Classic TV Station Cock-Ups

[Radio Mad]

On one of the first occasions RTÉ TV broadcast through the night they made a cock-up of mammoth proportions.
In those days the normal practice was to "closedown" at 11.30pm weekdays and midnight at the weekends.

They stayed on air to broadcast live at 3am a major boxing bout from the USA featuring Barry McGuigan. They preceded their coverage with one of the first TV showings of the brilliant and extremely long film, The Deer Hunter.

The problem was that one of their major transmitters up on Three Rock mountain was timed to shut off at 1am every night, somthing RTÉ forgot to change this particular night.

An hour into the film all of Dublin and a large part of Leinster were left without reception for a whole hour. I managed to scramble together a "rabbits ears", pushed two of the station buttons in at the same time and as a result managed to picked up a very grainy signal. This afforded me the opportunity to continue watching.

At 2pm the transmitter was switched back on, and guess what, because the start of the fight in the States had been delayed by an hour RTÉ stopped the film, rewound it and re-broadcast the previous hour.

I and the people outside Dublin/Leinster who had seen that hour of the film got to see it again and were left with no choice but to watch it if we wanted to see the end of the film.

There are countless cock-ups just waiting to be shared.
Looking forward to hearing your memories.

[Brian O'D]

Great story. I like the bbc world cup story reported in the news on this site. Classic stuffy-nosed BBC types getting it wrong. Priceless. Did anybody witness this?

[KJ]

Methinks that was ITV with The Bill Brian

One cock up that springs to mind is Kelly Brook going "faaaaaaaawking hell" (Cockny style) live to the MTV Select masses after they had botched a phoner and she thought she was off air.

Just as well that girl has amazing looks, lol

KJ

;)

[Dogger]

Remember the time RTE showed a black and white film starring Donald Pleasance and some French bird about a bloke who lived on this little island slightly off the coast of Southern France. The only way to get to and from the island was a causeway uncovered at low tide and this bunch of crooks ended up there on th erun and proceeded to have their evil way with the (extremley willing) bird at different times.
Plenty of nudity and choice language, and the film was screened on a Saturday morning!
Mucho complaino to RTE followed by promises of "we won't do it again, honest".

[Liamo]

Quote of the day comes from Anne Doyle on RTE News:

"The British Secret Service Agency, M-sixteen....." :)

[Iano]

That reminds me of a similar incident involving Clive Tyldsley while commentating on an England game.

''Panic for England with Seaman all over the box ''

Iano.

[Katy Lied]

Anne Doyle really should know better...........

[stereosteve]

Anne Doyle brightens up my evening evry night at nine o'clock. Love the over-the-topness of her make up, the way she arches those eyebrows, ah hell I just love everything about her. As for m-sixteen- one mistake and they pounce for the throat (luckily hers is protected by some beautiful newbridge silver).

[Liamo]

Me ? Pounce on Anne Doyle ???? (ahem, does the Fifth Amendment apply here ?)

To be fair to her, it was a rare slip, and I have to say that she's one of the few of the "more mature" ladies in RTE that I can watch. In fact, Crimeline was almost watchable when she was on it - they should never have let her go!

Of course, she's also remembered for the time her famous neck went bare during the break in the news - the "newbridge silver" had been flashing reflections of the studio lights at the camera all through the first half!

[Nikki Hayes]

we should club together and send her in a trowel courtesy of all her fans at radiowaves.fm LOL

[Radio Mad]

I was more than a little surprised to hear the more than experienced RTE newsreader Anne Doyle refer to the UK's secret service as "M-Sixteen" instead of MI6. For the record it happened on last Monday's 9 O'Clock News. The report that followed used the correct name, but unfortunately Ms Doyle didn't see fit to correct herself or apologise for the gaffe afterwards. And RTE wonder why people like to take the piss out of them.

[TonyCurrie]

And you've never made a mistake, I suppose.......?

[stereosteve]

Now, now. Let's remember who we're talking bout here. This is Anne Doyle. Purveyor of Truth. Gay icon. Irishwoman. Let's not get nasty.

[Liamo]

Ms Doyle didn't see fit to correct herself or apologise for the gaffe afterwards

It depends on your approach.....during a radio training course, I was told that if you make a mistake that isn't giving the wrong info on an event, or isn't libelling someone, then don't correct it because it'll highlight the mistake to people who didn't notice it the first time.

It's a philosophy that I can understand, but one I don't agree with, as I think people who are listening/watching intently deserve to be appreciated as such.

As Tony said, everyone makes mistakes - there's even a thread somewhere here that's devoted to it. The only reason I highlighted the "gaffe" here, was coz the phrase that she replaced "em-eye-six" with was pretty ironic, considering some of the lunatics the same organisation has to deal with!

[father_ted9t9.]

Ah now people we all make mistakes and will ya's leave the poor woman alone... heres some other cock ups on air from irish personality's..


A man has been found dead stuffed into a briefcase floating on the
Grand canal-Gardai are treating it as suspicious!!!
RTE Radio 1 News July 2001
> > > >
"When I said they'd scored two goals, of course I meant they'd
scored one."
RTE Commentator George Hamilton


"The referendum went as most people hoped it would."
Irish Times editorial displaying acute understanding of the
Democratic Process.

"Clap your feet!" Bernie of the Nolan Sisters.


"He's pulling him off. The Spanish manager is pulling his captain
off!"
George Hamilton as Butregueno comes off against Ireland.


"The idea is well and good in theory, but tell me this, who is
going to feed them?"
Wicklow Councillor objects to a proposal to boost tourism by
putting Gondolas on Blessington Lake.


"We are not prepared to stand idly by and be murdered in our
beds."
Rev. Ian Paisley


"What we are doing is in the interest of everybody, bar possibly the consumer."
Aer Lingus spokesman.

"Deep down I'm a very shallow person." Charles Haughey.

"I'm always suspicious of games where you're the only ones that
play it."
Jack Charlton on hurling.

"Outside HIV in Grafton Street."
Gay Byrne plugging Hothouse Flowers appearance.


> > > > CONCERNED RAPIST WORE A CONDOM Evening Herald


> > > > SHARING THE BURDEN OF SCHIZOPHRENIA Irish Times


> > > > DEAD MAN INJURED IN CRASH Irish Times.

"A top level Garda internal inquiry is being held in Connemara
into
an allegation that a local garda shot a cow .... There has been no statement from the cow."

> > > > The Irish Press.

> > > > "I think the Irish woman was freed from slavery by bingo. They can
> > > > go out now, dressed up, with their handbags and have a drink and
>play
> > > > bingo. And they deserve it."
> > > > John B. Keane.

> > > > "I was called out to a non-existant phone call. When I returned I
> > > > lifted my glass, smelled and said 'My God, this is foul, it smells
> > > > like piss'. A voice from the back called but whose?'."
> > > > Wine connoisseur T. P. Whelehan at a tasting in Trinity College.

> > > > "Ludicrous. Ridiculous."
> > > > 1989 edition of Collins Concise Dictionary defines the word
> > > > 'Irish'.

> > > > "Get married again."
> > > > Charles Haughey to women asking for an increase in the widows'
> > > > pension.

> > > > "I can hold a note and I know I'm not ugly so, in ways, that's enough."
> > > > Keith Duffy of Boyzone.

> > > > "Bosco is a Bollox! Bosco is a Bollox!"
> > > > What Zig and Zag were caught shouting (with Ian Dempsey laughing
>in the background) when the cameras returned prematurely from a commercial break during 'Dempsey's Den'. Zag was tossing the Bosco puppet around.


> > > > Ian Dempsey: "What would you give Andrew and Sarah as a wedding
> > > > present?"
> > > > Caller: "I'd love to give Fergie AIDS and put a bomb up Andy's
>hole'"

> > > > Larry Gogan: "With what town in Britain is Shakespeare
>associated?"
> > > > Contestant: "Hamlet."

> > > > Larry Gogan: "Name the BBC's Grand Prix commentator? I'll give you
> > > > a hint. It's something you suck...." Contestant: "Oh, Dickie
>Davies."
> > > > (Murray Walker is the correct answer)
> > > >
> > > > Larry Gogan: "What was Jeeves' occupation?"
> > > > Contestant: "He was a carpenter."


> > > > Larry Gogan: "Complete this well known phrase. 'As happy as.....'
> > > > hint think of me."
> > > > Contestant: "A pig in sh*te."


> > > > Larry Gogan: (after a caller got none of 18 questions right on the
> > > > Just a Minute quiz) - "Ah sure the questions didn't really suit
>you
> > > > did they?"
> > > > Caller: "Ah go fu*k off Larry you're only an old bollox."

> > > > Gerry Ryan: (during a discussion on whether people would like to be buried or cremated when they die) - "Would you like to be buried or cremated?"

> > > > Caller: "Oh, buried Gerry."
> > > > Gerry Ryan: "And where would you like to be buried?"
> > > > Caller: "Up to me balls in Bibi Baskin!"

> > > > Larry Gogan: "And who would you like to play the request for?"
> > > > Caller: "Meself"
> > > > Larry Gogan: "Any particular reason?"
> > > > Caller: "I got me first job yesterday"
> > > > Caller: "A blowjob!"

[Katy Lied]

Lol @ Ted - you've cheered me up no end. I particularly like the one about Zig and Zag and Bosco. I can just imagine Dempsey creased up!:nutter:

[Boston Barney]

For those of you watching in black and white, the red ball is the one beside the pink! Whispering Ted Lowe commentating on a snooker game a couple of years ago!

Classic!

Barney!

[The Mighty 890]

this ... gave me a laugh last Friday.

Before the Italy v Sweden game there was much talk in the studio about Francesco Totti's indiscretion. After the add break, the camera goes to Bill who is lounged back in his chair as always and starts the segment by saying...

"I've been contemplating Totti... (long pause during which there is much smiling and sniggering between Bill and panelists!)...in a manner of speaking"

Okey Dokey!!! :notworthy

[godfrey]

Originally posted by Radio Mad
I was more than a little surprised to hear the more than experienced RTE newsreader Anne Doyle refer to the UK's secret service as "M-Sixteen" instead of MI6.

anyone who's been in broadcasting for more than a minute knows that you don't bring attention to a 'typo' type error by needlessly correcting it. most people didnt even notice it.

obviously this doesnt apply to errors where the meaning of the piece is altered by the mistake, eg; naming a person, place etc. in error

g

[DeargDoom]

anyone see the technical disaster that was RTEs coverage of Bush on Sat afternoon during the press conference. They lost the link once or twice, but it was back in Donnybrook where the gremlins really came out to play. The Primetime special kept going off air and at one stage the picture cut to the newsroom - with Anne Cassin at the desk in the dark, not realising she was on. After a few seconds she began reading from her script (still without studio lights!). she looked relieved once the lights came on and the autocue began to work!

Back then to Primetime for about 10 seconds until a slide for that afternoons "Fair City" came on. Then to black screen to ads etc etc. Then back to Primetime and etc etc etc. The last twenty minutes of the coverage was totally ruined. But the anorak in me kept watching.

[DJ Gab]

That M-sixteen one is a cracker!!

[father_ted9t9.]

Best tv cock up..


Putting Ireland AM on TV3 to air!


:O

[phil fagan]

I surprised this was never posted.....

A few months ago I was watching the 9 o clock News with Anne Doyle. It was either the last or the second last link. She read the autocue, the VT staring running for the report as per normal.... Then all of a sudden the VT footage dissapears but we (the viewers) can still here the audio. What do we witness only Anne Doyle touching up her make-up with her compact. I couldn't believe it. About 15 seconds later she's stillfixing her make-up, sound from the report footage still running and Anne suddenly realises she's live and closes the compact with the one-handed style, and back to the VT. An absoulte classic. :nutter:

[Liamo]

That one's hardly Anne Doyle's fault.

Re Ireland AM.....don't agree; it's pretty good, it's Irish-based, and it's a hell of a lot better than watching Channel 4's attempts at breakfast or putting yourself back to sleep with Big...yawn....Brother...zzzzzzz!

[Boston Barney]

George Hamilton

He's pulling him off, i can't believe it. The spanish Manager is pulling his captain off!!!

Classic!

Barney

[WayneScales]

Speaking of commentators funny quotes....


'He's 31 this year: last year he was 30.' - David Coleman

'The ageless Dennis Wise, now in his thirties.' - Martin Tyler

'The Italians are hoping for an Italian victory.' David Coleman

'Peru score their third, and It's 3-1 to Scotland.' David Coleman

'If that had gone in, it would have been a goal.' - David Coleman

'Ian Rush is deadly 10 times out of 10, but that wasn't one of them.' - Peter Jones

'Neil Sullivan has stopped absolutely everything have thrown at him...Wimbledon 1, Manchester United 1.' - Mike Ingham

'Emile Zola has scored again for Chelsea.' - Radio 5 live

'This will be their 19th consecutive game without a win unless they can get an equaliser.' - Alan Green

'Martin O'Neill, standing, hands on hips, stroking his chin.'
- Mike Ingham

'Such a positive move by Uruguay - bringing 2 players off and putting 2 players on.' - John Helm

'It's now 1-1, an exact reversal of the scoreline on Saturday.'
- Radio 5 live

'The Uruguayans are losing no time in making a meal around the referee.' - Mike Ingham

'Poland nil, England nil, though England are now looking the better value for their nil.' - Barry Davies

Player Quotes

'I took a whack on my left ankle, but something told me it was my right.' - Lee Hendrie
'I couldn't settle in Italy - it was like living in a foreign country.'
- Ian Rush

Interviewer: 'Would it be fair to describe you as a volatile player?'
David Beckham: 'Well, I can play in the centre, on the right and occasionally on the left side.'

'If you're 0-0 down, there's no-one better to get you back on terms than Ian Wright.' - Robbie Earle

'Germany are a very difficult team to play...they had 11 internationals out there today.' - Steve Lomas

'I always used to put my right boot on first, and then obviously my right sock.' - Barry Venison

'I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, but I don't know into what religion yet.' - David Beckham

'The Brazilians were South America, and the Ukranians will be more European.' - Phil Neville

[sportyspice]

Yeah I was lucky enough to see that Anne Doyle incident as well. Definately the funniest thing I've ever seen on TV. Doyle's look of horror which she realised she was on was classic.

I wonder if she had pissed of somebody in the control room and they said I'll show this bitch who's boss.

I'm amazed there wasn't something about it in the papers.

[Boston Barney]

I'm still laughing....


Michael Buerk on watching Phillipa Forrester cuddle up to a male
astronomer for warmth during BBC1's UK eclipse coverage remarked: "They seem cold out there, they're rubbing each other and he's only come in his shorts."!

Ken Brown commentating on golfer Nick Faldo and his caddie Fanny Sunneson lining-up shots at the Scottish Open: "Some weeks Nick likes to use Fanny, other weeks he prefers to do it by himself."

Mike Hallett discussing missed snooker shots on Sky Sports: "Stephen Hendry jumps on Steve Davis's misses every chance he gets."

Jack Burnicle was talking about Colin Edwards' tyre choice on World Superbike racing: "Colin had a hard on in practice earlier, and I bet he wished he had a hard on now."

Chris Tarrant discussing the first Millionaire winner Judith Keppel on
This Morning: "She was practising fastest finger first by herself in bed last night."

Winning Post's' Stewart Machin commentating on jockey Tony McCoy's formidable lead: "Tony has a quick look between his legs and likes what he sees."

Ross King discussing relays with champion runner Phil Redmond: "Well Phil, tell us about your amazing third leg."

Cricketer Neil Fairbrother hit a singl e during a Durham v Lancashire
match, inspiring Bobby Simpson to observe: "With his lovely soft hands he just tossed it off."


Clair Frisby talking about a jumbo hot dog on Look North said: "There's nothing like a big hot sausage inside you on a cold night like this."


James Allen interviewing Ralf Schumacher at a Grand Prix, asked: "What does it feel like being rammed up the backside by Barrichello?"


Steve Ryder covering the US Masters: "Ballesteros felt much better today after a 69."

The new stand at Doncaster race course took Brough Scott's breath
away..."My word," he said. "Look at that magnificent erection."

Willie Carson was telling Claire Balding how jockeys prepare for a big
race when he said: "They usually have four or five dreams a night about coming from different positions."

Carenza Lewis about finding food in the Middle Ages on Time Team Live said:
You'd eat beaver if you could get it."

A female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked, "So Bob, where's that eight inches you promised me last night?" Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too, because they were laughing so hard!

US PGA Commentator - "One of the reasons Arnie (Arnold Palmer) is
playing so well is that, before each tee shot, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them .... Oh my god!!!!! What have I just said?!!!!"

Metro Radio - "Julian Dicks is everywhere. It's like they've got eleven
Dicks on the field."

Harry Carpenter at the Oxford-Cambridge boat race 1977 - "Ah, isn't that nice. The wife of the Cambridge President is kissing the Cox of the Oxford crew."

Ted Walsh - Horse Racing Commentator - "This is really a lovely horse. I once rode her mother."

New Zealand Rugby Commentator - "Andrew Mehrtens loves it when Daryl Gibson comes inside of him."

Pat Glenn, weightlifting commentator - "And this is Gregoriava from
Bulgaria. I saw her snatch this morning and it was amazing!"


Barney!