Morning:
6°c
BBC broadcasts Christian Bale's expletive-laden rant - at 7am
6 Feb 2009The BBC apologised today after an unedited extract of Christian Bale's expletive-laden rant on the set of Terminator: Salvation was broadcast live on air.
The clip was introduced on BBC Breakfast at 6.55am, but the extract was abruptly cut seconds later when Bale's swearing was heard.
There was an immediate apology from the show's presenters Charlie Stayt and Susanna Reid for the incident.
A BBC spokeswoman said a "technical error" was to blame for the incident.
A BBC spokeswoman said: "A technical error led to us broadcasting an unacceptable swear word on Breakfast this morning - we apologised on air immediately afterwards and another apology was given at the end of the programme.
"We also pulled a later repeat of the item. We are sorry for any offence caused."
The rant on set in New Mexico came last July, days before Bale's arrest by British police investigating claims that he lashed out at his mother and sister in a London hotel. Clips have been made public on websites.
Before the clip was broadcast, Stayt warned viewers that those of a sensitive nature "may want to block their ears for the next few seconds".
Viewers then heard the words: "You don't f understand what it's like..."
A cry was heard in the studio and the show returned to the hosts.
Reid said: "Oh, an enormous apology. That was definitely supposed to have been edited.
"We are extremely apologetic..."
The target of Bale's anger was the film's director of photography, Shane Hurlbut.
The film's assistant director, Bruce Franklin, previously told US entertainment channel E! News that the four-letter tirade was the result of Bale being distracted during an emotional scene.
Mr Franklin came out in support of Bale, describing him as a "consummate professional" who just had a bad day.
He told E! News: "If you are working in a very intense scene and someone takes you out of your groove - it was the most emotional scene in the movie - and for him to get stopped in the middle of it... He is very intensely involved in his character.
"He doesn't walk around like that all day long. It was just a moment and it passed."
Bale's rant: 'Do you want me to f***ing trash your lights?'
Christian Bale: Am I going to walk around and rip your f***ing lights down, in the middle of a scene? Then why the f**k are you walking right through, ah-da-da-dah, like this in the background? What the f**k is it with you? What don't you f***ing understand? You got any f***ing idea about, hey, it's f***ing distracting having somebody walking up behind Bryce in the middle of the f***ing scene? Give me a f***ing answer! What don't you get about it?
Shane Hurlbut: I was looking at the light.
Bale: Ohhhhh, goooood for you. And how was it? I hope it was f***ing good, because it's useless now, isn't it?
Hurlbut: OK.
Bale: F***'s sake man, you're amateur. McG, you got f***ing something to say to this p***k?
Joseph "McG" McGinty Nichol (director): I didn't see it happen.
Bale: Well, somebody should be f***ing watching and keeping an eye on him.
McG: Fair enough.
Bale: It's the second time that he doesn't give a f**k about what is going on in front of the camera, all right? I'm trying to f***ing do a scene here, and I am going, "Why the f**k is Shane walking in there? What is he doing there?" Do you understand my mind is not in the scene if you're doing that?
Hurlbut: I absolutely apologise. I'm sorry, I did not mean anything by it.
Bale: Stay off the f***ing set man. For f**k's sake. Alright, let's go again.
McG: Let's just take a minute.
Bale: Let's not take a f***ing minute, let's go again.
Bale: I'm going to f***ing kick your f***ing ass if you don't shut up for a second! All right?
(Unknown voices): Christian, Christian. It's cool.
Bale: I'm going to go... Do you want me to f***ing go trash your lights? Do you want me to f***ing trash 'em? Then why are you trashing my scene?
Hurlbut: I'm not trying to trash your scene.
Bale: You are trashing my scene!
Hurlbut: Christian, I was only...
Bale: You do it one more f***ing time and I ain't walking on this set if you're still hired. I'm f***ing serious. You're a nice guy. You're a nice guy, but that don't f***ing cut it when you're f***ing around like this on set.
Reader views (18)
Yes another overpaid, under talented, foul mouthed self important celebrity - no wonder everyone is going back to Radio.
- val robson, Australia, 08/02/2009 06:12
Report abuse
The only technical error here is that the BBC is still allowed to exist. Way way past its sell by date.
- Chris, Woking. UK, 06/02/2009 18:06
Report abuse
Surely the real question is why the BBC felt this was a news story in the first place.
- Viv, Wolverhampton, 06/02/2009 15:45
Report abuse
.... And they sack Ms Thatcher! Talk about double standards.
- Vince London, West London, 06/02/2009 15:41
Report abuse
There it is again..."technical error". It is fast becoming the buzzword for incompetency. Someone was responsible to make sure that the broadcast should not offend...likewise with ITV Sport and their "technical glitch" in the Everton v. Liverpool game.
No need for anyone to take responsibility, just blame the Gremlins.
That aside, why are the BBC even reporting on this seven month old non-news event about a half-decent actor with some serious personality short-comings getting upset about a scene being ruined in a film hardly anyone is going to watch?
- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County, 06/02/2009 15:00
Report abuse
I DID hear this, I was just sitting down to have my first coffee of the day and nearly threw it accross the room as I convulsed with laughter. Only the BBC could make such a crass mistake, the presenter prefaced the clip with 'this may upset some viewers' but I don't think she knew what was coming. This organisation is now so far beyond the pale it's obviously beyond help - smack Ross on the wrist for an on-air, sustained attack on an old man then refuse to use Carol Thatcher for an off-air, silly comment that has been grossly misrepresented by the PC brigade. You couldn't make it up if you tried!
- Kevin Mcd, London, 06/02/2009 14:41
Report abuse
It was so funny and clearly a mistake. Both the presenters did indeed look shocked and they were so apologetic. Don't give them a hard time for a mistake, after all, no one gets up in arms about some of the graphic scenes of murder and distruction on our screens at news time.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK, 06/02/2009 14:19
Report abuse
What does bleeping out certain words 'protect' us from anyway? If Bale's swearing is news then I want to hear what he said!
- Charlie, Soho, 06/02/2009 14:13
Report abuse
The transcript is of course not offensive at all, and should be put up on billboards outside schools by the Evening Standard as a dire warning to the BBC.
- Andrew Pilcher, Hastings, 06/02/2009 14:08
Report abuse
I didn't hear it and I dont know who Christian Bale is (does he play for spurs?) but I will fight to my dying breath to make sure the BBC and Christian Bale are shut down as soon as possible...
I dont even like T4, except when they get to the simpsons part....
- Mark, st albans, 06/02/2009 13:47
Report abuse
Oh come off it! It was just a mistake! It wasn't directed at anyone and they realised immediately and said sorry. Take a chill pill everyone, and get worked up about some of the serious wrongs that are happening round the world instead of this, hey?!
- Jimmey, devon, 06/02/2009 13:46
Report abuse
What I'd like to know is who does he think he is talking to anyone like that. Its amusing to listen to but a thoroughly disgusting way to behave. He obviously thinks he's something really special... but he's an actor, thats all... not a brain surgeon saving someones life, a pilot landing a plan on water and saving everyone on the planes life (did he swear once while that was happening - NO). He's an actor and maybe its about time someone reminded him of that!
- Kathy, London, 06/02/2009 13:40
Report abuse
A lot of fuss about nothing.
- Harry, Los Angeles, CA, 06/02/2009 13:24
Report abuse
The BBC should be suspended for this. Disgraceful behaviour. What is the world coming to?
- Bruce, London, 06/02/2009 13:04
Report abuse
Oh dear....sounds like a spoilt 4 year old that's dropped his ice cream. Whatever happened to professionalism, after all....as a very well respected and wonderful actor once said "It's all about learning your lines and not falling over the furniture"
I think this distasteful outburst says more about Mr Bale the person, not the actor !!!
Daphne.
- Daphne Pountney, Dover UK, 06/02/2009 12:56
Report abuse
Profanities on the BBC surely not and of course an apology. Well I for one would like a 'grovelling apology' from the producer and this to be sufficient to satisfy my requirements (the same as required by Jay Hunt). He should be removed forthwith from dealing with any news programmes on BBC Radio. What is good for goose is good for the gander is it not or is that non PC as well !!
- Nick Holland, glasgow scotland, 06/02/2009 12:55
Report abuse
So who will the BBC sack for this one? I was watching this morning when it happened and almost fell out of bed. Fantastic stuff but I was offended by the inadequate apologies from the 2 talking heads, Stayt and Reid.
- Keith Price, Luton, 06/02/2009 12:08
Report abuse
Oh! To have been a little mouse in the Green Room this morning!
- Joan, London UK, 06/02/2009 11:34
Report abuse
