Fired News Anchor A.J. Clemente Tells David Letterman He'd Like a Job With ESPN

Late-night host says he's just "trying to get you the job back in Bismarck"

By Rebecca Macatee Apr 25, 2013 5:05 PMTags
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If at first you don't succeed, try again at a much bigger and more demanding job.

Well, try for that if you're A.J. Clemente, the North Dakota news anchor who was fired for cussing within his first few seconds on air. On Thursday, the unemployed journalist dropped by The Late Show With David Letterman to chat about his career-altering gaffe and what new job opportunities might come from it.

"I shouldn't have said the words to begin with," he said. "But it was a perfect storm of a whole bunch of mistakes."

VIDEO: What A.J. did right after getting fired

Dave, kindhearted TV vet he is, had some kind words forA.J. "This is nothing; people who have been in the business for decades have had this happen to them. Some even knowing they were on camera have done things like this," he said. "You my friend, have nothing to worry about."

That said, is A.J. done with the news business? "I've thought about it," he said. "But if ESPN comes knocking…"

"Look, I'm trying to get you the job back in Bismarck, forget about ESPN," Dave cut in. "That ain't gonna happen. You're going back to Bismarck."

Hey, stranger things have happened.