sad thing is the internet (and the people you insulted) are already replacing your job. Local news has long been a big joke with the tech crowd, WOW you guys are covering stories we read about days ago online. Good Job! ::Thumbs Up::

In the middle of your career, you were sent to report on people waiting in a line. Measured by reach, this will probably be the biggest story of your career.

Few of us get to report on big stories, and I suppose all we then have is our journalistic integrity and professionalism. I'm afraid this story violates those tenets.

Eric,
You are one of the nicest people I've seen on TV. Can't people take a joke?? Don't worry, sane viewers still love you!

"For those who were offended..."

How 'bout just apologizing without qualifying it? Sounds like, "I didn't think I was offensive, but if you were offended, I apologize."

That's not an apology; that's mollification.

And you didn't just "poke fun" at a bunch of techies, you mocked and ridiculed them.

Get a job on reality TV, if that's your gig.

Trivial "news segments" (otherwise known as "pandering to our baser natures") like this are one of the reasons the public has turned its back on "journalists."

Eric, you're only the latest poster boy for a vacuous, useless industry.

I have to agree with Sam on this one. The guy clearly was open to have a discussion with Mr. Spillman.

However, I think it was a silly question to ask a grown man with a woman standing right next to him. Nor did it get to the real question of why would stand in line for a phone.

So then can we all agree that humor is subjective. I guess it's funny as long as it's not directed at humiliating or making fun of you, then it's a different story. People that found it offensive have every right to feel that, as do those that thought it was funny also have a right to feel that way. Just because someone didn't find it funny, doesn't mean that they don't have a sense of humor. It's just that theirs is different than yours.
it's the same as the skits they do on the Morning Show. Some love them and Sam Rubin laughs his butt off at them, yet a good majority of the viewers that comment on the blogs here don't find them funny at all! So humor, like art is subjective. I guess it's funny as long as you're not the one being made fun of, humiliated, or criticized.
I noticed no one made any mention of the people who wait in line all night at the 99 cent stores when they're opening a new store. Or how about the opening of a new Star Wars movie, or a bridal shop having a sale on wedding gowns, or here's one - how about the number of people who camped out over night for the latest installment of "Grand Theft Auto"?
See it's about what's important to each individual. It'd be interesting to see if the ones that thought it was funny were ever bullied anytime in their lives - I'm guessing they weren't!

I find it telling that most of the posts defending the segment carry on to put down the people standing in line. They deserved such treatment! It was funny to put them down.

I'm even more disturbed by the comments than I was by the segment. These are, I presume, people who watch television - how many hours a day?

Your clip is sexist and makes you look like an ass.

Listen, I understand this is somewhat subjective but I disagree that the guy in line didn't have a sense of humor, the problem is that Spillman is not amusing. His on screen persona that day was like nails on a chalkboard. He should know his limits because he didn't have to go far to smack up against the low ceiling of his ability in this particular area. If you're gonna try to roast people or match wits with them you should be prepared to go the distance and have the chops to back it up. His real apology should be to never pretend to be funny again, especially on live TV. I wish him luck, I know he can do it.

Eric! you should have known that we live in p.c. times--in both senses of the term. You can't just go willy-nilly snarking on the geek-set. They're a big market share of the media pie.

Douchebag! And I have a degree in journalism. You should probably just give up.

You need to remember that the people you mock aren't all geeks living in their mother's basement and playing video games all night. They're CEOs and CFOs and Attorneys and small business owners. Honestly, they're people who are far more successful than you and people who command far more respect than you do. Insults will never get you anywhere.

Eric,

I'm an Apple fan, but I'm also an Eric Spillman fan. While I see your point that standing in line for hours is ridiculous for a phone, I did it for the original iPhone and it was worth every second! Different people have different priorities.

Unlike Prime News, the Morning show needs to get people the news AND entertain them, so people should expect the lighthearted humor... You were just doing your job.

While your joke was a bit incendiary and probably not the best choice for a crowd with little or no sleep, the guy you met took what could have been a perfect opportunity to explain why he wants an iPhone and squandered it by getting inappropriately offended.

My question for you is, there were so many people that laughed and smiled at your joke in that line, why didn't you talk to any of them?

Way to be controversial, Eric Spillman.

I'm in awe. I'm speechless.

Who'd have thought such a benign question would bring about a flood of comments. Wooooow. Do it again . . .

Eric,

It was funny. I think the techno pinheads need to stand in line for a sense of humor, not a phone. F them if they can't take a joke.

Keep on rolling Eric.

I appreciate the humor and light heartedness you bring to your stories, you are serious when needed. Had it been someone else you walked up to, maybe someone with a sense of humor or ability to laugh at the situation of waiting in line, things would have turned out much different. Don't take it too personally, there are people out there who like the work you do.

Anybody who waits in line for an upgrade to a phone is an idiot. I thought you were funny, and the idiot could have gone along with the joke. He needs to get a life! Keep it up, Eric! You are funny and cute and not at all lame. Geeky, maybe. But, so is my husband and I think geeks are hot. Can't wait to see what you do next!

Oh Eric, I'm so sorry that you even have to apologize.. I personally feel it was all in good fun..Funny thing is, all these people here whom I have never seen comment on more serious topics are the ones attacking you about "serious journalism.." My question to them is- where were your insightful comments on the MANY serious journalism Mr. Spillman has blogged about?? I bet these people are all friends of that guy who's never seen a girl naked.. They are after all, "very modern" when it comes to technology.. As always, still a fan!

As a person who wrote to criticize you this morning, I find this apology sincere and in good faith. Everyone's human, no ones perfect. Time to move on.

Hey, I have an idea for a new interview!

How about you go into a nursing home and ask one of the elderly when was the last time he has seen a woman naked.

Eric: I enjoy your daily segments. Keep up the good work, and try not to let a disappointing assignment get the better of you.

Eric,
I watch you guys every day! In a week no-one will remember what happened...I hardly remember the Dice-Clay thing! (lets talk about a loser) Don't worry another moment about it... I will continue to watch you every-single-morning! (Eric, sometimes I think you draw the short straw!)

Honestly, how would you feel if someone with a video camera came up to your kids while they were in line for lunch or something, and started asking them pointless risqué questions intended only to embarrass them in front of both their peers and a city-wide audience of thousands?

Would you really think "Geez you kids are so thin-skinned... can't you take a joke?"

If so, you need to schedule some face time with a good therapist.

If not, yeah, that's why people feel the need to tell you what you did was unacceptable—because so far it seems you don't really "get it".

So you haven't been fired yet. The poorest example of journalism I have seen, ever.

Next the worst excuse of an apology ever.

Though take some solace Eric, you will now be world famous, your face in most journalism classes, as an example of what not to do.

Your segment was not good journalism, it was something that i would expect to see on MTV. The fact that you are on what is supposed to be a serious news channel is laughable. Go work the drive through at McDonalds.

You are the definition of a bully. ("a person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker.")

You say to your friends in the news room "hey guys, check this out..." and go over and do something mean to a vulnerable person in an attempt to get your friends to laugh.

It shows that you think you need to earn love and acceptance from those "above" you by in turn hurting those "weaker" than you for sport.

Your non-apology ("I guess I deserved it." You guess?) tells people that you're not sorry you did it, but sorry that people are calling you out on your behavior.

In the future, apologies usually start like this: "My behavior was wrong and I am sorry..."

You stepped in it, and now you've stepped up and apologized publicly. That puts you ahead of 90% of the media.

As for not having a Journalism degree (mail order or otherwise) - you can borrow mine as I'm not using it. I decided soon after I earned it that I did not like where journalism was headed for the sake of ratings - some place you have now (for the first and last time, I hope) briefly visited.

Welcome back from the dark side. Make Hal proud.

Eric,

I thought that the segment was funny. I didn't and don't understand waiting in line for something so silly! Plus you had people egging you on, not that that along is reason to do something but, it was funny funny moment and too bad that this person and some others don't get it. keep up the good work and some of the postings here are nasty I hope you don't read them. God Bless and time will get you though this.

OMG! What's all the fuss? I, for one, need a little humor in my life once in awhile. The news is pretty depressing for the most part. If Eric wants to be the voice of levity....go for it! You people take everything way too seriously. If the man in the interview has a problem with Eric's interview, I'm sure the brass at KTLA will hear about it. Lighten up, people!!!

Oh please people, he was not that bad at all.

Get over a little humor.

So was this your attempt to sound like Triumph the Insult Comic Dog? I know the news business is tough but trying to replace a puppet on late-night TV with this interview...wait you are a puppet! For the producers who want to insult geeks on the air. Loser. Getting the Triumph gig would be a step WAY up for you.

Eric,
I got your back on this one.
I thought it was funny. People today are way too uptight. Anyone who watched that days broadcast knows it was all in jest. It's unfortunate that people have lost their sense of humor and are so easily offended these days. Like you said, "come on people, it's just a phone". I mean, really, come on. The only thing funnier was the fact that so many people waited in lines like that and then weren't able to activate their phones. Servers them right. You keep up the good work!

eat a bullet.

Why did you ask him the book he was reading? To attempt to humiliate him further? Asking if he had seen a woman naked is disgusting. You should really resign - what redeeming value is all of this to a viewer? You're a high tech bully with a camera that shows no empathy on camera. Your apology is as shallow as your compassion.

That was the least sincere apology I've ever seen. Next time try not having friends in the background cheering you on.