Richard Gere called out by host after ‘obscene’ act on live ‘family show’

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By Nasima Khatun

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Richard Gere was called out by a TV show host after committing an "obscene" act during an interview.

GettyImages-2169782817.jpgRichard Gere was recently called out during an interview. Credit: Annalisa Ranzoni/Getty

Gere, 75, left Savannah Gurthie, the host of the Today Show reeling after he kicked off their interview by performing an "obscene gesture on live TV.

The actor was appearing on the show in order to promote his latest role in the upcoming political thriller series The Agency on Paramount+, which centres around characters who are fighting their own battles as they grapple with existential threats to the nation and the world.

After playing the trailer for the show, the camera switched back to the studio where Gere, who was sat opposite to Guthrie, abruptly flipped the bird in her direction.


Guthrie was shocked, to say the least.

"You just did an obscene gesture on this family morning show," the 52-year-old said in response. "I’m bleeping you!"

The move seemed completely out of character, especially for a man like Gere.

He quickly explained that his character raises his middle finger at the end of the clip from the trailer, which he was alluding to.

"You didn’t show but that’s what I did in the piece," he explained. "That’s what the clip was."

"That’s what the clip was, but we cut that part out," Guthrie responded. "But then you did it live."

"I could see that, but it didn’t make any sense without that," Gere said, trying to defend his bold choice. "My hand did that, I have no control!"

GettyImages-2185784473.jpgGere seemingly flipped off the host on the Today Show. Credit: Cindy Ord/Getty/SiriusXM

Gurthie went on to state that Cher, who appeared on the show the day before Gere, had dropped the "F-bomb" during her interview where she was discussing parts of her latest memoir.

"You know, Cher was on here doing an F-bomb yesterday, so I don’t know what’s happening," she said.

Cher, who just released her new self-titled memoir, talked to co-host Hoda Kotb about how she sought advice from Lucille Ball while wrestling with the idea of leaving her now late ex-husband Sonny Bono amid their relationship issues.

When Kotb asked what Ball told her, Cher replied: "I can’t say it on TV. Do you wanna bleep it?"

The co-host assured her it would be removed so she replied: "I’d known her when I was little. I said: 'Lucy, I’m calling you because to my knowledge there’s never been a situation besides me like yours.'

"She said: ‘F*** him, you’re the one with the talent,'" the superstar singer added.


The use of the expletive had the entire team, including Kotb gasping with shock while Cher just chuckled.

“Well you said I could!” she pointed out and rightfully so!

The hosts on the Today Show clearly aren't catching a break.

Featured Image Credit: Joshua Sammer/Getty/ZFF