[Editor’s Note: Mr. Walsh occasionally writes in the third person.]
Blogger asks Los Angeles mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti to quickly apologize for sarcastic joke aimed at the mother of moderator Traci Savage during last evening’s otherwise uneventful debate.
The “Anybody but Garcetti” blogger, along with most of the mayoral debate audience, was appalled at City Councilman Garcetti’s unscripted sexist remark made at the expense of Ms. Savage’s senior citizen mother, who sat mortified in the Taglyan Cultural Center ballroom in Hollywood while a dozen news cameras recorded the unfortunate incident.
Here is what happened:
Everyone agrees that news reporter Ms. Savage, famous for refusing to be intimidated by Judge Ito’s threats to jail her for contempt of court during the O.J. trial, was an excellent choice to moderate this first debate among the front running candidates.
During her opening remarks, Ms. Savage proudly introduced her mother, Judy Savage, sitting in the audience. She mentioned that Judy ran a successful children’s talent agency for many years, near the site of the Vine Street debate.
Shortly thereafter, when Councilman Garcetti’s turn arrived to address the debate audience, he quickly wandered off topic. Mr. Garcetti informed the public and the assembled media that Traci Savage’s mother actually had been his talent agent for a time during his child acting days.
In a poor attempt at supposed humor, Eric said Traci Savage’s mother was responsible for never getting him a job. This caused Judy Savage’s proud daughter at the podium to noticeably flinch at his insensitive remark.
It must be stressed that the butt of Eric’s somewhat nasty joke (whether intended or not) is now in her seventies and experienced acute embarrassment.
Cooking up a Batch of Grudge
Was Eric harboring a grudge over these many years? Why blame his agent decades later for what, after all, was his own fault?
Everyone in show business is aware that agents don’t obtain jobs for clients. Agents only can obtain interviews and auditions. The client must do the rest.
Why is Garcetti still blaming his agent of decades ago for failing to land him a single acting gig?
Shouldn’t Garcetti blame himself? What kind of mayor would Eric make when he reveals such a character flaw?
The news cameras show Eric smirking at his own sad attempt at humor, which was greeted by an embarrassed titter from the audience of hundreds in an event sponsored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce that otherwise was admirably conducted, without a hitch.
After the mayoral debate, Eric beat a hasty retreat from the building, skipping most of the meet-and-greet scheduled by the Hollywood Chamber to cap off the successful event.
The formal proceedings concluded at 7:30. The incumbent Councilman for Hollywood was out the door by 7:44 (with two plainclothes LAPD officers at his side) before any reporter might question him in the Taglyan foyer about his highly insensitive personal remark.
In stark contrast, the other three debate participants happily remained to meet and greet audience members for some time after Eric Garcetti’s abrupt departure.
“Anybody but Garcetti for Mayor” blog invites the political blogosphere and the mainstream media to review the digital recording of the debate to check the accuracy of our blogging herein.
“Anybody but Garcetti for Mayor” wholeheartedly endorses all the other candidates who have filed to run for mayor.
“Anybody but Garcetti for Mayor” receives no financial compensation, directly or indirectly, from Greuel, James or Perry or anyone else.
“Anybody but Garcetti for Mayor” again calls for Mayoral candidate Garcetti to offer a prompt apology to both mother Judy and daughter Traci Savage for his off-base remarks.
Mr. Walsh may be contacted at hollywoodhighlands.org
