A Fox News Host's Remark About His Colleague's Dress Is Inexcusable

The controversy surrounding Fox News doesn't seem to be dying down anytime soon. On Wednesday, the network ousted its prime-time star Bill O'Reilly after the surfacing of sexual harassment allegations resulted in droves of advertisers pulling their ads from his show. O'Reilly denied the allegations and claimed they are "completely unfounded." Later that same day, Greg Gutfeld, a male Fox host, implied on-air that his female colleague was giving Americans an erection because of her wardrobe choice. And that is absolutely not acceptable.

During a panel discussion on the Fox News talk show The Five, Fox host Kimberly Guilfoyle quipped with co-host Bob Beckel during an on-air debate.

"Waah waah, crybaby," Guilfoyle joked. "Go call your camp counselor."

"Call your dressmaker," Beckel responded, referring to Guilfoyle's dress.

"And give him a raise," Guilfoyle shot back as she pointed to her outfit. "That's what I'm saying."

Co-host Greg Gutfeld then decided to jump into the conversation, telling Guilfoyle, "You are giving America a raise."

It's almost impossible to conclude that Gutfeld was referring to anything other than an erection. Guilfoyle attempted to laugh off the offensive remark, simply exclaiming, "Oh, my God!" while the other co-hosts seemed visibly stunned by the comment.

Bustle has reached out to Fox News for comment.

This entire exchange is an example of the scrutiny that professional women endure in the workplace. Co-host Beckel's comment about "calling your dressmaker" already veered into dangerous territory. It's not appropriate for men to comment on the wardrobe choices of female professionals, especially when their comments are made in the context of a talk show that reaches millions of people each day. Women are much more frequently subjected to comments about their physical appearance than men, and it is not up to men to determine what is or is not appropriate for women to wear.

Additionally, the conversation the two were having had nothing to do with attire. Since the two were debating about American immigration laws, Beckel should have focused on Guilfoyle's ideas about the topic, and not resorted to commenting on something as trivial as her dress.

Of course, Gutfeld's comment took things a step further. By suggesting that Guilfoyle was arousing viewers during the broadcast, even jokingly, he effectively reduced her to a sexual object rather than the successful legal analyst that she is. Making this statement during a show that reaches millions of viewers sends the message that this type of language is OK, or even funny. It's not.