Politics and Pucks

This is a new feature I'll be adding to this blog called: Press Comedy. It will feature gaffes, media comedy, and other press conference shenanegans from the past and remind everyone that politics and other media gatherings, has its fair share of comedy and laughable moments.

This week is an old one, but it's sure to delight. Back in October 2004, Fidel Castro gave a televised speech. As he was walking away this happened:

Keep in mind, Cuban viewers did not see this on live TV. The USA Today writes:

Less than a minute later, Castro appeared live on state TV, sitting in a folding chair and sweating profusely in his olive green uniform, and explained what happened to viewers across the island of 11.2 million people.

He said he felt like he had broken his knee and perhaps his arm — "but I am all in one piece."

"I will do what is possible to recover as fast as possible, but as you can see I can still talk," he said. "Even if they put me in a cast, I can continue in my work."

Granted, Fidel Castro was 78 at the time, there had been speculation that his health had been declining. In the United States, this sparked a lot of conversation that is still ongoing of the Health of the Cuban President. Raul Castro, Fidel's brother is slated to take over upon the death of Fidel, and over the past 5 years Cuba has been transitioning him to power.

Despite the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bay of Pigs, and other revolutionary incidents of the Cuban Island, the eventual fall of Fidel Castro could be seen as a trip over a stair.