Sue Simmons Admits to Drinking-and-Anchoring During the '80s
On Thursday evening, on live TV, longtime WNBC-4 news anchor Sue Simmons made a somewhat surprising confession. Back in the '80s, she said, she would on occasion drink cocktails before anchoring the news. Eventually she stopped, she continued to explain, because she noticed the alcohol was making her eyes red.
The admission came during an interview on WNBC-4's new 5 p.m. show LX New York, on which Ms. Simmons was making a guest appearance alongside Bravo executive-turned-night-show host Andy Cohen.
Not long ago, in the spring of 2008, Ms. Simmons drew national attention when she was caught cursing out her colleague Chuck Scarborough during a live promotion. Afterwards, The New York Post published a story under the headline "Silly Sue Simmons A Salty Swiller," in which anonymous sources alleged that Ms. Simmons regularly threw back cocktails before appearing on the air. At the time, Ms. Simmons did not respond to the Post. And eventually the maelstrom passed.
On Thursday afternoon, it was the mischievous Mr. Cohen who repeatedly raised the issue of drinking-and-anchoring. At first, Ms. Simmons seemed to skirt around the question successfully, but Mr. Cohen's persistence paid off.
"It used to be acceptable that you could go out to dinner and have a martini," said Mr. Cohen at one point (around the 3:00 minute mark). "Did that ever happen?"
"Yes," replied Ms. Simmons, who started anchoring on WNBC-4 in 1980. "But that stopped in the mid '80s, late '80s, because I looked in the mirror before--when I was about ready to go on the air--and my eyes were red."
"Really?" said Mr. Cohen.
"I didn't feel loaded or anything," said Ms. Simmons. "But my eyes were red and that was enough for me to say...that's it."
"Oh my god," said Mr. Cohen, grinning.
At that point, host Megan Meany had seen enough. "I hate to cut off this reunion...." said Ms. Meany.
Ironically, it was Ms. Simmons' first appearance on NBC's 5 p.m. hour since September, when the network replaced the sobering hard-news hour which Ms. Simmons co-anchored with the fizzier, effervescent lifestyle show called LX New York. To date, the show has struggled badly in the ratings--which might explain why it took a couple of days for this clip to come to The Observer's attention.
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Drink or no drink…New York
Drink or no drink…New York loves Sue Simmons. A news icon, a New York City institution and the legendary beautiful face of WNBC since 1980.
Why would WNBC even think of replacing Sue Simmons at 5:00 p.m. with the absolutely awful “LX New York”? Sue Simmons is now approaching her 30th year at WNBC and is the most beloved news icon in New York television history. One wonders what top management at WNBC is doing lately — besides destroying their reputation as the former media crown jewel of news in New York City — the largest television market in America. If it were not for Chuck Scarborough, Sue Simmons and Janice Huff, what would really be left of WNBC? For over 35 years, WNBC has been the home to the top news talent in New York City, yet in recent years WNBC has completely failed to promote their legendary world class news team. Instead, WNBC has chosen to force feed New York City with the supposedly trendy lifestyle program “LX New York” in a timeslot that for almost 30 years was the home to “Live at Five”, one of the most successful news/entertainment programs in the history of modern day television.
I strongly encourage WNBC to bring Sue Simmons back to television at 5:00 p.m. where she belongs with “Live at Five” back in its original news/entertainment format. Sue Simmons has less then 1.25 years remaining on her contract with WNBC at which time she will most likely retire after spending close to 34 uninterrupted years in local news with NBC-Universal.
I appeal to all fans of Sue Simmons to immediately contact VICKIE BURNS, Vice President of Content and Audience Development at WNBC (VICKIE.BURNS@NBCUNI.COM) and strongly request that WNBC return Sue Simmons back to the air at 5:00 p.m. where she created the iconic “Live at Five” back in 1980. There is only one Sue Simmons — the premier female local news anchor in America. Although “LX New York” was a horrible mistake, it is not too late to reverse the error and bring “Live at Five” back at 5:00 p.m. for the duration of Sue Simmons tenure with WNBC. There is plenty of slot openings for “LX New York” after 2:00 a.m. where this type of fluff belongs.
/NGS