After his co-anchor was not permitted to say goodbye to viewers after she departed, a Los Angeles TV anchorman went ballistic against management on the air.
Mark Mester was suspended earlier this week, but KTLA felt his actions merited firing.
Mester was irritated because co-anchor Lynette Romero, whom he referred to as his “best friend,” informed management that she was departing after 24 years to anchor at another station and that management refused to allow her to say farewell on the air.
Producers wrote a portion for Mester to recite as a homage to Lynette, but he declined, complaining, “I’d want to start by apologizing to you [Lynette] right now. I adore you; you are truly my best friend. What happened to you was not your fault.”
Mester was not finished, describing the move as impolite, hurtful, and improper.
He also told viewers that a jet flew above KTLA with the words “We love you, Lynette.” According to the Los Angeles Times, Mester chartered the jet.
Lynette was reportedly eager to stay if she could anchor weeknights instead of weekends, but the station refused to bend, so she quit.
