Spare a thought for a woman named Lynne Bilston this morning – and perhaps another for an embattled TODAY producer – who was introduced for her expert comment on a topic she knew nothing about.
Yes, Lynne Bilston was asked for her comment on a matter about NSW Police when she wasn’t from the police at all.
TODAY had cut to the wrong guest.
It all started when host Lara Vella introduced a clip of the NSW Police Force singing a song about cyber-safety to the tune of a Christmas carol.
Then it was time to hear from the NSW Police Force about the origins of the song, and the idea behind it, with Vella introducing Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett.
“It is certainly a catchy tune! I reckon you are hoping that people will remember those lyrics, too?” she said.
It’s just that the woman they cut to wasn’t Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, the commander of the NSW Financial Crime Squad. It was road safety expert Lynne Bilston.
A quietly stunned Bilston mustered up enough of her surprise to tell Vella she had nothing do with the police. Nothing at all.
"Sorry," she said, "I'm actually here to talk about road safety. I'm not from the police."
From there, Vella stumbled pretty well out of the gaffe, throwing straight to host Deb Knight.
"Okay, we'll definitely come back to Detective Superintendent for more on that," she said, despite the fact we just established Lynne Bilston wasn't a detective at all.
"We will throw to Deb now. Thank you!"
No Lara Vella, thank you.
Thank you so very much.
Listen: The Mamamia Out Loud team on Lisa Wilkinson's exit from TODAY.
