A US television news anchor briefly fell asleep during a live morning broadcast, prompting a wave of attention on social media. However, viewers largely responded with sympathy after learning about the exhaustion that led to the unexpected moment.
Dominique Dillon, an anchor on Fox 13’s Good Morning Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee, briefly closed her eyes while sitting in front of the camera during the July 29 broadcast. She later realized that she had fallen asleep for a few seconds while the programme was live.
Producers Initially Thought She Was Looking at Her Tablet
When Dillon opened her eyes, she noticed that the camera had already moved to another shot. Recalling the incident, she said she felt extremely embarrassed and described the experience as being like a nightmare.
Interestingly, producers in the studio did not initially realize that she had fallen asleep. They believed she was looking down at her tablet.
The clip later circulated widely on social media, attracting a range of reactions.
Lack of Sleep Behind the On-Air Moment
The reason behind Dillon’s exhaustion helped shift the public response from criticism to sympathy.
Dillon is a mother of two young daughters. Her older daughter is two years old, while her younger daughter was eight months old at the time of the incident.
The night before the broadcast, Dillon’s husband was working a double shift, leaving her responsible for caring for the children. She said she tried to put them to bed at around 8 p.m., but her younger daughter was struggling with teething and did not fall asleep until around 10:30 or 11 p.m.
Dillon normally wakes at about 1:30 a.m. to prepare for her early morning shift, leaving her with only a few hours of rest before going to work.
Fox 13 defended its anchor following the incident, referring to the brief sleep as a “power nap.” The station also highlighted the challenges working mothers can face while balancing professional responsibilities with caring for young children.
The incident ultimately drew widespread sympathy online, with many viewers focusing on Dillon’s demanding schedule rather than criticizing her for briefly falling asleep during the live broadcast.
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