Jonathan Capehart's Mother Chastises Dylan Ratigan: You "Pissed Me Off," My Son Is Not A "Clown"

MSNBC host Dylan Ratigan has taken some flack lately for airing footage on his show "Morning Meeting" of contributor Jonathan Capehart scarfing down a bagel during a break between appearances. The video is not particularly flattering, but Ratigan insisted Capehart had no hard feelings.

Someone who did not feel that way at all was Capehart's mother, who called into the show this morning to give Ratigan a piece of her mind. After some initial conversation in which Ratigan tried to be self-deprecating, Capehart's mother unloaded this masterpiece of indignation:

The whole thing was offensive because, you know what, I thought it was mean, disrespectful, an invasion of his privacy and personal space. And my question to you is do you have cameras in the bathroom, or in the dressing room? Who you gonna put on national TV next? Because if you wanted to make a fool out of someone... you could use yourself because it really pissed me off.

Judging by his reaction, Capehart was not prepared for his mother to use the phrase "pissed me off," which she immediately apologized for, unsure if she was allowed to say it on live TV. Capehart's mother continued to put Ratigan in his place, telling him her son is not a "clown" or "a kid at a birthday party."

We imagine mothers everywhere watching and firmly nodding their heads in agreement. A thoroughly chastised Ratigan could do nothing but apologize.

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Comments

[Wiseronenow]

I feel his Mom went a wee-bit over the top. She should have taken it with more of a grain of salt. Some of the adjectives she used to describe what was done to Capeheart were extreme. We are talking about being caught on camera eating a bagel. Big whoop!

[BlueLogic]

Is Capehart openly gay?

[johnie2xs]

And it matters, WHY??????????

[solarian]

why do you have a show that shows me they will give a show to anyone

[roncraw]

Caphart should be given Eugene Robinsons job as I believe he is twice the reporter robinson is,as Robinson lets he own beliefs instead of facts influence his reporting.

[IDIOTA]

Is there anyone else that Capehart could replace?

[cny730]

Oh my goodness, that's exactly what I was thinking! I think there's room for two intelligent brotha's on MSNBC. They both do great jobs!

[KnowzyRowzy]

Oh, I love her!

[LLNYRN]

Well...

It could've been worse.

Capeheart's Mom could have came off looking/sounding like "Madea".

This kind of nonsense tells you a lot about the "24-hour newsday".

[Peter007]

When I was coaching Little league, we'd have a constant flow of Mothers coming up to us and complaining about the amount of playing time their kids got or how the coaches didn't appreciate their talents. Over protective mothers. The good athletes never had that problem with their mothers. They let their actions speak for themselves.

[stevi]

I have never seen this guys show, I have looked for it a few times, but I don't know when it is on and I have not rearranged my schedule to watch tv news during the day at all. Having said that, I have been hearing unpleasant stuff about him and his rude, rather caustic behavior, I don't think I will be making any attempt to find this show, ever. I think that a show like his gains viewers by what people hear about him and his show, and all I can say is, EW! Not so much! II don't watch much tv news, with the occasional exception of Keith and Rachel, I'm not going to be adding this show to my list of occasional viewing.

[juhar]

I have to defend this show as an regular viewer. Dylan Ratigan is hilarious. He is unpredictable and most times sensitive. He is passionate, caring, and really concerned about our country and making things better for all Americans. That being said, I agree with Jonathan's mom. I love Jonathan and I can understand how she felt. Now I can say I love Jonathan's mom. She gave Dylan his "upcoming up-ums". I hope I get to see or hear from Dylan's mom.

This is a great show, and I like the personal human touches, flaws and all. It's really, informative, humorous and never mean-spirited.

Give Dylan and Jonathan a try - 9:00 - 11:00 am Mondays through Fridays on MSNBC.

[stillbarbi]

All the positive things you say are true, but he regularly interrupts his guests. At times, I've wished he would shut up, so I could hear what the others were trying to say.

I think one reason Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann are so popular, is that they don't do that. They let other people talk, and then say what they think. They are not rude.

[24kgold]

I like it too....

[oz4009]

Don't bother with Ratigan, rude and abrasive is a correct assesment. Catch Carlos Watson and turn off for Dr. Nancy and Andrea Mitchell. Shuster and Hall are worth catching. Of course, the evening lineup is the BEST.

[KnowzyRowzy]

Dylan's show is one the better moves made by MSNBC. He's not rude at al,l actually he's very fair and informative. Don't be so quick to rush to judgment..­.give him a chance.

[Clayton139]

In The Mornings, I mean ! ! !


MSNBC is my Favorite News Channel !

Matthews, Olberman, Schultz and Maddow are GREAT ! ! !

[Clayton139]

First I want to say is I really like Jonathan Capehart but, it was kind of cute when they caught him sneaking a bite of breakfast ! You a are good MSNBC Contributor !

Dylan Ratigan seems to have a lot of moxie towards the good of the American people ! MSNBC: has finally gave me something good and smart to watch !

[westreal]

Momma don't take no stuff.

[givepeace05401]

This reminds me of my first year in college. While speaking with my mom, I guess she caught that something was bothering me. She asked what was wrong and if someone or something was bothering me, because if so, she and my aunts will drive up there right away.

The thought of my mother and aunts jumping out of a car "to come to my aid" made me laugh so hard that I immediately felt better. Go Mrs. Capehart. Now, I think I'll go call my mom.

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

I'm an obstetric nurse, and it amazes me how from the moment most mom's see their baby for the first time the universal urge to protect her child kicks in. I think most mom's (and dads) would have done the same thing to correct a perceived wrong against their baby.

Because, lets face it...you can be close to 60 and you're still going to be your mom's "baby". That's what makes moms great!

[Musiker]

You go, Mama! LOL LOL

[hapiday]

I think momma is correct. What Dylan did was trying to take what creditability he may have had from him. If seemed like he was attempting to make Capehart buffoonish. Not funny. Blizter, King or Walter Cronkite would have had anyone fired if they showed them in a position that they felt wasn't appropriate for their image.