NBC flubbed its broadcast of the first Democratic presidential debate after an embarrassing technical breakdown forced an early commercial break.
As the second hour of the debate began, a new round of moderators introduced the hour, Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow. As Todd spoke, audio from other open mics began leaking into the broadcast, distracting everyone on the stage as well as the hosts.
As they attempted to press on, it appeared voices from the control room were still being broadcast on air.
Eventually the hosts had to abandon the segment altogether, forcing an early commercial break just minutes into the hour.
“We are hearing our colleague’s audio,” Todd said. “The control room can turn off the mics. If the control room can turn off the mics of the previous moderators.”
Rachel Maddow then attempted some levity: “We prepared for everything except for this.”
Here’s an excerpt of the awkward moment:
TODD: "Hundreds and millions of guns are still on the streets. Is there a role for the federal government in order to play — in order to get these guns off the streets?"
MADDOWS: "What's happening?"
TODD: "We are hearing our colleagues’ audio. If the control room could turn off the mics. Yeah.(Laughing) If the control room could turn off the mics of our previous moderators, we will — "
DELANEY: "We have about five moderators."
MADDOW: "You know, we prepared for everything."