Cold Pizza host Jay Crawford and regular guest Woody Paige acc. of sexual harassment

[Oakland Red]

2nd UPDATE: ESPN, 'Cold Pizza' Producer Sued For Harassment


Jay Crawford and Woody Paige of former ESPN show Cold Pizza accused of sexual harassment:

In a lawsuit filed in federal court in Manhattan, Rita Ragone alleged the " sexually charged atmosphere" on the "Cold Pizza" set in Manhattan created a hostile work environment and that she was sexually harassed by Jay Crawford, one of the hosts of "Cold Pizza," and Woody Paige, one of the show's frequent panelists.


Ragone alleged she frequently complained about their behavior, but was told by an ESPN production executive that Paige and Crawford were "untouchable" and told to "keep quiet" by the general manager for Atlantic Video, a Washington production company that produces the show for ESPN.


"The sexual harassment Ms. Ragone endured during almost her entire length of employment with Atlantic Video for ESPN Cold Pizza was pervasive and open," the lawsuit said. "ESPN supervisors and other ESPN Cold Pizza talent repeatedly witnessed the sexual harassment and condoned the repulsive behavior of defendants Paige and Crawford."


The final episode of "Cold Pizza" aired in May, the lawsuit said.


Ragone, who worked as a make-up artist for Atlantic Video from February 2005 to April 2006, claims it was apparent Paige and Crawford had engaged in similar sexual harassment towards other female employees, but the behavior "was not only ignored, but considered humorous by Atlantic Video and ESPN management."


According to the lawsuit, Ragone alleged that she endured harassing behavior on a daily basis, including vulgar and obscene sexual proposals, Paige grabbing her buttocks several times despite her objections and Crawford, on one occasion, forcing her into the corner of a room and telling her "he wanted her."

The lawsuit said Ragone contemplated leaving on several occasions due to the harassment, but she was dependent on the steady income from her job to care for her mother, who suffers from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and other health problems.

[Hog1]

Dog Fighting allegations to follow

[ArtMonkDrillz]

How fast before the S.S. shuts this thread down?



(and I'm obviously referring to the SmootSmack)

[JoeRedskin]

This just in:

Blogger charged in cover-up.

According to Rita Ragone, the make-up artist who has recently filed sexual harrassment charges against members of the Cold Pizza cast, has included in her charges a Redskins web moderator. According to Ms. Ragone, "I tried to post on his web-site because it is so well known and respected in the sports community. But, every time I posted, I was subjected to ridicule by a moderator going by the name SmootSmack. Well, it turns out Mr. Smack works for ESPN. I tracked him down and realized it was this weird looking asiany mexicanny or something looking guy who's always hanging around the make-up chair. Well let me tell you, I am going to put the Smack down on him!!!"

Ms. Ragone stated she had been posting under the name "Hesscl34".

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

This just in:

Blogger charged in cover-up.

According to Rita Ragone, the make-up artist who has recently filed sexual harrassment charges against members of the Cold Pizza cast, has included in her charges a Redskins web moderator. According to Ms. Ragone, "I tried to post on his web-site because it is so well known and respected in the sports community. But, every time I posted, I was subjected to ridicule by a moderator going by the name SmootSmack. Well, it turns out Mr. Smack works for ESPN. I tracked him down and realized it was this weird looking asiany mexicanny or something looking guy who's always hanging around the make-up chair. Well let me tell you, I am going to put the Smack down on him!!!"

Ms. Ragone stated she had been posting under the name "Hesscl34".

Nice, JoeRedskin!! Very nice Get ready, though, the bullets are about to fly!!

[BigSKINBauer]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

This just in:

Blogger charged in cover-up.

According to Rita Ragone, the make-up artist who has recently filed sexual harrassment charges against members of the Cold Pizza cast, has included in her charges a Redskins web moderator. According to Ms. Ragone, "I tried to post on his web-site because it is so well known and respected in the sports community. But, every time I posted, I was subjected to ridicule by a moderator going by the name SmootSmack. Well, it turns out Mr. Smack works for ESPN. I tracked him down and realized it was this weird looking asiany mexicanny or something looking guy who's always hanging around the make-up chair. Well let me tell you, I am going to put the Smack down on him!!!"

Ms. Ragone stated she had been posting under the name "Hesscl34".

Nice.

(7 Characters)

[ArtMonkDrillz]

POST OF THE YEAR!!!!

well played Sir.

[JoeRedskin]

Nawwww, it's all in jest.

[SmootSmack]

"asian mexicanny" hahaha

Anyhow, I don't think I'll be commenting here in this thread much

[BigSKINBauer]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

"asian mexicanny" hahaha

Anyhow, I don't think I'll be commenting here in this thread much

We understand if woody was/is doing the same thing to you. You can tell us. We don't judge

[GMScud]

This is repeat behavior for ESPN employees unfortunately. Harold Reynolds anyone? And from what I hear Steve Phillips is notorious for this kind of stuff, too. Woody Paige is a buffoon. Anyone who has watched his bumbling, moronic act on Cold Pizza/1st and 10/Around the Horn can attest to that. I used to like Jay Crawford. Unfortunately a lot of these guys are ex-athletes or have spent their entire career around pro-athletes, and it's a testosterone-charged environment. Obviously I'm sure it's a small % of people who act in this way, but with all those meathead "analysts" roaming around, I can see how ESPN would be the type of place where harassment is more common than other workplaces.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

This is repeat behavior for ESPN employees unfortunately. Harold Reynolds anyone? And from what I hear Steve Phillips is notorious for this kind of stuff, too. Woody Paige is a buffoon. Anyone who has watched his bumbling, moronic act on Cold Pizza/1st and 10/Around the Horn can attest to that. I used to like Jay Crawford. Unfortunately a lot of these guys are ex-athletes or have spent their entire career around pro-athletes, and it's a testosterone-charged environment. Obviously I'm sure it's a small % of people who act in this way, but with all those meathead "analysts" roaming around, I can see how ESPN would be the type of place where harassment is more common than other workplaces.

I disagree. Furthermore, we don't know for sure unless we've actually worked in multiple environments.

I work in a male dominated industry, as is my office. And we've been leveled with some very high profile law suites. I just don't think these allegations or this behaviour is unique to ESPN.

Just as with anywhere, it could simply be a few inappropriate comments at the wrong time along with an opportunist.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I disagree. Furthermore, we don't know for sure unless we've actually worked in multiple environments.

I work in a male dominated industry, as is my office. And we've been leveled with some very high profile law suites. I just don't think these allegations or this behaviour is unique to ESPN.

Just as with anywhere, it could simply be a few inappropriate comments at the wrong time along with an opportunist.

Yeah, like Salisbury's "Want to see my penis? No, really, here it is."

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I disagree. Furthermore, we don't know for sure unless we've actually worked in multiple environments.

I work in a male dominated industry, as is my office. And we've been leveled with some very high profile law suites. I just don't think these allegations or this behaviour is unique to ESPN.

Just as with anywhere, it could simply be a few inappropriate comments at the wrong time along with an opportunist.

I didn't say these cases were unique to ESPN. Not at all. I have worked in several work environments, ranging from 9-5 office environments to restaurants/clubs. Each is different with regard to sexual harassment, and you are right that you have to consider the accuser and possible alterior motives when looking at these cases. I simply said at a place like ESPN where former pro-athletes and ego driven males are prevalent, the CHANCES for this type of activity are probably higher. And I maintain that Woody Paige is a buffoon.

And I also maintain that ESPN is getting a reputation for this kind of stuff. Funny how ESPN loves a good scandal, athletes getting in trouble etc. They build people up so later on down the road they can break them down. Anything for "good" or "newsworthy" tv, right? But as soon as their name is involved in scandal they are mum. HA.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by GMScud

I didn't say these cases were unique to ESPN. Not at all. I have worked in several work environments, ranging from 9-5 office environments to restaurants/clubs. Each is different with regard to sexual harassment, and you are right that you have to consider the accuser and possible alterior motives when looking at these cases. I simply said at a place like ESPN where former pro-athletes and ego driven males are prevalent, the CHANCES for this type of activity are probably higher. And I maintain that Woody Paige is a buffoon.

And I also maintain that ESPN is getting a reputation for this kind of stuff. Funny how ESPN loves a good scandal, athletes getting in trouble etc. They build people up so later on down the road they can break them down. Anything for "good" or "newsworthy" tv, right? But as soon as their name is involved in scandal they are mum. HA.

I see your point. And you're right, they're the first ones trying to break scandal when they're own back yard isn't clean.