What I’m about to confess happened when I was starting out as a cub reporter. Even now, nearly eight years later, it’s hard to write about what I did, what I said. I should probably just pretend it never happened. But maybe it’ll serve as a cautionary tale to other cub journos.
I’ve sworn on television before. I dropped the F-bomb. Three times. In one sentence. On live television. Breakfast television. With children watching.
A proud career moment this definitely was not.
I didn’t even realise I was on air at the time. I was covering a flash flood that had hit the Gold Coast, and had just finished a live cross to the Today show. I’d just turned 23, was new to the show and live tv, and this had been a difficult cross. My earpiece had terrible feedback and I could hear myself on three second delay. Very off putting. I’d also been awake for 24 hours. I was tired and cranky.
After struggling through four and a half excruciating minutes of live tv, the sound director told me over a crackling earpiece that I was ‘clear’.
But my real misery was yet to come.
I wandered over to our tech, who was operating the link truck. We’d known each other for years and had a good, very blokey, rapport. He smiled grimly, as I started whining, exasperated…
‘Oh mate, we’ve gotta sort this f*@king earpiece out. I can’t f*@king hear myself f*@king think’.
He nodded sympathetically. He’d dropped a few choice swear words himself before the live cross. It’d been a stressful morning for everyone.
My phone suddenly rang. It was my Chief of Staff. ‘You’re in big trouble, young lady.’. Was I ever. Every word I said had gone to air.
I was mortified.
Viewers took to the Internet to unleash their viciousness. ‘That foul-mouth should publicly apologise for her expletive-ridden rant! What a waste of oxygen! Sack her!’
Top Comments
Does anyone else think that the TV station and show had a ridiculously over the top reaction to Sarah's gaffe? Never mind the TV critics with small minds, an Internet connection and too much time?
It's not like Sarah was swearing AT someone, which would certainly be cause for apology. I think it could have been taken with a lot more humour, a few salty words is really not that big a deal!
Sarah I think you are fabulous - natural relaxed and relatable
Exactly the attributes of the other key staff on the Today Show - Lisa, Karl, Georgie, Ben, Leila, Cam, Steve and Emma
Keep it up - I will keep watching you !