A Mexican news outlet inadvertently aired an unexpected and shocking scene during its coverage of Monday's solar eclipse in a moment that left viewers stunned and social media buzzing. RCG Media's 24/7 news program found itself at the centre of ridicule after airing footage submitted by viewers experiencing the celestial event, only to stumble into a well-known prank in Latin America, as reported by local newspaper La Vanguardia.
As the eclipse unfolded, the program's three anchors presented clips from various cities where the phenomenon could be observed. However, what should have been a moment of astronomical wonder turned into an embarrassment when, on the left side of the screen, a clip unexpectedly displayed a man obscuring the sun with his testicles.
Gasps of shock could be heard from one of the female anchors, while her male counterpart carried on, seemingly oblivious to the inappropriate imagery.
The incident highlights the pitfalls of incorporating viewer-submitted content into live broadcasts. The male anchor, acknowledging the mishap, explained that the clips were submitted by viewers, conceding that the eagerness to include fan experiences can sometimes lead to embarrassing situations for broadcasters.
The phenomenon of a "testicular eclipse" prank is not entirely new, with similar images circulating online during the 2019 eclipse in Chile. Even notable figures like Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee have partaken in the risqué joke, albeit briefly, as reported by the Mirror.
However, Monday's incident in Mexico marks perhaps the first time such an image has made its way onto television screens, sparking widespread mockery directed at the news outlet for its oversight in vetting the submitted content.
One individual, identified by the username Rhevolver, took credit for submitting the clip to RCG Media, reveling in the success of the prank. "Greetings to all my people from Saltillo who had to watch my eggs on television because those from @rcg_media neglected to review the video of the eclipse carefully," Rhevolver wrote on social media. "I love them."
Despite the amusement generated by the incident, questions remain regarding the origin of the footage. It is unclear whether Rhevolver himself was the individual depicted in the clip or if it was recycled from previous instances of the "testicular eclipse" prank.
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