It’s not uncommon for anchors and reporters at Global News to receive feedback from viewers through social media or via email, but not all of the criticism they receive is constructive.
Taking a cue from comedian Jimmy Kimmel who features a segment called “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets” on his late-night talk show, Global Calgary decided to take a lighthearted look at some of the unkind (but often funny) comments sent to our staff.
Amber Schinkel, Scott Fee, Leslie Horton, Jordan Witzel and Dallas Flexhaug delved deep into their inboxes to retrieve a selection of critiques sent in throughout 2015.
The mean messages featured complaints about “squeaky” and “shrill” voices and pants that are “too damn tight.”
“When I first got into this industry these types of messages hurt,” admitted Fee. “I couldn’t believe people would feel so angry about a tie, my voice, or hair. Now I find them hilarious and look forward to them; they make my day.”
“I don’t take the mean messages or comments on social media too personally,” added Schinkel “There’s no question that I make mistakes, but I think of the comments as a reflection on the people making them.”
Horton admits she reads every email and tweet sent her way “in this business you have to develop a thick skin, but I’m still stunned at how mean spirited people can be,” she said, adding she does appreciate “all the feedback.”
Meanwhile Witzel, whose impromptu cutoff jeans during the 2015 Calgary Stampede caused a flurry of comments on Twitter, said he never takes any of it too seriously.
WATCH: Jordan Witzel debuts some Stampede cutoffs during his Friday morning weather forecast
“I have a pretty ridiculous sense of humour and I’m pretty easy going so it all serves as entertainment for me,” he said.
Flexhaug also has a positive outlook on the messages.
“When people react to us or a story, it means they are watching, engaged viewers, and that’s a good thing, right?”
She thinks people have been kinder in 2015 than they were the previous year, and questions if the first compilation of mean messages released by Global Calgary inspired people to be more mindful of the emails they send.
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