Jessica Stedman-Guff

ABC Finally Explained Disastrous Merry Miller Interview with Holly Hunter

By Lynn Davidson | August 3, 2007 - 09:18 ET

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."