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American Morning
New York Firefighters Bare Almost All in Competition
Aired March 29, 2002 - 08:57 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: They've been our heroes for a good long while, and their status was enhanced even more after 9/11. We're talking about New York's bravest, but now get ready to see members of the New York City Fire Department as perhaps you have never seen them before.
CNN's Jeanne Moos gets a grip on the love handle competition.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Normally you find firefighters putting out fires, but here, they were generating heat.
From Gabe the Babe to the captain of Engine Company 3 gyrating to "Shaft," this was not your usual fire drill.
(on camera): You weren't embarrassed for them though, right?
UNIDENTIFIED FIREFIGHTER: Not at all, not at all. Never.
MOOS: They did you proud.
UNIDENTIFIED FIREFIGHTER: Oh, yes.
MOOS (voice-over): This was the sexiest love handles competition.
UNIDENTIFIED FIREFIGHTER: Baby, when you're holding on, it's like a lot of love. I'll show you.
MOOS: I could have used a fire escape. A dozen or so genuine New York City firemen volunteered to have their love handles judged. They could use some love handle reduction cream. Just what the contest organizers were promoting. A portion of sales will be donated to the firefighters' widows and children fund.
This guy was dubbed "Sexy Bobby." Sexy Bobby had more than a few tricks up his sleeve. Shades of "The Full Monte." Only organizers call this the half Monte. The audience ate it up, though it wasn't exactly a love handles crowd.
(on camera): We're looking for love handles.
(voice-over): The event was held at a French-owned spa for men, called Nickel. Guys can facials, massages, even hair removal here: something for a hairy firefighter to consider.
Nothing shy about these guys.
UNIDENTIFIED FIREFIGHTER: Did we have rhythm?
MOOS (on camera): You had so much rhythm.
UNIDENTIFIED FIREFIGHTER: Rhythm and class, all the way through.
MOOS (voice-over): The judges were magazine writers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it the next Broadway musical.
MOOS: The crowd was clearly enthralled with Gabe the Babe, who came in second.
(on camera): You almost won, with no love handles.
GABE THE BABE, CONTESTANT: It's the thought that counts, they said.
MOOS (voice-over): The winner had a bit more meat on his bones: Sexy Bobby.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you professionals, for doing so well.
MOOS: In the midst of all the hilarity, there were some suddenly solemn moments. For instance, at the first glimpse of this fireman's twin towers tattoo, and when Bobby brought up September 11.
SEXY BOBBY, CONTESTANT: Just -- can I have just one second of silence?
MOOS: Moments later, the laughter resumed. These guys seem to be living life in the extremes. Sexy Bobby was awarded a trip to Paris, presented by Miss USA.
SEXY BOBBY: Confidence is sexy, and you know what? I'm confident.
MOOS (on camera): Let's feel those love handles.
(voice-over): Something to hold onto when you're being rescued.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MOOS: Sexy Bobby was a handful, I have to tell you he was a handful.
We thought -- you know, I almost didn't do this story, I thought it was going to be some lame love handle contest. I had more fun at this story, I think, than almost any story I've done.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Looks like you and Sexy Bobby were...
MOOS: Yes, well, we...
CAFFERTY: Help me out with something. The guy who came in first was a fat bald-headed guy. The guy who came in second was a young stud with a six-pack, as they say.
MOOS: Well, yes, but it had to do with attitude.
CAFFERTY: Oh, OK.
MOOS: And Sexy Bobby had attitude.
CAFFERTY: Indeed he did.
MOOS: So he won a trip for two to Paris. He says he may donate it to a family of someone who was lost in 9/11, or if no one wants it, he will go to Paris. And he is...
COOPER: He'll bring his attitude, and that will be the second person.
MOOS: And he's single.
CAFFERTY: They are remarkable, those people. They really are. The stuff they do is -- the day that thing happened, that tattoo stopped the piece. I just remember the story of the day the twin towers were hit and these guys are going into the building while everybody else was trying to get out.
COOPER: They are.
CAFFERTY: They're special.
MOOS: Absolutely.
CAFFERTY: Thanks, Jeanne.
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