CBS Reporter Serene Branson: Stroke On Air?

By Zach Dionne Posted Feb 14th 2011 02:15PM

Footage of CBS reporter Serene Branson covering the Grammys Sunday night turned into a clicky video Monday morning, with tweets and blogs gawking at the Emmy-nominated journalist stumbling over her words for a full 10 seconds.

Scarily, rumors bubbled that Serene Branson may have suffered a stroke on air. Telegraph.co.uk wrote in an unsourced report, "It is feared that [Branson] may have suffered a stroke on air. Strokes can cause speech problems in different ways, either by interfering with the brain's ability to recognise and construct words, or by preventing the facial muscles from forming syllables correctly."

While the truth is still unclear, Branson's CBS Los Angeles page was updated some time since the video, saying she was "examined by paramedics."

The full update on Serene reads:

Serene Branson was examined by paramedics on scene immediately after her broadcast. Her vital signs were normal. She was not hospitalized. As a precautionary measure, a colleague gave her a ride home and she says that she is feeling fine this morning.

It's unclear when the update was posted or if more will come.

See the Serene Branson video:

TIME writes, "It's possible that what initially seemed like the next viral video was actually a real-time medical emergency." The magazine's post also links to an article about one stroke being suffered every 45 seconds in America.

The Awl, one of the early posters of the originally seemingly funny video, updated their post to address the situation. "The news is muddled on this -- if it's simply misspeaking, it's very funny. If it's actually a medical incident? That's horrible," Choire Sicha writes.

Tags: Serene Branson

Comments

(31)

Monday 14 February

By jul

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Severe hypoglycemia (blood sugar in the 30s on down) such as can happen in diabetics taking insulin, can mimick stroke symptoms as well. It looks similar. I wonder if she has diabetes?

By Valonda

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I want to give Serene uge props for holding it together through those 20 or so seconds. Any person who saw that clip that didn't understand English would have never known anything was wrong. There was only a split second in the middle where she looked up and then looked slightly scared. She handled it like a supreme professional. Good on you, Branson!

Monday 28 February

By HELLLOOOO

BOTOX side effect warning:
Other side effects have included speech disorder (2 to 10%).
Can't find anything that goes into much more detail but it's listed as a real side effect of Botox. I had Botox in the lower part of my face and the first time I had it my speech was slightly slurred.

Whether a TIA or something else medical, it's sad and I hope she's ok.

By Josh

Are all Jeff's a little light in the loafers? Really ladies, man up stop being so sensitive.Yes it was such an emergency they must have airlifted her right away. Oh, no airlift surely the ambulance rushed her to a hospital,HMMM not that either, then clearly her doctor put her on bed rest the next day. Wow not that , I fail to see the emergency.We need the men in this country to be a little tougher Jeffs. Im sure your deep concern is helping her to a speedy recovery, it must have already worked since she is fine now. Thanks again Nancy.

Tuesday 15 February

By josh

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So many doctors out there. Thats great. Maybe she just had a allergic reaction to the nutter butter she stuffed in her gullet right before the report. Maybe her toungue just became swollen. bda bda bda bda thats all folks. porky Pig signing off.

By Vanny

Wishing her best of luck. Hope she is okay...

Thursday 17 February

By Craig

Awww, I hope she's OK. She looked scared. She's way too cute to be having strokes!

By Jacques L

She should definitely get checked out. Slurred speech is a sign of a stroke. Hope she gets tests like an MRI for safety. The video makes me worry for the poor dear.

By Ed

Its Obama`s fault, guaranteed!

By JOHN

I've enjoyed watching her here in LA. She's talented, intelligent and beautiful. I hope she is fine and will be back on the air soon. Good Luck, Serene!

Friday 18 February

By peterH

Sounds like the same problem Kramer had when he was kicked in the head by Crazy Joe Divola.

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