Dumped inaugural parade announcer gets new job: report

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/313943-dumped-inaugural-parade-announcer-gets-new-job-report

Dumped inaugural parade announcer gets new job: report
By Mark Hensch - 01/12/17 09:47 AM EST


The inaugural parade announcer who was recently replaced after 60 years on the job has landed a new role, according to a new report.

Charlie Brotman, 89, will comment on the Jan. 20 event as part of NBC4's team in Washington, D.C., The Washington Post said Thursday.

“I was down, I was disappointed, and I thought I would be doing it for the next 100 years,” he said of getting replaced last week. "Now I’m not thinking about the old news. I’m only thinking about good news.

“Now, I’m all young and excited again. It’s a new day. Instead of talking to a few thousand people I’m talking to a few million people.”

NBC4, which is NBC’s affiliate in the D.C. region, said Brotman would draw on his deep knowledge of past inaugurations during next week’s event.

“Given Charlie Brotman’s long history in Washington and unparalleled experience with inaugural parades celebrating presidents in both parties, we have invited him to be part of our inauguration coverage on Jan. 20,” a station spokesperson said in an email. "Charlie will provide his unique insights that people in Washington have enjoyed for many decades.”

President-elect Donald Trump’s team decided last week it would not use Brotman’s services, breaking a tradition that began with former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957.

The president-elect’s staff instead opted for Steve Ray, a 58-year-old freelance radio announcer.

Brotman on Monday said finding out he had been replaced for the 12th inaugural parade was “really terrible."

“I was disappointed because I thought I would be the announcer, and then when I read the email, I thought I was going to commit suicide,” he told CNN.

"I looked at my email, then I got the shock of my life. I felt like [former boxer] Muhammad Ali had hit me in the stomach."

[The Wielding Truth]

1. Great move, NBC4!

[Baitball Blogger]

7. +1

[Hortensis]

2. This was so good to hear. I'll be switching to NBC

because he's there, least part of the time. It was also good to hear that Mr. Brotman has regained his balance. He was okay again with life before this nice thing happened.

[George II]

4. Sorry, I won't be switching to NBC, I'm not watching a single minute of any coverage. I wish...

....I could fall asleep on Thursday night and not wake up until Monday morning.

[pink-o]

6. Agree! Don't feed the Giant Ego, the despicable Treasonist.

I'm not gonna watch any of the coverage, and encourage others to boycott just like the entertainers have. One abysmal press conference on Wednesday was enough to reiterate that not only is he a complete liar and con-man, but damn! What a bore! I can't imagine watching any of his press junkets or the SOTU address due to the mind-numbing, soul sucking ennui that voice effects. Even if the idiot media can get over the belligerence, defensiveness and bullying of his speech, being boring should be unforgiveable!

[Hortensis]

8. Know what you mean. But I'm curious.

I'll tune in a time or two. Don't need to see him, of course. Had way too much of him long ago.

[George II]

9. To think that for the inauguration in 2009 I took the day off from work to see it. That was....

...great to see, even though John Roberts screwed up the oath (did he do that on purpose?)

[Hortensis]

11. I know. I've considered taking the day off work

and will if I get too unhappy at home (I work at home). My husband won't watch. He already has kayak fishing planned with friends. Read that as of last week Republican organizers still had unfilled hotel rooms, but the Park Service is struggling to accommodate more than 350K visitors and keep protesters separated. Only 3 balls planned instead of 8 or 10.

Always wondered a bit how that last happened also. If he choked a bit over that one, my question to Roberts is, "How do you like Obama now?"

[Nay]

3. What a wonderful outcome for this nice man. nt

[Beartracks]

5. "Former President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1957"?

Improper use of "former." Isn't that like saying, "former President Ronald Reagan in 1985"?

Ike wasn't a "former President" at his own second inaugural in 1957, and he isn't a "former President" now, for obvious reasons.

======================

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. thanks. proper words mean a lot to me too