The Embarrassment Of The Hat

'I'm just thinking about people I'm gonna fire': Anderson Cooper red-faced after childhood photo pops up on screen during Bieber report

By Jennifer Madison

Last updated at 3:07 PM on 10th May 2011

He's known for his cool composure on CNN newscasts, but Anderson Cooper struggled to keep a straight face last night when he became the target of an on-air prank.

Cooper, who anchors AC360, was visibly flustered when an embarrassing childhood photo appeared on screen during a report about Justin Bieber.

The journalist, 43, joked with staff: 'I'm just thinking about people I'm gonna fire.'


Embarrassing: This photo of Anderson Cooper, aged nine, randomly appeared on air yesterday
during a report about Justin Bieber on AC360

Cooper and British news anchor Isha Sesay were discussing how CSI star Marg Helgenberger called Bieber a brat, when a picture of the journalist appeared on the screen instead of Bieber.

The photo showed Cooper, aged nine, wearing a purple headdress and matching robe speaking into a microphone.

As cameras turned back to Cooper, he was visibly startled: 'Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. Did we just put a picture of me when I was like nine years old on [segment] To Tell the Truth? About Justin Bieber being a brat - are you saying I'm a brat?

Laughing, he continued: 'How did this - where did this picture suddenly materialise from?'


Startled: Cooper appeared flustered during a discussion with British news anchor
Isha Sesay after his childhood photo was broadcast across America

While Sesay pleaded ignorance, Cooper continued: 'I'm being told in the control room it was a technical glitch. I don't believe that for a second.'

Explaining the origin of the bizarre photo, he said: 'I was pretending to be Wally Norden, the world's youngest bear trainer, on To Tell the Truth...'

Sesay had trouble continuing her report, as her colleague interrupted to announce his plan for payback.

'I'm not hearing anything I'm just thinking about people I'm gonna fire,' he said, prompting laughter from the control room.

'We'll get back to you in a little bit. We'll try to get this "technical thing" worked out. And by worked out I mean we'll replace our old people,' he said.


Controversy: Cooper laughed off comparisons to Justin Bieber (left), whose war of words with
CSI actress Marg Helgenberger (right) was subject of his report

The Justin Bieber story was a hot topic yesterday, amid an ongoing war of words between the teenage singer and CSI actress Marg Helgenberger, after the actress branded him 'kind of a brat' following his guest appearance on the hit crime drama.

Helgenberger, 52, who plays CSI investigator Catherine Willows, complained that he locked a producer in a closet and put his fist through a cake meant for the cast to enjoy during his time on set.

The 17-year-old sensation - who played troubled teen Jason McCann in two episodes of the show, broadcast earlier this year - took to Twitter to respond to the criticism in a series of posts yesterday.

He wrote: 'It's kinda lame when someone you met briefly and never worked with comments on you.'

'I will continue to wish them luck and be kind. I know who i am and sometimes people r just going 2 say what they want. Keep ur head up and be the man ur mama raised.'

An hour later, he added, 'Dont spread gossip and dont spread rumors about others...im a kid and i know that. #respect.'