Jennifer Lopez outsmarted animal rights protesters waiting to confront her outside a New York studio where she was to appear for a live show by secretly taping in advance the interview.

The People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA) activists, hounding Lopez's publicity tour for new movie "Monster-in-Law", were camping outside the studio for her appearance on Barbara Walters show "The View". They were stunned to discover the interview was already recorded last Tuesday, reports the Internet Media Database.

The activists, who had campaigned at the film's April premiere and outside MTV and David Letterman's TV show appearances earlier this month, intended to continue their bitter protest at the use of animal fur in J Lo's clothing range Sweetface.

"After the waves of noisy protesters that confronted her at David Letterman, it's no surprise that J Lo is avoiding any pre-announced live appearances in New York City," a spokesman said.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for "The View" insists fears about PETA had nothing to do with the decision to tape the normally live show.