Random Most Unexpected Things to Ever Happen on Live TV (25 items)

(#12) Armed Robbers Raid An On-Air Poker Tournament

The last place you expect anything exciting to happen is on a live poker program, but back in 2010, when a group of armed robbers took over a European Poker Tour tournament and got away with $1.2 million, that's exactly what happened.

The video is a bit hectic (and also in German), but it's easy to understand why everyone was so freaked out.
(#9) Bank Robbers, Law Enforcement Have A Standoff In North Hollywood
Way back in 1997, two goons robbed a Bank of America with a massive amount of firepower. As the world watched on television they took part in a stand off that claimed their lives while injuring 11 police officers and seven innocent bystanders.
(#4) R. Budd Dwyer
- Politician
When Budd Dwyer committed suicide on live television and in front of a group of reporters in 1987, he'd recently been convicted of taking bribes during his tenure as Treasurer of Pennsylvania. Before his sentencing he called a press conference, proclaimed his innocence, said, "Please leave the room if this will offend you," shooting himself with a .357 magnum.
(#3) Christine Chubbuck
- TV Journalist
Christine Chubbock, a newscaster in Sarasota, FL in the '70s, shot herself in the head live on air after reading the statement, “In keeping with Channel 40’s policy of bringing you the latest in ‘blood and guts,’ and in living color, you are going to see another first — attempted suicide.”

Allegedly, only one tape exists of the suicide and it may be so degraded that it's impossible to view.
(#21) Pot Activist Smokes Joint On Air
Proving that he's the grooviest of all pro-pot activists, Andre du Plessis, head of the Cannabis Working Group in South Africa, lit up a joint while on a televised debate with David Bayever, deputy chairperson of the Central Drug Authority. As edgy as du Plessis may be, he's no Zach Galifianakis.
(#14) Olympic Marathon Leader Tackled Mid-Race

During the marathon event at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima was attacked by a defrocked priest while he was running in the lead. The attack pushed de Lima back into third place.

On a positive note, de Lima was later awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal for the spirit of sportsmanship from the Olympic Commitee.