Barnard in the news

By Neal Justin, Star Tribune

Last update: November 4, 2007 - 6:53 PM

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Tom Barnard has a history of courting controversy. Here are some incidents that made news:

September 2007: Sidekick Terri Traen suggests that genetics and incest "up there" may have led to high suicide rates in Beltrami County. Barnard quickly challenges her, but American Indian leaders demand -- and receive -- an apology.

August 2006: The show rips a hip-hop celebration, ridiculing artists' names and predicting that there will be at least nine shootings at the event.

September 2002: During an interview with Norm Coleman, Barnard says he hates Paul Wellstone and hopes he "drops dead." Wellstone dies three months later in a plane crash.

January 2002: The show takes out a full-page ad in the Star Tribune, sarcastically listing "Top 15 Things We Admire About Our Governor," including "Bigger than life -- and Marlon Brando." Then-Gov. Jesse Ventura is less than amused.

November 2001: Supporters of St. Paul mayoral candidate Jay Benanav ask the Ramsey County attorney's office to consider prosecuting Barnard for making false statements about Benanav. Barnard later apologizes.

November 1998: Jokes about a 13-year-old Hmong girl charged with suffocating her newborn lead to demonstrations and advertising pullouts. Barnard apologizes.

June 1998: More than 50 taxis show up at KQRS studios to protest jokes made in the wake of the fatal shooting of a Somali cab driver.

NEAL JUSTIN

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