TV & VIDEO - March 13, 1987

KABC-TV Channel 7 sportscaster Ted Dawson disputed reports of a post-broadcast fist-fight with his producer, but did apologize for pushing Ernie Thornton after Tuesday’s 11 p.m. newscast. “I get the award for stupidity,” Dawson said Thursday on KABC Radio’s “Ken and Bob” show. “I take full responsibility.” According to news reports, Dawson got upset that his sportscast was cut for live coverage of the police helicopter collision over Irvine and “decked” Thornton. Dawson said the “deck” was actually a “push away from me” in the midst of a “shouting match” between the two. “It had nothing to do with the amount of time I got,” he added, “It was the way the situation was handled.” The sportscaster was suspended Wednesday and Thursday and said he would start a weeklong vacation today.