AMERICAN TV viewers were left bemused on Sunday when a report about the death of United States Senator John McCain immediately cut to two half-naked, overweight men wearing dolphin masks performing an erotic dance.

Broadcaster NBC has come under fire for the jarring transition, which some described as insensitive. Presenter Richard Lui closed out the special report of the death of the Arizona senator at the age of 81 saying, “We will return to our regular programming”.

The feed immediately cut back to a repeat episode of America’s Got Talent featuring shirtless duo Yumbo Dump performing a “dolphin love story” dance, suggestively mimicking masturbation before coming together to “kiss”.

NBC solemnly announces death of Sen. John McCain.



Wait for it. pic.twitter.com/xAqZ3HtvHa — Rob Beschizza (@Beschizza) August 26, 2018

“NBC solemnly announces death of Sen. John McCain. Wait for it,” tweeted Boing Boing editor Rob Beschizza. The video has since been viewed more than 4.4 million times.

“This was an huge mistake,” wrote one Twitter user. “I get the sense that whoever made that decision won’t be making many more in the future.”

Many saw the humour, however. “In a way, a poignant and fitting reminder that life goes on,” one person wrote. “So long and thanks for all the fish,” another said.

TV director Ron Gilmer said it wasn’t the fault of the news crew. “As someone who has done a million of these ‘Special Reports,’ you’re in a control room and you have no idea what’s on the air before or after you finish,” he wrote.

“You start and end when the suits in the control room tell you to.”

frank.chung@news.com.au