You Won’t Believe These A-Listers Who Got Banned from Talk Shows

2. The Kardashians

Looks like the Kardashian-Jenner crew has been banned from Anderson Cooper’s show! On a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, the CNN anchor was asked the ultimate question, if there was one guest he would ban from his show and without hesitation, he said all of the Kardashians.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Talk about a major shade! But the drama doesn’t stop there, Khloé was actually watching the show live and had tweeted about how much she loved Anderson mere minutes before he answered the question. Talk about a major embarrassment for the KUWTK star. This is some serious drama, and we can’t wait to see how the Kardashians react to this major ban. Will they be able to make a comeback on Anderson’s show? You never know with that family!

3. Oprah Winfrey

Hold on to your seats, folks, because the drama between Oprah Winfrey and David Letterman is about to unfold! These two broadcast television heavyweights had a mysterious feud for over 25 years, with Oprah refusing to come on Letterman’s show, and Letterman taking potshots at her. Can you even imagine? Apparently, it all started with a Paris prank where Letterman duped Oprah into paying for his dinner (but, like, can’t she afford it?!)

CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

But the good news is, these two have since made up, appearing in a Super Bowl ad together (with Jay Leno, too!) and even guesting on each other’s shows. Talk about a wild ride! This feud had us on the edge of our seats for over two decades, but we’re glad to see that these two have buried the hatchet. Will Oprah and David be the next dynamic duo of television? Only time will tell.

4. Steven Seagal

Looks like Steven Seagal has been banned from the iconic show Saturday Night Live! But it’s not for the reason you might think. He didn’t do anything outrageous or offensive, but he’s still not allowed back. The reason? He was rude to the cast and crew, making him highly disliked on set. Yikes! We all know that Hollywood can be a tough industry but being rude to the people you work with is never a good idea. It’s a true shame, as Seagal is a huge martial artist and an accomplished actor and could have been a great addition to the show. But it seems his attitude got the best of him, and now he’s banned from the show.

YouTube

Even Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of SNL, said Seagal was the worst host they ever had on the show. Talk about a major burn! It’s not often that you hear of someone getting banned from the show, but it looks like Seagal’s attitude got the best of him. This is a true cautionary tale of how not to behave on set, and how one’s attitude can ruin a great opportunity. Will Seagal ever be able to make a comeback on SNL? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure, he better bring his A-game if he wants to redeem himself. It’s always possible to turn things around, but Seagal has a long way to go to get back in the good graces of the SNL team.

5. Madonna

The drama between Madonna and Piers Morgan just keeps heating up! The Queen of Pop has been banned from Piers Morgan’s (now canceled) CNN show, and it’s all because of a longtime grudge the host holds against her. We know, we know, it’s hard to believe that Madonna could be banned from anything, but it’s not too surprising when you find out that the person who banned her was Piers Morgan.

ITV/Instagram

In 2011, the controversial English talk show host stated that he would never have her as a guest on his show, calling her an irritant in his life for the past 20 years. But it gets even more juicy, he said he would only let the singer on his show if she made a public apology. We are left wondering, what could Madonna have possibly done to make Piers Morgan hold such a grudge against her? This is some serious drama, and we can’t wait to see what happens next in this never-ending feud.

6. Joan Rivers

You wouldn’t have believed the drama that went down between Joan Rivers and Johnny Carson! The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson ran on NBC for 30 years and one of his permanent guest hosts was none other than Joan Rivers. These two comedians were thick as thieves for some time, but things took a dramatic turn when Rivers received her own talk show for the FOX Network, airing opposite of Carson.

TheThings

According to Carson, Rivers never personally told him that she received her own show, but Rivers disagreed. Joan’s talk show was quickly canceled, but she was never allowed back on Carson’s talk show, nor Jay Leno’s show, out of respect for Carson. The ultimate burn! This feud had us on the edge of our seats, as these two were once friends, but the talk show drama tore them apart. When Carson passed in 2005, Rivers revealed that he never forgave her. This is one feud that will go down in history, as these two comedy legends couldn’t reconcile their differences.

7. Kathy Griffin

Looks like Kathy Griffin has been banned from almost all of them! The comedian is no stranger to controversy and her antics have gotten her banned from multiple talk shows. According to Collider, she’s been banned from Leno, Conan, Ellen, The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, Letterman, and The Today Show. That’s a long list!

YouTube

It’s not hard to see why Griffin has been banned from so many shows, as she’s had some wild moments on live air. One example is when she stripped down to her undergarments during the 2012 New Year’s broadcast. Another one is when she dropped the F-bomb on The View and made a very memorable appearance on Letterman in 2012, after being banned, and proceeded to undress on air.

Griffin is known for her bold and unapologetic comedy style, but it seems that some talk show hosts were not too thrilled about her antics. It’s a true testament to her fearless attitude and her willingness to push the boundaries of what’s considered appropriate.

8. Howie Mandel

Looks like Howie Mandel has been banned from Piers Morgan’s show! If you’ve ever watched America’s Got Talent, you probably know that Mandel and Morgan didn’t exactly see eye to eye. The two famously did not get along when they were on AGT together, largely because Howie was keen on pranking Piers. And we all know, Piers Morgan doesn’t take any crap.

YouTube

It’s not a surprise that the two didn’t get along, as Howie is known for his love of pranks and Piers is known for his no-nonsense attitude. But things came to a head when Howie’s stint on the reality competition series ended, and Piers banned him from his show. Talk about a major shade!

9. Gilbert Gottfried

Gilbert Gottfried was banned from The Howard Stern Show! With his most famous role as the voice of Iago in Disney’s Aladdin, Gilbert Gottfried had one of the most recognizable voices in Hollywood. He’s had numerous roles in movies and television and was a frequent guest on Howard Stern’s talk show.

YouTube

The two men got along quite well, and Gottfried appeared on the show several times, but something occurred between them that got him banned from the show. According to Screen Rant, it’s presumed that the actor took a joke too far by either spitting on cupcakes or spitting them on the floor behind the scenes. But some people believe that the two stars just didn’t click anymore. It’s hard to say what really happened between these two, but one thing’s for sure, the ban has got us all talking.

10. Martin Lawrence

Looks like Martin Lawrence has been banned from Saturday Night Live! To enjoy the comedy of Martin Lawrence is to accept his outrageousness. From his standup to his sitcom Martin, to the Big Momma’s House franchise, Lawrence is known for pushing the boundaries of what’s considered appropriate. But when he hosted Saturday Night Live in 1994, he broke a little too bad.

YouTube

In his opening monologue, Lawrence went off script and delivered an unexpected set about “the inner workings of the female body.” It was so offensive that SNL executive producer Lorne Michaels banned him, and the monologue was removed from all reruns.

It’s not easy to get banned from a show, but Lawrence managed to do it. This is a true testament to his bold and unapologetic comedy style, but it seems that some people were not too thrilled about his antics. It’s a shame that this incident overshadowed his entire appearance on the show, as he’s known for his talent and comedic timing.

11. Director Harmony Korine

Looks like Director Harmony Korine has been banned from David Letterman’s late-night show! Korine is known for his bold and boundary-pushing films, but it seems like he took things a little too far when he allegedly stole from Meryl Streep’s purse.

Amy Sussman / Getty Images

According to Letterman, while preparing for the show, he went upstairs to greet Streep and welcome her to the show. But when he knocked on the door, she was not there. And as he looked around, he found Korine going through her purse. Talk about a major violation of privacy! Letterman was understandably furious and immediately banned Korine from the show. This ban will always be remembered as one of the most shocking moments in the show’s history.

12. Howard Stern

Looks like Howard Stern has been banned from The Tonight Show! The shock jock isn’t popular with everyone, and we’ve all known that for a long time. He and TV personality Jay Leno have been enemies for years, which at one point got Howard Stern banned from The Tonight Show.

Splash News

It all started when Howard appeared on the show with Jay in 1995 and caused so much chaos that he got banned. Jay Leno has even said on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, “I didn’t get into the feud, because you’re not going to win a feud with Howard. Howard is good. If you start that feud, boom, you’re down.” It’s not every day that someone gets banned from a talk show, but Howard Stern managed to do just that. While some may see it as a testament to his bold and unapologetic attitude, others were not thrilled about his antics.

13. Jay Leno

Looks like Jay Leno has been banned from Conan! Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien have a rocky history when it comes to talk shows. If there’s talk show drama, look for Jay Leno at the center. After stealing The Tonight Show slot from David Letterman, Leno stole it back from his successor, Conan O’Brien, just one year into the run.

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

It’s no surprise that O’Brien had some thoughts about this. When he moved to TBS to host his own late-night show, the simply named Conan, he had one rule: Leno will never be a guest. O’Brien was firm about this, even publicly turning down any hypothetical amount of money he’d be given for such an interview. This ban is a testament to the long-standing drama and controversies that surrounded Leno and Conan’s relationship and career in the talk show industry.

14. Dax Shepard

Dax Shepard, known for his roles in TV shows and movies such as “Parenthood” and “Hit and Run,” has had a rocky past with substance abuse. In a recent interview, the actor and TV personality admitted that his substance abuse issues affected his career and public persona.

Fox News

One of the most notable incidents that occurred during this time was when Shepard was banned from the talk show “Conan” after showing up 20 minutes before his scheduled appearance, drunk and high. Shepard acknowledged the ban, stating “I was banned from that show for some years, until I got sober.” However, the actor is now sober and has made amends with the talk show host. This ban serves as a reminder of the negative impact that substance abuse can have on one’s personal and professional life. It also highlights the importance of addressing and overcoming addiction in order to move forward and make amends.

15. Adrien Brody

In 2003, actor Adrien Brody made headlines for all the wrong reasons when he was banned from the long-running sketch comedy show, “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). Brody, who had served as host of the show that year, went off-script during a live segment and performed a racist impersonation of a Jamaican person, complete with a dreadlock wig and thick accent. The segment was supposed to be an introduction for musical guest Sean Paul, who is Jamaican.

Antony Jones / Getty Images

The incident sparked backlash and condemnation, with many viewers and critics finding the impersonation to be offensive and insensitive. SNL’s executive producer and creator, Lorne Michaels, was reportedly furious over the incident and banned Brody from hosting future episodes of the show. This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and cultural awareness in entertainment.

16. Gary Busey

Gary Busey, the actor known for his unpredictable and over-the-top behavior, has had a tumultuous relationship with Howard Stern, the radio host and personality. This relationship reached a boiling point in the past, resulting in Busey getting banned from Stern’s radio show.

20th Century Fox/YouTube

According to reports, the incident that led to Busey’s ban from the show occurred when he became physical with Howard’s co-host Robin Quiver, bear-hugging her during a live segment. The situation escalated further when Busey tackled Howard, resulting in a physical altercation. Following this incident, Busey was banned from appearing on the show again. This incident highlights the potential dangers of physical altercations on live radio shows and the importance of maintaining a safe and professional environment for all involved.

17. Kelsey Grammer

In the world of talk shows, tensions can run high, and emotions can boil over. Such was the case when actor Kelsey Grammer, best known for his role in the hit series “Frasier,” was scheduled to appear on “Piers Morgan Live” for an interview. However, the appearance took a turn for the worse when host Piers Morgan featured a photo of Grammer’s ex-wife, Camille, in the show’s opening credits.

NBC Photo Archive

Grammer, fresh off a bitter divorce from Camille, requested that the photo be removed from the segment. But Morgan refused, standing his ground on the decision. In response, Grammer decided to walk off the set before giving the interview. Morgan, in turn, banned Grammer from appearing on his show for life. This highlights the importance of professionalism and boundaries in the talk show industry.

18. Andy Kaufman

You know what they say, all good things must come to an end. And that’s exactly what happened with postmodern comedian Andy Kaufman and his relationship with Saturday Night Live. Kaufman made his mark on the first episode of the show by performing an iconic lip-sync to the Mighty Mouse theme song. He continued to appear on the show several times, leaving audiences in awe. But, just like everything else in Kaufman’s life, his ban from SNL was all just one big joke.

NBC Photo Archive

SNL had a phone hotline where viewers could call in and vote on whether or not Kaufman should be banned from the show. And let’s just say, the majority of viewers weren’t feeling the Kaufman love. But, true to his comedic style, Kaufman honored the ban and never appeared on the show again. It’s a shame we never got to see more of him on SNL but it’s also just one of the many reasons why Andy Kaufman will always be remembered as one of the most influential comedians of all time.

19. Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant, the charming British actor known for his roles in Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral, apparently left a bad taste in the mouth of one talk show host. On an episode of The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Grant allegedly acted high maintenance and rude towards the host and staff. It’s not quite clear what specifically happened on the episode, but it must have been quite the ordeal for Stewart to make the decision to ban him from the show.

Comedy Central

Stewart, known for his quick wit and no-nonsense attitude, had no tolerance for Grant’s behavior and banned him from the show with no apology. This move is quite rare for a talk show host, as most of them would rather have a guest back on their show to boost ratings. However, Stewart’s decision shows that he values the comfort of his own staff and the respect they should be given more than just boosting the ratings.

It’s not often that we hear of a Hollywood A-lister getting banned from a talk show, but this incident just goes to show that even the most charming and beloved actors can have their moments of rudeness. Talk about a dramatic turn from the politely stammering gent we’re used to seeing on screen! Who knew Hugh Grant had a diva side?

20. Chevy Chase

If you thought Chevy Chase was just a lovable, clumsy, and goofy guy from the classic comedy show Saturday Night Live, think again. The actor, who was part of the original cast of the show, has been banned from hosting the show again, and it’s all because of his wild behavior.

NBC Photo Archive

Rumors of Chase’s controversial reputation have been circulating for years, and when he returned to host the show in 1997, things only got worse. According to sources, he was constantly yelling at the cast members, pitching sketches that were deemed inappropriate, and even went as far as slapping cast member, Cheri O’Terri, as a joke.

Will Ferrell, who was also a cast member at the time, reported the incident to executive producer Lorne Michaels, and as a result, Chase was banned from hosting the show ever again. But don’t worry, you can still catch him making non-hosting cameo appearances on the show.

21. Vivica A. Fox

Oh snap, things got heated on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Vivica A. Fox was not here for it! The actress and TV personality is known for her appearances on the talk show circuit, but it looks like her days on Jimmy Kimmel Live are over. It all went down when Vivica walked out of an interview after Jimmy dissed her good friend, Star Jones. Yikes!

Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images

But the drama didn’t stop there. Vivica was surprised to hear that she had been banned from the show, but Jimmy actually apologized to her in private after the incident. Looks like these two have kissed and made up, but we’re not sure if we’ll see Vivica back on the show anytime soon. Talk about drama!

22. David Bowie

David Bowie, the iconic rockstar and fashion icon, was once banned from Saturday Night Live! It’s hard to believe that the Thin White Duke would be banned from anywhere, but in 1997, he found himself on the wrong side of SNL producer Lorne Michaels. The story goes that Michaels had booked Bowie to perform his latest single “Telling Lies” on the show but asked that he not perform “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)” as it reminded Michaels of some difficult times.

NBC Photo Archive

But Bowie, being the rebel he is, decided to play the song anyway, causing Michaels to ban him from the show. But we all know that Bowie’s music will live on forever and nothing can stop him.

23. Vince Vaughn

Vince Vaughn, known for his charming smile and comedic timing, took a major L when it came to his appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. In 2011, the actor starred in a movie called The Dilemma and in it, he made an antigay joke about electric cars being “not homosexual, but my-parents-are-chaperoning-the-dance gay.” Yikes.

Michael Rozman/Warner Bros

The comment didn’t sit well with Ellen, who is a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Rumors have it that she was urged by Anderson Cooper to ban Vince from the show. So, if you’re a fan of Vince’s and were hoping to catch him on Ellen’s couch, you might be out of luck.

24. Artie Lange

It’s not every day that a comedian gets banned from a talk show, but that’s exactly what happened to Artie Lange. The comedian, known for his appearances on The Howard Stern Show and Mad TV, was banned from Conan O’Brien’s show after showing up visibly drunk and high. But, before you start thinking Conan is a party pooper, it’s important to know that the ban was actually a move made out of love and concern for Lange’s well-being.

Mike Pont / Getty Images

As someone who has struggled with drug addiction, Conan knew that Artie needed help and banned him in an effort to encourage him to get sober. Lange later took to Twitter to express his gratitude towards Conan, calling him a “great guy who’s been great to me.” It’s not often that we see such a kind and supportive move from a talk show host. Artie Lange is now sober and doing well.

25. Bill Hicks

Bill Hicks is the king of comedy, known for his sharp wit and hilarious stand-up routines. So, what could he have possibly said on an episode of the Late Show With David Letterman that got him banned for life? Apparently, it was all because of a few jokes about Billy Ray Cyrus. Yup, that’s right, the “Achy Breaky Heart” singer.

Angela Davis, CC BY 2.0/YouTube

According to reports, Letterman was so offended by Hicks’ jokes that he immediately banned him from the show. But, after Hicks passed away just a year later, Letterman had a change of heart and invited Hicks’ mom on the show as a guest, apologized for the incident and aired the segment. Talk about a dramatic turn of events!

It’s clear that these 25 A-listers had their fair share of controversies that led to their bans from talk shows. From offensive language to physical altercations, these celebrities made headlines for all the wrong reasons. However, it’s important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and some of these celebrities have apologized and moved on from their past actions.

Despite the bans, these celebrities have continued to make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry. They have gone on to create new projects, speak out on important issues and continue to have successful careers.

It’s always interesting to look back at these incidents, but it’s also important to remember that people can grow and change. Regardless of the reasons behind these bans, we hope that these celebrities have learned from their mistakes and will continue to entertain us in the future. Thanks for reading!