CBS viewers fume 'this clown's still laughing' as Tony Dokoupil steps away from studio

Tony Dokoupil was anchoring the CBS Evening News when he halted the show for a breaking news update, which sparked quite a stir online, as viewers vented their fury

CBS Evening News viewers were not happy with one breaking news story in particular.

Tony Dokoupil, 45, was fronting the long-running news program, which had swapped the warm studio in New York City for Baltimore, when he announced a controversial news story. Addressing viewers at home, Tony began the segment saying, "Now to America's gold medal-winning USA Hockey Team. No, not the one celebrated at the State of the Union last night. The women's team, which also beat Canada, also in overtime, and yet it's come home to just a fraction of the glory.

"Here's CBS News correspondent Jonah Kaplan," Tony concluded as he passed on to his CBS colleague who was reporting live from the rink.

"Two Olympic gold medal teams, two very different celebrations," Jonah began. "The men's US hockey team received a hero's welcome. Members of the US women's team already back on the ice practicing for their various professional and college teams.

Lee Stecklein and Kelly Pannek, decorated women's hockey Olympic players, said their absence was due to logistical challenges. 'You want your own invite. You want it to be about how great of an experience it was for us. You know, having two gold medals come out of USA Hockey is something we've never done before,'" the girls explained.

Jonah continued, "Their return from the Olympics was met with fallout from this viral men's hockey team call Sunday with the President," before asking for U.S. Men's player, Jeremy Swayman, opinion on the saga.

"Yeah we should have reacted differently. We know that we are so excited for the women's team. [There's] so much respect for the women's team, mutual admiration," the sportsman said. Jonah then asked, "And how about from the men's team? Is it just one family?"the-mirror-icon_entertainment_tv_cbs

Jeremy replied, "Yeah, that's how it felt like over there. It really did feel like that. You know, full team meal settings. That's part of the great thing about being at the Olympics."

The reporter added, "And while Olympic gold was nice, the goal is the impact on the next generation to increase the opportunity for girls to experience that they would love it back to Nike."We also asked the women, are you going to go for a repeat four years in France? They say we're not thinking about that just yet, because for the players, they're more interested right now in the Paralympic Games, and they want the US to go three for three, another gold medal in Italy," Jonah concluded. Tony rounded off the segment by playfully saying, "Jonah, put on a pair of skates. Send us pictures."

The segment was shared on CBS Evening News' Instagram account with the caption, "Both U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams won Olympic gold, but only the men’s team got the big celebration. Women's players say the real goal is inspiring young athletes."

Viewers were quick to weigh in, with one user gushing, "The women’s team are amazing," as a second added, "Women’s Hockey team," followed by several clapping hand emojis.

Someone else commented, "You go to the White House when invited no matter the politics," as a fourth viewer commented, "Everyone had respect for the women's team. They declined the invitation."

"And this clown still laughing," a fifth chimed in, while a sixth penned, "Yes, the next generation of girls should not be treated as lesser. That’s what it’s all about."