Erin Burnett’s “what I want in a man” column roils NBC brass
posted at 1:10 pm on January 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
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The Monday Page Six item got lots of comments in headlines so let’s bring this one down to Times Square. I’m totally on her side, and not just because of the Pickler/Burnett rule this time.
Sources tell Page Six that Burnett, known as the “Street Sweetie,” has network suits in an uproar over the narcissistic, money-grubbing feature she penned for Men’s Health, titled “Eight Things That Would Impress Me” - with bosses worried it could hurt her and the station’s serious news image.
In the jaw-dropping piece, first revealed on this page Monday, Burnett says guys can “unlock” her heart by giving her round-trip, business-class tickets to Australia and New Zealand, sending a yoga instructor and personal chef to her apartment, and treating her and her sisters to a long-weekend spa getaway, among other suggestions.
“This has caused a lot of hand-wringing at the network,” an insider told us, suggesting Burnett comes off as a trite, gold-digging hussy. “There’s worry she’s damaged her brand. Everybody’s talking about it and asking, like, ‘Why did you do this?’ Everybody think it’s a major [bleep]-up.’ ”
A mention of the article on Dealbreaker.com ridiculed it as, “Map to Erin Burnett’s [Bleep].” The site later substituted the word “heart” for the vulgarism. “The newsroom was talking about ‘Erin Burnett’s [bleep].’ You’ve got to wonder who gave her the idea for this story,” our source said.
Grow up. She likes what she likes, she’s not afraid to make it known, and it has no effect on the shrewdness of her commentary on finance. People aren’t going to tune her out because of it, although they may, alas, occasionally enjoy a [bleep] joke at her expense. Besides: (a) it’s science; (b) her standards might disqualify 99.9% of men but Rush is still very much in the game, baby; and (c) if all else fails, she can always be set up with Adrian Grenier for a most magical meeting of the minds. The odds of sparks are slim — but you nev-ah know!
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Does she know you have an I-phone AP?
That’s gotta’ count for something.
Wonder how she feels about blimps.
Talon on January 10, 2008 at 1:15 PM
If she can get…go for it.
What’s that joke about proposition at a party, a weekend in LasVegas, clothes, diamonds, and a sleep over, she says ok, then he says how about a sleep over and a six pack tonight, she asks “What kind of girl do you think I am?”, and he says…”We already know that, now we are negotiating.
right2bright on January 10, 2008 at 1:15 PM
I admit, she’s honest about the fact that she’s a gold digging narcissist. Can’t fault her for that.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Maria Bartiromo
Bill C on January 10, 2008 at 1:17 PM
Girls just wanna have fun. Some just have a higher maintenance/admission fee.
bbz123 on January 10, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Who cares about her career… I’m writing her tips down!
AlexB on January 10, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Should a guy be able to throw a drink in her face because she asked for this?
Bill C on January 10, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Bonus points for you.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Oh, I understand what “Monkey Girl” means now… I thought it was because she called GWB a monkey.
d1carter on January 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM
She left that which is cannonical.
Weight of Glory on January 10, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Amen.
socalconservative on January 10, 2008 at 1:22 PM
I do think it will hurt her brand a little bit, but that’s always the risk when a public figure delves into personal detail. Especially when that detail resonates a negative stereotype or runs counter to the presented public characteristic.
Spirit of 1776 on January 10, 2008 at 1:22 PM
dang it! “canonical”
Weight of Glory on January 10, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Yep, sums it up nicely. At least she is quoting the price up front which is a lot more honest than many women.
Buford on January 10, 2008 at 1:23 PM
It’s not a “price.” She’s not promising that you get X if you give her Y or that you must do these things to spend time with her. They’re helpful hints, not a cover charge.
Allahpundit on January 10, 2008 at 1:26 PM
And women get upset at the old joke:
What is the best way to a womans heart??
With a dull axe right through the chest…..
Ta Ta Ta!!!
broker1 on January 10, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Punt
Pronunciation[puhnt]–noun 1. Football. a kick in which the ball is dropped and then kicked before it touches the ground.
Nuff Said
RobCon on January 10, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Just joking in the post above people, please dont get upset.
broker1 on January 10, 2008 at 1:27 PM
No, it’s the ante.
TheBigOldDog on January 10, 2008 at 1:28 PM
So NBC is worried that the article damages the credibility of an anchor known as the “Street Sweetie?”
If she can survive that nickname, she can survive the article.
Slublog on January 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Indeed. A price would entail the full extent of charges. What Burnett is saying is men should shower her with lavish gifts on the mere promise of love. Probably because she’s NBC info babe Erin Burnett.
Who wants to bet she’s going to be either a) single or b) a serial monogamist until her looks disappear?
BKennedy on January 10, 2008 at 1:31 PM
So, in other words, they’re more like the fifty you slip the maitre’d in order to get a table away from the kitchen. Just a hint, not a charge.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 1:32 PM
A bit more realistic…
Entelechy on January 10, 2008 at 1:33 PM
I don’t trust a woman who can’t keep her eye color straight; sometimes they’re brown, sometimes they’re blue.
Mr. Bingley on January 10, 2008 at 1:34 PM
If I wanted to deal with her type, I’d go to a strip club.
Geronimo on January 10, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Yikes!
Don’t come a-knockin’ if your wallet’s not poppin’ I guess.
At least she isn’t afraid to say what she wants in a guy.
wearyman on January 10, 2008 at 1:35 PM
She’s not talking about what one must do for her, but what one must buy for her. Apparently buying 5 grand worth of stuff for her is a little more romantic than just giving her the 5 grand in cash, but it’s still x dollars for y.
At least you know what will work if Google buys out Hot Air though.
Hollowpoint on January 10, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Entelechy on January 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Of course, maybe she’s just a very high-quality woman who only dates the highest quality men.
Slublog on January 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
She didn’t do anything wrong. Even if she hadn’t said what she said in an interview, what woman wouldn’t want those things? I’m sure she makes some pretty good bank on her own and doesn’t need a man for financial security.
It’s much ado about nothing, but any press is good press. Those who didn’t watch CNBC before will watch now - although if you didn’t watch CNBC before you likely didn’t qualify because CNBC is THE network for people with money.
ThackerAgency on January 10, 2008 at 1:39 PM
She is just letting you know the price range. Before I started my own business, the Federal Government considered me a “highly compensated employee” of a large corporation. I have met many women like this and believe me she is either setting the price up front. Whether it be for romance or special treatment on the show, she is letting people know her price.
Buford on January 10, 2008 at 1:39 PM
At least she isn’t like Britney Spears where a Big Mac, fries and a shake will make you famous.
ThackerAgency on January 10, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Of course. High quality men that basically have to buy their way to women because they’re so vapid and narcissistic, any woman not just like them can’t stand them for more than 30 seconds. Like, uhhh…
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 1:40 PM
SECOND STUDY OF WOMEN RECOMMENDED
Entelechy on January 10, 2008 at 1:41 PM
I’m sure I’ll catch some hell for it, but to borrow from another piece I read some time back:
Haggling over price indeed.
thirteen28 on January 10, 2008 at 1:41 PM
I was thinking more of Allah’s perfect woman.
Slublog on January 10, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Spoken like a true beta male.
KelliD on January 10, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Mr. Bush 43 “Street Sweeties are misoverestimated”.
Entelechy on January 10, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Someday, Ms. Burnett will find a net worth to love, honor, and cherrish, til death, bankruptcy, or Democratic tax hikes shall they part.
SuperCool on January 10, 2008 at 1:43 PM
“Comes off as” suggests that it might not be true? If she really means what she wrote then she is, in fact, a trite gold-digging hussy. I admire the honesty because it gives the man an opportunity to decide if he wants to deal with such a woman or go for somebody looking for more than a provider of expensive airfares and spa treatments.
There are many men that would be content purchasing stuff to unlock Ms. Burnett’s “heart.” As for me, she comes off sounding like a word that sounds very close to wore.
highhopes on January 10, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Look at it this way for a second. She said she valued travel, family, etc. How is that different that if a woman says to you on a date: I love to travel, I love to do yoga, I love my family. Any perceptive guy is going to pick up on that and use it to his advantage if he wants to pursue her.
I mean, if I want to give a girl something that catches and retains her attention, I have to get in her value system and then give her something of value within her value system. She is just saying what that is. For example, she’s a very mobile person, so a plane ticket from Washington to New York isn’t going to be that noteworthy. A plane ticket for no other purpose then to show a her place she’s never seen - whole different effect.
I don’t think it’s that big of deal. Sure she seems caught up in the more material aspects that are common used when you meet someone, but if she said she likes puppies and whatever, we’d be laughing our heads off then too.
Spirit of 1776 on January 10, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Hold up a sec! The network that renewed Olbermann’s contract is worried that this is going to damage thier brand? Sheesh!
mugged on January 10, 2008 at 1:45 PM
God, I forgot that one. I think I was laughing for a half hour straight.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Speaking of shrewd, your analysis was cutting edge, AP. She’s a shallow (bleep), and not hot in the calculus of this red-blooded male mind, but she might be just the kind of girl for the otherwise NancyBoy looking Grenier.
Jaibones on January 10, 2008 at 1:48 PM
We’ve already established what you are, Sweetie, we’re just hagglin’ over the price.
Labamigo on January 10, 2008 at 1:48 PM
The gals over at FBN are gonna put her in the back of the line.
Jenna Lee= Hubba Hubba!
Big Orange on January 10, 2008 at 1:48 PM
The fifty? You must be in the running for ‘Erin Burnett’s [bleep].’! Good for you!
TheBigOldDog on January 10, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Was there anything on her list that wasn’t outrageously expensive? If she’d listed a range of things, from the simple and romantic to the crazy expensive stuff, she could have avoided giving the impression that she and her —- are just more commodities being traded on Wall Street.
ReubenJCogburn on January 10, 2008 at 1:50 PM
….and if us men really said what we wanted in a woman……………………….3 nanoseconds to the unemploment line.
subbottomfeeder on January 10, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Show up naked, bring beer. There I said it.
Buford on January 10, 2008 at 1:55 PM
More from the article I cited, that illustrates the point Burnett is (unwittingly?) driving home:
thirteen28 on January 10, 2008 at 1:55 PM
There are plenty of rich guys out there for whom this is helpful dating advice. Do you really think it would work out for a money honey to date someone (like me) who has to reach to the bottom of his pocket to buy some roses? This is the real world we are talking about. People who make 100 times as much as I do will play with trinkets that cost 100 time as much, and thats all these are.
pedestrian on January 10, 2008 at 1:57 PM
She’s brave!
MayBee on January 10, 2008 at 1:59 PM
And same men can afford, and do purchase “stuff” to unlock the next classy/hussy or girl, because:
1. only way they can, or
2. they can afford to, or
3. both
My fovorite story on topic was the gal who similarly posted what she was looking for on Craigslist. The money-man’s reply to suggest leasing her was worth platinum!
Entelechy on January 10, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Be honest, the beer was superfluous :)
Entelechy on January 10, 2008 at 2:01 PM
slublog beat me to the Jackie Mackie punchline.
see-dubya on January 10, 2008 at 2:02 PM
She’s sharp, good at her job, more power to her.
Doug on January 10, 2008 at 2:02 PM
I missed the Bad Irish post by Ace. Too damned funny for words. I liked her post, and respect her initiative, but she’s clearly not up to it. Funny how flat, plain chicks who don’t want to have kids think they rate rich, athletic guys with lots of free time to travel the world.
I don’t think it works that way so much. Maybe that’s why she threw in the atheist/libertarian crap; she had already dropped her standards several clicks?
Jaibones on January 10, 2008 at 2:06 PM
Unless there are sparks shooting out of that thing, the best she would get out of me is a bologna sammich and mini-bag of Funions.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s welcome to want all that crap. But I doubt the juice is worth the squeezing.
natesnake on January 10, 2008 at 2:07 PM
eh if a woman asks a man to spoiler her I have no problem with that. Any man who cares about a woman should do that.
But do have to ask what does erin bring to the table ? If I had money and was looking there are millions of beautiful women out there so she is in competiton for attention also and if she wants a guy she has to have something to offer other than looks
William Amos on January 10, 2008 at 2:11 PM
hmm, maybe I can have a bake sale.
DMeNTe on January 10, 2008 at 2:11 PM
lamest news item of the month
Drunk Report on January 10, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Add this to the “When Google buys HA” list.
BTW, this isn’t the price. It’s the minimum requirement, like bets at the high-roller table at the Bellagio or height requirements at Itchy and Scrachy Land.
Kid from Brooklyn on January 10, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Yeah, pretty much.
Buford on January 10, 2008 at 2:15 PM
You beat me to it. :D
One thing I’ll say for her: her list is easier for a guy to wrap his brian around than Alanins’…
PolitiNOOB on January 10, 2008 at 2:16 PM
I hope Burnett “Street Sweetie” is fired by the network; she certainly deserves it. What she is doing is certainly not journalism. If a man did it he would be fired.
IntheNet on January 10, 2008 at 2:18 PM
That’s an interesting concept. What would the typical man’s list be?
- College Football Season Pass on cable
- Omaha Steaks
- Tickets to a UFC Vegas fight
- Porn
- Night-farting privleges
natesnake on January 10, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Given the situation, this is an unfortunate defense:
MayBee on January 10, 2008 at 2:27 PM
She likes gifts. This is novel how?
Oh, and don’t shop for them at Wal Mart. Check.
I love how unhinged her ilk is over this. Lighten up. Besides, she can’t possibly damage her brand by showing a personal side and talking about attraction, no matter where that conversation goes.
TexasDan on January 10, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Well, yes. I’m sorry, but I can’t hold it against a beautiful woman that she values status and wealth in a man, the way men value beauty in women. It’s human nature. Burnett’s only sin is being willing to cop to it, so now suddenly she’s a “gold digger.” Nonsense. She’s a human being.
Allahpundit on January 10, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Ha ha ha ha, snort, ha ha ha…
Rick on January 10, 2008 at 2:30 PM
LOL!
Torch on January 10, 2008 at 2:31 PM
The best things in life are free
But you can keep it for the birds and bees.
Now gimme money (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want, ye-ye-yeh,
That’s what I want.
Money don’t get everything it’s true.
What it don’t get I can’t use.
So gimme money (that’s what I want)
Lots and lots of money (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want, ye-ye-yeh,
That’s what I want.
Yeh gimme money (that’s what I want)
Lots and lots of money (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want (that’s what I want)
So gimme money (that’s what I want)
That’s what I want, ye-ye-yeh,
That’s what I want.
- Erin and the Beatles
MB4 on January 10, 2008 at 2:32 PM
So your justifying her instinctual urge? There are other instinctual urges that humans have. Some are illegal. Some are merely frowned upon, and I’m not talking about the ones frowned upon in our “metrosexual” age. Gold diggers are gold diggers. The admission that you have no control over your lust for unearned wealth is not something to be lauded.
You know, I guess it’s all relative based on how you were brought up, and whether you’re committed to someone else versus single.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 2:34 PM
*So you’re…
Dammit, I want an EDIT FUNCTION!!!
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 2:34 PM
I think they had it right the first time.
Yup, me thinks they did.
MB4 on January 10, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Having revealed herself to be highly arrogant, extremely high maintainance, and very materialistic, many men will be turned off at the sight of her, as opposed to before, where in their ignorance they could pretend that she was the woman of their dreams.
There is a reason that hot women are chosen for these jobs, just like hot women are chosen to be pop stars. In both cases, she can report financial news just like a pop star can sing, but some portion of the men who tune in will do so because they have a little bit of a crush on her, and some portion of these men will be alienated upon learning how materialistic she is.
Note WHY her answers were such a turn off: they weren’t particularly romantic, they were just brazenly expensive and otherwise effortless. Most women want their men to put thought and effort into romance, but if you look at her list, all she needs the man for is to CUT THE CHECK.
Women who look at men in general as a cash register are no better than men who look at women in general as cum dumpsters.
kaltes on January 10, 2008 at 2:35 PM
She may very well have control over it. She’s simply admitting her preference.
Again, the article wasn’t a list of her prerequisites, it was a list of what would impress her. Anyone would be impressed by the crap she mentions. But no, I don’t fault her for doing a little gold-digging if that’s what she genuinely finds attractive — which, as I said, is sort of a natural baseline here. Lots and lots and lots and lots of women exceed that baseline but many don’t. Don’t hate the playa, hate the game.
Allahpundit on January 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Gold diggers are human beings too, Allah.
Perhaps the items on her list that didn’t make the Page Six edit were that she would be impressed by a guy that did volunteer work, or was nice to children, or something.
MayBee on January 10, 2008 at 2:38 PM
She’s not that hot. At most she deserves the time of day, but I wouldn’t spend much more than that on her. I don’t know why this is even a story.
Move along, nothing to see here.
Brass Pair on January 10, 2008 at 2:39 PM
lol.
MB4 on January 10, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I guess if guys can be paid millions to throw a ball through a hoop, tickets, a masseuse and a chef might not be that far out as date suggestions for whom someone might consider a major league babe.
Personally, I’d hand her a business card; Space panties, for the girl who thinks her a$$ is out of this world.
Speakup on January 10, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Yup, you wouldn’t kick her out of bed for eating a few crackers. A whole pizza on the other hand.
MB4 on January 10, 2008 at 2:44 PM
natesnake on January 10, 2008 at 2:48 PM
I’ve heard this before, and it sickens me still. No, I hate the playa, because admitting you’re a gold digger, means you’re a gold digger. Admitting you’re a narcissistic person who sleeps with whatever you can get your hands on doesn’t excuse the behavior. It’s still contemptible. As I said, that opinion depends on the person. I know girls who are fine with that and practice that attitude themselves. And true to form, it’s been amusing hearing about what they have had to do to rid themselves of everything from chlamydia to gonorrhea.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 2:48 PM
It would be one thing if she said she’d like to meet a guy to travel with and who will include her mother and sister and do crazy romantic things with; but she didn’t….
Setting prices and speculating on futures is part of make up. Its how she’s wired.
liquidflorian on January 10, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Let’s try this again:
Not so fast AP. I re-read the original Men’s Health article, and not one of the items she mentioned even made a vailed effort to include the person who was doing the impressing. All of the things on that list were about her, her friends, or her family.
That’s pretty narcisistic don’t you think?
All those things have less to do with the qualities of a person, and everything to do with monitary favors.
natesnake on January 10, 2008 at 2:50 PM
in the end she is shallow, self centered and not worth the effort. Perhaps she is atheist?
MarkB on January 10, 2008 at 2:51 PM
natesnake - so there nothing on her list that indicated she would be impressed by a nice, funny, smart man? Nothing to say she’d be impressed by a guy that spent his time helping other people? Wow. What a great human being she is.
Did she at least indicate that she would be impressed with a guy that spent time with her family, rather than just flying her and her family around?
MayBee on January 10, 2008 at 2:53 PM
You know, it’s broads like this one that make men believe we’re ALL like this.
Money is fine and all, but I’ll take quality attention and time over funds any day.
Shrew.
tickleddragon on January 10, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Maybe she should have just ran this video and be done with it.
PolitiNOOB on January 10, 2008 at 2:54 PM
Yeah, I especially love how she wants you to send her and her sisters off to a day spa…and pay for her and her mother to travel around the world…
Shows she really wants to spend time with YOU.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 2:54 PM
That’s pretty much the truth - and it’s really no different than her admitting up front how much pay for play is necessary, which is essentially what she’s doing.
If we’re going to applaud Erin Burnett about being so up front for stating exactly what she desires, let’s also have the guts to be up front to say what kind of woman she is, a’ la the George Bernard Shaw anecdote posted above.
thirteen28 on January 10, 2008 at 2:55 PM
You are:) It’s a short read, but worth it.
Spirit of 1776 on January 10, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Is that really the way you think most women are? Dude…
TheBigOldDog on January 10, 2008 at 2:57 PM
When you’re talking about her, you couldn’t be more wrong, bro.
MadisonConservative on January 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
I think most women would be comfortable in being offended by an inadequate diamond engagement ring. It part of what is acceptable in any culture to except some show of material sacrifice to demonstrate real commitment. In this case, she is just telling the rest of us what it will take to play at her level. The fact that this probably a bad move for Fox’s viewership is a separate matter that isn’t any different than, say, if she came out and said she subscribed to Ron Paul’s newsletter that he never read.
pedestrian on January 10, 2008 at 2:58 PM
She sounds like a real (bleep) (bleep) (bleep) sucking (bleep).
RWLA on January 10, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Aw, thanks, Hon. I was gonna answer myself, but really, why bother?
tickleddragon on January 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
I think it’s ridiculous that they can’t just print the words. Aren’t we all adults?
RWLA on January 10, 2008 at 3:00 PM
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