ABC finally addressed the train wreck seen 'round the world in this spin-filled article about Merry Miller's unintentionally funny interview with Oscar-winning actress Holly Hunter. For some reason, ABC waited a week, which is never good. The network also didn't explain what's in Miller's future, but they did manage to turn the disaster into a promotional gimmick.

Everyone wanted to know how an unknown Merry Miller landed an interview on ABC News Now to promote the actress' new TV show. Executive producer for ABC News Now Jessica Stedman-Guff told TVNewser that Miller was a booker for Joel Siegel, the late film critic for ABC News, and one of his last wishes was for Miller to get some air time at ABC. Her first experience on camera at ABC was Hunter's live satellite interview, but right before it started, Miller's ear piece failed. When Miller didn't tell anyone about the problem and fatefully decided push forward, YouTube gold was made (emphasis mine):

"I couldn't hear her, and it's very hard to talk to somebody like that," Miller said. "I give credit to Holly Hunter. She was a pro, a class act. She saved the interview."

In ABC's follow up interview about the clip, Miller didn't blame the producer or whine that the prop guy didn't do his job. I guess she learned a thing or two about handling difficult situations by working with divas like Donald Trump and Diddy in her various day jobs. Instead, she complimented Hunter and shrugged off the disaster. Then, when discussing using the wrong network's name, she added a little too much positive spin:

The technical problem explains the awkward delays and stumbled speaking but doesn't shed light on the most talked-about part of the interview, when Miller directed viewers to another news network's Web site for further coverage.

"It was just a blooper, it happens. Why do football players fumble sometimes? It was a disaster," she said of the network misidentification.

I really doubt that management felt as upbeat about that slip, especially since this was many viewers' first exposure to ABC News Now. I was disappointed that ABC didn't address that pained (and funny) shriek of “No!” when Miller gave out the wrong network as she wrapped up the interview. The sudden media quasi-star explained how it felt to have so much negative attention:

"It's hurtful, the outcome. It's extremely embarrassing," Miller said. But Miller said she learned a lot from the experience.

"The power of the Internet is so [great]," she said. "I'm involved in some online ventures, and my gut had told me that [the Internet] was the future of the world [and this proves] that viral marketing has really kicked in. I'm going to take this phenomenon that I created and drive it somewhere."

As I pointed out in my original post, even in the middle of the disaster of an interview, Miller didn't break down or give up. It was obvious she was nervous, but she still remained relatively composed and pleasant, even when things went terribly wrong. She never turned nasty. That's more than some pros have managed.

Miller took a lot of hits from bloggers over the Hunter interview, including some from me, but she didn't turn it into a pity fest. Since she's in the celebrity schmoozing and PR biz, she'll likely somehow use it to her benefit. 

I guess the good news for ABC is that people have finally heard of “What's the Buzz.”

Contact Lynn with tips and complaints at tvisgoodforyou2 AT yahoo DOT com