'Hey everybody. It's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the 50's'

[MrsSpringsteen]

I think Richard needs some anger management..

Richard Simmons Cited for Slapping Man
Thu Mar 25

PHOENIX - Exercise guru Richard Simmons allegedly slapped a man who made a sarcastic remark about one of his videos, police said.

Simmons, known for his "Sweatin' to the Oldies" series of exercise videos set to songs from the 1950s and 60s, was cited for misdemeanor assault.

A fellow passenger recognized Simmons on Wednesday night at Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport as he was waiting for a flight to Los Angeles, police said.

The man "made the off-hand comment, 'Hey everybody. It's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s,'" said Phoenix police Sgt. Tom Osborne. "Mr. Simmons took exception to it and walked over to the other passenger and apparently slapped him in the face."

The passenger, whose identity wasn't immediately available, wasn't injured but told police that he intended to file charges against Simmons, 55.

Osborne said Simmons was cited for misdemeanor assault and permitted to board his flight.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

gosh darn it i was about to post this

 

[BAW]

He looks like he has his slappin' hand at the ready in that pic

 

[JessicaAnn]

 

[meegannie]

That is the BEST possible thing to say and get slapped for.

 

[Mullen-Girl]

Oh my dear lord! That is hilarryous!!! I can just see him slapping him like a girl too!

 

[Naya]

 

[JessicaAnn]

But can you imagine being the guy who was bitchslapped by Richard Simmons ... That is something I would admit to publicly.

 

[Hewson]

I'm sure its not the first thing Richard has slapped.

 

[MrBrau1]

I've heard Richard Simmons is gay.

 

[easytiger]

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

Some more info..

The confrontation occurred when the man, identified as Chris Farney, 23, recognized Simmons as the celebrity trainer was signing autographs and posing for pictures, police said.

"He (Farney) apparently said, 'Hey everybody, it's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the '50s,"' said Sgt. Lauri Williams in a reference to Simmons' well-known series of "Sweatin' to the Oldies" exercise videos. "Mr. Simmons took offense and said he had to 'bitch slap' him."

According to the police report, Farney said Simmons told him, "It's not nice to make fun of people with issues" before slapping him on the left side of the face. Stunned, Farney walked away for a moment before contacting authorities.

Police described Farney as a 6-foot-1-inch sales representative for the Harley-Davidson motorcycle company who weighs 255 pounds and has competed in the spectator sport of cage fighting -- otherwise known as mixed martial arts.

He told officers he had no intention of hitting Simmons, who stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, because he "knew that he was much more powerful than Simmons."

Nevertheless, Farney told police he wanted to press charges against Simmons.

Police said Simmons cooperated fully with officers at the scene and later was allowed to board a plan to Los Angeles.

There was no immediate comment from Simmons' Los Angeles-based manager.


This picture was w/ the article, I just had to post it

 

[KhanadaRhodes]

^^^ nice pic ^^^

geez, what a prick. i'm talking about the biker dude who got slapped. he's this huge guy and he's getting all pissed because some dude slapped him?

 

[melon]

I've heard Richard Simmons is gay.

God forbid...

Melon

 

[Queen Bee]

I've heard Richard Simmons is gay.

Lies! All lies! He is as straight as a very straight thing!

 

[Bonochick]

"Hey everybody. It's Richard Simmons. Let's drop our bags and rock to the 50's!"

That's one of the best things EVER.

 

[Justified]

I love sarcastic people!