Source: Shutterstock.com
When preparing for a live show, television networks have developed various ways to prevent anything inappropriate from accidentally airing, whether it be a slight second delay or playing prerecorded music. Still, suggesting a taped show and just saying it was filmed live might be pushing it. The hosts of MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, learned this the hard way when a “live” episode meant to air the day after Thanksgiving accidentally gave away that it was filmed two days before.
‘Yeah, that was a great Thanksgiving’
Brzezinski opened the show by saying, “The day after Thanksgiving, woo! I’m stuffed!” Scarborough chimed in with comments about old turkey and football, adding, “Yeah, that was a great Thanksgiving.” In reality, however, the episode was filmed the day before Thanksgiving.
Viewers realized what had happened when an attack in Egypt, which claimed the lives of 305 people, occurred during the “live” show with neither of the hosts commenting on it. In addition, the network was aware of the attack, as a news ticker which played beneath the show throughout the broadcast made reference to the attack, according to Daily Mail.
A show executive later confirmed that the show had not been filmed live. In a statement with The Washington Post, it was confirmed, “There was no intention to trick viewers,” adding that while there was no attempt to add a disclaimed assuring the broadcast, it is not something that is “typically done.”
Viewers responded to the incident, including the one who first noticed what happened
Viewers took to social media to voice their annoyance with the incident, with the one who reportedly noticed the incident in the first place saying, “I was quite flabbergasted by the way they were so deceptive about this…especially when they are always so quick to castigate lying [or] deception they attribute to others,” in a statement.
Other comments from viewers included:
If you weren’t trying to deceive their viewers why did they need to pretend it was Friday and thanksgiving had already passed?
This show is so stupid. Why fake what day you record your show?
Not cool Morning Joe. I trust you but now I’m doubting myself
