Connie Chung may have “underestimated (her) talent and overestimated (her) sexiness” in her new memoir, but her readers haven’t.
On the Dec. 3 episode of the Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast, hosted by New York comedians Ashley Hamilton and Claire Parker, the duo recounted a hilarious moment from Chung’s time campaigning for former Sen. George McGovern, as detailed in Connie.
Chung was “part of this group of reporters” following McGovern around the country, Hamilton said, and one night she decided to call her boyfriend from a pay phone. Then two more journalists ran to the phone box.
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They were trying to talk to her about something, but – given that she was one of the few female reporters around – Chung took their approach as sexual harassment.
“They’re, like, sexually harassing her,” Parker said. “That’s why she pulls their flies and goes to humiliate them.”
Connie Chung’s memoir, “Connie”
But Chung, being the legendary journalist she is, did extensive research for this memoir, Parker said. In the process of interviewing anyone “who ever knew her,” Chung revealed that the incident had nothing to do with her looks or being the only woman.
“The reason they were banging on her phone is because they thought she was getting another piece of news,” Parker said. “Because he was known to work earlier and later than everyone else.”
“And they said, ‘oh, we can’t lose another Connie,'” Parker continued.
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Chung revealed, other reporters tried to distract her so they could get the story themselves.
“And she said, ‘I guess I underestimated my talent and overestimated my sexuality,'” Parker said, adding that the persistent reporter felt she “had to fend for herself.”
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Hamilton and Parker noted that although her methods were sometimes a bit unconventional, Chung “held her own and was respected as one of the guys”.
“Anyone who knew anything knew she was the best,” Parker said.
Connie is now available wherever books are sold. New episodes Celebrity Memoirs Literary Club are available weekly.
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Source: HIS Education