Gil LeBreton's slightly racist Charlie Strong metaphor

Mentioned this on the Charlie Strong thread, but figured it merited its own.

LeBreton's column is about the underwhelming nature of the Strong hire. But he blew this metaphor in a big way:

http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/01/05/5460979/strong-coach-but-not-so-sizzling.html?rh=1

What was he thinking? What was his editor (assuming he's got one) thinking?

 

I don't find it racist.
There's only a handful of mainstream late night talk show host - Conan, Fallon, Letterman, Ferguson, Arsenio - to pick from. Arsenio is probably the worst of the bunch. That's the point he was trying to make.

 

Throw in Seth Meyers to mix now. Should have stayed away from metaphor or used someone else than Hall to avoid the sure public outcry.

 

For it to work, he should have used Conan O'Brien as the replacement, since he's the one who replaced Leno and failed. Otherwise, just pick the only black guy.

 

Arsenio had a pretty strong run with his show.

 

This hire is taking on a bit of Blazing Saddles quality with Charlie Strong
as Clevon Little. UT wanted the Waco Kid as sheriff.

 

What if he'd have used Magic Johnson? Chevy Chase? Alan Thicke?

 

Magic Johnson's show OTOH did not enjoy a strong run, unless 3 months is considered strong in the industry.

 

Should have. Complete failures at the late night game, unlike Arsenio.

 

It ain't just the Star-Telegram that can't get over Texas having a black coach:

https://twitter.com/dallasnews/status/419874748706066432

 

But Strong hasn't failed anywhere --- and the article doesn't make him sound like a failed hire.

Just makes it sound like firing a veteran proven talent --- however underwhelming you judge that talent to be --- and hiring one less proven.

In that sense Arsenio works well enough, as would have a handful of others.

 

https://twitter.com/jasoncollette/status/419911969496260608