# When things go horribly wrong on live television **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 3, 2011, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733 "2011-11-03T12:08:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/101 "2011-11-05T13:23:47Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I think sports could have their own thread, really. Currently active in the Game Room: [Greatest sports play(s) you’ve ever seen](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=630118) [Most embarassing sports play you’ve seen](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=629959) ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2011, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/102 "2011-11-05T14:48:25Z")
Back in the dawn of time, in the early days of tv, when no one dared say anything or acknowledge the most basic bodily functions, those afternoon game shows were being broadcast live. On one of those ‘guess the…’ shows they had a circus guy who brought along an elephant. Big response when the curtain opens, the audience is wowed, everything is going exactly as the producers had hoped. And then, well, nature called and the elephant responded. The camera operator didn’t know what to do, the host was beyond talking, the gamers were aghast and the audience was in tears of laughter. So, he focused on the only one in the studio who was still composed - the elephant - until they could cut to commercial! ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/103 "2011-11-05T22:43:58Z")
If I recall correctly, the [Shockmaster](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf9FVoozgBA&feature=related)’s infamous debut was live. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/104 "2011-11-06T00:13:06Z")
Judy Finnegan’s [wardrobe malfunction](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0apAF7GXPz4). Being Britain most of the ensuing commentary focused on the omg why was she wearing a \*white bra \*under a _black_ dress question-- when they weren’t laughing at husband Richard for thinking the audience reaction was for his Ali G impersonation. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/105 "2011-11-06T00:59:45Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Andy Kaufman intentionally screwed up a skit on the show Fridays. Some people on the show were aware of the plan, but others were not. It got really weird and really tense. The ‘I can’t act stoned’ one? Yeah, that was uncomfortable as hell. But the skit was stupid anyway. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/106 "2011-11-06T01:44:49Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > If I recall correctly, the [Shockmaster](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rf9FVoozgBA&feature=related)’s infamous debut was live. The coversation [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5oMiqJRVqs&feature=related) is hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/107 "2011-11-06T01:45:01Z")
WWF’s Sid Vicious broke his leg pretty much in half on a live telecast. [Here it is](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFfx4f3aimQ). Warning, it’s pretty disturbing. No blood, but…legs aren’t supposed to flop like that. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/108 "2011-11-06T02:02:01Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > WWF’s Sid Vicious broke his leg pretty much in half on a live telecast. [Here it is](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFfx4f3aimQ). Warning, it’s pretty disturbing. No blood, but…legs aren’t supposed to flop like that. Thanks, man, I would rather see the Theisman break again 100 times than to see that. SFC Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/109 "2011-11-06T03:18:57Z")
Shoot, despite seeing it on TV a few times I cannot find a specific failed marriage proposal online. It’s at a game, I can’t remember what kind, maybe basketball. Anyway, the girlfriend is taken on to the court to a large box. The boyfriend pops out of the box with the ring, the girlfriend stares in shock and then walks off. Since I can’t find that one, I’ll just post [9 public proposals gone painfully wrong](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/22/9-public-proposals-gone-p_n_469167.html). ---
**Author:** ![SweetLucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@SweetLucy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetLucy)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/110 "2011-11-06T03:51:01Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Back in the dawn of time, in the early days of tv, when no one dared say anything or acknowledge the most basic bodily functions, those afternoon game shows were being broadcast live. > > On one of those ‘guess the…’ shows they had a circus guy who brought along an elephant. Big response when the curtain opens, the audience is wowed, everything is going exactly as the producers had hoped. And then, well, nature called and the elephant responded. The camera operator didn’t know what to do, the host was beyond talking, the gamers were aghast and the audience was in tears of laughter. So, he focused on the only one in the studio who was still composed - the elephant - until they could cut to commercial! There was a Red Skelton “blooper” sketch (I think I saw it on video years ago) with a cow or horse (I can’t remember which) answered the call of nature. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/111 "2011-11-06T04:16:51Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > Shoot, despite seeing it on TV a few times I cannot find a specific failed marriage proposal online. It’s at a game, I can’t remember what kind, maybe basketball. Anyway, the girlfriend is taken on to the court to a large box. The boyfriend pops out of the box with the ring, the girlfriend stares in shock and then walks off. > > Since I can’t find that one, I’ll just post [9 public proposals gone painfully wrong](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/22/9-public-proposals-gone-p_n_469167.html). Was it [this one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W285WPD87bc)? ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/112 "2011-11-06T05:08:35Z")
I remember seeing a Johnny Carson “Tonight Show” with some naturalist who had brought a coyote or fox. The camera showed the animal beginning to squat, then cut away to Johnny and the guests (I think one was Godfrey Cambridge) with their slightly disgusted reactions to the call of nature. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/113 "2011-11-06T06:28:00Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > Well, here’s this wiki page about the [streaker](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Opel) himself, in which it was mentioned that David Niven wrote down his famous “ad lib” at the dress rehearsal before the show. Which I mentioned in post #93. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/114 "2011-11-06T12:27:40Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Looks like a pack of Marlboro Lights sitting on top of a lighter to me… what do you think it is? > [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Yeah, I’m confused too because they sure look like cigarettes to me. > [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Yeah, I’m confused too because they sure look like cigarettes to me. I agree with you all, and I thought the same thing when I first saw it–but I recall this when it happened, and shortly after a photo of her showed up actually holding whatever it was [some kind of electronical device]. You’ll notice the small “bulge” in the front right corner. The photo of her holding the doohickey had the same characteristic bulge. I’ll try to find it. If you look closely at it, and an image of Marlboro Lights, it’s close, but not it–and I don’t know what brand it might have been to have had that kind of marking (but I am not a cig expert). ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/115 "2011-11-06T13:04:28Z")
[Found it](http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm119/badger60/?action=view¤t=meadephot.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/116 "2011-11-06T20:40:14Z")
[Shaun Ryder/ Black Grape on TFI Friday](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mgPnTUkJqA) was pretty bad for TFI Friday, although it was amusing to see. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/117 "2011-11-06T20:41:42Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Was it [this one](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W285WPD87bc)? Sorry, but no. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733/118 "2011-11-06T21:33:32Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > WWF’s Sid Vicious broke his leg pretty much in half on a live telecast. [Here it is](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFfx4f3aimQ). Warning, it’s pretty disturbing. No blood, but…legs aren’t supposed to flop like that. You didn’t really see it on the live PPV, it was the next night on Monday Nitro where they kept replaying it over and over again. Also, it was in WCW, not WWF. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-things-go-horribly-wrong-on-live-television/601733.md?page=5)