'Excruciating' Woman’s Hour mixes up Japanese and Vietnamese guests in ‘car crash' show
TWO women - each internationally renowned for their accomplishments - were mixed up in an embarrassing blunder at the BBC this week.
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BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour mixed up Dr Riko Muranaka and Trinh T Minh-ha in a live gaffe, leaving the women baffled and the producers red-faced.
Dr Muranaka a Japanese doctor acclaimed for her work promoting the safety of the HPV vaccine - or a woman thought be the doctor was introduced on air by Jenni Murray.
Murray launched into a list of the doctor’s achievements before turning and asking about this year’s John Maddox Prize, which the doctor won, for promoting science.
The presenter was hit with a wall of silence from her guest when she asked: “Riko, why did you pursue this subject?”
She asked again.
A clearly baffled Vietnamese film-maker - Trinh T Minh-ha - replied: “Which subject are you pointing to?”.
Keen to continue interviewing, Murray listed the doctor’s achievements to her guest, still thought to be a lecturer at Kyoto University School of Medicine.
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I’m Trinh T Minh-ha, the film-maker
Murray said: “The subject of the HPV vaccine. The 20 articles that you wrote on it.”
Then came the response nobody at the Beeb was expecting.
“It’s not me,” Trinh said, as she laughed nervously. “I guess you got the wrong speaker.”
Murray asked: “You are Dr Riko Muranaka? You’re not Dr Riko Muranaka...”
Trinh said: “I’m Trinh T Minh-ha, the film-maker.”
The car crash interview was paused as Murray explained to listeners that “somebody has brought in the wrong person for this interview.”
Moments later the right woman was hurried into the room as Murray announced: “Now we have been joined by Dr Muranaka. Sorry, there was a mix-up there.”
Woman's Hour confuses 2 Asian guests (Vietnamese born academic and Japanese medical doctor). Yeah we all look the same don't we?!
— Kaoru (@blossom_kaoru) December 1, 2017
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The gaffe sparked fury online with listeners branding the show a "car crash" and "embarassing".
@blossom_kaoru said: “Woman's Hour confuses 2 Asian guests (Vietnamese born academic and Japanese medical doctor). Yeah we all look the same don't we?!”
In a second tweet @blossom_kaoru said: “Was off work with a cold today so I heard it live. It was excruciating. Not only they "couldn't tell the two guests apart" but I suspect they (runners) didn't want to address them by their names in case they mispronounced them and embarrass themselves.”
@cjr1968 said: “Oh no Woman’s Hour car crash right now.”
@CatrinJefferies said: “Hilarious and embarrassing. Someone brought in the wrong speaker on #woman’s hour just now!”
The BBC insisted the mix-up was Trinh and a junior producer's fault.
The corporation said Trinh stood up with the doctor was called.
Hilarious and embarrassing. Someone brought in the wrong speaker on #woman’s hour just now!
— catrin jefferies (@CatrinJefferies) December 1, 2017
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A BBC spokesman said: “Guests are brought on air quickly in live radio and mistakes can happen. On this occasion the wrong guest came forward when the names were called for the studio and to suggest this was a mix-up for any other reason is incorrect."
In 2006, Guy Goma became an internet sensation when he accidentally ended up on air.
He had been at the Beeb to interview for a job and was mistaken for technology journalist Guy Kewney.
Instead of being blustered Goma attempted to continue with the interview.
