TV & VIDEO - April 2, 1990

“Predator II” Director Apologizes: “Good Morning America” host Joan Lunden received an apology from “Predator II” movie director Stephen Hopkins for interrupting a live interview with actor-musician Ruben Blades. Blades was being interviewed on the movie set Thursday morning when Hopkins abruptly yanked the earplug from Blades’ ear and ordered him back on the movie set. Lunden said it was the first time an interview ended so rudely in her 10 years on the show. Hopkins told Lunden on the show Friday: “Sometimes I get a bit carried away. Unfortunately, I interrupted your interview and I apologize for that. And I kind of humiliated Ruben, too, on national television, which is kind of a dumb thing to do.” Blades, sitting next to Hopkins, said of the incident: “I’m a musician for 15 years. I’ve played through riots and everything you can imagine. I figured, ‘Let someone be professional here.’ ”