“You can cut that out,” the Oscar winner insisted.

Jodie Foster forgets which network she’s on during live interview: ‘It’s the same letters!’

"You can cut that out," the Oscar winner insisted.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

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January 6, 2026 1:16 p.m. ET

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Jodie Foster on 'Today'. Credit:

What's the difference between CBS and NBC? According to Jodie Foster, there isn't one.

On Tuesday morning, the Oscar winner ended her *Today* interview with host Craig Melvin in giggles after making a simple mistake, confusing one TV network for another. Towards the end of the interview, Melvin asked Foster to demonstrate her French skills, in honor of her upcoming movie, *A Private Life*, which marks the actress' first French leading role.

"Can we say something like, 'This is *Today* on NBC,' in French?” Melvin asked Foster, who then taught him how to say the phrase in French. While Foster showcased her fluency, Melvin struggled with the finer points of French pronunciation. But then Foster made a mistake of her own, stating in French, "This is *Today* on CBS."

Melvin exclaimed, "No! Not CBS!"

Craig Melvin and Jodie Foster on 'The TODAY Show'.

"Well I don't know," Foster said, throwing her hands up.

"NBC," Melvin quickly corrected. "Jodie!"

Defending herself, Foster retorted, "Well, it’s the same letters.”

"It’s the stupid network, Jodie! It was going so well," Melvin said as Foster laughed off her mistake.

The* Silence of the Lambs a*lum then made an appeal directly to the camera, saying, "You can cut that out." Foster was already dissolving into laughter as Melvin pointed out that the broadcast was live.

Though she couldn't stop laughing, the actress offered one final apology, telling Melvin, "I'm so sorry."

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In the end, it was all in good fun, with several fans taking to social media to highlight the hilarious flub from Foster.

"WOOPS! One of the greatest actresses ever–Jodie Foster–hit the blooper world with a big one Tuesday a.m. on NBC’s Today Show," one X user wrote, sharing a clip of the funny moment. "She asked to cut it out, but they were Live! Nothing like live TV! They all laughed & handled it well. CBS thanks her.”

Another used joked, "That Yale education just isn’t what it used to be."

Jodie Foster in 'A Private Life'.

*A Private Life* sees Foster star as renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner as she mounts a private investigation into the death of a patient whom she's convinced has been murdered. The French thrilled had its world premiere last year at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and is slated to arrived in U.S. theaters on Jan. 16. Thus far, Foster has been nominated for the French César Award, and Lumière Award for Best Actress, making her the first American to earn nods in each category.

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The California-raised actress has been a fluent French speaker for most of her life, having attended a French prep school since her elementary years.

"My mom put me in French school when I was 9, and then, I did everything in French," Foster told Melvin earlier in their conversation. "So, science, math, history, all that stuff. And I continued with it. I dubbed all my movies in French. I’ve done quite a few films in French, but usually smaller roles. So, this is a big challenge for me, to do a bigger role."

She continued, “I grew up watching European movies and foreign films. And so, for me, it’s a real treat to see a film in a different language from me that’s sort of exotic. And it makes it all the better.”**

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