TNT stays quiet on Charles Barkley

In the aftermath of Charles Barkley's arrest on suspicion of drunk driving early on New Years Eve morning in Scottsdale, Ariz., TNT is remaining quiet. Barkley is the outspoken and usually praised star of TNT's popular studio show "Inside the NBA."

TNT released a statement saying: "We take these matters very seriously. Obviously there's a legal process and we have to wait for that to play out so we won’t have any comment at this time."

The show doesn't return to the air until Jan. 15. One suspects more will be said by TNT and Barkley before then. Barkley has already apologized for the incident.

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Charles Barkley at Turner Studios in Atlanta in April. At left, is fellow co-host Kenny Smith. Credit: Erik S. Lesser / For The Times

Comments

[Geo Garbo]

Wow! The Chuckster wants to be Governor of Alabama. Now he can set his sights higher as his proclivity for oral sex qualifies him for the Oval Office! (ala Bill C) I'm sure Charles' defense will center on racism: he was racially targeted and persecuted because he was a black man driving a fancy automobile. Get rid of this vacuous degenerate. It is an insult for him to show his face as a sports figure. Subjective morality can't redeem all behavior. Disgusting and irresponsible is disgusting and irresponsible.

[Brendan]

TNT will not get rid of Barkley and I dont know why anyone would want them to. He makes that show, and I have always enjoyed watching him. Wish more people in the sports world had his honesty.

And I love how people act like this is so "disgusting and irresponsible" as if every single person in the world hasn's at one time or another got behind the wheel with a couple drinks in them, I'm not condoning it but let's be real!!

[Carolyn Page]

I love you Charles. Do not drink and drive call me I'll drive you home.

[Caleb Britton]

barkley is a funny guy and i do not think TNT should get rid of him just because of a drunk driving incident. hes fun to watch and he is what makes TNT.

[robet winsrein]

Free Charles Barkley! For christ sake the guy was trying to have a little fun, are we as americans entitled to fun time? I am sure that he is sorry for his actions, also for being pulled over in Arizona. Lets face it there is something mysterious about Arizona with big name celebrities.- Go CB

[Harry Green]

He should know when to keep his mouth shut !

[Mark]

Any bets on how long it is before he throws the race card out there?? He's the victim right?

[J]

Race Card? He's mentioned nothing about race. Why are so many so quick to crucify him? I don't really have a major opinion either way but I hate when people make comments that suggest they have nothing better to do than to hate on others. The guy made a mistake and so far he's cooperated with the legal system:

Barkley issued a brief statement, saying, "I am disappointed that I put myself in that situation. The Scottsdale police were fantastic. I will not comment any further as it is a legal matter."

[race car D]

the guy said "how long until" not that he already had...

duh...

do the crime / do the time ! funny or not...

[Tyrone]

I two think Charles Barkley should be replaced. Unfortunately in the position he's currently in it's not just what you do but it's the image that you give the organization your working for. It's okay to say crazy things, make ridiculous predictions that hardly ever prove to be true, even to say silly things. But one of the reasons Charles was given this position is because he changed his image, he wasn't the same as he was in his playing days.

As long as you keep your personal life private, then okay. But when the things happened to Kobe in Colorado for a period of time it destroyed his public image. He lost all of his endorsements because people no longer saw him in a favorable light. I honestly don't know how their going to avoid this topic when doing there show, I almost think honestly that a leave of absence perhaps with pay is in order and bringing in someone else perhaps for a couple of weeks until this blows over.

If he would of just been arrested for the drunk driving it would have been alright, but that coupled with what he said, I don't see how this can be overlooked, or ignored.

[Jay]

Free Charles from this obvious racist attack by the white man. Everything in Mr. Barkley's world stems from the racism he perceives. Free Charles!

[Darren]

Yup, I want my kids watching TNT. Hey, isn't life all about "fun?" Yeah, that's what I tell my kids, just have "a little fun" and there are no consequences or morality or truth or meaning or anything outside of your "fun" world! People need to think here.

[adam chitwoodq]

i watch tnt quit often and it wouldnt be the same if charles wasnt on there. i hope he comes back soon, we all deserve a second chance. how many of us get dui?????? does our job or the whole world say were done??? NO. im not saying what he did was right bc it was very wrong and it stands against i believe but at the same time stop hating on him and give him a second chance.

[Tyrone]

That's the thing it's not just about the DUI. Honestly the DUI, you can joke yourself out of that. That's something that could of been laughed off, or we could of even made a joke out of on the show, and this would of went away. That's really not to an organization really a big deal. It's what was said to the Police Officers and his response that further exacerbated the DUI charges.

He's taken a leave of absence and I also hope that everything works out, and after this dies down that he can come back kind of like nothing happened. I think it's a wise move for him to wait for that. Once this all dies down and some of the public contempt for what took place I think Charles will be able to step right back in like nothing even happened. Hopefully that's what takes place.

[greg]

how many ppl out there have ever in their lifetime gotten behind the wheel above the legal acohol limit? im not condoning that behavior but to lose your job over it? i can see if maybe charles were a taxi driver or a bus driver but a tv analyst? i dont see how anyone can justify that being fair...

[Ruben A Varela]

Is there anyone out there that has never been in trouble, or said anything outrageous. It still amazes me that people in this country are still crucified for making one "normal" mistake, and the funny thing is that the bigger the person the harder they are judged. Charles is not a god, he is not a president, he is simply a man with exceptional Basketball skills and knowledge, whom we love to watch every chance we get. So stop this nonsense which is killing the "Freedom" we cherish so much, and shut up about mistakes others do, we any human being can make the same mistake

[Cory]

A call for action to bring Barkley back to TNT. Show is ruined without him. Please join the cause.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=133504845136&ref=mf

[Angie]

In addition for my love of basketball, The NBA Live on TNT with Ernie, Chuck & Kenny is my favorite NBA Sports show. They have great chemistry together, and nobody can deny that. It's funny how people can be so judgemental of others. There is no perfect man but GOD, so let's not act like we as humans have not made any mistakes. I'm not saying what the Chuckster did was right, but he is human and apologized for his actions. There have been many actors/actresses, musical stars and atheletes that have made mistakes and been forgiven (Many mistakes that were a lot worse). Let's face it anyone who is a "TRUE FAN" of the show knows that it won't work without CB. I wanted to throw something at the TV when I watched that horrible show with CW and GP yelling back and forth!!! It was the worst episode EVER!!! Nobody kept it real on the NBA scene like CHUCK..... BRING HIM BACK ASAP!!! LUV U CHUCKSTER!!!!!!!!!

[Nancy]

WHY on earth do you feel the need to keep Charles Barkley on your show? I am sorry, but he is embarrassing to watch on so many levels.
He says things completely out of context, rarely makes any sense and he can barely put together an entire sentence.

It is sad that he is sitting next to these professionals. Make an executive decision. I'm not saying "fire him" but rather put him to work somewhere away from the camera.

Shame on TNT for continuing with Charles Barkley.