Top 30 Shocking Talk Show Scandals

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the biggest controversies to sully the reputation of famous talk shows or their hosts. If you could give any celebrity their own talk show, who would you pick? Kristen Bell? Jason Mantzoukas? Maya Rudolph? Or someone else? Let us know below!

#30: Russell Brand & Jonathan Ross's Cruel Joke

In 2008, BBC talk show host Ross joined Brand’s radio show as his guest co-host. Andrew Sachs, best known for his work in the sitcom “Fawlty Towers,” was meant to be a phone-in guest. However, when the hosts couldn’t reach him, Ross and Brand left several voicemails on-air. However, it quickly went off the rails when they joked about Brand's intimate relationship with Sachs's granddaughter, Georgina Baillie. The anger over pranking a beloved UK actor was massive, especially as Sachs did not consent to the messages being played on air. Ross was suspended while Brand resigned from the BBC, and the corporation was fined £150,000. In 2010, Ross left the BBC and soon joined ITV to create “The Jonathan Ross Show.”

#29: Sharon Osbourne Defends Piers Morgan

From “The Talk’s” debut in 2010, Osbourne was one of its most famous and controversial hosts. While she survived several scandals, it all came to a head in 2021. In the wake of her friend Piers Morgan’s vendetta against Meghan Markle and walking away from “Good Morning Britain,” Osbourne stuck up for him on “The Talk.” She clashed with co-host Sheryl Underwood, drawing the ire of the audience with her behavior in defending racism. With the resurfacing of clips of Osbourne claiming Markle wasn’t black and allegations from former hosts of racist comments and getting them fired, “The Talk” initiated an investigation. In the end, Osbourne was let go.

#28: Jimmy Kimmel Apologizes For Using Blackface

Before he was one of the biggest talk show hosts around, Kimmel was a co-host on “The Man Show,” which featured sketches, often parodying celebrities. In 2020, now fronting “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” he released an apology for his work on “The Man Show” and in other projects. At the time, he’d taken part in sketches where he parodied celebrities by wearing blackface. Kimmel portrayed such famous figures as NBA icon Karl Malone and talk show legend Oprah Winfrey. He also developed a comedy Christmas album in 1996, where he pretended to be Snoop Dogg as he uttered racial slurs. Kimmel followed his apology with a couple of months away from his show with a vacation before returning.

#27: James Corden's Ban

In 2022, the host of “The Late Late Show with James Corden” found himself in a unique scandal. Reports soon came out that Corden had been banned from New York restaurant Balthazar by owner Keith McNally. He claimed the Brit had been abusive to his staff on two occasions. The first had to do with Corden finding hair in his dish and demanding his drinks be comped. The second time, the host screamed at staff over his wife’s omelet order. The controversy got so big that Corden apologized on his show. In response, McNally unbanned him. However, after Corden denied his behavior in an interview with The Times shortly after, he was seemingly banned once more by McNally.

#26: Bill Maher Uses A Racial Slur

In 2017, “Real Time with Bill Maher” had then-Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse on as a guest to promote his book, “The Vanishing American Adult.” However, when Sasse offered Maher to work in the fields if he visited Nebraska, the host responded with a racial slur. After Sasse grimaced and groans rang out from the audience, Maher stated it was a joke before moving on. The outrage caused demands for HBO to fire Maher, who issued an apology. Sasse also apologized for not speaking out at the time. In a follow-up episode, Ice Cube, Symone Sanders, and Michael Eric Dyson confronted Maher on what he said and why it was damaging to the Black community.

#25: Series of Wendy Williams Controversies

Oh, boy. Just one of these scandals is enough to cancel a talk show, let alone several in the space of 18 months. In January 2020, Williams drew ire on “The Wendy Williams Show” when she seemingly mocked rumors of Joaquin Phoenix having a cleft palate treated. A month later, she ranted against gay men who opt to wear women’s clothing. Days later, Williams mocked Amie Harwick, who was murdered and pushed from a balcony, by using ex-fiancé Drew Carey’s “Price is Right” catchphrase, “Come on down.” In July 2021, Williams belittled TikTok rapper Swavy by asking if her audience knew who Swavy was, then announcing that he had passed away. In 2022, “The Wendy Williams Show” was canceled, citing health issues by the host.

#24: The Affair of Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes

When running a TV show, the chemistry between the hosts is a vital component. However, Robach and Holmes took that too far. In 2022, the co-hosts of “GMA3: What You Need to Know” were photographed getting cozy with each other off-camera, igniting rumors of an affair between them. They were married to other people. Shortly after, ABC took them off-air to investigate this, as well as accusations that Holmes had other affairs with additional staff. This led to Robach and Holmes being fired by the channel, and they went public with their relationship. Reportedly, the exes of Robach and Holmes, Andrew Shue and Marilee Fiebig, started seeing each other in the aftermath.

#23: The Cancellation of “Donahue”

In 1996, after 29 years, “The Phil Donahue Show” ended as the legendary host retired to be with his family. But in 2002, he returned with his self-titled program, “Donahue,” on MSNBC. Yet in early 2003, the show was canceled, with the network citing low ratings. Shortly after, the real reason came out. An internal MSNBC memo was leaked that claimed Donahue should be fired due to his anti-war beliefs and his views against the US invasion of Iraq. Years later, MSNBC higher-ups changed track and tried to blame the cancellation on high production costs instead. Donahue spent the rest of his days as a guest on various shows before he passed away in 2024.

#22: Megyn Kelly's Blackface Comments

In 2018, in the wake of reality star Luann de Lesseps using blackface to dress up as Diana Ross for Halloween, the “Megyn Kelly Today” show decided to tackle the scandal, only for the host to cause her own. Kelly defended Lesseps, claiming that when she was a child it was okay to don blackface to play a character, so it should be fine today. Understandably, the audience was livid. On top of apologizing to staff, Kelly also said sorry on her show. However, within days, NBC canceled “Megyn Kelly Today,” barely a year after its debut. Several months later, in early 2019, Kelly’s contract was terminated. The host received the remainder of her multi-million-dollar contract.

#21: “The Jeremy Kyle Show” Cancellation

Presenting his self-titled show since 2005, Kyle was a leading figure in UK daytime TV. With a similar format to “The Jerry Springer Show” and “Maury,” this regularly drew accusations that Kyle was “human bear-baiting.” In 2019, his talk show empire came crashing down. After guest Steve Dymond failed the show’s signature lie detector test, which has disputed accuracy, he sadly took his own life. Within days, “The Jeremy Kyle Show” was canceled by ITV and repeats were scrubbed everywhere. Kyle’s confrontational and misleading style was heavily criticized following reports of other guests passing away. After the coroner’s report stated Kyle was possibly responsible, an inquest in 2024 cleared the host.

#20: Whoopi Goldberg Defends Bill Cosby

As one of the co-hosts of the long-running talk show “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg’s controversial statements have landed her in hot water one too many times. In 2015, after the assault allegations against Bill Cosby came to light, Goldberg’s first instinct was seemingly to come to his defense. Despite the fact that Cosby had admitted to drugging women in the past, the EGOT-winning multi-hyphenate still backed him on the talk show panel, stating that he was innocent until proven guilty. Needless to say, her comments weren’t received well by the public. In light of the apparent evidence against Cosby, Goldberg eventually flipped her stance, acknowledging that it all pointed towards guilt.

#19: Morton Downey Jr.’s $40 Million Lawsuit

Before Jerry Springer popularized the trash TV format, there was “The Morton Downey Jr. Show.” But unlike Springer, who typically tried to quell fights on his set, Downey was the instigator. In one of his most infamous episodes, the host brought on an adult entertainer named Kellie Everts, who claimed to be a performer for God. Throughout the segment, Downey called her several demeaning names and, at different points, pushed her with his pelvis. These were all met with loud cheers from his audience. Everts later sued Downey for $40 million, alleging that he had humiliated and physically assaulted her. It’s not quite clear how the lawsuit ended, but Downey’s show was canceled just two years after its premiere.

#18: Ellen DeGeneres’ Toxic Workplace Allegations

Like many things these days, it all started with a viral Twitter thread. In March 2020, comedian Kevin T. Porter’s thread opened the floor to claims that talk show host Ellen DeGeneres was a pretty mean person. A few months later, Buzzfeed News published reports from former employees, who detailed years of harassment, intimidation and racist microaggressions by senior producers of the show. According to them, this toxic environment was fostered by DeGeneres. Turns out the “be kind” lady may not have been keeping to her own words. An investigation by the production company led to the dismissal of three executive producers. After 19 seasons on the air, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” came to an end in 2022. The next year, late night talk-show host Jimmy Fallon would also be hit with similar accusations that “The Tonight Show” was a toxic workplace environment.

#17: Rosie Perez & Kelly Osbourne on “The View”

In 2015, Kelly Osbourne appeared as a guest co-host on “The View.” While trying to counter then-presidential candidate Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants, Osbourne essentially put her foot in her mouth. Her fellow co-host Rosie Perez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, chimed in quickly and set her straight. Perez, who had already announced her departure from “The View” at the end of that season, was reportedly forced by ABC executives to apologize to Osbourne during the live broadcast and on Twitter. Although these claims have been refuted by some insiders, it is believed that Perez canceled her final live appearances on the show as a result of the incident.

#16: Star Jones’ Sudden Departure

The original lineup of “The View” consisted of creator Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Debbie Matenopoulos, Joy Behar and Star Jones. Jones remained on the show until 2006 when, seemingly out of nowhere, she announced that she would not be returning for the next season. This came as a shock to Walters, not because of what was said, but rather, when it was said. Jones’ departure was slated to be announced on June 29th 2006, but the co-host decided to take matters into her own hands by breaking the news two days early. This kicked off a tense feud between the two women. However, they appeared to have patched things up by Jones’ next appearance on the show in 2012.

#15: Sharon Osbourne’s View of “The View”

Nothing brings out the best, and sometimes worst, in us like competition. “The Talk” premiered in 2010, with a very similar format as that of “The View,” kicking off a ratings battle between both shows. When the ladies of “The Talk” appeared on “The Arsenio Hall Show” in 2013, he wanted to know how the two programs differed from each other. Just as Julie Chen attempted a diplomatic answer, Sharon Osbourne interrupted her with a rather blunt opinion. The incident certainly didn’t do Osbourne, or “The Talk,” any favors. A few days later, she took a moment on the show to apologize for her remarks, chalking them up to her being a “loose cannon.”

#14: Ann Curry’s Controversial Dismissal

Ann Curry had served as a news anchor on the “Today” show for years before she was finally promoted to co-host in 2011. Curry’s short time in the chair was reportedly troubled. According to some industry insiders, she was only given the job because the show’s producers were unsure if longtime host Matt Lauer would renew his contract. Once it became clear that Lauer was staying, they apparently decided that Curry had to go. Just about a year after she got the job, Curry announced, in a very emotional appearance, that she would be leaving. Many viewers who were incensed at the controversial departure turned their backs on the show, resulting in their competitor “Good Morning America” taking the number-one spot.

#13: The Infamous “Geraldo” Brawl

There’s a reason why tabloid talk shows quickly became known as “trash TV” and it’s because of moments like this. In November 1988, Geraldo Rivera invited a panel to discuss a provocative topic. Among the lineup were some white supremacists, members of the Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice, as well as the African-American activist Roy Innis. Things began to escalate when one of the white supremacists referred to Innis with a derogatory term. Innis walked over and grabbed him by the neck, setting off a full-fledged brawl that left Rivera with a fractured nose. As expected, the incident gave the show a ratings bump, proving that when it comes to trash TV, there is no such thing as bad publicity.

#12: Bryant Gumbel’s Scathing Memo

About seven years into his role as the “Today” show anchor, Bryant Gumbel was asked to write an assessment of the program by executive producer Marty Ryan. Gumbel didn’t hold back. His critiques were notably harsh, and were directed at several of his colleagues, most notably the jovial weatherman Willard Scott. In the memo, Gumbel stated that Scott was “hold[ing] the show hostage to his assortment of whims, wishes, birthdays and bad taste.” He also had equally blunt words for some other staffers on the show. Unsurprisingly, Gumbel’s memo eventually found its way into the hands of the press. The resulting fallout between him and Scott partly contributed to “Today” dropping to number-two in the ratings.

#11: Pat O'Brien’s Lewd Voicemails

When it came to sportscasting, Pat O’Brien was one of the best in the business. Through the ‘80s and ‘90s, O’Brien made a name for himself in sports news, and then became a host for the entertainment programs “Access Hollywood” and “The Insider.” He found himself embroiled in controversy in 2005 when a series of explicit voicemails he sent to an unidentified woman leaked on the internet. O’Brien had just checked into rehab for alcohol use disorder when the messages, which he sent in a drunken state, became public. Following the incident, O’Brien was miraculously able to retain his job on “The Insider.” He was however fired three years later after sending out an ill-conceived email blasting his co-worker Lara Spencer.

#10: “Dr. Phil” Drug Scandal

In 2017, this long-running television program came under fire after former “Survivor” contestant Todd Herzog accused the producers of exploiting his substance use disorder to generate views. During his infamous appearance on the show, Herzog was so intoxicated he could not stand up on his own, indicating to viewers the seriousness of his condition. However, according to Herzog, he was coerced by staff into drinking two bottles of vodka and given Xanax to “calm his nerves” before filming. The “Dr. Phil” show has vehemently denied these claims, however, an exposé published in 2017 by the STAT and the Boston Globe exhibited multiple victims making similar claims against the production.

#9: Rosie O’Donnell vs. Elisabeth Hasselbeck

“The View” can sometimes feel like a daytime soap opera. Of all the scandals this talk show has endured over the years, the feud between co-hosts Rosie O’Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck was perhaps the most notorious. The tension between the two reached its boiling point in 2007 when Hasselbeck referred to Iraq as America’s “enemy,” prompting O’Donnell to argue that the Bush administration was truly at fault. The liberal O’Donnell additionally criticized the media for their unflattering portrayal of her, claiming that they favored the conservative Hasselbeck. Following their heated argument, O’Donnell left the show while Hasselbeck exited five years later.

#8: Alec Baldwin’s Offensive Remarks

Although Alec Baldwin is one of the most outspoken liberals in showbiz, his behavior hasn’t always lived up to his professed ideals. In 2013, the Oscar-nominated actor landed in hot water when he allegedly made an anti-gay slur directed at a paparazzo. In due course, Baldwin was suspended from his late night talk show for two weeks. While Baldwin initially claimed that he was misquoted, he ultimately described his outburst as “offensive and unacceptable” in an apology. The damage was done, however, as “Up Late with Alec Baldwin” was canceled after only five episodes. It also probably didn’t help that Baldwin also made homophobic remarks towards reporter George Stark on Twitter.

#7: Maury Povich’s Harassment Lawsuit

Maury Povich is no stranger to controversy, as many critics have accused his tabloid talk show of exploiting serious issues. Speaking of exploitation, a $100 million sex harassment lawsuit was filed against Povich and other members of his staff in 2006. The allegations stemmed from Bianca Nardi, a former producer of “The Maury Povich Show,” who claimed that she had been forced to watch adult material and make advances at married men in bars while being filmed. She additionally accused executive producer Paul Faulhaber of making her wear revealing outfits and implied that Povich was having an affair with producer Donna Ingber. Despite this scandal, Povich remained on television for years, and is still married to Connie Chung.

#6: Billy Bush Fired From “Today”

Just when it seemed like the 2016 U.S. presidential election couldn’t get any crazier, a 2005 hot mic recording surfaced in which Republican candidate Donald Trump shared an offensive and potentially incriminating conversation with “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush. On a bus ride, Trump not only admitted that he tried and failed to seduce Nancy O'Dell, but also made some vulgar statements while discussing actress Arianne Zucker. The scandal took a drastic toll on Bush’s public image, resulting in his termination from “The Today Show.” Meanwhile, Trump continued his campaign and was elected President almost a month later.

#5: Blackmail Attempt Against David Letterman

After a long, hard day, audiences would typically tune into the “Late Show with David Letterman” for a lighthearted laugh. The talk show took an uncomfortable turn in 2009, though, when Letterman confessed to having several sexual relationships with his female staffers. An extortionist had targeted Letterman, threatening to write a screenplay about the television host’s affairs unless he coughed up $2 million. Cooperating with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, Letterman wrote a fake check and his blackmailer was arrested shortly after. While Letterman was met with some negative press following this shocking announcement, he eventually moved on from the scandal and hosted the “Late Show” for six more years before retiring in 2015.

#4: Oprah Winfrey vs. James Frey

James Frey hit it big time when his memoir, “A Million Little Pieces,” was selected for Oprah’s Book Club in 2005. Chronicling Frey’s history with substance use disorder, the book became a New York Times bestseller and a cultural sensation. Many readers felt cheated, however, when it was revealed that Frey had fabricated information in his supposedly true account. This didn’t reflect well on Oprah, who invited Frey onto her show to talk about the controversy. Oprah didn’t let Frey off with a slap on the wrist, eventually getting him to confess that he had made up parts of the story. She also brought on publisher Nan Talese to set the record straight.

#3: Conan O’Brien vs. Jay Leno

The original war for “Late Night” can be traced back to 1992, when Jay Leno became Johnny Carson’s successor, over David Letterman. This influenced Letterman to move from NBC to CBS, while Conan O’Brien was hired to fill the NBC late night time slot. History essentially repeated itself almost two decades later when Leno exited “The Tonight Show” so O’Brien could assume his hosting duties. Unfortunately, O’Brien’s ratings struggled and the decision to give Leno a primetime talk show turned out to be a huge miscalculation. Since pushing back the schedule wasn’t an option, O’Brien was given a $45 million payout while Leno returned to “The Tonight Show” in 2010.

#2: Matt Lauer’s Misconduct Allegations

In rapid succession, from Bill O’Reilly to Charlie Rose, media personalities were publically accused of sexual harassment in 2017. However, the sexual misconduct allegations directed at Matt Lauer shocked audiences the most. A staple of “The Today Show” for almost 20 years, Lauer was abruptly fired after a female NBC employee accused him of sexually harassing her three years earlier. It became clear that this was unlikely an isolated incident, as more women came forward. In one instance, Lauer was accused of summoning a former employee to his office and sexually assaulting her behind a locked door. The fact that Lauer was such a beloved host only made this more disturbing.

#1: Jenny Jones’ Guest Loses His Life

“The Jenny Jones Show” aired for over a decade, but it’s actually best remembered for an episode that never even aired. Entitled “Same Sex Secret Crushes,” the episode centered on a guest named Scott Amedure, who, on the show, revealed his crush to an acquaintance named Jonathan Schmitz. Three days after the episode was taped, Schmitz reportedly found a suggestive note from Amedure. Schmitz subsequently purchased a shotgun, shot Amedure two times in the chest, and alerted the authorities of the crime he had just committed. Having a history of mental health issues, Schmitz was convicted of second degree murder. Meanwhile, “The Jenny Jones Show” faced a wrongful death lawsuit and was forced to pay Amedure's family $25 million.