Savannah Guthrie calls out Richard Gere after he shocks her with obscene gesture on 'Today'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Richard Gere left fans disappointed after he shocked 'Today' show host Savannah Guthrie with an obscene gesture at the start of their interview. 

The incident came just a day after legendary singer Cher dropped an F-bomb on the same program. 

As Guthrie scolded him, Gere defended his actions, explaining that the gesture was simply a reenactment of a scene from his new show that had been previewed earlier on the program.

Richard Gere reprimanded by Savannah Guthrie on 'Today'

During his 'Today' appearance with host Savannah Guthrie, Richard Gere, who is set to star in the new political thriller 'The Agency', shocked viewers when he made an obscene gesture shortly after being introduced. 

In the video titled "Richard Gere talks ‘The Agency,’ moving family to Spain, and more," as Guthrie introduced him, Gere flipped her off, leaving the host visibly stunned. She quickly attempted to cover his hand with her script, saying, "Bleeping you."

Gere defended his actions, explaining, “Sorry, but that's what I did in the piece.” Guthrie, clearly taken aback, responded, "You just did an obscene gesture on this family morning show." 

She then pointed out the recent controversy surrounding singer Cher, who dropped an F-bomb on the show the day before, adding, "You know Cher was on here doing an F-bomb yesterday, so I don't know what's happening."

Gere quickly clarified, “No, no, no, no, no," explaining that his gesture was just a re-enactment of a scene from the clip the show had previewed. Guthrie reminded him, “That's what the clip was, but we cut that part out,” to which Gere replied, “I could see that, but it didn't make any sense without that.”

Trying to steer the conversation back on track, Guthrie asked, "So that was the first time you've seen that, though?"

Gere admitted, "I haven't seen anything, no. This is the first that I'm seeing it." Guthrie probed further, "Why is that? Because you're going to go to the premiere tomorrow night, but do you not like to watch your work?"

Gere candidly responded, "I don't like looking in the mirror, to tell you the truth. I don't like seeing myself very much."

Internet expresses frustration after Richard Gere makes obscene gesture on air

After Richard Gere's appearance on the 'Today' show, where Savannah Guthrie scolded him for making an obscene gesture, many Internet users were quick to criticize him for his unprofessional behavior and slammed him online.

One internet user questioned, "Why did he do it?"

One individual added, "I hope they ban him and Cher. Maybe they'll learn something."

A person slammed, "I used to have some respect for him because I thought he wasn't obnoxious like other celebrities, but now that's gone. What a stupid, unprofessional, juvenile thing to do!"

Another frustrated user said, "Richard Gere has always seemed to have the respect of the American public. Not so much anymore. He HAD to know how inappropriate showing himself "flipping someone off" was for any reason yet he chose to do it anyway. Sick to death of Hollywood thinking they can do whatever they want!!!"

"Richard has never been one for being known for his manners. He was a guest on the show.... Showed extreme disregard for the show. And his host.... And should be called out accordingly," a netizen added.

The last user claimed, "Cher and this old Lefty; why can't these people just retire? They got in the grave and other on a banana peel. Just go away."

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online