Richard Gere caused a stir during a live interview on the 'Today' show by making an obscene gesture, which he defended as part of a scene from his upcoming show 'The Agency'. This incident closely followed another controversy where pop icon Cher used profanity on air, highlighting a series of unexpected events on the morning show.
In a surprising turn of events, actor Richard Gere made headlines after displaying an obscene gesture during a live broadcast of NBC's 'Today' show. The incident, which involved Gere flipping the middle finger, occurred shortly after a similar controversy involving Cher, who also used profanity during her appearance. This sequence of events has sparked discussions about live television and celebrity behavior.
While promoting his new series 'The Agency', Richard Gere shocked viewers and host Savannah Guthrie by flipping his middle finger during the live interview. Gere explained that the gesture was a continuation of a scene from his show that was cut off in the clip aired. Despite his explanation, the gesture was deemed inappropriate for the family-friendly morning show, leading to an awkward moment on air.
The incident with Richard Gere came just a day after another high-profile controversy involving Cher, who uttered a profanity live on the same show. Cher was discussing her new memoir and the advice she received from Lucille Ball about her divorce, which led to the unexpected expletive. This event and Gere's gesture have raised questions about the challenges of managing live broadcasts.
These incidents underscore the unpredictable nature of live television, where unexpected actions by guests can lead to memorable and sometimes controversial moments. Both Gere's and Cher's actions have sparked a wider discussion on how live shows can better prepare for such occurrences and the impact of celebrity behavior on public broadcasts.
The back-to-back incidents involving Richard Gere and Cher on the 'Today' show serve as a reminder of the challenges that come with live television. While these moments can sometimes be brushed off as humorous or trivial, they also reflect the broader implications of celebrity behavior in the public eye and the responsibilities of broadcasters to manage live content effectively.
"You just did an obscene gesture on this family morning show!" - Savannah Guthrie
"That’s what the clip was, but we cut that part out. But then you did it live!" - Savannah Guthrie