During a recent appearance on the “Today” show, actor Richard Gere stirred controversy by flashing his middle finger at host Savannah Guthrie, leading to a comical yet surprising exchange. Guthrie, startled by the gesture, quickly reprimanded him, asking, “What did you just [do]?” She then attempted to shield his hand with her papers.
Gere explained that the gesture was part of a scene from his upcoming series, “The Agency.” Despite the lighthearted nature of the incident, Guthrie emphasized that it was inappropriate for a family morning show. Gere, undeterred, playfully continued to move his hand, while Guthrie tried to cover all his movements.
As the playful banter continued, Gere claimed he hadn’t realized he was on camera. Guthrie humorously noted that just a day earlier, music icon Cher had also caused a stir by swearing live on the show, prompting them to address both incidents.
Guthrie expressed confusion over the unexpected turn of events, stating they had to edit out the moment from the clip they planned to show. Meanwhile, Gere defended his gesture, claiming it was integral to the clip’s context.
Later in the interview, Gere stated, “My hand did that… I have no control,” highlighting the humorous spontaneity of live television.
This lighthearted incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of live interviews. It’s a demonstration of the challenges hosts face in maintaining decorum while entertaining their audience, particularly in an environment where spontaneity is the name of the game.
In a positive light, such occurrences can bring laughter and levity to viewers, illustrating that even seasoned celebrities can sometimes find themselves in lighthearted, unscripted moments that remind us of their human side.
Summary: Richard Gere’s playful middle finger gesture during a “Today” show appearance shocked host Savannah Guthrie. While discussing his upcoming series “The Agency,” the incident highlighted the unpredictable nature of live TV and brought some unexpected humor to the segment.