10 Times People Died Inside During Awkward Interviews
4. Public Image Ltd. On Check It Out
After the Sex Pistols' notorious expletive-laden TV interview on Bill Grundy's Today show in 1976, interviewers must have cried at the thought of ever having John Lydon on for chat.
Grundy seemed quick enough to realise a ratings bonanza would make him a household name along with his rowdy guests, so there was a bit of fun in that one for everyone involved.
Not so much when Lydon and his new band Public Image Ltd. went on a show called Check It Out in 1979. Right from the start, Lydon is having none of the interviewers' questions and sets off early on a rant full of rude words.
The show's producers apparently only wanted to interview Lydon and bassist Jah Wobble "for technical reasons," so the band slouches uncomfortably over just two chairs as hosts Chris Cowey and Lyn Spencer try their best to seem interested in the chaotic group.
"We do not like cheap publicity, pseudo-gimmicks, condescension and crawling," Lydon tells them with his signature death stare.
When Cowley says it sounds like he has "heard this story before," Lydon walks off and the interview comes to an abrupt end.