Local television news personalities rarely break from the demeanors they present on camera, even on other platforms, so it was a bit startling on Saturday when WRC anchor Doreen Gentzlerposted on Facebook her personal assessment of the Washington NFL team’s latest debacle, a marital dispute between general manager Scot McCloughan and his wife, Jessica, that has dragged in the name of ESPN reporter Dianna Russini.
In a string of since-deleted tweets, Jessica McCloughan accused Russini, who previously worked for WRC, carrying out an affair with her husband. The accusation—for which Jessica McCloughan eventually apologized—was fodder for tabloid websites. Most DC stations left it alone on their news broadcasts last week, but some gave it significant air time, prompting Gentzler to vent.
“Maybe there was a news story regarding the public display of domestic turmoil for the Washington football team’s general manager,” Gentzler wrote on Facebook. “And some covered it that way. Was it a lead story? Was it worth 7 minutes of prime time news coverage? I don’t think so.”
Gentzler did not identify which station’s coverage inspired her criticism, although WTTG is a likely suspect. The Fox affiliate opened its 5 and 10 PM shows last Wednesday with reports about the McCloughans and Russini, including a five-minute segment in the latter broadcast. By comparison, the show produced by gossip website TMZ—which WTTG airs at 6:30—did not include anything about the McCloughans’ marriage last week.
Gentzler’s outright condemnation on her competitors’ is a surprise not because she’s coming to the defense of a former co-worker—other WRC personalities have also praised Russini’s reputation as a well-sourced NFL reporter—but because television anchors don’t often break character and speak personally. But the episode appears to have struck nerves inside the station.
“We are all just one anonymous internet posting away from public character assassination,” Gentzler wrote on Facebook. “I don’t want to contribute to it.”
From the look of the competition, though, it seems Gentzler and WRC had every reason to pass on the McCloughans last week. WTTG’s heavy coverage of a few mean-spirited tweets provided more than eight minutes of tabloid content to open two evening news broadcasts. But that may also be the current reality for coverage of the local professional football team, which offers very few on-field developments on which to report.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Doreen Gentzler Hits TV Stations for Tabloid Redskins Coverage
On Facebook, the longtime WRC anchor defended a former colleague who got roped into the team's latest scandal.
Local television news personalities rarely break from the demeanors they present on camera, even on other platforms, so it was a bit startling on Saturday when WRC anchor Doreen Gentzler posted on Facebook her personal assessment of the Washington NFL team’s latest debacle, a marital dispute between general manager Scot McCloughan and his wife, Jessica, that has dragged in the name of ESPN reporter Dianna Russini.
In a string of since-deleted tweets, Jessica McCloughan accused Russini, who previously worked for WRC, carrying out an affair with her husband. The accusation—for which Jessica McCloughan eventually apologized—was fodder for tabloid websites. Most DC stations left it alone on their news broadcasts last week, but some gave it significant air time, prompting Gentzler to vent.
“Maybe there was a news story regarding the public display of domestic turmoil for the Washington football team’s general manager,” Gentzler wrote on Facebook. “And some covered it that way. Was it a lead story? Was it worth 7 minutes of prime time news coverage? I don’t think so.”
Gentzler did not identify which station’s coverage inspired her criticism, although WTTG is a likely suspect. The Fox affiliate opened its 5 and 10 PM shows last Wednesday with reports about the McCloughans and Russini, including a five-minute segment in the latter broadcast. By comparison, the show produced by gossip website TMZ—which WTTG airs at 6:30—did not include anything about the McCloughans’ marriage last week.
Gentzler’s outright condemnation on her competitors’ is a surprise not because she’s coming to the defense of a former co-worker—other WRC personalities have also praised Russini’s reputation as a well-sourced NFL reporter—but because television anchors don’t often break character and speak personally. But the episode appears to have struck nerves inside the station.
“We are all just one anonymous internet posting away from public character assassination,” Gentzler wrote on Facebook. “I don’t want to contribute to it.”
From the look of the competition, though, it seems Gentzler and WRC had every reason to pass on the McCloughans last week. WTTG’s heavy coverage of a few mean-spirited tweets provided more than eight minutes of tabloid content to open two evening news broadcasts. But that may also be the current reality for coverage of the local professional football team, which offers very few on-field developments on which to report.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Bans on Underage Vaping, Swastika Graffiti, Synthetic Dyes: New Virginia Laws Go Into Effect in July
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
Your Story About How Pickleball Changed Your Life Could Get You a Game on the National Mall
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
More from News & Politics
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Museum” Is Coming to DC. Here’s a Preview.
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
The Commanders Wine and Dine DC Council Members; GOP Senator Suggests Tax Language Was “Airdropped” Into Spending Bill; and Trump Wants DOGE to Investigate Musk
100 Reasons to Love DC Right Now
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair
For DNC Chair Ken Martin, the Big Beautiful Bill Is Personal
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.