Live television is a double-edged sword. It’s a great way for movie stars to promote their films, for politicians to make their key points at election time, and for sportsmen to review games. When they go wrong, however, they can be the most embarrassing, cringeworthy train wreck. Here are 15 of the most awkward TV interviews ever:
15. Robert Kelly’s Uninvited Guests
In 2017, Professor Robert Kelly was discussing South Korean politics on BBC News when his daughter strode into his home office. Next, her infant brother arrived in a walker. Kelly attempted to carry on with his answer, yet you can notice his smile beginning to break.
His wife hurried in to remove the children, which merely attracted even more attention to the situation. Naturally, the kids had no clue what all the commotion was about.
14. A Bad Morning for Cara Delevingne
Addressing your guest as “Carla” when her actual name is Cara is hardly the ideal way to begin on a good note. Cara Delevingne appeared on Good Day Sacramento back in 2015, where the plan was for her to discuss Paper Towns. When the hosts inquired whether she had read the book, her deadpan response went over poorly.
Before long, they were pressing her on why she appeared so annoyed. They went so far as to recommend she take a nap and drink a Red Bull. You might assume that would have been the end of it, yet once the segment wrapped, they continued to talk about her attitude.
13. Robert Downey Jr. Calls It a Day
In 2015, Robert Downey Jr. met with Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy for a conversation about Avengers: Age of Ultron. The atmosphere turned hostile once the conversation shifted to his father and his history of drug use. Downey stopped, glanced away from the camera, and questioned what the interview was trying to do.
The interview continued. Downey, however, did not stay. He stood up, had his microphone taken off, and walked out as Guru-Murthy attempted to offer an explanation.
12. Samuel L. Jackson Is Not Laurence Fishburne
Back in 2014, when Sam Rubin of KTLA questioned Samuel L. Jackson about a Super Bowl commercial, Jackson assumed the interviewer had confused him with Laurence Fishburne. Oh dear. Rubin said sorry and attempted to shift the conversation toward RoboCop, yet Jackson had no intention of dropping the matter.
He proceeded to spell out exactly which actor had appeared in which ad, all while the host simply sat and absorbed it. You can practically sense Rubin silently pleading for someone to cut to a commercial break.
11. Guy Goma Gets the Wrong Interview
Back in 2006, Guy Goma walked into the BBC for a job interview. Instead, he found himself on air, billed as tech reporter Guy Kewney, quizzed about an Apple lawsuit. Just look at his expression the moment he hears that name. The poor guy.
Yet somehow he soldiers on, fielding questions on music downloads — all because he’d been called in by accident. Job interviews are tough enough when you actually know what role you’re applying for.
10. Football as in Soccer?
While promoting Taken 2 in 2012, Liam Neeson was doing the rounds on TV. With little regard to what the interview might entail, it would seem. Neeson, an Irishman, has never shown a major interest in American football. Here, on SportsCenter Live, he has to admit to that. Live. (Ps, he swears!)
9. Bloody Mary this Morning?
Paula Abdul links up to talk to Fox News Live, slurring à la Kerry Katona on This Morning (who doesn’t make this list as we’ve all seen it before)! This was before a stint in rehab and may have been a catalyst for Paula seeking help. Which is good-ish?
8. Bad Interviewee Choice
When being trained in interviewing, one of the most important points to consider is the person you’re interviewing. If the person you’re about to question on live TV is drunk and speaks with an accent you can’t decipher, perhaps move on to one of the hundreds of other people around you instead. Pam Shriver, we’re talking to you.
7. Whatever Happened To…?
Ever wondered what happened to the cute, but rather annoying, kid who played a young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode I back in 1999? Well, this interviewer tracked him down in 2009.
By then, cute little Anakin had turned into a sarcastic, monosyllabic teenager.
6. 2 for the price of 1 Direction
Ah, the awkward moment when Harry met Carrie (The Xtra Factor presenter Caroline Flack) on the set where they had met and had a fling. Cringe! The boys and co-presenter Olly Murs give them a lot of flak [deliberate sic].
5. A Shark, a Duck, and an Awkward Interview
Australian news decided to do a tongue-in-cheek segment on sightings of a shark in a lake. There’s a great build-up at the start of the interview before the ‘shark expert’ is asked if he can catch the shark. He doesn’t. He catches a duck. Ouch. Cue lots of duck jokes.
4. I’m sorry, could you repeat the answer?
Political candidates are often accused of having their own agenda. It’s advisable, however, to at least pretend to answer the question you’ve been asked while you’re being interviewed on live TV. This guy’s fixation on slating his opponent is hilarious.
3. One Snipe Too Many
Clive Anderson probably gets asked about this interview from back in 1997 all the time. He was relentless with his decidedly unfunny questions. Eventually, Barry Gibb had enough and stormed off.
There’s a great moment at 9:19 when you see the reality dawn on Clive’s face.
2. Who’s to Blame?
No awkward interview list would be complete without Meg Ryan and Michael Parkinson. Meg usually gets the blame for being defensive from the outset, but Parky doesn’t help the discomfort by commenting on her body language and dismissing her opinions throughout.
1. Get the Story Straight
This interview is the pinnacle of an already awkward situation, being made ten times worse by not communicating before the interview.
Kudos to fired coach Van Gundy for ducking out of the interview and to player Dwight Howard for being caught in a lie.
