Sex Pistols - Bill Grundy Interview 1.12.76

The son of a factory owner, William Grundy was born in Manchester in 1923 and educated at Manchester University, where he read geology. Grundy began his career as a geologist and as a part-time journalist. When Granada Television began broadcasting in 1956, Grundy auditioned for the post of newsreader, which at first he held in-tandem with his geological work. He was the first television presenter to present The Beatles on Granada Television on October 17, 1962. He appeared on several TV shows, including People and Places and Man About the House, but his greatest claim to fame was as host of the Today show.
[edit] The Today show incident

Grundy became notorious in a matter of two minutes owing to an incident that occurred when the punk band Sex Pistols and their entourage appeared at short notice on the Today show of December 1, 1976. They were a last minute stand-in for Queen, who were forced to cancel. The Today show was broadcast live and uncensored during daytime hours at a time when obscenities were forbidden.

The interview began when Grundy proceeded to introduce and provoke the band, with tongue firmly in cheek. He joked that he was under the influence as he introduced them - "...they are as drunk as I am!" Initially he received mocking but polite responses from Glen Matlock. However, Steve Jones, when asked by Grundy what the band had done with the £40,000 given to them by their record company, said: "Fuckin' spent it" which was apparently not noticed by Grundy at the time. This was followed by two more uses of the word "fuck" by Jones (only the fourth and fifth occurrences of this on British Television at the time[citation needed]). Following this, Johnny Rotten muttered the word "shit" under his breath, but when asked, said that it was nothing but a "rude word." Grundy insisted that Rotten repeat what he had said, which he did loudly, and then responded mockingly when Rotten complied.

Next, Grundy jokingly made advances on Siouxsie Sioux, who appeared as part of the band's entourage, by saying "let's meet afterwards shall we?" Steve Jones responded by calling Grundy a "dirty sod" and a "dirty old man." Grundy further goaded Jones to "say something outrageous", a challenge Jones was ready to meet. He called Grundy a "dirty bastard" and a "dirty fucker" (to which Grundy mockingly responded "what a clever boy") and finally proclaimed "what a fucking rotter." As the show ended, Grundy could be seen muttering what some people believe to be "oh shit" as the credits rolled and as the band began dancing to the closing theme.

Although Today was only shown in the London ITV region, it became a national story due to coverage and comment by the tabloid press. As a result, Grundy was suspended for two weeks and Today was cancelled two months later.