A Memphis television anchor appeared to briefly nod off during a live broadcast, but instead of mocking her, thousands of viewers rushed to defend the exhausted new mom.
Dominique Dillon, a FOX13 Memphis anchor who recently took over the station’s weekend newscasts, became the center of an unexpected viral moment after footage appeared to show her resting her head in her hands with her eyes closed while the camera remained on her.
The brief clip, first highlighted by television industry blog FTVLive, quickly spread across social media.
An Instagram post shared Thursday joked that Dillon had been “caught SLEEP ON CAMERA,” drawing thousands of likes and hundreds of comments.
However, many viewers were not laughing.
Supporters pointed out that Dillon recently welcomed a baby and is reportedly balancing the brutal schedule of early-morning television with caring for two young children.
“She has two small children. Show her some grace!” one commenter wrote.
Another added, “That new mom tired hits WAY different!!”
Some viewers turned their frustration toward the broadcast’s production team, arguing that the control room should never have placed Dillon back on camera if she was not ready.
“The producer and directors wrong for taking the boxes knowing she wasnt ready,” one person commented.
Another viewer called it a major production mistake, writing, “They should have never taken that shot! Number one rule as a producer! Protect the talent!”
The footage also struck a nerve with other television journalists, who said the punishing schedules associated with morning news can leave even experienced broadcasters struggling to stay awake.
“As a news anchor, I’ve fallen asleep before during commercial breaks too… But I don’t think it ever made the air,” one broadcaster admitted.
Another journalist simply wrote, “Those morning shifts are so challenging.”
Dillon was promoted earlier in July to anchor FOX13 Memphis’ Saturday and Sunday newscasts. She also continues reporting for “Good Morning Memphis” during the week.
She joined FOX13 in 2019 after previously working as a reporter for KTAL in Texarkana.
It remains unclear whether Dillon was actually asleep or merely closing her eyes and resting for a few seconds before realizing the camera was on her.
Neither Dillon nor FOX13 Memphis immediately responded to requests for comment.
Whatever happened during the awkward on-air moment, viewers made one thing clear: They were far more interested in showing compassion to a tired working mother than turning her into the latest target of online ridicule.
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