Courtesy New York Daily News

(March 1, 2010) The gasbags behind the mikes at ESPN, and ESPN properties such as ESPN-1050, shout on many subjects. The recent controversy involving PTI co-conspirator Tony Kornheiser and Clown Communinty College anchor Hannah Storm is not one of them.

When Big Brother Bristol muzzles the talkies, they stay muzzled. Or maybe the yakkers know where not to tread.

When ESPN bosses don't like what's coming out of Kornheiser's mouth, they simply suspend him for a couple of weeks. This ain't the first time he was temporarily deep-sixed.

In case you were smart enough to ignore this latest alleged controversy, Kornheiser was busted after auditioning for the next Fashion Week, commenting on an outfit worn by Storm. Kornheiser, whose wardrobe can best be described as Retro Schlubby, called Storm's threads "horrifying."

"She's got on red go-go boots and a Catholic-school plaid skirt," Kornheiser said. "Way too short for somebody in her 40s."

As a fashion statement, Kornheiser's rant was harmless. You can hear more cutting - and clever - stuff standing at the bar in Elaine's. Considering the levels of well-publicized deviance that have oozed out of Bristol, Mr. Tony's rap was Cheerios and milk.

Unless you're ESPN boss George Bodenheimer or his lieutenant, John Skipper. They, understandably have no tolerance for anything (even a catty remark such as Kornheiser's) intended to cast gratuitous aspersions on a woman.

Remember, sexual harassment has been part of ESPN's DNA. The well publicized transgression are as familiar to the public as ESPN's "da da da" theme. Kind of like a trademark. That's why the suits have no tolerance, especially from a guy such as Kornheiser who believes he's above it all.

ESPN employs a small army of PR practitioners to push the product. Yet, the stories generating glaring headlines are embarrassing ones about male personalities behaving badly (i.e. Steve Phillips, Harold Reynolds, Sean Salisbury). The dark side of the operation has been exposed over and over again. And that's embarrassing for a company owned by the "family friendly" Disney Corp.

There's another issue here. What does the reaction to this latest ESPN flap say about the media? Wars are raging, the economy is tanking and media decision makers are giving play to the dreck coming out of Tony Kornheiser's mouth?

Sorry, but this whole episode is trivial, a meaningless moment involving two people skilled in the art of reading off a teleprompter. Kornheiser's words have received more attention than the quotations of Chairman Mao.

The decline of Western civilization as we currently know it? You bet. Embarrassing.

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