# Broadcast Flatulence **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 26, 2002, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960 "2002-10-26T08:13:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960/1 "2002-10-26T08:13:01Z")
This is a question that has been puzzling me for some time now (not THAT much, mind), and I figure it would find a nice home amongst other such posts, in the interest of knowledge. It is clear to me that the topic of flatulence has been rendered practically harmless in recent years as far as fictionalized works. My question is, has there ever been an instance of unexpected flatulence on any live television and/or radio broadcasts that wouldn’t have had a chance to be edited? I’m referring to, say, the meteorologist on the television news following an abrupt weather warning with an audible warm air mass of his own, or perhaps a reporter on the street causing such nervousness in the interviewee with his dramatic pontifications on air that they offered an involuntary punctuation. Seriously, this is a geniune question, not an attempt an a prank. I am aware at how ridiculous this query sounds; however, in the interest of interpreting our nations double standards in the media, I’m curious to see how this perfectly natural everyday situation is handled, if anyone has knowledge of this phenomenon. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2002, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960/2 "2002-10-26T22:44:54Z")
Unless it was a real rip-roarer, I doubt a fart would be loud enough to be picked up by the mike. As someone who has worked in television since she was 19, I can’t remember it ever happening. **TV Guy** how about you? If I had to take a WAG, I would surmise the “adrenelin” (sp?) of being on camera would be an effective squelch. ---
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960/3 "2002-10-27T04:27:18Z")
Mics used by reporters and anchors aren’t that sensitive, unless the on-air talent lifts his/her leg and REALLY grunts and blows one out; then you might hear it but not likely. ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960/4 "2002-10-27T06:03:09Z")
Aha…they must’ve thought…😛 Another question I’d like to tag on if I may…Are there penalties to be suffered if some person being interviewed live were to pass wind audibly during a live transmission? ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960/5 "2002-10-27T11:17:20Z")
Interview mics (cardiac mics) at least are sufficiently directional that if you are holding it in front of somones face (the mic that is) it’s not going to pick up sounds from your ass. News anchors are usually sitting, which would muffle most farts and I guess that a newsmans lapel-mic would also be sufficiently directional to not pick up, even without a chair to dampen the sound. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960/6 "2002-10-27T11:40:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joe K \* > \*\* > Another question I’d like to tag on if I may…Are there penalties to be suffered if some person being interviewed live were to pass wind audibly during a live transmission? \*\* The penalty would probably be inclusion in the company Christmas blooper reel. You don’t get usually fired from television unless there’s a change in management or you really goofed up BIG time in reporting the facts of a story. After all, it’s live tv. Whatcha gonna do? ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960/7 "2002-10-27T16:45:36Z")
I can’t swear it was a fart, but… At a live racing event, the reporter/announcer guy was going to interview one of the competitors in the garage. The guy evidently didn’t know he was coming, as he was leaning over the engine, apparently torquing on something with a wrench. Just as reporter-guy approaches, there’s a _brraap!_ Reporter-guy then changes his angle of approach to circle around the car from the other side. When the mechanic guy finally sees him, a smile (of embarrassment?) crosses his face. The interview goes on. Now, it might’ve been an engine, or possibly an air wrench, but it sure _sounded_ like an air biscuit. ---
**Author:** ![Church\_Key\_Kid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Church\_Key\_Kid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Church_Key_Kid)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadcast-flatulence/133960/8 "2002-10-27T19:03:35Z")
Don’t know about a fart… but there is a video clip floating around on the internet of a newsreporter who manages to deftly catch a big snotball falling out of his nose! It’s pretty obvious, but he plays it off like nothing happens.