Twenty years ago, Guy Goma arrived at the BBC in London for an IT job interview but was mistakenly escorted into a live broadcast. The host addressed him as tech editor Guy CUNY and asked about a verdict. Goma, realizing the error only when he saw himself on studio screens, felt trapped but chose to answer questions about the online music industry to avoid disrupting the show. The viral mishap, now dubbed one of broadcasting’s biggest blunders, is the subject of a new book, *The Wrong Guy*, co-authored by the producer and Goma. After the incident, Goma faced public scrutiny and did not receive the job. He later left IT to work with individuals with learning disabilities and began writing books. Reflecting on the interview’s enduring popularity, Goma attributes it to its authenticity, noting that people watch it for a laugh when feeling down. The story remains a lighthearted example of a moment that turned a job seeker into an accidental internet sensation.
20 years ago, Guy Goma went for a job interview at the BBC in London for a position in the IT department. But he quickly found himself in the middle of a different kind of interview. Live, on air. Well Guy CUNY is the editor of the technology website news wireless. Hello good morning to you. Good morning. Were you surprised by this verdict today? I'm very surprised to see this verdict to come on me because I was not expecting that. When I came, they taught me something else and I'm coming and you got an interview there. So he's a big surprise anyway. A big surprise. Exactly. It was a case of mistaken identity and one of the biggest broadcasting blunders of all time. The interview quickly went viral and is now the subject of a new book, The Wrong Guy. It's co-authored by Elliot Gottkin, the producer behind the mishap and Guy Goma, who joins us from London. Welcome to the show. Thank you for having me and I want to first of all to wish to all the audience happy Guy Goma Day. Thank you so much. So in this video, you have this look of utter astonishment when you hear the other guy's name. What was going through your mind in that moment? As soon as I heard the name of the Vierta Guy's name, I just said to myself, I'm done. I'm on the wrong place. But as I already noticed, it was already live. I couldn't do anything. How did you realize that you were actually live? I didn't know at the beginning it was a studio. As soon as the journalist came, she started talking. All the TV went on and because we haven't got even a minute to say something together. Ah, so she came right in. Yes, right. As soon as she said, everything went live. So your face was on every screen in the studio? Yes. I was looking at it and I said, "God, what am I doing here? Help me." That is incredible. Okay, so part of the joy of watching this interview is that you rolled with it. You started to answer the host's questions about the online music industry. Why did you decide to go along with it? As I always said, as soon as I noticed something went wrong, I said, "Let me now try to solve that question now." Because I don't want to embarrass the greatest audience. So everybody can see what's going on there and to enjoy the show. So you didn't get the job at the BBC? They didn't give me jobs. No. So what happened to you after the video went viral? When the video went viral, it was quite difficult for me. Because everywhere I was passing people was stopping me on the street and asking me, "Have you got a job?" I said, "No, they didn't give me a job." So why? I said, "I can't answer on behalf of the BBC." And so did you continue to work in IT? Right now I'm not working in IT. I'm working with people who have learned disability and also I was working on to create with a lot of books. Why do you think your interview 20 years later still resonates with so many people? I always say because it's authentic. As people love guys, that interview is for them. If you are sad, look on guys. You're going to make your day. That's Guy Goma of BBC Interview Fam. Thank you so much for joining us. It was a big pleasure to speak to you guys.
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
Guy Goma went to the BBC for a job interview in IT but was mistakenly taken to a live TV interview instead.
The interviewer addressed him as "Guy CUNY," a tech expert, and asked about a verdict; Goma was shocked but realized he was live on air.
Goma chose to answer questions about the online music industry to avoid embarrassing the audience, despite his confusion.
After the viral video, Goma struggled with public attention and did not get the BBC job; he now works with people with learning disabilities and writes books.
Goma believes the interview’s lasting appeal comes from its authenticity and ability to cheer people up.
Summary:
Twenty years ago, Guy Goma arrived at the BBC in London for an IT job interview but was mistakenly escorted into a live broadcast. The host addressed him as tech editor Guy CUNY and asked about a verdict. Goma, realizing the error only when he saw himself on studio screens, felt trapped but chose to answer questions about the online music industry to avoid disrupting the show.
The viral mishap, now dubbed one of broadcasting’s biggest blunders, is the subject of a new book, *The Wrong Guy*, co-authored by the producer and Goma. After the incident, Goma faced public scrutiny and did not receive the job. He later left IT to work with individuals with learning disabilities and began writing books.
Reflecting on the interview’s enduring popularity, Goma attributes it to its authenticity, noting that people watch it for a laugh when feeling down. The story remains a lighthearted example of a moment that turned a job seeker into an accidental internet sensation.
FAQs
Guy Goma is a man who accidentally appeared live on BBC News in 2004 after being mistaken for a tech expert. His bewildered expression and impromptu interview became a viral sensation.
He was there for a job interview in the BBC's IT department.
The BBC production team confused Guy Goma with Guy Kwan, a tech editor. Before anyone realized the error, the interview went live on air.
No, he didn't realize until the journalist started speaking and the cameras went live. He saw his own face on the studio screens and panicked.
He decided to go along with it to avoid embarrassing the audience and to let everyone enjoy the show.
No, he did not get the job.
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