Talk show host busted checking out Melania Trump on live TV

MSNBC commentator Chris Matthews landed himself in hot water during the network's live coverage of the Indiana primary on Tuesday, all thanks to a pesky hot mic.

The veteran political talk show host was caught commenting on Melania Trump's "runway walk" while the GOP frontrunner Donald Trump was walking to the podium to deliver his victory speech, accompanied by his former model wife.

"Did you see her walk? Runway walk. My God, is that good," the 70-year-old anchor remarked.

"I could watch that runway show," he added, seemingly unaware that his commentary was being picked up on the broadcast.

Brian Williams, who was co-anchoring the coverage, stammered ever so slightly before quickly cutting to a commercial break.

A spokesperson for Melania Trump released a statement to Variety in response to Matthews' comments.

"Melania Trump is an accomplished businesswoman and entrepreneur in her own right, achieving tremendous success in a variety of industries, including an illustrious modelling career, as well as being a dedicated wife and mother," a rep for the 46-year-old mother-of-one said.

"It is unfortunate to see the continuous inaccuracies and misrepresentations made by the media of Mrs. Trump as anything less than the independently successful woman that she is."

Spokespeople for NBC News and MSNBC have yet to respond to requests for comment regarding Matthews' remarks.

Matthews has been slammed for his comments made on live television regarding women in the past. During the last presidential cycle, in 2011, he said there was "something electric" about the way Sarah Palin walks and moves, calling her "very attractive."

In 2008, he argued that Hillary Clinton was successful because Bill Clinton "messed around".

"I think the Hillary appeal has always been somewhat about her mix of toughness and sympathy for her. Let's not forget the reason she is a US Senator, the reason she is a candidate for President is because her husband messed around," he said on MSNBC's Morning Joe. "We keep forgetting it. She didn't get there on her merits, because everyone felt, 'My God, this woman stood up under humiliation.' Right? That's what happened."

He later apologised, admitting he "sounded nasty".

In 2007, during the Democratic primary battle, the Hardball anchor remarked that Clinton looked like Nurse Ratched, the antagonist in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.