Top 10 Daytime Talk Show Scandals
#10: Kelly & Michael Feud “Live” (1983-)
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"Live" featured one of daytime's most dynamic duos until 2011, when Regis Philbin left after 23 years with some form of the show. NFL star-turned-media personality Michael Strahan was a surprisingly worthy successor. Unfortunately, behind his and Kelly Ripa's snappy banter, the co-hosts reportedly clashed. It all boiled over in 2016, after Ripa learned at the last minute that Strahan would be leaving to co-host "Good Morning America". This lack of transparency didn’t sit well with her. Now, Strahan enjoys an ideal fit on and beyond "GMA". Meanwhile, after "Live"'s hit run with Ryan Seacrest, Ripa has found the perfect partner in husband Mark Consuelos.
#9: Halloween Costumes “Megyn Kelly Today” (2017-18)
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Fox News alumnus Megyn Kelly became an unlikely figure for social justice after revealing her old workplace’s culture of harassment. She was an even less likely morning talk show figure for NBC. “Megyn Kelly Today” never gained much of an audience, with its hosting style often being labeled as “awkward”. The show was essentially finished off by a 2018 panel discussion regarding inappropriate costumes going into Halloween season. When the issue of blackface came up, Kelly suggested that criticism of the historically racist practice was fairly new. Her comments and general flippancy on the matter sparked an uproar. “Megyn Kelly Today” got widespread attention, but it was for all the wrong reasons. Though the host apologized, her show ultimately didn’t make it to Halloween.
#8: Leaked Memo “Steve Harvey” (2012-17)
Steve Harvey’s snarky nice guy image did well on his namesake talk show. But it took a hit in 2017 with a leaked staff memo. In it, Harvey assertively demanded that nobody speak to him unless spoken to while he was getting his makeup done. He also prohibited staffers from entering his dressing room uninvited. Harvey claimed he was just trying to maintain his privacy. Still, many felt the tone was out of the comedian’s public character. Shortly after the leak, Harvey relocated his Chicago talk show to L.A., launching a new program titled “Steve.” This was reportedly a pre-planned move, and not linked to the memo.
#7: In Defense of a Friend “The Talk” (2010-)
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Not every conversation on “The Talk” has been civil. Sharon Osbourne was often particularly polarizing for her candor, which eventually caught up with her. In 2021, Piers Morgan resigned from “Good Morning Britain” after criticizing Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. As a close friend of Morgan’s, Osbourne defended him from co-host Sheryl Underwood’s allegations of racism. Her words and the way the conversation played out didn’t sit right with many, as the debate quickly escalated into a disturbing argument. The ensuing controversy prompted “The Talk” to go on hiatus, pending an investigation into Osbourne’s conduct on the set. She ultimately left the series, reportedly of her own accord.
#6: O’Donnell vs. Hasselbeck “The View” (1997-)
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The views expressed on "The View" don't always go over with the co-hosts, let alone the audience. The show's scandals stretch way before Whoopi Goldberg's 2022 suspension over downplaying racism in the Holocaust. But staunch conservative Elisabeth Hasselbeck has probably been the most controversial for her feuds with her left-leaning colleagues. Things got particularly bad in 2007, when Rosie O'Donnell weighed in on Hasselbeck and Joy Behar's argument about President Bush and the war in Iraq. This led to a screaming match that has gone down in infamy. The incident prompted O'Donnell to quit the show, though she’d temporarily return a few years later, after Hasselbeck was already working at Fox.
#5: Billy Bush’s Exit “Today” (1952-)
In 2016, Billy Bush joined the "Today" team at a turbulent time for journalists. He had only been a co-host since May when he found himself involved in an October surprise against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. Resurfaced audio of "Access Hollywood"'s 2005 interview with the businessman featured Bush laughing at Trump’s lewd comments about women. Bush even joined in at one point. "Today" ultimately parted ways with their new co-host following a suspension. Trump may have taken the brunt of the scandal, despite ultimately winning the election, but "Today" also faced criticism since Bush was employed there. The latter kept a relatively low profile afterwards, until he landed on "Extra" in 2019. Still, his career remains branded by that unsettling 2005 interview.
#4: The Robach-Holmes Affair “GMA3: What You Need to Know” (2018-)
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Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes had been good friends for some time. But fans didn't fully realize the extent of their chemistry until 2022. Toward the end of the year, it was confirmed that they were romantically involved after the Daily Mail published a series of photos of them together. Despite their respective separations, both were still technically married. "GMA" apparently didn't consider this relationship much of a workplace problem from a policy-perspective at first. But that changed as tabloids and public fallout increased, and Holmes and Robach were fired in January of 2023. We’d also learn that Holmes' previously had other extramarital affairs with unidentified colleagues over the years.
#3: Not Being Kind “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (2003-22)
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Ellen DeGeneres carefully cultivated an image as “The Queen of Nice” throughout her massively popular talk show’s run. But it all began unraveling in 2020, when comedian Kevin T. Porter called her out as “one of the meanest people alive.” From Porter’s Twitter thread to formal allegations, fans and colleagues recounted DeGeneres’ alleged narcissism and hostility. These included allegations of racism and misconduct by executive producers on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”. Suddenly, DeGeneres’s crude jokes and seemingly insincere gestures became scrutinized. Following staff changes and an internal investigation, the show resumed. However, DeGeneres ultimately decided to end it in 2022, after almost two decades on the air.
#2: The Fall of Phillip Schofield “This Morning” (1988-)
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For 21 years, audiences welcomed Phillip Schofield as the host of ITV's "This Morning". But the trust was broken after he and the program parted ways in 2023. He soon confirmed rumors that he had an affair with a much younger staffer while he and wife Stephanie Lowe were still together. It was further revealed that Schofield helped the man get a job at ITV. Suddenly, everything came under scrutiny and was re-examined, from Schofield's motivations for previously coming out publicly, to an alleged feud with co-host Holly Willoughby. The veteran media personality's career quickly collapsed under the weight of these and other scandals.
#1: Matt Lauer’s Misconduct “Today” (1952-)
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Matt Lauer was one of the most distinguished figures on American daytime TV. He was known for regularly cutting through the fluff for serious interviews in his 20 years with “Today”. However, disturbing allegations surfaced in 2017 as the MeToo movement was gaining traction. He was promptly fired after an unidentified colleague accused him of sexual misconduct. From there, several women came forward to accuse him of abuse and outright assault. It’s since been said that Lauer has had a long history of inappropriate behavior with women. NBC’s alleged suppression of the Harvey Weinstein story to protect Lauer beforehand, meanwhile, is noted as being part of a systemic problem. Since his termination from “Today,” Lauer has kept a relatively low profile. Which of these scandals disturbed you the most? Sit down and share in the comments.
