The man arrived in reception and shouted his name. ‘Guy?’
He stood up and walked towards him, ‘Hello.’
‘This way, we haven’t got much time.’ Odd, he thought, his interview for a BBC accountant job wasn’t for another twenty minutes.
They hurried along corridors. ‘It’ll be Karen interviewing you. Just give her the answers and keep them short.’
They walked into a studio. ‘Take a seat right there.’ Guy sat down. A make-up woman dusted his face. Strange.
‘Hi, I’m Karen,’ said the woman sitting across from him, ‘All set? Don’t be nervous. Just look at me.’
A person counted down ‘On-air in 3-2-1…’
Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).
To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
This week’s prompt was a little close to home for my own work, but it did bring to mind one of my favourite, funniest TV studio moments. In 2006, Guy Goma arrived at the BBC for a job interview as an accountant. A mix-up meant he ended up on-air, mistakenly presumed to be Guy Kewney, a technology expert, and was interviewed about a legal case involving Apple. Rather than admit he was the wrong guy, he went along with the interview and answered as best he could. The result is TV gold!
Also linking to Fandango’s One-Word Challenge for today: Pundit.
Iain Kelly 
78 responses to “THE WRONG GUY”
A wonderful moment in the history of broadcasting. I wonder what was going through his mind during that interview. A sequel maybe, Iain?
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Yes, a bit constricted by the 100 words to tell the full story. It would be fun to write from his point of view.
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This is so good. 🤩😂
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Thank you Sadje 🙂
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You’re welcome 😉
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I so remember that. As you say, TV Gold. His face at the beginning. Thanks for revisiting.
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I think it’s his reaction that makes it so memorable, and the fact they both just carry on with it!
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didn’t something like this actually happen to some guy?
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It did, you’re missing a treat if you haven’t seen it before. Click on the YouTube video for a chuckle.
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oh, sorry, didn’t realise you’d posted the vid too. I generally just scoot past images since half the time I can’t tell what they are!
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a brilliant reminder. I love how she keeps going with the interview, obviously not listening to a word the guy is saying.
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The fact they both just keep going, while she must have realised this wasn’t going well at all, but just accepts his nonsense answers!
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I doubt she was listening to him.
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I remember that too.
I think Guy is in the dictionary beside ‘bewildered’!
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Just a picture of his face at that first realisation! 🙂
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This is Gold indeed! I wonder if he didn’t get the job in spite. BBC got pissed off and didn’t give him the job?
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He went for his proper interview after the mix up… and didn’t get the job! He did however get a bit of fame and plenty of TV guest appearances afterwards!
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It’s a shame he didn’t get the job, maybe they gave it to the other guy instead.
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🙂
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I’m afraid I don’t remember this at all! It’s classic though. Shame he didn’t get the job.
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Glad I could bring it to your attention. It really is a classic 🙂
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That was so brilliant.
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Thanks Joanne, I love it too, makes me laugh everytime 🙂
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Dear Iain,
It just shows that truth is often funnier than fiction. Thank you for sharing this. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle 🙂
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lol, “I;m very surprised… a big surprise….” I guess if you are there, go for it…
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He gets top marks for muddling through 🙂
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Wow wow wow! I missed the real story the first time around (I was in the throes of moving to Fiji in 2006). TV gold indeed. Just wonderful.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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It’s a classic, really like something from a comedy show. Thanks Susan.
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Unreal. It shows that you should be a little more specific. Too funny.
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It pays to pay attention to the details – like surnames! Thanks Michele.
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Brings to mind that viral video of the nervous guy who threw up on live TV. Well done.
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Not seen that one – not sure I want to!
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Network. An amazingly prescient film
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Ah, I see, I thought you meant in real life 🙂
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oh there was a viral video of a guy throwing up on stage. just look up guy throws up on newscast and you’ll see it. it made the rounds
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I remember this one – as you say, it was gold. I think we expect so much of our news reporting, it’s nice to see something a little human sometimes. Although I recently suffered an enforced switch to Channel 4 and it shows just how polished the BBC are.
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Ha, to be fair channel 4 do some pretty good news too. I agree, it’s always nice to see things go a little awry, especially if it’s in a harmless way. It makes everyone seem a bit more human.
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Good for him for not shying away from the questions. He did well under pressure. It’s a pity he didn’t get the job. I wonder what the real “Guy” thought about this case of mistaken identity. Thanks for sharing, Iain.
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Not the job, but probably a more memorable life experience than he could have hoped for!
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Yes, that would have been more worthwhile.
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Hilarious! The smile I needed, thanks, Iain!
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You’re welcome! Thanks Dora
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That’s great! He handled it like a pro 🙂
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He certainly handled it well! Thanks Linda
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I’d forgotten all about that! I’m so pleased you dug it up, Iain!
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You’re welcome Keith, always gives me a laugh!
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I am nervous for him!
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He is endearing in a hapless way!
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Thank you for the laugh, Iain. The poor Guy!
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You’re welcome 🙂
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I used to work with a gay guy named Guy (Scout’s honor!)
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You told this true story with fluency and humour. Nice one, Iain!
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Thanks Penny
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Bless his heart for going with it. After all, it was their mistake and he probably didn’t want to ruin it for them. My question is, did the person who grabbed the wrong “Guy” keep his job? 😀
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It’s TV, so probably!
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Hee, I remember that story! Good on him, going with the flow!
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He does come out of it as a star 🙂
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Haha I’m sure these sort of mix-ups happen often enough. Film and television production is stressful.
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Especially when it’s live and constant – I’m amazed it doesn’t happen more to be honest!
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And another media star is born!
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He certainly was!
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Fun story.
Ronda
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Thank you
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Now that’s a hoot!
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It certainly was. Thanks Danny.
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Oh man, this is sometimes how I feel writing for clients about things I know they understand better than me. Except, it puts the imposter in imposter syndrome. I bet the whole time he was waiting for the part where someone is like haha, only kidding!!! We know you don’t know what you are talking about. We have all been there but never quite so … dramatically? That poor Guy! Both of them.
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I can only think he thought it was part of his interview process, until it was too late!
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I had never heard about this “guy.” So, this was great for me. It made me smile. He pulled it off wonderfully. Too bad he didn’t get the actual job! Thank you for sharing this with us.
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Glad to share it with you and it gave you a smile 🙂
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Oh no! This is my worst nightmare! And to be interviewed by a ‘karen’
Hilarious
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A ‘Karen’ before it became a thing to be a ‘Karen’!
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He looks so nervous. That was hilarious.
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That initial look of panic gets me every time!
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This would be one bad nightmare
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Glad it wasn’t me!
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That guy was great, he should be hired!
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Isn’t he!? I wonder what he’s doing now!
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