This morning, Today news anchor Ann Curry decided to publicly audition for the role of Samantha Jones in the a.m. news edition of Sex and the City. While interviewing James McAvoy, the conversation turned to his kiss with Angelina Jolie in his new film, Wanted. McAvoy squirmed as Curry tried to get him to admit that it must have been easy work. He squirmed some more while explaining that an on-camera sex scene really shouldn’t be a turn-on for an actor because then it would be more like "molesting someone" instead of performing one’s job. McAvoy then said he hoped that if their interview included a scripted kiss, he and Curry would both be professionals. What was the wannabe cougar’s response? A huge grin right into camera, just before saying she would "throw him on the floor." McAvoy blushed and complimented Curry’s shoes.
I don’t know if Curry is my hero for saying what I would’ve been thinking had I been in her place, or if I’m appalled by her revved-up level of flirtatiousness. Check out the interview below — the cougar begins to pounce around the 2:15 mark — and weigh in.
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Sometimes (not often) I actually envy male actors because they often get to kiss a LOT of women! Who gives a damn about professionalism! They get to kiss a LOT of women, and call it work!
After watching it, I don’t see what the big deal is, but when I read the “I like your shoes”, first thing I thought was that perhaps he was referencing the old joke/pickup line “nice shoes…wanna f()ck?”
What if he is gay?
Not as bad as the write-up made it sound.
He’s married to actress Anne-Marie Duff. So is probably not gay, unless he’s in the closet.
Her behavior is gross and unprofessional. If a male anchor behaved that way toward a female interviewee, he rightly would be vilified. Mild flirtation might be okay, especially if she doesn’t pretend to be a serious journalist otherwise, but that display is just creepy and embarrassing.
I would definitely allow Ann Curry to throw me to the floor.
hahahahahahahahahahhahaahahaha omg that was brillz. way to go, ann curry, way to go.
I thought it was fine. He is also VERY fine! I’d throw him to the floor, too!
Regardless, he’s half her age. Ewwww. I found it a little creepy.
there exists a double standard, yes. if a man did it, he’d be in a bit of hot water. but…that being said i think ann curry should have just stuck with the little grin and eyebrow raising. i thought that was funny. she should have just left it like that. it would have been taken as a joke (granted, she was pushing a little hard with the kissing scene questions before that point, but still).
Is “cougar” over yet?
I cannot understand why the (derogatory, sexist, and unfair) term has caught on the way it has.
It was a little awkward, but honestly I can’t say I blame her. He’s so incredibly sexy. Listen to him talk, for crying out loud! I think she exercised a lot of restraint by not actually throwing him on the floor and going at it.
I actually can’t make myself watch this clip because I’m afraid of the awkwardness.
Was he “complementing” her shoes as you wrote, or “complimenting” them? Methinks the latter…
I didn’t find it offensive, I actually thought it was cute, and the way that McAvoy blushes he must’ve enjoyed the moment too. But if Matt Lauer had said something similar in an interview with a younger female movie star he’d have been hung out to dry by the media.
Good catch, Seamus! Sorry ’bout that!
Appropriate or inappropriate, Ann Curry ALWAYS makes me uncomfortable when she’s doing an interview. She’s just awkward and she always steps all over the person she’s interviewing.
as much as i DON’T like ann curry & think every one of her interviews is HORRIBLE, um……..mcavoy didn’t seem at all uncomfortable w/ the interview. no blushing. no squirming. joy perhaps you are uncomfortable. i’ve seen far worse interviews (from ann curry) & this one doesn’t even rank.
I gotta agree with C. Not as bad as you made it seem Joy. I was expecting full-on flirting. It just seemed like flippant, silly remarks. I was amused by Ann’s “throwing him on the floor” comment. She can be very silly sometimes, as evidenced by when she was on the scariness that was the Today Show’s 4th hour.
Just watched this, agreed that this does not rank in the list of awkward Ann Curry interviews. Usually she is just waay too touchy feely for me.
Awww that wasn’t nearly as AWK-WARD as I hoped and James McAvoy left the door widde open for it. Really Joy! Much ado about nothing – although he really is easy on the eyes and along with the accent I’d probably flirt too.
It was a little awkward, but not near as bad as you had me thinking.
Ann Curry’s been a little awkward since her dad passed, so maybe she’s going through a phase? For what it’s worth, I’ve noted that she’s more flirty than usual with the guests as well as with the hosts. At one point this morning she seemed to get a little fresh with Matt Lauer too (running her hands through his hair after he said he was balding).
Shucks, if I were single, I’d totally let Ms. Curry get her cougar on with me. She has a sassiness that looks like she’d be able to put the “grrr” in “swinger” baby!
And wow. Rereading my previous note creeped ME out. So please, all of you, understand that this was written in jest. Except that thing about Ann getting all flirty with Lauer. WTF was up with that anyway? Matt Lauer? Dude could hitchike from Rehoboth to San Francisco and never get hit on…
If I was speaking to James McAvoy I’d be a complete stuttering idiot, so Ann is one-up on me. His wife is lucky indeed.
Wait, didn’t Matt Lauer have a similar moment with Britney Spears during their interview? I swear he said something about her gum-smacking and cutoffs being a turn-on.
That was hilarious!
Cute and harmless (c’mon, it’s James Freakin’ McAvoy!!)
Loved it! Totally showed a human side of her with just the right touch of levity. If she’d done it in a leering kind of way THAT would have been gross. But I think it was cute the way she did it (and how he reacted). Sigh…he’s a doll.
I agree that it was harmless and nothing to be embarrassed about. I don’t think James was really that embarrassed by her comment, either. You go Ann!