Viewers have rallied around a Memphis news anchor who was caught appearing to doze off during a live broadcast, with many pointing to the demanding nature of morning shifts and parenting responsibilities.
Anchor Caught Napping On Air
Dominique Dillon, an anchor for Good Morning Memphis, seemed to be caught off guard when the camera returned to the studio after a report by reporter Sheila O'Connor on the annual Memphis to Peoria run for St. Jude. The clip shows Dillon with her eyes closed and head resting, clearly not expecting to be back on air so soon. O'Connor, left staring into the camera with an awkward smile, held the fort until the broadcast cut to commercials.
The incident, which aired to the entire city, quickly went viral, but instead of criticism, Dillon received an outpouring of support. Commenters on Instagram and other platforms were quick to defend her, highlighting the grueling schedule of morning news and her role as a mother of two young children.
Support From Viewers
One Instagram user, erinecomo, wrote: 'Those morning shifts are so challenging. Let’s give her some grace and support.' Another, filmsofherstory, added: 'She’s a mom of two, a baby and a toddler while doing full reporting in Memphis.'
makeupdiva2know echoed the sentiment, saying: 'She has two small children. Show her some grace!' Some viewers even went as far as to blame the production team, with fluke_in_flow commenting: 'That looks like sabotage to me. Because why would that producer take that shot?'
Dillon Takes It In Stride
Despite the on-air blunder, Dillon has taken the incident in good humor. After the broadcast, she shared a photo on Facebook taken by her co-anchor Ernie Freeman, in which she pretended to be asleep in the background. Freeman captioned the photo: 'Now that The Big Show is over, it’s time for Dominique Dillon to catch another nap.' Dillon replied: 'Couldn’t even give me a nudge.'
The lighthearted response has further endeared her to viewers, who appreciate her ability to laugh at herself. The incident serves as a reminder of the long, unpredictable hours that journalists often face, balancing early starts, late nights, and the demands of family life.
