TJ Holmes And Amy Robach protecting David Muir After he received massive response To use a garment in his flame-retardant jacket while reporting on the Los Angeles wildfires.
Holmes, 47, and Robach, 51, who previously worked with Muir at ABC, gave their perspective on the incident during the Friday, Jan. 10 episode of their podcast, “Does it make me look fat?”
Muir, 51, was seen ripping off his jacket by viewers during a live cross on Wednesday, January 8, accusing him of caring more about how he looks on TV than the natural disasters he's reporting on.
Holmes defended Muir against that accusation, claiming the news anchor wasn't even aware Existence of clothes pins.
“If you just read tweets, perspective can be missing. The scene can be absent, often – and I don't know if he does – traveling with a producer or a wardrobe person whose job it is – you might be looking at your phone, getting the latest, looking at notes or something, and people are on you. Pulling and plugging things in, mics and IFBs (in-ear monitors) and all that stuff,” Holmes explained. “You don't even know what's happening to you, and someone might decide 'let me do it with the jacket.' We don't know.”
Holmes said that despite using clothespins, he believed Muir was incredibly hard working.
He continued: “But just a little context, the guy works his butt off. You don't like what he's done, that's fine. It takes a lot.”
However, Holmes admits that it feels bad to be caught worrying about the superficial aspects of a TV journalist while reporting on an event. People lost their lives and homes.
“The idea that people — even in the midst of a tragedy — anchoring a major evening broadcast wouldn't give a damn about what they look like is just absurd. Now the issue is to what extent they should care and to what extent they should come to care is a separate issue, but definitely care and attention should be given to how he looks before going on TV.” Holmes Dr. “But if your house is on fire and you see a man brushing his hair in the mirror before he goes on the air and reports on your tragedy, it will upset you.”
Robach, meanwhile, admitted that when she was reporting from the road, she usually made a concerted effort not to look too “flashy” by keeping her hair and makeup simple.
“I'm very careful as a journalist not to seem as if I'm worried about how I look at that moment,” he said. “We all look different on the scene of this kind of tragedy than on set. On set, we've got hair and makeup and beautiful suits and fitted dresses, but when you're there, it's a completely different environment.”
Robach also defended Muir against the backlash she's been receiving, saying she doesn't believe she deserves it.
“I don't think she deserves the hate she's getting… I don't think it's fair or appropriate in any way — and especially from people who haven't had to be on television every day where your image, your look is constantly being criticized or acknowledged. So that you can have a hyper-awareness of it,” he said.
check LAFD website For local wildfire warnings and Click here For resources on how to help victims.