Broadcasting Under The Influence

In less than 24 hours, two prominent Cleveland TV personalities got pulled over by the police, in two entirely separate traffic stops.

First in the OVI Charges Hopper is someone who’s no stranger to the routine.

After all, it was in 2003 when local sportscaster Chuck Galeti, a veteran of a number of area TV sports operations, had an alcohol fueled car crash and entered rehab after his first tangle with being caught driving under the influence.

In 2013, police in Parma picked him up on OVI charges early Friday, according to numerous local media reports (here’s one from the Plain Dealer’s Cleveland.com):

Police said an officer saw Galeti go through a red light about 1:50 a.m. at the intersection of West Pleasant Valley and Ridge roads. When the officer tried to pull the car over, police said the driver did not stop. The car stopped after a brief pursuit. The officer said he saw an open container of alcohol in the car and smelled alcohol on the driver’s breath.

The sportscaster was taken to the Parma police station where he refused a breath test. Police said he did not have his driver’s license with him.

Galeti’s first OVI arrest 10 years ago was most notable for his seemingly devil-may-care goofy smile in his 2003 mug shot.

It looks like while he (allegedly) didn’t learn how not to drink and drive when picked up by Parma police last Friday, he at least learned not to look like a goofball in his 2013 mug shot (seen here on Scripps ABC affiliate WEWS/5’s NewsNet5.com). (And no, we can’t find the 2003 version.)

Chuck’s most recent TV home has been SportsTime Ohio, where the network gave Galeti a late night call-in show entitled “Chuck’s Last Call”. Yes, this is the same outfit that also gave noted past gambler Bruce Drennan a show called “All Bets Are Off”.

Will it be the last call for Galeti’s show?

Readers of this blog know well that SportsTime Ohio, started by the Cleveland Indians-owning Dolan family, was sold to Fox Sports Ohio late last year.

The FSOhio mothership has released a brief statement about L’Affaire Galeti:

“We have suspended production of Chuck’s Last Call until further notice. We will respect the ongoing legal process and have no additional comment at this time.”

It appears in the world of TV and broadcasting, “we will respect the ongoing legal process” combined with the production’s suspension (and removal from the FSO website) would seem to indicate that unless Galeti is cleared of all charges, “Chuck’s Last Call” has indeed probably seen its last call.

Galeti has worked at a number of area stations. After starting at Vindicator Youngstown NBC affiliate WFMJ/21, he’s also been seen on Gannett NBC affiliate WKYC/3, and a stint at Raycom Media CBS/MyNet combo WOIO/19-WUAB/43’s “19 Action News” before setting up his, uh, bar on SportsTime Ohio. He’s also been heard on area radio stations, including substitute work for afternoon drive host Mike Trivisonno on Clear Channel talk WTAM/1100.

As noted, Galeti isn’t the only local TV personality who got picked up by police on Friday, going out for a spin with the alleged enhancement of alcohol.

But Local TV Fox affiliate WJW/8 “Fox 8 News in the Morning” personality Kenny Crumpton wasn’t “kickin’ it” at a local business or event Friday evening, except maybe personally.

PD/Cleveland.com reporter Donna Miller:

Lakewood police stopped his Range Rover about 10:30 p.m. Friday in the 1500 block of Orchard Grove Avenue.

According to the report, officers saw the Range Rover fail to stop at a stop sign at Detroit and Brockley avenues, then turn right on Detroit and left on Orchard Grove without using a turn signal.

“I could smell a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Crumpton’s breath,” an officer wrote. “Crumpton’s speech was slightly slurred and he had glassy eyes.

(Lakewood police mug shot/Cleveland.com)

Miller goes on to note that Crumpton told officers he had “less than two beers in 15 minutes” at a Lakewood establishment called “World of Beer” (well…).

“Fox 8 News”‘ story on their own reporter focuses on Crumpton’s not guilty plea, and has a statement from his attorneys:

“At this time Mr. Crumpton will be entering a plea of not guilty. We ask your patience as the judicial process runs its course,” said Ann Oakar and Joe George, Crumpton’s attorneys, in a statement.

Our gut feeling (which has been wrong before) is that “Kickin’ It With Kenny” will return to the popular “Fox 8 News in the Morning”…if only because it is (as far as we know) Crumpton’s first brush with the law…