Top 20 Most Candid Talk Show Moments

VOICE OVER: Emily Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Jordy McKen

No scripts, no filters — just raw, unscripted emotion. Join us as we count down the most candid moments in talk show history, where hosts and guests ditched their public personas and showed us who they really are! Our countdown includes Jimmy Kimmel breaking down over his son's heart condition, David Letterman addressing America after 9/11, Conan O'Brien's moving farewell address, Craig Ferguson defending Britney Spears with genuine empathy, Dakota Johnson calling out Ellen DeGeneres on live TV, and more! Were you surprised by how open some of these TV personalities got on camera? Let us know in the comments below!

  • #20: Seth Meyers's Wife Gives Birth
  • #19: Joy Did Not Miss Meghan
  • #18: Johnny's Final Monologue
  • #17: Jimmy Kimmel Discusses the 2017 Las Vegas Attack
  • #16: Jimmy Fallon Finds Out Nicole Kidman Liked Him
  • #15: Conan's Farewell Address
  • #14: Nick Cannon Tearfully Reveals His Son's Death
  • #13: David Letterman's Monologue Following the Events of 9/11
  • #12: Craig Ferguson's Eulogy for his Father
  • #11: Andrew Garfield Dealing with Grief
  • #10: Conan Announces Robin Williams' Death
  • #9: Hugh Grant Saves His Career
  • #8: Norm Macdonald's Tearful Tribute to Letterman
  • #7: Surprising Steve on His Birthday
  • #6: Dakota Johnson Calls Out Ellen DeGeneres
  • #5: Craig Ferguson Defends Britney Spears
  • #4: Jimmy Talks About His Mom
  • #3: Regina King & Jimmy Kimmel Share a Moment
  • #2: Letterman Apologizes for Affair
  • #1: Jimmy Kimmel Talks About His Son

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Tags:

candid talk show moments, talk show hosts, late night television, Jimmy Kimmel, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, Craig Ferguson, Jimmy Fallon, Nicole Kidman, Robin Williams, Hugh Grant, Nick Cannon, Andrew Garfield, Seth Meyers, Steve Harvey, Dakota Johnson, Ellen DeGeneres, Britney Spears, Johnny Carson, Regina King
, TV, Talk Show, watchmojo, watch mojo, top 10, list, mojo,