Gayle Guyardo's Gasparilla Moment Spreads Across the Media

The story has appeared everywhere from MSNBC.com to TV industry Web sites and the pages of the Tampa Tribune.

And WFLA-Ch. 8 morning anchor Gayle Guyardo remains upset by reports recounting how she was briefly removed from coverage of the Gasparilla parade Saturday after viewers complained about her slurred speech and seemingly disoriented comments.

Guyardo, 41, who has co-anchored parade coverage for 14 years, said she resented the implication of some critics: that she was drunk. Instead, the anchor said she had been sick with the flu since early last week and that her illness may have affected her performance.

  “The only feedback I’ve gotten is from e-mails by people who have been extremely supportive,” said Guyardo, who was in tears Saturday after the two-hour Gasparilla broadcast, when she realized what some people were saying. (This photo, taken shortly after Guyardo was informed of the calls from viewers, was shot by Times photgrapher Willie Allen)

The anchor insists that she did not even take medication before the show, forwarding to me e-mails from encouraging fans and a doctor. It was a close call for me on whether I should write a story, but after I saw how other media picked up on the issue, my editors and I decided to pull together a story for Tuesday's paper and this blog item.

“No one could say that they saw me consume any alcohol, because I didn’t,” Guyardo said. “Channel 8 would not let me go up there if I was showing signs of being drunk... I was burning up with fever, my throat was closing up and it was clear that I was sick.”

Guyardo’s co-anchor during the parade, Bill Ratliff, supported her. “I’m not covering for a friend … I never noticed anything,” said Ratliff, who has also co-anchored WFLA’s morning and midday newscast with Guyardo for years. “If she had come to the parade inebriated, I would have told her to get some coffee or you’re not going on.”

MSNBC.com on Monday linked to the Tribune story, which noted “some (callers) urged she be relieved of parade duties to avoid embarrassment.” The local TV-focused Web site Newsblues.com bluntly asked “Was Tampa anchor drunk during Gasparilla broadcast?”

WFLA news director Don North could not say how many complaints the station received about Guyardo, but he did remove the anchor from coverage long enough to speak with her by telephone and determine whether she could finish the broadcast. He allowed Guyardo to rejoin coverage for the show’s end around 4:30 p.m.

North also said he didn’t expect the incident would have any long-term impact for Guyardo at WFLA. Both the Tampa Tribune and WFLA are owned by Richmond, Va.-based Media General.

Guyardo said some viewers complained when she appeared on WFLA’s morning and midday newscasts while ill early last week, suggesting she stay home and recover. The anchor — who eventually took last Wednesday off to rest — wondered whether Gasparilla’s hard-partying image led viewers to assume the worst Saturday.

“I watched (a videotape of parade coverage)…and I was not on my ‘A’ game,” she said. “If I had it do over again, I would have called in sick 1,000 times over.”

Comments

[Wilma Van]

Gayle,
you do a wonderful job. I'm sorry that some people are just mean. I watch you on TV every morning and I think you and Bill and the others do an excellent job. People should apologize to you. God Bless and take care.

[please!]

Marissa, you are a moron. If something is on tv that isn't appropriate for your kids, change the channel. Sure you've drank with her. Why don't you find something better to do? Are you jealous of her since apparently you are a journalist yourself? Why haven't we heard of you since you are so great?

[Earl]

That was not the reporting of a person who was suffering from the flue, and unmedicated. One version tells of her having taken no medication, and another version (her very own words in a conversation with a local radio show host) states that she took some "prescription Ibuprophen". Inconsistencies abound in accounts given. Regardless, it reminds me of Jessica Savitch's updates in the '80s, and that story came to its ultimate tragic ending. I hope it results in some serious changes in television journalism, as that broadcast certainly disgraced the reputation of both journalists in that booth for that broadcast.

[Ronald]

It doesn't take a genius to figure out this is par for the course with this woman. Who can forget the mass fax of her past running throughout the bay years ago? It was a modern day soap opera event. What an embarrassment, I do feel for her children as they don't have a choice. How could anyone watch a newscast with her now and really listen to what she says?

[Enough already]

Gayle is a joke. I'm sure her family and husband are so proud of her.

Good thing her gramps owns the station or she would be doing nails at a salon in Ybor.

[Mark]

Chris,
I didn't say anything about whether or not I thought she was drunk.

I was disagreeing with your assertion that, for whatever reason, we need the FCC to step in because some broadcaster was drunk on the air--particularly when you use the "think about the children" argument.

[Chris]

Mark - you have to admit, she was hammered! People don't talk like this - http://www.cowheadshow.com/gayle.html

[Mark]

Chris... drunkness on the air? Are you serious? I really hope you're being sarcastic.

I think the FCC is a little too worried about TV shows from five years ago showing a woman's butt.

Besides, if they start fining stations for drunken on-air behavior, there goes football, baseball, and damn near... sorry, DARN near every sports event on TV.

And by the way, the "think of the children" argument gets old really quick. There's this thing that every TV and radio has--you change the channel with it. Try it sometime.

[Chris]

Can't WFLA be reported to the FCC regarding drunkness on the air, I think they should know what our children are being exposed to !

[buzz]

Wow....Marissa. Some very interesting perspective. And good question as to why MADD isn't responding.

[Marissa]

I called and emailed Channel 8 as the parade was going on because Gayle was behaving inappropriately with my kids watching ... whether she was drunk on booze or high on cold meds, it was very bad form.

Gayle is lying when she said she didn't get immediate negative feedback...I have the personal emailed proof. Also, FYI, Gayle ... aspirin won't make you goofier on the air. If your fever was so high that your behavior was compromised by a near-coma state, you should have been admitted to the hospital for IV fluids, antibiotics and electrolytes. That flu excuse doesn't fly. Many of us have that flu bug thats taking Tampa Bay over and not acting that badly.

I stopped watching Channel 8 in the morning years ago because Gayle's news reading skills are truly poor...and her "butterface" shape isn't a big enough turn on to stay tuned. The other local channels have intelligent alternatives that are just as easy to look at.

I have also attended pre-Gaspirilla events at homes directly on Bayshore Boulevard where Gayle has been drinking. Heavily...and before the parade coverage. Many of Tampa's elite can swear by it, even if she denies it in press.

Don't get me wrong, Gayle's a really likeable drunk...I've known her family for decades, and I love her as a drinking pal... but as a journalist (as I consider myself and many mutual friends), Gayle doesn't act responsibly. But neither does her employer encourage responsible behavior, so lets not completely blame her.

Channel 8 is riding a very slippery slope by not enforcing a low tolerance drug-free/alcohol-free workplace to the viewers...as evidenced by Bob Hite just a couple months ago. The permissive nature of Channel 8 management is indicative of similar addictions in the upper echelon.

I don't understand why MADD isn't pursuing a boycott of Channel 8 news until they make a better example for their community.

Channel 8 did not reply to my email or call, but the national media is making fun of Tampa now.

[maria]

She is a very self serving person. Every morning she comes on talking about her kids, herself, and always tries to show herself in stories that show her in fitted exercise clothes. She should work for TMZ or some trashy entertainment show, it would suit her better....

[Chris]

She definitely had a drink in her hand at the club, it would be interesting to see her husband's tab!

[tom]

Whether she was drinking or not, it's all a big party, lighten up people. It's in her contract that she has to do gasparalla, and it is not like she was driving. She did have a cold whether she was drinking or not. Bob Hite used to be drunk during the whole parade and no one said anything so why is everyone so down on Gayle. The whole even is about having fun with others so why should she not have fun too, is she suppose to be mrs serious during the event. Lighten UP!

[BJ]

I watch News Channel8 every morning as I like all the on air personalities except Gayle. She has a fake smile and is always trying to act like she enjoys what she is doing. Most of the time she doesn't seem like she is prepared and trys to add-lib and comes across like a blonde, but she isn't a blonde! Good thing Tampa isn't a larger market because she should have been let go a long time ago.

[Newzaroo]

Wow, I just got the dirt on Gayle's sexual encounters with her "fitness" trainer. DELICIOUS! Naughty, naughty, Gail... tisk, tisk.

[drinklime]

I was at the Yacht Club around 10:30-11 and I didnt see Gayle there.... which doesnt mean she wasnt, but my vote goes to no.

[Chris]

AB- I'm sure she was just there for a Coke! :P

More like a rum and coke....

Here's a talking point I'd like to repost from Topix:

"Although I agree that drinking before the parade is not that big of a deal, you have to realize how serious it is that Channel 8 has concocted such a ludicrous cover-up. They butter their bread with "uncovering the truth" and never miss an opportunity to crucify even the pettiest of offenders. It would be more criminal to allow an employee to work who was so ill with the flu that they were delerious, than to fess-up and say that Gayle was partying before the parade.

Gayle was drunk, big deal. Chris Thomas and Bob Hite were drunk for nearly every 11pm newscast. The management publically lied, and should be held accountable."

Interesting analysis.

[Eric Deggans]

AB -- if you have any more information on your encounter with Gayle, please email me directly at deggans@sptimes.com or call my office at 727-893-8521...

[Newzaroo]

Does anybody have a copy of Gayle's ex-trainer/ex-lover, tirade. I heard about it, but never saw it. e-mail to newzaroo@yahoo.com

[NB]

I also believe that Gayle should have been pulled from the coverage. I don't feel sorry for her. In fact, I stayed home to watch the parade on TV to stay away from the drunks! I really feel sorry for Bill Ratliffe. He did an amazing job keeping the show going while she was babbling and yelling. They should have pulled her long before she repeatedly yelled for Jen to kiss the mayor on the lips!

[AB]

Did no one else see her at the yacht club that morning? she was in front of me in line - AT THE BAR!!!!

[Tom Cryar]

Gayle has been, and will continue to be, a class act professional. The fact that she did the parade with John Winters for so many years had an effect on her at the same time she was sick with the flu, or whatever it is that's going around....You people that jump on something you read that you have no clue about, just to see your name on the screen, need to wise up and do something constructive.......Gayle didn't do anything wrong, you people did, by making it something that it's not just because you have no life.

[Chris D]

I have been watching Gayle for a few years now, and she has even invited me in to do a viewer connection story. I followed her last week, while she was sick, and out on Wednesday. One thing I know about her is that she is an extremely hard worker, and has a very grueling schedule. She gets up at around 3:00 every morning, works right straight out at the station until noon, often sleep deprived, and then has to take care of 4 children when she gets home on top of that. She is one tough cookie, and she will forge ahead and do her job even when the obsticles really pile on. Yes, maybe she should have stayed home sick Saturday, but she's too much of a fighter to let things get in her way .. All of you people who are criticizing her need to know this about her, so that you fully understand the whole situation. I support her 100%, because I believe I see what she is made of. She is a much bigger person than you know.

[Len]

Come on. The coverage by Gayle was an embarassment whether she was drunk or not. Who the heck was in charge in the booth? If your a director, then direct. That means removing a reporter who is unable to maintain professionalism on the screen.

Everyone else out there was drunk,so why not the news anchor! What can't she have alittle fun! LOL

[Chris]

What doesn't add up is that she mentioned on the MJ show that she took Motrin in the morning. What happened to nothing but cough drops?

[Jordan]

drunk people slur

people with flus have a stuffy nose

she said she took no medication

hmmmmmm????

[Chris]

Drunk people tend to get very emotional...even if she was sick, she needs to develop some thicker skin.

[Lu]

Chris, look at the above photo. That looks like someone upset.

[sue]

I didn't see the coverage and therefore have no opinion on that...but must agree with pp who said she is a terrible anchor. I watch Channel 8 in the morning out of habit and because I like the rest of the on-air personalities. But at least a few times a week, I am amazed at how awful she is. Constantly fidgeting, clasping/unclasping her hands, touching her hair, using inflection so that all of her statements sound like questions? It's the stuff you'd expect from an inexperienced small-town reporter, not an anchor who has been on the air for so long. I've actually changed the channel because of it.

And I am not bashing her, but frankly, aside from my husband, I've had no outlet for these observations. Bottom line, Channel 8 needs a new anchor. How about Jennifer Leigh?

[Chris]

She didn't sound distraught when she was slurring words and shouting.....

[Lu]

She's obviously distraught, and appears to be having a hard time emotionally. Remember this is the first Gasparilla parade without John Winters. She even mentions his name. When you're sick it makes you even more emotional. Hope she feels better.

[Ramadan Boupeau]

Personal feelings aside......she is not very good at what she does. EVERY morning she comes on air unprepared. She stumbles her lines, she constantly jumps up after commercial breaks like she has been sleeping. She is terrible as an on-air personality. Period.

[Eric Deggans]

New to Tampa, those comments refer to allegations made by a man who used to work as Guyardo's personal trainer, which he tried mightily to make public.

Because he doesn't have much credibility and his allegation are significant, I would prefer folks not post details -- in keeping with several of the policies outlined in our comments section to the left.

Thank you.

[New to Tampa]

What's the whole fax/personal trainer deal.

[truth maker]

Ask if she'll take an impartially administered lie detector test to prove she wasn't caboshed. She ADMITTED on a morning radio show she usually drinks when attending Gasparilla so why would this year be any different?

[dreaming]

there's a long culture of being drunk on the air at channel 8. anyone remember bob hite? drunk early and often. on the air. in the studio.

i dont know if she was drunk on parade, but maybe she was so bored from watching this dumb parade for 14 years straight that she needed a drink to get through it.

[joe hillman]

if she wasn't drunk, she surely was drugged out on flu/cold meds that's for sure.

channel 8 shouldn't have let her on the air in that condition. talk about someone being asleep at the wheel.

[Joe Namath]

Gayle, I jush wanna kish you!

[Lockbull]

Anybody remember Jessica Savitch? Reminds me of her infamous "nightly update" back in the early 80's

[Mark]

Phhhullllezzze, that is classic drunkeness. No flu or illness make you so happy you slur and stretch words and linger on words. Liar liar pants on fire. She was smashed, admit it and move on. Good grief.

[Steve Tamayo]

It was live coverage of a PARADE. WHO CARES?

[Kathy]

Hey come on, why so quick to judge? Personally, I just don't get why she didn't stay home if she was that sick. But it's not like this was a serious news story she messed up, now if she were interviewing presidential candidates, or world leaders I could see this being an issue. Leave Gail Alone.

[Susan]

The flu usually makes me feel giddy too!!

Slanderers, all jumping to conclusions again! I am a head injury survivor (TBI when serving my country in the military) and have at times been accused or suggested I was drunk or even on crack.

[Gina]

If you ask me, it was irresponsible of her to go on the air knowing that she wasn't 100%. People look to her (and other broadcasters) for information. If she can't get that out properly, what good is she?

[informed observer]

I know Gayle. I have known her for around 5 years. I used to drink heavily and that bit of a video clip has no relationship to alcohol consumption. Quite simply her having a cold is more in line with what I heard. Voice strain, you can hear her head congestion as she struggles to get her voice heard. Plus when someone has a head cold with congestion it has a negative effect on a person's hearing causing them to speak louder as they cannot hear their own voice. I did not hear the "classic" sign of intoxication... repeating the same info over and over again. Y'all need to sharpen your observation skills or you won't get to keep your "Junior G-Men badges". Personally I was more offended by Jennifer Leigh "talking ghetto ebonics" to the African American employee of Southwest Airlines. Was that professsional journalism? "brag on yourself" she told the woman. Isn't Ms. Leigh from "white bread Polk County"? The majority of you people need to come down from the mountain with the latest word from God. How many of you fine, caring and compassionate people have gone to work when sick to do the job for which you are paid? My guess , none. You probably call in sick to play golf or to make a three day weekend. When you are done beating Gayle up why not go knock some elderly and other handicapped people from their wheelchairs for fun. Bad mouth people and spread gossip to make up for your own pathetic existences here on Earth. At least you live in Florida so you can get used to the heat for your trip to hell.

[Tom]

The soundbites and video are incriminating. It is an embarrassment that Gayle did not pull herself from the broadcast, let alone that WFLA didn't yank her very early.

If WFLA wants to promote alcohol abuse, including on-the-job drinking, and/or that Channel 8 has this low of a standard for their broadcasts, I will simply no longer watch their programming.

An admission of guilt, a sincere apology, and/or the release of those involved is the only way I can support WFLA.

[non-story]

cut her some slack. this sounds like another case of people jumping to conclusions. she should get the benefit of the doubt.