Shepard Smith apologizes for remark on Robin Williams
Fox News’ Shepard Smith said he regrets using the word coward while speculating on air what Robin Williams may have been feeling before his suicide.
Smith made the comment Monday night during coverage of the Academy Award-winning actor’s death.
“I have no way of knowing the depths of Mr. Williams’ suffering but I never meant to suggest that he acted in any such manner,” Smith said in a statement. “He was a one-of-a-kind American treasure and I regret using any word during the hourlong special, reflecting on his extraordinary career, that would appear I disparaged him in any way.”
Smith was speaking about how Williams’ death might impact his three adult children.
Critics took to social media after Smith said Williams’ children were giving him so much joy, “and yet something inside you is so horrible or you’re such a coward or whatever the reason that you decide you have to end it.”
Officials said the 63-year-old Williams hanged himself at his home in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Unpaid Simpson judgment up for bid
After waiting 17 years for O.J. Simpson to pay a $9 million wrongful death judgment, Ronald Goldman’s mother is selling her right to the cash online.
Sharon Rufo listed the judgment Tuesday on JudgmentMarketplace.com with a $1 million starting price. Bidding continues for 30 days.
Website founder Shawn Porat said the Simpson judgment is now worth $24.7 million after interest is factored in, but that’s only if Simpson pays.
The winning bidder takes on the risk of collecting from the former football star. He’s been in a Nevada prison since 2008 on a robbery and kidnapping conviction.
Simpson has paid little of the $33.5 million he owes from the 1997 civil case. A jury acquitted him in 1995 of killing Goldman and ex-wife Nicole Brown.
Kasem’s children worried about body
A publicist for Casey Kasem’s daughter said the late radio personality’s children are working with law enforcement following a report that Kasem’s wife is making arrangements to have Kasem’s body flown to Europe.
Kasem, the radio host of “American Top 40,” died June 15 at a hospital in Gig Harbor, Washington. He was 82 and suffering from dementia. His death followed a lengthy battle over his care among his wife, Jean Kasem, and his three adult children from his first marriage.
TMZ reported that Jean Kasem is trying to have Kasem’s body flown to Europe, perhaps Oslo, Norway, from Montreal.
The birthday bunch
Former Cuban President Fidel Castro is 88. Actor Pat Harrington is 85. Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 81. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is 68. Actor Danny Bonaduce is 55. TV weatherman Sam Champion is 53. Actress Kathryn Fiore is 35. Pop-rock singer James Morrison is 30. Actress Lennon Stella (“Nashville”) is 15.