more details on gma incident

I just updated my account of the GMA blowup …

A few more details. Apparently this was literally Nagel’s first assignment, and he didn’t realize he was in the live shot. Nobody at GMA wants to travel, so they use these newbies, and it finally came back to bite them.

Basically, the plan was Smith would do a pre-taped interview with Smith, and a live interview with GMA with her lawyer, who was to drive her to interview. Only she didn’t show on time. Booker calls Smith; she’s waiting on her lawyer. Nagel rushes over there, picks her up in his car, and drives her to interview. Lawyer shows up at Smith’s, finds she’s not there, and is furious — thinks GMA is trying to “steal” her. Goes to GMA — where Smith is all miked up and ready to do interview — and calls her on her cell phone, tells her to come outside. He’s like, you’re not doing this interview, let’s go over to NBC. Green booker freaks out and runs after them. Remember, he is under unbelievable pressure to deliver — especially on his first story! To have it slip away like that… But apparently, blame is on head of GMA booking department, for using a newbie on such an important story. Got her butt handed to her, my source sez.

TV Newser also has details of an account by the Today show producer, who apparently rushed her to the nearest camera.