Longtime ESPN anchor Scott Van Pelt narrowly avoided a potential controversy during the midnight edition of SportsCenter on New Year’s Eve, as live footage from Times Square captured an unexpected moment.
That moment clearly caught the veteran broadcaster off guard. He delivered comedy gold with his initial reaction and subsequent recovery, which shows he’s a true professional.
Van Pelt, who has hosted the late-night SportsCenter since 2015, was commentating as ESPN cut to ABC’s coverage of the ball drop in New York City. The feed showed crowds celebrating, including various couples kissing at midnight.
Scott was clearly not expecting one couple in particular. He initially joked about the unusual sight for a sports program — “Yeah, live makeouts on SportsCenter. Get into it…”
Van Pelt’s tone shifted when the camera panned to two men kissing.
“Oh… what are we, what do we got?” he said, clearly taken aback before swiftly recovering. “We’ve got love in the air. We’ve got makeouts. Who’s having a good time? Happy New Year, everybody!”
NEW: ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt visibly disgusted after two men making out popped up on his screen during New Year’s coverage.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 1, 2026
“Yeah… Live makeouts on Sports Center. Get into it,” he said in response to the normal couples.
“Ohhhhhhhh! What are we….” he said in response to the gay… pic.twitter.com/gkPFmJA9ng
Scott Van Pelt had Everybody Talking
Social media erupted in response to Scott Van Pelt’s viral clip. Many laughed. Others commented on how he likely saved his career by catching himself. Ya know, the LGBTQABC123 mafia are not kind folks on social media.
“It was just his honest, genuine reaction,” influencer Collin Rugg wrote. “Quite the save.”
Another commenter pointed out that an initial reaction does not mean Van Pelt is a bad guy.
“Most straight men don’t want to see two men making out. Doesn’t mean we hate them, just means we don’t want to see it,” he wrote. “This was a knee-jerk reaction, not a glimpse into this man’s soul.”
“Scott forgot that he was in public for a split second,” another responded, adding a laughing emoji.
The cameraman 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/97VmMHqTBK
— The Random Guy (@RandomTheGuy_) January 1, 2026
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ESPN Won’t Be Pleased
Many praised the clip as an “all-time live television save,” highlighting Scott Van Pelt’s quick thinking under pressure. I mean, he’s not going to survive that at a woke network like ESPN, for sure, unless he does some immediate damage control.
Well done, sir.
ESPN has been frequently criticized for integrating progressive social issues, such as racial justice and LGBT representation, into its sports programming, earning it the label of a “woke” network from detractors.
Van Pelt, known for his smooth delivery and sports analysis, continues to anchor SportsCenter without interruption. The wokesters can be disgusted themselves all they want.