Another Top 10 Embarrassing News Reporting Fails
For this list, we're taking another look at the times where reporters wished they could've cut to a commercial break, but sadly for them, the embarrassment was caught on camera. If you think we missed one of your favorite news flubs, be sure to check out our original video of the top 10 news reporting fails.
#10: Beagle Takes Studio By Storm
Animals can make for unpredictable partners on tv, and though that can make life difficult for their handlers, from a viewer’s perspective, the results are always hilarious. Weatherman John Zeigler learned this the hard way when Griffey, the studio beagle, insisted on a game of fetch during the forecast. Zeigler quickly gives in and engages the dog - which proves to be his undoing. Griffey returns to the weatherman again and again, even hitting the green screen in his excitement. Although Ziegler smiles through it, you can see him becoming progressively worn down as he weathers the playful but sudden storm of energy.
#9: Eating Floor “Grape Nuts”
The 5 second rule couldn’t save this newscaster. During a live broadcast, weatherman Scot Haney decided to snack on what he thought were some grape nuts strewn on the floor. As fellow anchors mock him for his odd on-air choice, Haney’s facial expressions soon give away that he too is having second thoughts. But viewers soon got an update that made everything worse. In the “Trending Now” segment, Haney reveals that what he thought were grape nuts was actually cat vomit he tracked into the studio on his shoes. Well… that explains why the so-called grape nuts were “a little soggy”. It was funny reveal, but also rather revolting.
#8: The Completely Wrong Clip
Top 20 News Reporting Fails
When it comes to producing video content, editing is crucial. One mistake can throw off an entire segment. Anchor Pat Murphy was updating sports fans about tight end Kevin Everett’s condition after an in-game injury. As Murphy mentions that Everett could move his arms and legs they cut to a video of a completely different man in a wheelchair. The baffling courtroom scene that plays out is horrendously inappropriate for the story. As the newsroom cuts quickly from the ill-timed clip, Murphy manages to keep his composure and finish the report like a professional - but we’re guessing someone behind the scenes got a serious reprimand.
#7: Editing Leads to Murder
As we were saying about the importance of editing… it applies to the script too. In this clip from CBS 5 Eyewitness news, anchor Ken Bastida announced that his co-worker was out before going into the lead story about a recent homicide. However, there was no clear transition between the two topics and the victim’s name wasn’t mentioned. As a result, it looks and sounds like Bastida had just delivered news of a coworkers’ grizzly death with barely any emotion. The real victim’s name and picture does appear, making it clear that his fellow anchor is alright, but seriously... a simple re-read and we could’ve avoided a whole lot of shock and confusion.
#6: Close Interview With Pole
A dedicated reporter doesn’t let anything get in the way of their story. Kent Molgat demonstrated this when he questioned an irritated lawyer trying to walk away. In the middle of his hot pursuit, Molgat walks straight into a metal pole. The hit is so striking that even the annoyed lawyer stops to check up on him. A second camera angle shows that Molgat actually stayed on his feet, but that the impact likely cost him a pair of glasses. We don’t know if his persistence got him any closer to the truth, but talk about a story with impact!
#5: Anchor Laughs at Goat-Man
Each year, Ig Nobel prizes are awarded to strange projects that are funny yet fascinating. But the staff at CTV news couldn’t get past the funny part when talking about one winner. Thomas Thwaites had spent three days living as a goat chewing on grass and wearing artificial limbs. As one anchor discusses his findings, she breaks out into laughter. Although she tries to press on, the visuals prove too much for her to handle. By the end of the segment, three studio anchors are cracking up on air and the goat-man proves himself worthy of his Ig Nobel prize.
#4: High During the News
Top 10 High School Musical The Musical: The Series Performances
BBC Correspondent Quentin Sommerville got a little too close to this highly exclusive report. Sommerville was taping a segment in the Middle East as a large pile of drugs burned behind him. He manages to record for about five seconds before the fumes get to him, causing uncontrollable laughter. Sommerville tries to get serious, but each of his attempts to start over proves more side-splitting than the last. At times, even the cameraman seems affected by the smoke. Their giggles may have come from being under the influence, but the laughs this report produces are completely genuine.
#3: Hamster Mugshot
This may be the worst place a rodent has ever popped up. An anchor was providing an update on a disappearance case that had gone unsolved for years. As she names Rodney Stanger as a new suspect, viewers were shown the image of a hamster holding a movie slate. It’s onscreen moments before the camera zooms quickly back to the anchor. She manages to dismiss the picture and move on with her report, with only a faint smile as evidence that it ever happened. We’ll say it once more with feeling, when it comes to live news, proper editing is vital.
#2: Complete Mic Fail
The Complete Walking Dead Timeline Explained
A reporter can’t do their job with a missing microphone, but they should check for one first. During coverage of the Democratic National Convention, we’re sent live to reporter Andy Shaw at the event. He doesn’t say a full word before looking down at his notes and then looking for a mic, despite having already having a headset to speak into. Ironically, as Shaw screams for a mic, we can hear his every word. When the feed cuts back to the studio, he’s made such a scene that his fellow anchor can’t not smirk at the humor of it all. Before our top pick goes on the air, here are some honorable mentions. A Traffic Wreck of A Rap Bird Poop Special Obama Has 2 Dads?
#1: Guy Mistaken for Expert
Top 10 News Reporting Fails
This may be the most hilarious case of mistaken identity ever recorded. Guy Goma went into the BBC News studios to interview for an IT job. But his interview took a turn when a staff member mistook him for tech journalist Guy Kewney and put Goma on live television. As “Guy Kewney” is introduced, we see the look of fear flash on his face. Against all odds, Goma is able to hold it together and answer the reporter’s questions with surprisingly good answers. Unfortunately, Guy’s quick thinking didn’t get him a job in the IT Department. But it did get him future tv appearances, for which he was actually able to prepare.
