Talk show host gets fired for comparing First Lady to an ape

joan

March 13, 2015 3:34 PM

According to UK's Daily Mail, the 42-year-old is best known for his 'biting fashion commentary' but might have crossed the line with Michelle.

Spanish-language TV station Univision fired talk show host, Rodner Figueroa almost immediately after he made a racially insensitive comment about Michelle Obama during his entertainment news show El Gordo Y La F.

The Emmy Award-winning host compared the First Lady to a character from 'Planet of the Apes' on live television on March 11.

While he and his co-hosts were discussing the work of makeup artist Paolo Ballesteros, who uses beauty products to transform himself into female celebrities, including the first lady,

Rodner suddenly said, "Well, watch out, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she’s from the cast of Planet of the Apes, the movie."

His co-hosts reacted quickly. Lili Estefan said, "What are you saying?" and Raul de Molina said Michelle was an attractive woman. Still, Rodner stood by his shocking statement, saying, "But it is true."

Univision made it clear that Rodner’s remark would not be tolerated or brushed aside. By the night of March 11, the network had taken Rodner’s photo down from its website.

Univision then released a statement the following day, March 12, saying:

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joan