Charles Barkley receives mixed reviews for unprepared tv moments and carefree style

For many, live TV can be a daunting challenge, especially when faced with a large audience. Yet, you’d expect seasoned figures like Charles Barkley to have all their bases covered.

But even legends like Charles Barkley aren’t immune to showing up underprepared. In fact, that’s exactly what happened during last Friday’s segment of March Madness, where Charles Barkley appeared noticeably out of his depth.

The amusing slip-up by Charles Barkley

If you missed it, here’s the scoop. Ernie Johnson asked Charles Barkley about his biggest takeaway from the first half of the game. The former Philadelphia 76ers player froze on the spot, desperately rifling through his notes to buy some time. However, it became clear that Barkley had no idea how to answer.

Although this moment could have been a disaster, reactions on social media were mixed, with many finding it humorous. Ernie Johnson didn’t make a big deal out of it either. Why? According to Johnson, moments like these are nothing new for Charles Barkley, as revealed on The Dan Patrick Show.

“We got away with it because we still had Kenny [Smith] and Clark [Kellogg] there, who could cover that game,” Johnson said. He added that Barkley had spent the segment looking down at his notes, seemingly preparing to give his thoughts on the game. “It was as if he had taken a couple of notes, only to realize he hadn’t watched anything.”

Gotta love Charles Barkley’s honesty that he wasn’t paying attention to Xavier vs Illinois! 🤣😂 Ernie Johnson loves it.🏀 #MarchMadness2025 pic.twitter.com/WCjqAJb3Os

— Adrian Mendoza (@DozaThreeTwoOne) March 22, 2025

Similar cases from the past

Johnson also took the opportunity to recall other instances where Charles Barkley had pulled off similar stunts. Apparently, Chuck takes pride in being a fan of the Oscars. However, as Johnson pointed out, that doesn’t always mean he’s informed.

“We were talking about Best Picture… And he told me, ‘I think the Best Picture will be 1918.’ I said, ‘Alright, tell me about it.’ He responded, ‘It’s the basics. You know what? I haven’t seen it.’ Moments like that are something you just expect,” Johnson shared.

That moment mirrored what happened with Charles Barkley last week. In fact, Barkley ended up admitting he hadn’t watched the game. The awkward moment turned hilarious when he said, “I was watching the Bryant game. Please give that question to Clark or Kenny.”

Other accusations against Charles Barkley

While this incident passed with humor, not all of Charles Barkley’s colleagues were entirely amused. Moreover, Barkley has faced more serious accusations in the past regarding his lack of attention to games.

For example, last year, Barkley and Shaq both expressed doubt about the New York Knicks making the playoffs. This didn’t sit well with Kendrick Perkins, who immediately called them out. Perkins argued that neither Charles Barkley nor Shaq kept up with basketball closely enough to form informed opinions.

According to Perkins, Charles Barkley and Shaq delivered an inaccurate evaluation. “Obviously, they don’t watch basketball. Seriously, they can’t watch basketball regularly. They probably only see the Knicks when they cover their games,” Perkins stated.

Even when the Knicks secured second place in the East, both  Barkley and Shaq held their ground, earning further criticism from Perkins. Despite these controversies, Barkley continues to thrive as a popular figure, known for his laid-back style and uncanny ability to turn mistakes into entertainment.