[Newsletter] 07.23.26 | “It’s crazy because it’s not murder, it’s not beating somebody.”
July 15, 2026Summer is in full swing, and this month’s memo brought plenty of entertainment — ranch dressing, anyone? We also saw apologies worth dissecting, lessons worth remembering, and a textbook example of why media training matters. From Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire to Law & Order: SVU’s Mariska Hargitay to NASA leadership, June delivered some classic You Don’t Say moments. Read on, stay cool, and enjoy.
THE WINNING COMMENT
Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire made it clear that he is standing by quarterback Brendan Sorsby as he works through his gambling addiction. The issue was how he framed gambling addiction during a luncheon at the Houston Touchdown Club. McGuire said, “It’s crazy because it’s not murder, it’s not beating somebody.” All in all, he is supporting his player, but by repeating the negatives, even to deny them, his comments became a classic You Don’t Say comment.
Yahoo Sports, “Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire defends Brendan Sorsby amid gambling addiction recovery: ‘It’s not murder; it’s not beating somebody’” June 10, 2026
THE RUNNERS-UP
For the first time in its 26-year history, Law & Order: SVU has a female showrunner. The show’s veteran star Mariska Hargitay said, “there’s no toxicity,” leading everyone to think there might be. This is a perfect example because while the theme of the article is extremely positive, the headline was framed in the negative.
Variety, “‘There’s No Toxicity’: Mariska Hargitay and the ‘Law & Order: SVU’ Team on How the First Female Showrunner in 26 Years Changed Everything” June 12, 2026
NASA leaders found themselves in a sticky situation when it was announced that there would be no female astronauts on the Artemis III mission. In response to public inquiry, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, “astronaut assignments are based solely on mission needs, experience, and readiness—not politics.” He should have stopped at the word readiness.
Instagram, June 10, 2026
YOU DO SAY
One of the most delightful things to come from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, aside from the amazing matches and stellar plays, was watching visitors from around the world discover and fall in love with an American staple: ranch dressing. The TSA jumped on the bandwagon, as did Kraft, who debuted a limited-edition “Kraft TSA Compliant Ranch” kit. The TSA took to its social channels, posting things like “One World. One Ranch,” and “Days since last airport ranch incident: 0.” Simply brilliant!
The Hill, “Ranch lovers, rejoice: Kraft debut TSA-friendly kit amid viral craze” June 19, 2026
APOLOGIES
During an appearance on W. Kamau Bell’s “Who’s With Me?” podcast, “Cheers” star Ted Danson, apologized over his controversial performance in blackface at the 1993 New York Friars Club roast of Whoopi Goldberg, his girlfriend at the time. “I know what was in my heart, so I have no problem talking about this,” he said. “But I need to, and want to, apologize for the rest of my life. Because somebody today can go on the internet, you’re right, and go … ‘Wow, I feel betrayed, I feel angry,’ and whatever. And I did that.”
USA Today, “Ted Danson addresses wearing blackface at 1993 Whoopi Goldberg roast” June 3, 2026
If you know anything about Swifties, it’s that they’ll stand up for Taylor Swift every time. Knicks Broadcaster Monica McNutt learned this during the NBA playoffs when she implied that T-Swift was a fair-weather Knicks fan. When confronted on the streets of NYC by TMZ Sports, McNutt had a solid apology while stating her case. Excerpts included, “Swifties, I appreciate your passion, I said what I said and here’s the deal…” followed by the apology “I apologize if I’m wrong and apparently, I’m wrong.”
TMZ Sports, “Monica McNutt apologizes to Taylor Swift over Knicks fandom comments” June 11, 2026
GOOD TRAINING EXAMPLE
This is why media training is very important. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani resisted falling into the trap of repeating and denying the negative when he was asked a multi-part question framed in the negative. The reporter asked Mayor Mamdani if he had active beef with Knicks owner James Dolan and if he had spoken to him at the parade. Instead, he had an excellent listening face and replied, “we’ve spoken both today as well as before and I think what I appreciated about today was we were able to work together to make this a day that New Yorkers were able to celebrate and experience, because this is something people are going to hold onto for the rest of their lives and I’m happy to work with anyone to make sure that’s possible for as many people as can be possible.”
MS Now, “Chris Hayes asks Zohran Mamdani if he has beef with Knicks owner James Dolan” June 19, 2026
“You Don’t Say” is a reminder not to repeat and deny a negative word because of how the listener hears words. When you repeat and deny a negative word, the listener is likely to overlook the denial and hear the opposite of what the speaker is trying to say.