Top 10 Times Talk Show Hosts Clapped Back at Guests
#10: Conan O'Brien Schools Jennifer Garner
Top 10 Times Conan O'Brien Clapped Back at Guests
“Late Night with Conan O'Brien” (1993-2009) Let’s kick things off with something lighthearted. In 2003, "Late Night" host Conan O’Brien was interviewing the “Alias” actress when she briefly paused her anecdote to correct his grammar. She also pointed out that she expected more from a Harvard graduate. The audience ate up her savagery and cheered her on while, like O'Brien, we started second-guessing ourselves. Not willing to let this burn slide, the host later pulled out a dictionary, and well, if you thought “snuck” was a word, you’d be correct. And he made quite a show of letting Garner know it. But even while being publicly shamed, the endearing star still came across as totally loveable.
#9: Oprah Calls Out 50 Cent’s Offensive Lyrics
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“Oprah's Next Chapter” (2012-15) 50 Cent’s feud with the renowned talk show host was something none of us saw coming, and apparently, neither did she. So she had the rapper on her show, where they aired out his grievances face-to-face. It turns out that he had heard Winfrey’s criticism of rap music culture and had taken it rather personally. However, Oprah didn’t back down, instead doubling down on everything she found problematic about it. She also proved she’d done her homework, confronting him on some of the other comments he’d made about her. Still, this exchange showed that calling someone out doesn’t always have to be hostile. The pair were able to laugh together, finding mutual respect for one another.
#8: Jimmy Kimmel Drags Andy Dick... Literally
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“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (2003-) In 2007, Jimmy Kimmel had Andy Dick and Ivanka Trump as guests on his show. Throughout their appearance, Dick refused to keep his hands to himself despite Trump’s obvious discomfort and Kimmel’s many warnings. She laughed nervously and even tried to ward off his advances to no avail. Eventually, Kimmel, assisted by security, was left with no choice but to drag the comedian off the set. The host later admitted that Dick’s unpredictability always left him a bit on edge. And as we know, this wouldn’t be the last time the comedian faced misconduct allegations either. The whole situation had us wincing, and would no doubt have been handled differently today.
#7: Elisabeth Hasselbeck Calls Out Kathy Griffin Over Past Comments
“The View” (1997-) During an appearance on “The View,” the comedian talked about her famously unfiltered sense of humor and how sometimes it lands and sometimes it doesn’t. She confessed that if she finds something funny, she’ll say it regardless of whose feelings might get hurt. Sherri Shepherd talked about being the butt of Griffin’s sharp tongue, but took it all in good spirits. Her co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck, however, called out the comedian for comments she’d made about “The View” hosts in the past. Still, Griffin was just further energized by this interaction, reveling in the backlash. We know both women insisted things were “cool,” but it definitely didn’t seem that way to those of us watching!
#6: Rosie O’Donnell Challenges Tom Selleck
“The Rosie O'Donnell Show” (1996-2002) When Tom Selleck stopped by “The Rosie O’Donnell Show” in 1999, he thought he’d be talking up his latest flick, “The Love Letter.” However, since the interview took place shortly after the Columbine tragedy, and due to Selleck’s association with the NRA, O’Donnell had other plans. Throughout the segment, she came at the actor from every angle, arguing that he was a “spokesperson” for the organization. He appeared blindsided by the confrontation but replied calmly. To say things got frosty would be an understatement though. O’Donnell later admitted that she regrets her approach. On a semi-related note, Selleck stepped down from the NRA's board of directors in 2018.
#5: Phillip Schofield Highlights Katie Hopkins’ Hypocrisy
“This Morning” (1988-) Katie Hopkins is a majorly controversial figure who regularly makes deeply offensive remarks. Case in point, during this segment on the British daytime talk show "This Morning," she ranted about how she judges children by their first names. Holly Willoughby, who’s typically known for her cheery and affable demeanor, simply couldn’t keep her cool in the face of such snobbery and classist attitude. Her co-host Phillip Schofield couldn’t resist speaking up, either. When Hopkins discussed the types of names she found abhorrent, including so-called “geographical” ones, he clapped back. We only wish someone had handed him a microphone to drop. He certainly earned it.
#4: David Letterman Loses His Cool on Harvey Pekar
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“Late Night with David Letterman” (1982-93) Comic book writer Harvey Pekar was practically a regular on Letterman’s show, and you never quite knew what you’d get with each appearance. However, neither did the host, making for some very edgy moments. Letterman usually could match wits with his guest, but tensions rose to new heights after Pekar protested NBC’s joint parent company, General Electric. Things only got more heated when he called Letterman a “shill” for the corporation. The host was not having it, however, and blasted his guest’s inappropriate behavior. Pekar was not invited back on the late night show for years following this 1988 appearance.
#3: Whoopi Goldberg & Joy Behar Take a Stand Against Bill O'Reilly
“The View” (1997-) If there’s one thing we can say about “The View” panel, it’s that they never back down from a fight. For instance, in 2011, the ladies fired back at a certain future President when he went on and on about President Obama’s birth certificate. However, that was nothing compared to this hostile interaction with political pundit Bill O’Reilly after he made an offensive remark [1]. Goldberg lost her cool entirely, and she and Joy Behar took a stand by walking out. Meanwhile, the others continued to call O’Reilly out over his awful comment. Eventually, Goldberg and Behar returned after the guest kind of apologized. But it was Barbara Walters who got the final cutting comment.
#2: Jon Stewart Confronts Jim Cramer
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“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” (1999-2015) Back in 2009, this then-“Daily Show” presenter came gunning for several CNBC hosts, accusing them of misleading the public in the lead-up to the 2008 financial crash. Among them was “Mad Money” host Jim Cramer, who rebuked Stewart’s criticism of the network. So when Cramer appeared on “The Daily Show,” Stewart unleashed his full wrath, challenging the presenter and exposing his hypocrisy. In fact, this dispute is often credited for putting “Roll 212” into our lexicon. The conversation got extremely heated, with Stewart practically steamrolling his opposition. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this confrontation left Cramer feeling pretty bruised. Meanwhile, Stewart was widely praised for his passion, forthrightness and for vocalizing the outrage shared by many.
#1: Ellen DeGeneres Confronts John McCain on Same-Sex Marriage Views
Top 10 Times Celebs Clapped Back at Ellen
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (2003-22) When John McCain agreed to appear on “Ellen,” he must have known that the topic of marriage equality was bound to arise. California had recently legalized same-sex marriage, and DeGeneres was already planning a ceremony with her partner Portia de Rossi. She challenged McCain on his conservative views, and talked about how this was a human rights issue. Unfortunately, she didn’t manage to shift his opinion, but he technically didn’t say no to walking her down the aisle. A few years later, DeGeneres faced another contentious interview over marriage equality with Caitlyn Jenner. The aftermath of their chat supposedly ignited a feud between the pair.