New York Radio Host Fired After Racist Segment Comparing Famous Black Women's Skin Tones to Burnt Toast

A radio host in the Buffalo, New York area has been fired amid the ongoing fallout from his widely criticized show segment in which he compared toasted bread to a number of Black women. 

In a clip from the moment in question, per TMZ, 97 Rock’s Morning Bull Show co-host Rob Lederman is heard discussing with his co-hosts what he said was his method for toasting bread.

“I have them to the attractiveness of women that I find to be attractive,” Lederman is heard saying in the clip. “I will never go to a Serena Williams level but I’m very comfortable at a Halle Berry level.” When another host brings up Gayle King, Lederman is heard saying she is “not even on my toaster level.”

Lederman has since been fired by Cumulus Media, the company that owns 97 Rock. Two other co-hosts—Rich Gaenzler and Chris Klein—are said to have been suspended. Gaenzler, meanwhile, is confirmed in a regional WGRZ report to have also been booted from his roles as an on-site host for the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bandits.

Buffalo’s Mayor Byron W. Brown shared a statement on Wednesday night in which he “strongly condemned” the racist radio segment.

“The racist commentary made on The Morning Bull show on 97 Rock is outrageous and intolerable,” Brown said. “There is no place in our society for these statements or beliefs. I strongly condemn what these individuals said on the radio this morning.”

When reached by Complex for comment, a spokesperson for Cumulus Media offered the following:

Speaking with the Buffalo News, per their report on Thursday, Lederman said he was “horrified” after listening back to the segment in question.

“I could easily see how someone could be offended by that. I get that,” he said. “It sounds terrible, and it is terrible.”