Reporter Steve Ryan Slaps Drunk Prankster In The Face For Ruining Broadcast (VIDEO)

We sympathize with (but do not condone!) reporter Steve Ryan's reaction after this drunk prankster repeatedly harassed him during his live Las Vegas Strip broadcast about Michael Jackson's death. Ryan tries to continue his live report, and initially reacts with good humor and patience, but when the man just won't leave him alone and wrecks the broadcast, Ryan lightly slaps the man in the face. The camera cuts back to the anchors but not before catching the engagement. Wonkette is right that the stunned expressions (0:33) on the anchors' faces (especially the one of the right) "might rank among the greatest YouTube freeze-frames of some period of time."

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Comments

[Jeffer]

"What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas" only applies if you don't Live In Vegas....

[scully05]

No he didn't slap him, although I'm wondering where is the police when you need one>

[MisterHands]

hahaha-- the look on the female reporters face was classic.

[GolfingDevil05]

I'm in Steve Ryan's corner on this, but I think he should have decked him. What a jerk that guy was.

[westreal]

The guy had it coming.

[SteveDenver]

That wasn't a slap. Ryan pushed the guy away every time the drunk barged against him. When Ryan reached to push his shoulder, the guy turned and the reporter's hand went past his shoulder. Welcome to Vegas, the fanciest drunken frat shack in the nation.

[kimleehan]

He was invading Ryan's space, Your allowed to do what he did. that was self defence.

[Zofomofo]

wrong

[myklwain]

The reporter did not slap him. This headline is just plain false. The clip was worth watching without this clear exaggeration.

[Zofomofo]

It is worse than reported. Light slap vs pushed in the face?

[rigormrtis]

What kind of spineless pinhead are you?

[BurgessPenguin]

Correction: This was not the Strip, it was downtown Las Vegas. If you've been there, you know the place is crawling with dr.unks 24/7 who tend to do stupid things. Add a TV news camera to the mix and you raise the stakes. Also, my understanding is the reporter was not going to interview anyone anyway, so why did Channel 13 even bother sending him down there to begin with?

[NelsonC]

I'm sure that there is either a law or a professional code of conduct which that reporter violated. But I don't care, I salute him.

In fact, I think slapping should become policy. Every newsperson doing a live report is henceforth allowed to slap drunken oafs in the face.

I don't know what leads drunk people to think that it is their duty to get in front of a camera, and show the world how witty and entertaining they are. But they need to start getting some negative reinforcement.

However, if my new policy goes into effect, newspeople can no longer do stories where they are pretty much asking for a drunk person to interrupt the broadcast.

So, no more Spring Break coverage. No covering crowd reactions to sporting events while inside a pub. Parades are out. And reporting from streets of Las Vegas is a bad idea, no matter what time or day it is.

[DrCalif]

Moe: "Come over here, Porcupine!" -- BONK!
Curly: "Aw, come on, you know I'm not normal!"

[VonTeshyn]

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

[withnail]

i don't understand this - the guy is allowed to be there. Why does the reporter think he can do that?

the reporter did ask him a question . . .

[eternalkerri]

no he didnt. the guy just ran up and kept getting into shot.

[pizzmoe]

Wasn't exactly a slap.

[TimeToPunt]

That wasn't a slap, that was a push away to the face. Typical HP overstatement.

[Mustang Sally]

Yep. Must be hiring kids on summer vacation to write these.

The drunkguy was obnoxious and I don't feel sorry for him.