On Tuesday Ed Schultz took to the witness stand for questioning. And it seems he has memory issues. Big ones.
The MSNBC host is in federal court this week because he’s being sued by NBC sound engineer and producer Michael Queen for breach of partnership. Queen thinks the host owes him for helping him create “The Ed Show.” Schultz thinks that is nonsense.
One thing that has quickly become apparent in Schultz’s testimony on Monday and Tuesday is that the host likes to name drop. He’s also something of a braggart.
“[Former U.S. Democratic Sen.] Byron Dorgan and I have friends for, I don’t know, 30 years?” Schultz announced to the jury, explaining that he got his own guests for the TV pilot produced by Queen. “I have a long association with Byron. If I had asked him to show up at midnight he would.”
During his testimony, Schultz was asked repeatedly if he had watched the pilot that cost him $12,000. He gave a variety of answers.
On Day 1 the answer was no. Why should he watch it? He’s never seen it.
On Day 2, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Catfish Abbott, refreshed Schultz’s memory about what he said in an email to Queen in which he called it “fucking awesome.” Schultz initially stuck to his story that he’d never seen it, but eventually came clean that he saw the video one time — and by saw he means he saw it in the recesses of his mind.
Catfish: “Did you refresh your memory last night or watch any videos?”
Schultz: “No sir, I didn’t.”
Catfish: “Is it your testimony that you never saw the pilot that you paid 12,000 for?”
Schultz: “That is correct.”
Catfish: “Do you recall being present for your deposition in 2014?”
Schultz: “Yes.”
Catfish continued pressing Schultz on whether he watched the pilot.
“I saw it one time — yes sir,” said Schultz.
Which one is correct, Catish wanted to know. Did Schultz see it or not?
“They’re both correct,” stammered Schultz defiantly.
HUH?
Schultz said he doesn’t need to watch a pilot to be able to assess how it went. “I’ve been around long enough to know what good TV is Mr. Abbott,” he snapped.
Now, how about the quality of pilot — did Schultz like it?
“I thought the pilot was just fine — I think I used the word excellent,” he said.
Catfish quietly asked, “Do you recall using the words ‘fucking awesome?'”
Next up for debate: the cost of the pilot.
“This was an expensive pilot to record,” Catfish reasoned.
Schultz disagreed. “I would say no, it was a rather cheap pilot, just over $10,000,” he said.
Schultz’s working class watchers may beg to differ on $12,000 being chump change.