Whoopi Goldberg Defends Ousted Weather Anchor Who Quoted Snoop Dogg Lyric On-Air
Whoopi Goldberg has stepped up in support of former weather anchor Barbie Bassett, who was dismissed from a Mississippi news station after quoting a Snoop Dogg lyric on live television. Goldberg criticized NBC affiliate WLBT's decision on a recent episode of "The View," stating that "just because we're on television, doesn't mean we know everything."
Bassett, who served as the network's first chief meteorologist in Jackson, was fired following her on-air use of the phrase "fo shizzle, my nizzle" while discussing Snoop Dogg's new addition to his California wine collection. The incident quickly went viral on social media, leading to Bassett's removal from the station's online team page and her absence from broadcasts since March 8.
Goldberg, 67, argued that it's challenging to keep up with the ever-changing societal norms of what can and cannot be said, particularly "if you're a person of a certain age." She called for a comprehensive list of things that should never be uttered to be established and updated regularly.
Goldberg added that if someone makes a mistake, they should be allowed to take responsibility, admit their error, and learn from it. She said that dismissing someone outright means refusing to hear what they have to say or the lessons they've learned from their mistake.
The Post reached out to Bassett for comment but received no response. Goldberg herself has experience with on-air mistakes and public apologies, having used slurs on "The View" in the past, resulting in controversy and a temporary suspension.
Bassett has also received support from radio host Charlamagne tha God, who expressed his opinion that she should not have been fired for her mistake. He noted that she might not even understand the meaning of the term "nizzle."
WLBT has not released a public statement on the issue. Ted Fortenberry, the station's regional vice president and general manager, informed The Post that they "cannot comment on personnel matters." He emphasized that the station's policies are clear, communicated fully to all team members, and enforced fairly.
Bassett has not publicly commented on the incident but shared a cryptic quote on Instagram about weathering the storm. In October 2022, she apologized on-air for referring to a black reporter's grandmother as "grandmammy," acknowledging her insensitivity and committing to learn from her mistake.