NPR’s Elissa Nadworny talks to Guy Goma who thought he was being interviewed for an IT job at the BBC but instead found himself live on air. His interview 20 years ago became a viral sensation.
ELISSA NADWORNY, HOST:
Twenty 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.
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KAREN BOWERMAN: Well, Guy Kewney is the editor of the technology website NewsWireless. Hello. Good morning to you.
GUY GOMA: Good morning.
BOWERMAN: Were you surprised by this verdict today?
GOMA: I’m very surprised to see this verdict to come on me because I was not expecting that. When I came, they told me something else, and I’m coming. You got an interview there. So it’s a big surprise, anyway.
BOWERMAN: A big surprise.
GOMA: Exactly.
BOWERMAN: Yes.
NADWORNY: 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 Elliott Gotkine, the producer behind the mishap, and Guy Goma, who joins us from London. Welcome to the show.
GOMA: Thank you for having me. And I want first of all to wish to all the audience, happy Guy Goma Day.
NADWORNY: Thank you so much. So in this video (laughter), you have this look of utter astonishment when you hear the other guy’s name. What was going through your mind in that moment?
GOMA: As soon as I heard the name of – the other guy names, I just said to myself, I’m done. I’m on the wrong place. But as I already noticed he was already live, I couldn’t do anything.
NADWORNY: How did you realize that you were actually live?
GOMA: I didn’t know at the beginning it was a studio. As soon as the journalist came, she start talking. All the TV went on, and it’s – because we haven’t got even a minute to say something together.
NADWORNY: Ah. So she came right in.
GOMA: Yeah, straight – poof. As soon as she sat, everything went live.
NADWORNY: So your face was on every screen in the studio?
GOMA: Yes. I was looking at her. I said, God, what am I doing here? Help me.
NADWORNY: (Laughter) That is incredible. Wait. OK. So part of, like, the joy of watching this interview is that you rolled with it. Like, you started to answer the host’s questions about the online music industry. Why did you decide to go along with it?
GOMA: Yeah. As I always said, as soon as I notice something went wrong, I say, let me now to try to solve that questionnaire because I don’t want to embarrass her greatest audience. So everybody can see what’s going on there and to enjoy the show.
NADWORNY: So you didn’t get the job at the BBC.
GOMA: They didn’t give me a job.
NADWORNY: No. So what happened to you after the video went viral?
GOMA: When the video went viral, it was quite difficult for me and – because everywhere I was passing, people was stopping me on the street and asking me, have you got a job? I say, no, they didn’t give me a job. So why? Why? I say, I can’t answer on behalf of the BBC.
NADWORNY: And so did you continue to work in IT?
GOMA: Right now I’m not working in IT. I’m working with people with learning disability. And also, I was working on – for my – for – to create with Elliott our book.
NADWORNY: Why do you think your interview, 20 years later, still resonates with so many people?
GOMA: I always say, because he’s authentic. As people love Guy, that interview is for them. If you are sad, look on Guy. You’re going to make your day.
NADWORNY: That’s Guy Goma of BBC interview fame. Thank you so much for joining us.
GOMA: It was a big pleasure to speak today with you guys.
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