Top 20 Shocking Talk Show Scandals
#20: Whoopi Goldberg Defends Bill Cosby
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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
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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.
#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
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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
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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
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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
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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, Scott 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
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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 alcoholism 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
Top 10 Shocking Talk Show Scandals
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. In his now infamous appearance in 2013, Herzog was so drunk he could barely stand, indicating to viewers that his condition had led him to an all time low. 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
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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
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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 alcohol and drug abuse, 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 supposed 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
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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
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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 illness, 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.
