Inside the CBS 6 Newsroom

Norman Adler and Fred Dicker, October 1987

Dusted off and freshly imported into our Retro 6 web archives: The Oct. 15, 1987 kerfuffle between our CBS 6 political analyst Fred Dicker and a top aide to then-New York Assembly speaker Mel Miller.

If you thought last night’s exchange between Dicker and Carl Paladino was heated, take a look at this argument between Assembly aide Norman Adler and a bespectacled, trenchcoated Dicker (these days, it’s all about the bolo tie). Unlike Wednesday’s match, this one turned all-out physical, with Adler shoving Dicker to the ground.

Dicker had shown up with then-WRGB reporter Judy Sanders to ask about possible misuse of money by an Assembly committee, and wanted a tour of the operations offices.

Judy reports: “After a ten-minute wait, Norman Adler, assistant to Assembly Speaker, came out to read a prepared statement.

“[Adler:] ‘Reporters, photographers and other media personnel will not be permitted spontaneous access to the Assembly’s operations’ offices.’

“Not content with this statement, we proceeded down the hallway, led by Post Capitol Bureau Chief Fred Dicker. Adler turned and tried to kick us out.”

Here’s some of the ensuing exchange:

DICKER: Norman, why are you running away from us? You won’t talk to us any longer?’
ADLER: I’m afraid of you! Because I understand you’re a black belt. (Approaching Dicker) You’re not allowed in here, so please go.
DICKER: This is a public facility.
ADLER: No, it’s not… come on… You know –
DICKER: Who’s paying for these — this place, seriously?
ADLER: Fred –
DICKER: I mean, I’m asking you.
ADLER: Get out of here. Make arrangements with Geoff Taylor, and — (starts pushing Fred) get arrangements with Geoff Taylor. Make arrangements with Geoff Taylor. With Geoff Taylor! With Geoff Taylor! With Geoff Taylor!
DICKER (Down on the ground): What are you, crazy?
ADLER: Make arrangements with. Geoff. TAYLOR.

Here’s an account of that incident by the New York Times:
“Post Reporter Is Shoved By Top Aide to Speaker” (Oct. 16, 1987)

The Times Union Capitol Confidential blog also has an excellent retrospective of Fred Dicker’s previous bouts (and a scorecard, too!)

And here’s the video:

(Shout out to senior producer Tiffany for digging this one up from the dank archives — with no light!)

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