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Thursday, April 10, 2008

Sports The Cavaliers' Lance Allred: Not quite ready for morning TV

Posted by Joe Tone on Thu, Apr 10, 2008 at 11:33 AM

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Lance Allred (left): the worst morning-show guest ever.
The recipe for being a good guest on a morning talk show seems fairly straightforward: be smart but not brainy; be glib but not pretentious; and always, always, always, remember to take a cue from the host and give them what it is you’re there to provide: easily digestible sound bites that somehow explain how something is an immediate threat to the lives of the viewer and/or the viewers' children. In this regard, Lance Allred is a total failure. And we couldn’t be happier for him. ... This morning, the Cavs benchwarmer – the NBA’s first legally deaf player and a budding author, who Scene introduced to the sports world in this recent story -- was a guest on CBS’s Early Show because, until he was 13, Allred was raised on a polygamist compound and, hey, waddya know, that’s newsworthy again! Early Show national news correspondent Hattie Kauffman did her best to steer Allred towards the topic at hand (SEX WITH LITTLE GIRLS!!!) but time and time again, Allred refused to, in his words, see the issue in “black and white.” In the supremely awkward interview, Allred said that there were still family members he loved among the polygamists in his former home in Montana. He also said that, like all religions, there were both good and bad people in fundamentalist Mormonism. Allred spoke like a man who had been raised to see that the world is far too complex for simplistic labels. Of course, as a reward for his candor, his insight, and his unwillingness to provide the sound bite she so desperately craved, Kauffman cut Allred off in the middle of a sentence, and threw it back to the newsroom for a story, no doubt, on how dental floss is killing your kids. Click here for the video. – Caleb Hannan

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Bravo, Lance!! Put those simple minded beauty queens and their brain-dead audience in their place!!

Posted by Bria Schupp on April 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM | Report this comment
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Coming from the same community in Montana that Lance came from, I have to say that Lance did a good job of not giving the media the misrepresented, generalization, and bullshit sensationalism that they were after. It is unfortunate that they had to cut someone off who is intelegent, open minded and objective enough to express sound insight concerning the matter.

Posted by Hud Jessop on April 10, 2008 at 3:07 PM | Report this comment
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I'm not sure that I would define Allred's responses as eloquent, but his point is certainly well-met, and I'd love to hear him talk at length (maybe I'll just buy his book). I imagine there are reprehensible acts going on in some of these communities, but there's probably many who wish only to provide for their families and live a righteous life (in their own fashion). I wish we could limit the number of Nancy Grace types, and add some nuance to the media. For now, we'll have to listen to the screams "SEX WITH CHILDREN!!" "ABUSED AND RAPED AT POLYGAMIST COMPOUND!!"

Posted by bizurk on April 10, 2008 at 4:06 PM | Report this comment
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Yah... right. "Bullshit sensationalism." That's the ticket. This was ridiclous... his point was "well-met"? What the hell are you talking about? This was a joke and a worthless interview, where Allred certainly did nothing to help the cause several of you apparently think is not disgusting. He sounded about as dumb and brainwashed as he likely is... and couldn't even help provide any clarity. Awful.

Posted by J Money on April 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM | Report this comment
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I, too, was raised on a polygamist compound. I, too, was horrified, disgusted, and forever traumatized by what I saw and experienced. But you'll have to wait for my biography -- coming soon to a bookstore near you! -- to read the prefabricated, sanatized version of each and every sordid episode.

Posted by Joey D. on April 14, 2008 at 12:07 AM | Report this comment
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Way to go Lance! What the average reader doesn't know, is that CBS did the bait and switch on the poor guy. He thought he was being interviewed regarding his recent NBA contract, his accolades on being the first deaf player, and his book...basically a "feel good" interest subject. Literally as he was waiting for the interview to begin, he's made aware of the lead in feed about the polygamist compound raid. For being completely caught off guard, and totally unprepared, I think he did outstanding.

Posted by Lance Fan on April 21, 2008 at 1:57 PM | Report this comment

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