FOX13 Memphis presenter Dominique Dillon appeared to fall asleep during a live broadcast as reporter Sheila O'Connor wrapped up a report on the annual Memphis to Peoria run in St. Jude. Dillon was seen with her eyes closed and her head resting on her hands in the studio while O'Connor smiled at the camera as the broadcast cut to adverts.
Viral moment
A clip shared on Instagram joked she had been "caught SLEEP ON CAMERA", racking up thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.
Viewers rushed to defend Dillon, saying she should be "given some grace".
Support from viewers
One fan said: "Those morning shifts are so challenging. Let’s give her some grace and support."
Another added: "She’s a mom of two, a baby and a toddler while doing full reporting in Memphis. Baby, it’s HARD! She does a phenomenal job, and so I understand her to the T. It’s not easy."
A third agreed: "She has two small children. Show her some grace!"
A news star wrote: "As a news anchor, I’ve fallen asleep before during commercial breaks too… But I don’t think it ever made the air."
Producer criticised
Some fans blamed the producer and director for the gaffe, saying they should not have gone back to the studio without checking she was ready first.
One chimed in: "That looks like sabotage to me. Because why would that producer take that shot?"
Dillon was promoted earlier this month to anchor FOX13 Memphis' Saturday and Sunday newscasts, and continues to present Good Morning Memphis during the week.
