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

[Rimaroka]

The reporter has nothing to apologize for. The drunk knew he was unwanted and yet continued to barge in. He was interfering with the newscast and the reporter did all he could to avoid a problem by moving around. When that didn't work, he attempted what was clearly a push that went too high. That was no slap. In fact, I quite doubt this drunk wouldn't even felt the slap, if there had been one.

[113]

LMFAO that's hilarious

[Z-Liberator]

Slap that trick!

[JLRoberson]

Well. That's very adult.

[SparkyAdams]

I pray that poor man sues that thug and is rewarded millions for being assaulted. News reporters have no right to use fisticuffs on the public.

[olney215]

Wait. Are you joking?

[d00derman]

WTF? Why? That was a slap not an assault.

[marecek]

Uh, what exactly do you think assault and battery consists in? That was a battery and the drunken fool could sue him in tort.

[liarsclub75]

I hope you are being sarcastic.

[Cunningham]

Fisticuffs? Are you for real?

[nolabels]

really?

[CitizenIndie]

Not a slap. It was a mug.

[minneapolismn]

Forget the slap, let's get information correct.

The anchor says "Freemont Street," the tag on the bottom says "Downtown Las Vegas," the reporter is standing outside Fitzgerald's on Freemont Street and Nicholas Graham says "live Las Vegas Strip broadcast."

Freemont Street is in downtown, the strip is a few miles south of downtown. Technically, "The Strip" is not in Las Vegas itself but is in unincorporated Clark County whereas downtown Las Vegas is the old downtown Las Vegas, a far cry from the modern hotel/casinos of the "Las Vegas Strip."

Would a story about something that happened on Long Island, NY be reported as happened on Manhattan? I think not.

[NoblesseOblige]

Good catch. Thank you for your report. In other late breaking news....

[Z-Liberator]

Its about a mile or two from the strip.

[gevan]

They just like to post the word "Strip" on TV. Brings hightened interest from viewers.

[Eriq]

Hey, HuffPost!! What's this coming to, eh? That was no slap, come on!

[rocko2466]

I agree. Sensationalised. Again.

[NewYorkStateofMind]

every other article

[mathme]

that wasn't a slap. That was a shove that happened to be on his face. I'm disappointed... but not with the anchors' faces... hahaha

[DrunkenTromboneMaster]

Lovely lovely beer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZmDWltBziM

[Manthan Bhatt]

i would have kicked him in the balls.

[NewYorkStateofMind]

they are protected by 6 inches of blubber at least

[Madmac]

Should've cold cocked him...

[taddles]

yup

[NewYorkStateofMind]

word son.. word

[Ohioan730]

Wow. That's not right. I wouldn't call it a slap, though. More like a mug.

[SvrWx]

I'm glad that drunk got what was coming. What an obnoxious fo.ol and what's so sad is that most laugh and find it amusing.

[CamBrown99]

Not really a slap. Just an attempted push with bad aim.