Live TV Captures The Funniest News Reporting Fails

Published on 01/27/2023

When we turn on the 6:00 news, we are usually greeted to an unparalleled routine in professionalism. Reporting the news is difficult, but newscasters manage to complete the program without incident. Not all of the time. Reporting live increases the likelihood of an error or blooper. From bizarre weather to random pedestrians looking for their three seconds of fame on live television to seemingly innocuous inanimate items that somehow make their way into the story, you have the ideal recipe for the ultimate news reporting fail. Check out this hilarious collection of news reporting blunders and relive these hilarious incidents as they occurred live on television.

The Funniest News Reporting Fails Captured On Live TV

Live TV Captures The Funniest News Reporting Fails

Werk It!

When you have an audience, you have to take advantage of your chance at stardom. At the very least, internet celebrity!

Werk It!

Werk It!

Out Of Water Fish

This is one reporter that is definitely a fish out of water.

Fish Out Of Water

Out Of Water Fish

Dude, Like, Watch Out

How does he not see the fast inner tube going straight at him!?

Dude, Like, Watch Out

Dude, Like, Watch Out

Peek-A-Boo!

This was a double victory. You have the weird kid. Then there’s the bizarre GIF loop in which the person appears to switch races while sprinting!

Peek A Bo

Peek A Bo

Uh, Poor Hand Gesture Choice..

She should have given her gestures a little more thought before appearing on air.

Uh, Poor Hand Gesture Choice..

Uh, Poor Hand Gesture Choice..

Too Up Close And Personal

Oops! Someone wasn’t quite ready to go live.

Too Up Close And Personal

Too Up Close And Personal

This Bankruptcy Is Making Me All Hot

We guess bankruptcy definitely revs up these guys’ engines!

This Bankruptcy Is Making Me All Hot

This Bankruptcy Is Making Me All Hot

Pantsed!

You deserve to be pantsed if you don’t wear a belt with your suit.

Pantsed!

Pantsed!

We Hope She’s Alright

Excellent tackle! We’ll need an ice pack over here… And the ref couldn’t give a damn. “Touchdown!”

We Hope She's Alright

We Hope She’s Alright

Why Would You Do That?!

You shouldn’t sneak up on unsuspecting reporters, but his reaction is priceless.

Why Would You Do That

Why Would You Do That

‘I’ll Just Grab Onto This Rope Here Annnnndddd….’

While reporting on a boat, don’t rely on random ropes for better balance. Rookie error!

I'll Just Grab Onto This Rope Here Annnnndddd....

I’ll Just Grab Onto This Rope Here Annnnndddd….

‘Look Ma, I’m Gonna Be on TV…’

Wow. Put this in the News Reporting Fail Hall of Fame!

'Look Ma, I'm Gonna Be On TV...'

‘Look Ma, I’m Gonna Be On TV…’

Blast … Down?

Up, up, and what a…… flop!

Blast ... Down

Blast … Down

Pretty Sure This Is Just a Ratings Ploy

Is there any reason why a weatherwoman would need to do jumping jacks while on the air? We’re not complaining.

Pretty Sure This Is Just A Ratings Ploy

Pretty Sure This Is Just A Ratings Ploy

This Is Definitely A Ratings Ploy!

This one is actually a victory for cuddling this kitty. Who wouldn’t watch weather cats?

This Is Definitely A Ratings Ploy!

This Is Definitely A Ratings Ploy!

First On The Scene!

At the very least, this reporter will be able to claim that he was the first person on the scene of this disaster!

First On The Scene!

First On The Scene!

‘Um, We’ll Be Right Back

The expression on the face of the station reporter is priceless.

'Um, We'll Be Right Back'

‘Um, We’ll Be Right Back’

Snow Angel?

A weatherman, you’d think, would be fully aware of the perils of standing by the side of the road during a snowfall.

Snow Angel

Snow Angel

Dance Like No- Somebody Is Watching!

Someone certainly went a little too far with their alcoholic brunch.

Dance Like No Somebody Is Watching!

Dance Like No Somebody Is Watching!

My God, She’s See-Through!

Liberté Chan of KTLA wore a light-colored outfit on air for her morning weather broadcast, not realizing it would blend in with the green screen behind her. I’m not sure what the other reporter is doing with his coat. She’s not naked, buddy.

My God, She's See Through!

My God, She’s See Through!

When The Economy Hits You In The Face

How can you rise above the question of politics vs economics when your set is practically collapsing on top of you?

When The Economy Hits You In The Face

When The Economy Hits You In The Face

I Think You Missed Your Mouth…

Most individuals miss their mouths by a fraction of a second, but this newscaster didn’t even get near to her lips before splattering hot tea all over herself.

I Think You Missed Your Mouth...

I Think You Missed Your Mouth…

Ahh! It’s A Pterodactyl

This clip could not have been more amazing. Between reacting to a Beatles like a hornet and the appropriate phrase “Super Lucky Friday,” this news mistake is pure gold.

Ahh! It's A Pterodactyl

Ahh! It’s A Pterodactyl

Are We On?

Pro tip: When the red light comes on, it usually means it’s time to stop texting (?) and start reporting. (However, this is also on the person who was supposed to give her a countdown.)

Are We On

Are We On

*SQUUUUUUEEEEEE*

Someone is overjoyed to be breaking news.

SQUUUUUUEEEEEE

SQUUUUUUEEEEEE

Ooops

Perhaps don’t stage the report in front of the seated colleague, who then ends up awkwardly stepping out of the way on camera.

Ooops

Ooops

Slide Away

On the one hand, the staffer who wanders into the shot should most likely be disciplined for not paying attention. His graceful slip away, on the other hand, is terrific.

Slide Away

Slide Away

Lunch?

That is one tasty-looking microphone…

Lunch

Lunch

‘Huh?’

“Do I appear surprised? “I hope so because this is my shocked expression.”

'Huh

‘Huh

Just Dance…

Perhaps we’re in the minority, but television news could use more spontaneous dance parties.

Just Dance...

Just Dance…

Intruder Alert

Yeah, no one needs to see that dance on television, or even in person.

Intruder Aler

Intruder Aler

A Single Arm Block Is Good…

This reporter absolutely would not let a pedestrian go past her shot. She would not be outdone in that regard…

A Single Arm Block Is Good...

A Single Arm Block Is Good…

… A Double-Arm Block Is Better

This reporter was able to keep not one, but two intruders at bay. They also appeared to be planning a kiss.

FDF

… A Double-Arm Block is Better

Sideye

We’re not sure what this reporter saw off camera, but we totally admire his awkward quick sliding away skills.

Sideye

Sideye

“Put Me In Coach”

While we feel awful for the sports writer who was hit in the head with a towel on live TV, we think the team should find that fan and sign them up because of their arm and accuracy.

Put Me In Coach

Put Me In Coach

Bababooey?

What are the chances she was a fan of Stern? It has to be at least even money…

Bababooey

Bababooey

Heads Up

In retrospect, perhaps reporting with one’s back to skateboarders wasn’t the best option.

Heads Up

Heads Up

Soft Kitty…

We’re not sure what makes this gif better. The over-the-top reaction of the reporter, or the small cat’s superb timing in stepping into a shot about a giant cougar.

Soft Kitty...

Soft Kitty…

Shocking

So, what exactly happened here? Is that an electric shock coming through the microphone?

Shocking

Shocking

Timber

To be fair, this reporter did an excellent job of staying out of the way. We would have been crushed.

Timber

Timber

Ouch

We don’t think it was the kind of… um… “athletic achievement” this sports reporter expected to be discussing that evening.

Ouch

Ouch

Oink?

This reporter must have irritated someone in the graphics department. It’s just a random guess.

Oink

Oink

Umbrella… Ella… Ella… Eh Eh

Do you suppose this reporter now gets PTSD flashbacks whenever he hears Rihanna?

Umbrella... Ella... Ella... Eh Eh

Umbrella… Ella… Ella… Eh Eh

Worming Away

In this gallery, we’ve seen staffers caught in the background sprint and slide away, but we can’t recall another occasion of one doing the worm.

Worming Away

Worming Away

Flattened

That football player never saw this poor reporter coming…

Flattened

Flattened

Fountain Of Youth?

That has to hurt… at least her pride (though we’d wager her back as well). But it might be worse; she just fell into a fountain. And speaking of which…

Fountain Of Youth

Fountain Of Youth

Splashdown

Here’s hope the network covered her dry cleaning fee because getting rid of that river smell can be a nightmare…

Splashdown

Splashdown

Smooch

What better way to end than with a stolen kiss?

Smooch

Smooch