Hollywood icon Jodie Foster found herself in a deeply awkward situation during a live television interview this week, after making a major on-air gaffe that left her host visibly exasperated.
An Unscripted Slip-Up on Live TV
The 63-year-old actress appeared on NBC's Today show on Tuesday morning to promote her forthcoming film, A Private Life. The new thriller, scheduled for release on January 16, features Foster as a psychiatrist investigating the mysterious death of a patient, with the entire movie performed in French.
Host Craig Melvin, noting this was a career first for the Oscar-winner, asked Foster to demonstrate her fluency. The actress explained she attended a French school from age nine, studying all her subjects in the language. Melvin then prompted her for a live language lesson, requesting she teach him how to say "This is Today on NBC" in French.
It was at this moment the broadcast took an embarrassing turn. While reciting the phrase, Foster inadvertently substituted "NBC" for its direct competitor, "CBS".
Awkward Exchange and Immediate Fallout
"No! Not CBS. NBC! Jodi!" a clearly frustrated Melvin immediately interjected. A flustered Foster attempted to shrug off the error, remarking, "Well, I don't know... It's the same letter [length]."
"That's a different network, Jodie! It was going so well," Melvin retorted, reminding the actress the segment was being broadcast live and could not be edited. "You can cut that out," Foster had suggested, to which Melvin replied, "No, it's live." Foster, covering her face in embarrassment, offered a sincere apology for the live television blunder.
Fresh-Faced Appearance Continues to Spark Discussion
The on-air incident follows recent headlines about Foster's remarkably youthful appearance at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Her glowing, wrinkle-free complexion prompted speculation, leading several plastic surgeons to offer analysis to the Daily Mail.
Dr. David Pincus of New York's Pincus Plastic Surgery noted it was hard to tell if she had undergone any work, but observed her cheeks appeared "a bit more full," a change potentially attributable to subtle cheek filler to restore volume lost with age. Beverly Hills surgeon Dr. John Diaz concurred, stating he saw no evidence of facial surgery, pointing to natural lines and loose skin as indicators she had not gone under the knife.
While Foster's linguistic slip provided an unplanned moment of live TV drama, the focus remains on her upcoming cinematic venture into a fully French-speaking role, proving even Hollywood veterans are not immune to on-air nerves.
