What Tiger Could Have Learned From Letterman, Chris Brown and Kobe

By Jo Piazza Posted Dec 4th 2009 08:55AM

Why hellllo Hurricane Tiger Woods. The professional golfer is living in the eye of the perfect media scandal storm this week, and early predictions say life for the former boy phenom isn't going to get easier any time soon.

Did Tiger's multi-million dollar team of brand managers and image consultants go on an extended Thanksgiving holiday? We just ask because it hasn't been Tiger's "transgressions" that have been driving this scandal, it has been the way they've been handled.

There is no lack of examples to draw from when it comes to the rich and famous ... transgressing. Here are a few of the plays Tiger should have borrowed from the School of Celebrty Scandal playbook to ease the pain of the past couple of days.

Like David Letterman, just come clean, early and often. "The recent David Letterman situation was handled well. He came forward and admitted the affair and explained the situation clearly and quickly. He took responsibility for his actions and apologized. It is not possible to entirely avoid some hit to your public persona when you have done something wrong. But, David Letterman shows that the public can be forgiving when you are honest and show remorse," says public relations expert Jennifer Cody, director of public relations with Wongdoody.

Like Chris Brown, go on TV. Tiger could opt to do a high profile televised interview (or like Chris Brown, 6 of them!!). "One televised interview with a serious and well-liked journalist would allow him to move past this. He doesn't need to go into tons of detail, but right now his refusal to talk is what's creating all of this demand for the stories from the other women," says Alexandra Golaszewska, of Eastern Star Communications.

Like Hugh Grant, make a funny. After Grant was arrested for indulging with Hollywood prostitute Divine Brown, he appeared on "The Tonight Show." In addition to proffering his apology to Jay Leno and all of America, Grant was funny and apologetic. The problem here is that Tiger isn't that funny, and definitely isn't as charming as Hugh Grant so maybe he should remind the public of just how boring he really is. "Best thing he could do is a long, long PBS type interview to remind everyone just how dull he is. Everyone seems to have forgotten why we never cared about him in the first place," says PopEater's own Rob Shuter, who has a former publicist knows a thing or two about celebrity crisis control.

Like Angelina Jolie, kill them with kindness. No one can hate a wife-stealing temptress when she adopts babies from all over the globe and works as a United Nations Global Ambassador. Well except Jennifer Aniston, who can still hate her a little.

Like Kanye after he acted like a jerk at the MTV Video Music Awards, blame it on the stress of just being you. "So many celebrities, they never take the time off," West said on Jay Leno's primetime show. "I've never taken the time off to really -- you know, just music after music and tour after tour. But I need to, after this, take some time off and just analyze how I'm going to make it through the rest of this life, how I'm going to improve." And, don't forget to cry a little.

Like Kobe, just play the game. If Tiger comes back from all of this and wins the Masters Tournament, all transgressions will be forgotten, because everybody likes a winner. No one mentions Kobe Bryant's little transgression anymore as long as he's playing some fierce ball. "Kobe Bryant had sex with another woman. He held a press conference with his wife next to him (sporting a new diamond ring). To this day, there are a few jokes heard but he gets on "SportsCenter" almost every night for his incredible basketball skills, not infidelity," says Justin Herndon, director of publicity and news for The Publicity Agency.

Comments

(27)

Friday 04 December

By ajgorm

Vote down Vote up Report this

It is not what he could learn from them it is what he did learn from them.

By jnzcram

What he could of learned is to keep it in his pants instead of hitting on every female who use their bodies to make a living. Anyway Tiger needs to be tested for STDS if he slept around with all those women.

By barb

The lesson to be learned is, when you play, you will eventuality pay. one way or the other. also, don't they think about sexual diseases?

By Joan

Guilty and gullible...is the character of mankind.
Jesus came for sinners and mankind fits the mold.
Please try not to gloat over Tiger and his problems..look in the mirror...and check out your own. That includes me, too. God have mercy on all of us.

By Bobo

Now he should run for President.
He's ready for the top job.

Saturday 05 December

By renie

just feel sorry for his wife That hurts!

Wednesday 19 May

By Turtle

Remember - Kobe didn't JUST have sex with a girl outside of his marriage. He raped her. He is a rapist and it amazes me that some people have chosen to ignore that.

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