Top 30 Funniest Moments in Talk Show History

#30: Eating a Potato Chip

“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” (1962-92)

Back in the day, “The Tonight Show” welcomed some unlikely guests. One named Myrtle Young shows off a collection of prized potato chips. Taking advantage of the interview, Johnny Carson finds a way to turn it into a laugh. He hides a bowl of his own snacks and prepares a big crunch. While the woman looks back in shock, Carson reveals the trick. It’s a simple prank that’s enjoyable to watch. Willing to do anything for the viewers, the host seizes an opportunity and hits it out of the park. It’s not everyday that you can deliver such a perfect gag either. After the moment settles, Young comes to realize that it’s all in good fun.

#29: Greg Davies’ Embarrassing Story Cracks Up Ryan Gosling

“The Graham Norton Show” (2007-)

With this star-studded couch, Greg Davies manages to make some A-list stars laugh. His old teaching story involves a few surprises and his mom’s clothing. With each turn, the other guests like Ryan Gosling look more and more intrigued. It’s a funny narrative that breaks the rules and gets the audience riled up. The punchline comes when Davies reveals a hilarious bit about a microphone. At this point, Gosling is completely losing it. Seeing “The Notebook” actor laugh is the highlight of an entertaining segment. Going with the flow, the entire couch ends up loving this twisty and fun anecdote.

#28: Geoff the Robot Cracks Up Craig Ferguson

“The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (2005-14)

Superfans of this cult show will love this moment. “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” was one of the zaniest of all time, with the presenter eager to upend the genre. His skeleton sidekick makes this segment even better. Surprisingly enough, Geoff the Robot takes time out to talk about his many vacation homes. This ridiculous joke throws Ferguson for a loop. Over the next few minutes, the two riff out this idea to its logical extreme. The host keeps laughing as he tries to contain himself. Embracing the silliness of it all, this giggle fit is an instance pick-me-up.

#27: David Bowie Impersonates Mick Jagger

“Parkinson” (1971-2007)

It’s only fitting that one musical legend impersonates another. During this “Parkinson” interview, David Bowie takes a crack at Mick Jagger. He recalls seeing the Rolling Stones play and hearing the frontman speak out. With his excellent accent work, Bowie takes the audience back to a memorable moment in his life. The solid impersonation draws a huge laugh for its accuracy and comedic style. Both the host and Tom Hanks seem to love it, taking in an icon’s amazing work. You might think that the “Space Oddity” singer is too talented for his own good.

#26: Conan’s Milk Toast

“Hot Ones” (2015-)

If you know the “Hot Ones” series, you’ve probably seen plenty of celebs eat spicy wings. Conan O’Brien takes this concept to new comedic heights. The former “Late Night” host goes wild on the show, leaning into the intense circumstances. It all builds to the moment where Conan does a toast. With sauce and milk everywhere, the guest flies off the handle in a good way. It’s a brilliant and chaotic crescendo for this interview. Fighting through the pain, the comedian creates entertainment from a big mess. It’s arguably one of the most over-the-top and funniest segments in the show’s first decade.

#25: Don Rickles Roast Letterman in Front of Denzel

“Late Show with David Letterman” (1993-2015)

Any time that this comedian showed up, Don Rickles brought the laughs. He even appeared back in the Johnny Carson days to interrupt Frank Sinatra. His roast comedy skills also came in handy years later, with David Letterman becoming the target. Rickles sat next to acting legend Denzel Washington and made the Oscar-winner part of the conversation. In one stellar moment, the older guest decided to ignore Letterman and talk to Washington instead. This came with a few hilarious lines at the host’s expense. The insulting entertainer didn’t care about offending the “Late Show” presenter, giving the “Training Day” star a front-row seat to a fun time.

#24: “Ew!” with Channing Tatum

“Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” (2009-14)

On his “Late Night” show, Jimmy Fallon brought out his character Sara. This time around the host welcomes Channing Tatum to play another girl. The two performers have fun playing up their voices and getting into their characters. Tatum does some admirable work as a teenager, making faces in one standout moment. He also shows that he’s still a great dancer. With genuine chemistry, the actors know how to play up each joke to the fullest. The “Magic Mike” lead has more than a few chances to reference his hit movie too. All in all, this sketch reveals that this guest can do physical comedy like a champ.

#23: Paul Rudd’s Fake Out

“Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (1993-2009)

Over multiple decades, Paul Rudd would return to Conan O’Brien’s talk shows with a clip. This particular appearance started a long-running tradition. Rather than playing a clip from “Friends,” Rudd shows a moment from the “E.T” rip-off “Mac and Me.” It’s a gleefully random way to get big laughs. O’Brien embraces the prank, with the guest deciding not to give away his motivation. You can only take in the strange scene and giggle. Little did people know this switcheroo would become a tradition, with the actor providing more fake outs through the years. You have to chuckle at the man’s dedication to the bit.

#22: The Great Flydini

“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” (1962-92)

Few people seem more prepared for a talk show than Steve Martin. The comedian doesn’t need words to entertain, stepping out onstage as a silent magician. He’s dapper, focused, and ready to do magic. This includes an unlikely use of his wardrobe, with objects appearing from his pants. Martin’s straight performance only makes the zipper moves better. His running gag with eggs is hilarious, but there’s also his clever use of a cigarette. It’s an act that’s more about entertaining people than transfixing them. Between phone calls and opera singing, this legend’s maneuvers are comic genius.

#21: Robin Leaves the Chair

“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” (1962-92)

For this appearance on the famed program, Robin Williams chose to stand out and stand up. His relentless energy never lets up throughout the segment. The actor really gets going when he rises from his chair, doing his own take on Shakespeare. Williams takes a chance to play with the typical talk show etiquette. He also dodges the camera, choosing instead to head for the audience. Johnny Carson and company laugh as they watch a true wild card take over. The guest reveals why he was one of the best comedians ever, letting his stream of consciousness control the moment.

#20: Steve Martin Almost Leaves

“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” (1962-92)

This comedian is always guaranteed to make people laugh when he is a guest on a talk show. For this 1978 appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” Steve Martin leaves the interview early for an apparent rehearsal. The actor tries to sound impressive like other celebrities, but it all ends up being a setup. Martin comes back with his best crying routine in a hilarious twist. Carson clearly loves the entire bit, playing along with his guest’s amusing antics. It’s especially funny to watch a grown man start acting like a child that needs to be consoled.

#19: Tom Holland Dances for Madonna

“The Graham Norton Show” (2007-)

Even famous actors have trouble talking with other celebrities, as this 2018 Graham Norton clip shows. When Tom Holland describes an exchange with Madonna, he mentions an awkward situation at a nightclub. To top it all off, the actor’s friend told the singer that Holland could dance well. This absurd event sounds like a nightmare as Holland describes his unimpressive moves. Despite our secondhand embarrassment, we can’t help but laugh along as he also discusses his quick exit. The only thing missing is an actual demonstration of his dance performance. The “Spider-Man” star couldn’t be more relatable here, entertaining us with his ridiculous and horrifying tale.

#18: Dick Cavett Tells off Norman Mailer

“The Dick Cavett Show” (1969-75)

Welcoming two rivals to his talk program, Dick Cavett presided over a war of words between Gore Vidal and Norman Mailer. The latter guest is so testy that he also goes after the host, having already taken verbal shots at the others. This exchange then prompts one of Cavett’s funniest lines. The clever comeback is especially memorable, leaving Mailer momentarily speechless. You’ll either be laughing or cheering along with the audience after Cavett’s response. With a killer ad-lib, the presenter course-corrects this interview and gives the angry author a taste of his own medicine.

#17: Kicking Flavor Flav

“The Eric Andre Show” (2012-)

You never know what to expect on this Adult Swim program. Eric André keeps Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav on his toes, reminding everyone of his reputation for bizarre and gross-out humor. It all builds up until the confused guest endures the wrath of Hannibal Buress. The sidekick throws a kick that ends the segment in style. While it might be doctored for effect, the wild moment isn’t any less funny. André and Buress’ unique brand of hospitality is perfectly exemplified here. The sound effects and editing only make this more effective, giving the show its trademark surrealism.

#16: Andy Kaufman Panhandles in the Audience

“The David Letterman Show” (1980)

Combining performance art and comedy, Andy Kaufman was a singular performer in every way. This 1980 appearance of him on “The David Letterman Show” is an excellent example of his unique style and ability to let awkward comedy intensify. Coughing and staring, Kaufman tells an extended tale about his personal and financial setbacks. This all leads up to the darkly comic conclusion where he asks the audience for money. Not only does he have the audacity to beg for money, he also enters the crowd to panhandle. It’s gleefully absurd yet disturbing in a way that only this comedian could pull off.

#15: Roller Coaster Ride with Kevin Hart

“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (2014-)

Not everybody loves roller coasters. Kevin Hart definitely falls into that category, very reluctantly joining Jimmy Fallon for this 2014 segment. The two of them strap into the front seat of a coaster. Fallon jokes with Hart as the two prepare to drop, with the latter comedian ready to scream. The guest loses it as the ride throws him for a few surprising dips and turns. The “Jumanji” star then freaks out throughout the experience. If you remember waiting for your first big ride, this will bring back that worried feeling with some major laughs. If the first round isn’t enough, the two keep riding in a shocking climax that rivals their journey into a haunted house.

#14: The Fly

“The Graham Norton Show” (2007-)

During this episode of the British show, three comedic guests make the most of an unexpected situation. An insect starts buzzing around the couch, inspiring Steve Carell to reveal his fly-swatting technique. Later in the interview, Chris O’Dowd takes a sip of his drink only to find a surprise inside. It’s such a chaotic turn of events that you’d almost think it was scripted. If you aren’t completely grossed out like Kristen Wiig, you’ll be laughing along with everyone else. O’Dowd’s play-by-play turns the hilarious moment into a dramatic and engaging story. At the end, he drops the fly on the table and his fellow guests even hold an impromptu funeral.

#13: Conan Spends NBC’s Money

“The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” (2009-10)

Even though his run was short-lived, Conan O’Brien had lots of fun during his time on “The Tonight Show.” This included jokes about spending NBC’s money to do whatever he wanted. Taking this premise to the max, O’Brien reveals all of the outrageous purchases the program made including a Bugatti dressed as a mouse. It’s all played for laughs in a monologue at the network’s literal expense. For those that didn’t approve of NBC’s treatment of the comedian, this feels like the best kind of comedic revenge. You can tell Conan is truly embracing the comedy that comes from not having to care anymore.

#12: Tom Cruise Makes James Corden Skydive

“The Late Late Show with James Corden” (2015-23)

After Tom Cruise challenged him to jump out of a plane, James Corden reluctantly took the actor up on his offer. This created one of the more memorable moments from “The Late Late Show” in this 2018 episode. During a tense build-up, Cruise tries to prepare the host with some rigorous training. Their odd-couple chemistry keeps this whole segment funny until the big jump. Corden is clearly scared out of his mind and his guest is easy going during the flight. As the presenter jumps, you can tell he’s more than terrified, ultimately making for some incredibly entertaining television.

#11: Zach Questions President Obama’s Legacy

“Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis” (2008-18)

On this offbeat talk show, the host interrogates people next to the titular plants. One of his most memorable moments came in 2014 when he welcomed President Barack Obama. The fact that he is interviewing a head of state doesn’t faze the host or prompt him to hold back. Galifianakis asks a funny and pointed joke about Obama’s legacy as a Black president. The line itself is bold and hilarious, but it also inspires a fantastic comeback from Obama. In this unforgettable moment, “Between Two Ferns” shows that even a powerful politician can make fun of themselves on such a comedic program.

#10: Dave Teaches a Life Lesson

“Late Night with David Letterman” (1982-93)

During his initial late night run, David Letterman proved that he was a subversive host with many comedic talents. This particular short from 1983 showcases his ability to parody after-school specials. He advises a younger boy that has just had his favorite program canceled, showing that there’s hope even after losing something you love. It’s a well-written idea that mimics the popular and overdramatic format of many educational videos. Letterman’s pitch perfect performance reveals that he can act just as well as he can host. The self-serious tone makes the premise funnier, mocking the plight of canceled TV series.

#9: Nathan Fielder’s Staged Story

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (2003-)

Nathan Fielder is considered by many to have one of the best and brightest comic minds of his generation. In this 2017 Jimmy Kimmel appearance, the comedian proves that he can deliver on an extensive and mind-bending premise. He tells a dramatic story about luggage mix-up, a mysterious baggie, and a police stop. It all sounds so detailed and naturally funny, but Fielder is harboring a secret. He actually orchestrated all of the events in an elaborate prank. This resulted in him being able to tell an exciting anecdote and not have to lie about it. Both shocking you and making you laugh, the guest completely pulls the rug out from under your expectations.

#8: “Dennis Quaid Is Here”

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” (2003-23)

When her show sets up a hidden camera in a coffee shop, Ellen DeGeneres enlists Dennis Quaid to have some fun in this 2008 episode. The actor has to say whatever the host tells him and the results are hilarious. Quaid’s opening line in particular sells the entire bit as he makes a grand introduction. Willing to make fun of himself, the guest delivers a goofy line that sets up a funny exchange inside the coffee shop. This continues as the actor orders and interacts with the unsuspecting people inside. It also shows that Quaid has a natural comic presence, taking each of DeGeneres’ prompts in stride.

#7: Albert Brooks Does Pet Tricks Over the Phone

“Late Night with David Letterman” (1982-93)

Rob Reiner was technically the main guest on this 1985 “Late Night with David Letterman” episode, but it was his friend and fellow comedian Albert Brooks that stole the show. Letterman and Reiner call up Brooks for some laughs over the phone. The call-in guest offers up his variation of the “Stupid Pet Tricks” segment, but without the necessary visuals. It’s a hilarious subversion of the classic skit with the additional guest speaking for his own pet. Even when he’s not in the same studio, Brooks can offer up a funny concept and get a big reaction.

#6: Sarah Silverman’s Music Video Surprise

“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (2003-)

On this 2008 episode of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Sarah Silverman had a surprise for the host, who she was then romantically involved with. The actress shows a music video that she made with the host’s rival Matt Damon. Not only did she write a song, she also claims to have had a relationship with Damon. This hilarious video entertains with fun choreography and high production values. The only thing better than the surprise is Kimmel’s stunned reaction afterwards, ratcheting up the tension of the fake feud. The conflict between Damon and Kimmel always provides maximum entertainment value.

#5: O’Brien vs. Colbert vs. Stewart

“Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (1993-2009)

At one point in the 2000s, Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, and Jon Stewart found themselves in a bitter feud over Mike Huckabee. In 2008, the “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” host was confronted on his show by the two Comedy Central comedians, leading to a hilarious and over-the-top fight, spilling out into the hallways outside O’Brien’s studio. Fans of pro wrestling will enjoy many of the moves on display here. There were also some spectacular falls down a flight of stairs, making a great skit that much more exciting. It’s fair to say that there’s never been a funnier or more impressive late night brawl.

#4: Nicole Kidman Reveals Her Crush on Jimmy Fallon

“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (2014-)

Welcoming Nicole Kidman to his show, Jimmy Fallon might’ve thought he would have a typical interview. This 2015 segment proved to be anything but ordinary after a shocking revelation. Kidman recounts a time she went to Fallon’s apartment years ago, with the added announcement that she liked him. The presenter looks completely taken aback by the news before asking for further clarification. With his life flashing before his eyes, the comedian questions everything in a hilarious moment. The audience’s reaction alone shows how much the TV personality fumbled the ball. It’s both funny and somewhat relatable to hear both people realizing they completely misunderstood each other.

#3: Norm Macdonald’s Spelling Skills

“Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (1993-2009)

Norm Macdonald was one of the most enjoyable and chaotic guests on talk shows. This 1997 interview on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” showcases the comic perfectly. It starts when Courtney Thorne-Smith mentions working with Carrot Top in a movie and inspires Macdonald to react. After a back and forth, the host sets up Macdonald to do what he does best. It all builds to the comedian offering up his own spelling for the film “Chairman of the Board.” The guest’s quick wit prompts one of the funniest comebacks in talk-show history. This could’ve been an ordinary interview, but the “Dirty Work” star transforms it into comedic gold.

#2: Emma Stone Shows Off During a Lip-Sync Battle

“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (2014-)

Many people have tried lip syncing with Jimmy Fallon, but Emma Stone might be the best of them all. Her song choices are surprising and undeniably funny, from Blues Traveler to DJ Khaled. Stone gives such a dedicated performance here, showing that she can bring the same intensity to lip syncing that she brought to her Oscar-winning performances. You’ll likely be as hypnotized as Fallon is while watching her. If you need another reminder of her talent, the actress blows everyone away with her imitation of Ludacris. She almost turns the concept of lip syncing into an Olympic sport, drawing laughs and amazed reactions. The ongoing segment is among Fallon’s finest bits alongside his “History of Rap” skits.

#1: Axe-Throwing with Ed Ames

“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” (1962-92)

No tribute to “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” is complete without this segment. When Ed Ames and Carson try to throw axes, the former lands one in an unfortunate zone. The host milks the moment until he comes back with a hilarious one-liner. With the initial surprise and the subsequent joke, this is the exact combination of events that make for great comedy. Considering how much more restrained TV was in 1965, it’s amazing the sequence made it on the air. It’s also a showcase of the presenter’s perfect timing, proving that Carson knows how and when to offer up the perfect ad-lib.

Did we forget another entertaining moment from talk show history? Let us know in the comments below.