of the world don't matter once your gone seem to indicate the chair is for Tim. But definitely open to interpretation.
   56. The Josecruz Blues (GGC) Posted: June 29, 2007 at 07:19 PM (#2422870)
This site will kill my nite if I don't watch it. Radiohead has a longer article than any of the big four British Invasion bands; even the Beatles.
   57. ghost of perros Posted: June 29, 2007 at 07:22 PM (#2422885)
I was really into Homicide during its run, but I'd forgotten all about Bayliss 'til now.

He's mixed up in my mind with Dutch from The Shield.

You do have to be wary of nice guys who have no knowledge or awareness of their own shadow.
   58. Robert Machemer Posted: June 29, 2007 at 07:30 PM (#2422908)
Mr Spock crushes Dr Spock. Space elevator beats elevator. Fredo narrowly edges Frodo.
   59. My Name Is rLr And You Can Count On It Posted: June 29, 2007 at 07:35 PM (#2422930)
The level of coverage of a given subject is proportional to the general public's level of interest in that subject. Old dead guys from a couple hundred years ago are probably more important, but they don't really make that visceral connection with most of the user base.

Friedrich Barbarossa has a much longer entry than Leandro Barbosa, at least.
   60. My Name Is rLr And You Can Count On It Posted: June 29, 2007 at 07:42 PM (#2422961)
Space elevator beats elevator.

Otis of Mayberry has a longer entry than elevator magnate Elisha Otis.
   61. Robert Machemer Posted: June 29, 2007 at 08:23 PM (#2423076)
Dan Brown crushes John Brown. Rubik's Cube beats Pascal's Triangle. But 3 edges out 42.
   62. Robert Machemer Posted: June 29, 2007 at 08:29 PM (#2423091)
Chess crushes baseball.
   63. My Name Is rLr And You Can Count On It Posted: June 29, 2007 at 08:48 PM (#2423151)
Rosh Hashannah just barely edges Festivus.
   64. The Josecruz Blues (GGC) Posted: August 07, 2007 at 06:30 PM (#2475656)
   65. Fred Garvin, Male Prostitute Posted: August 07, 2007 at 06:42 PM (#2475671)
To the dismay of LAWoBH, baseball cap vs. girlfriend.
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