A neighborhood information anchor in Mississippi has discovered herself on the heart of controversy — and never for the primary time, apparently — after quoting considered one of Snoop Dogg’s well-known catchphrases on the air. Barbie Bassett, a longtime information anchor and meteorologist for WLBT in Jackson, Mississippi, has not been seen on TV since March 8. With that, some are speculating that her remark throughout a narrative concerning the launch of the rapper’s newest wine has resulted in her parting methods with the station.
It seems NBC affiliate WLBT might have lower ties with Barbie Bassett following the most recent on-air incident, the Clarion Ledger reviews. Throughout the March 8 broadcast, Bassett, who’s white, was commenting on a section concerning the Day Shift forged member’s new wine, Snoop Cali Blanc, which is a part of his Cali Wine Assortment. Talking to the opposite anchors, the meteorologist mentioned:
Fo shizzle, my [racial slur].
Not solely has Barbie Bassett has been absent from the information since then, however she is not listed on WLBT’s web site as a part of the Information or Climate Group. The meteorologist has additionally been silent on social media since that date and has eliminated all mentions of the model from her accounts. The station has made no official assertion relating to Bassett’s remark or motion taken thereafter and, when the Jackson newspaper reached out for remark, Vice President and Normal Supervisor Ted Fortenberry responded:
As I’m positive you’ll be able to perceive, WLBT is unable to touch upon personnel issues.
The journalist’s absence has drawn consideration nationwide, with a number of providing opinions about Barbie Bassett’s remark and subsequent removing from the printed. The subject got here up on the radio present The Breakfast Membership, the place Charlamagne Tha God spoke in protection of Bassett, saying (through the New York Publish):
I don’t assume she ought to have been fired for that. She won’t even know what ‘[racial slur]’ means, yo. Come on, like cease. That’s not a motive to fireside that girl.
Nevertheless, it seems this wasn’t the primary race-related incident Barbie Bassett has been concerned in. Again in October 2022, the meteorologist was reportedly reprimanded after a clip went viral of her referring to a Black colleague’s grandmother as her “grandmammy.” Following that incident, Bassett issued an on-air apology, wherein she mentioned:
Final Friday on our newscast ‘Right this moment at 11,’ I used a time period that was offensive to many in our viewers and to my coworkers right here at WLBT. Although not intentional, I now perceive how my remark was each insensitive and hurtful. I’ve apologized to Carmen Poe. Now, I wish to apologize to you. That’s not the center of who I’m. And for that, I humbly ask to your forgiveness and I apologize to everybody I’ve offended. I’ll study from this and take part in coaching so I can higher perceive our historical past and our individuals. I can’t mend the harm my remark triggered. I pray you’ll forgive me and that you simply’ll lengthen grace by way of this terrible mistake.
Media retailers additionally reportedly reached out to the D.O. Double G himself for remark, however the jack of all trades doesn’t appear to have responded. He has shared his ideas on cancel tradition previously, although, no less than when it comes to what would occur if somebody tried to cancel him.
I wouldn’t think about this incident could be among the many many highlights that might be depicted in Snoop Dogg’s upcoming biopic. We’re extra prone to get tales about his music being an inspiration and his cute friendship with Martha Stewart. Within the meantime, you’ll be able to catch the rapper in Day Shift by streaming it with a Netflix subscription, and he additionally appeared within the remake of Home Celebration, which is obtainable for HBO Max subscription holders.
