Less than a month into the launch of his new talk show, Anderson Cooper, 44, is expressing concern over a serious accident that's left one of his guests in a coma.
In advance of an episode about the science of the teenage brain (based on an article in National Geographic magazine), producers of Anderson encourage one teen who was going to guest on the show to "film the crazy stuff you do," according to Gawker.com.
The Gawker story characterizes the incident as a sign that Anderson "has already devolved into the sort of unscrupulous talk-show tactics that Cooper's prime-time newsman personality would turn up his nose at."
But producers quickly released a statement of clarification. "As part of our routine process, we ask guests for video footage and photos," a spokesperson for the show said. "We did not provide the family with a camera. On the morning that they were supposed to travel to NYC, we learned that the teen had been injured. We are very concerned about him, and are thinking of him and his family at this time."
"I was very saddened to hear the news of this accident, and want to express my deepest concerns for the teenager who was injured," said Cooper in his own statement. "I take this situation seriously, and my thoughts and prayers for his health, well-being and recovery are with him and his family."
