Sharing is caring!
Talk shows are known for their distinct humor, underlying sarcasm, and overall entertainment for their audiences. Various guests get interviewed on these shows, but not all appreciate the specific questions and scenarios they are put up against. This has led to controversial moments, and certain incidents cross the boundaries of humor and become confrontational. Here are 12 beloved talk show moments that would not meet today’s standards of decorum.
This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.
The Man Living in a Cardboard Box Loves the Jerry Springer Show
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
The Jerry Springer Show began on 30th September 1991, with a unique lineup of guests. They were intended for entertainment, but they turned out to be absurd. One such case was a man who opted to live in a cardboard box and, as a result, was kicked out of his home by his wife. He came on the show with no clothes except covering his body with the box and threatened Springer that until and unless he did not convince the man’s wife to accept him, he would not leave.
Johnny Carson Objectifies Dolly Parton
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Back in 1977, when Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show, he invited Dolly Parton as a guest on the show. Dolly, who had been frank with Johnny and considered him a good friend, may have crossed his line with a comment. He said he would “give about a year’s pay to peek under” Dolly’s dress. Decades later, this clip began doing rounds on the Internet. Dolly commented that she took it as a joke, but the Internet slammed Johnny for his ‘derogatory’ remarks.
Drew Barrymore Exposes Herself to David Letterman
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
David Letterman has been known for his controversial interviews with him, putting the guests in awkward positions, but on his birthday on 12th April 1995, he got a controversial gift. While on air, Drew Barrymore exposed her body for a few seconds to David Letterman as a “prank,” which took the world for a ride. Be it for entertainment or not, such acts are vulgar and inappropriate, which would never meet today’s standard of decorum.
Joaquin Phoenix’s Chewing Gum
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Joaquin Phoenix is infamous for conducting bizarre interviews on several shows, but his interview with David Letterman deserves special mention. The Oscar-winning celebrity got scolded by Letterman as he was chewing gum, and absurdly, Joaquin spat out the gum and stuck it under the host’s table. From the show’s beginning, Joaquin aims at irritating Letterman, and his untrimmed beard is testimony to that fact. Any celebrity other than Joaquin would have faced backlash, but the Internet took it as a joke because of his strange reputation.
Howard Stern and the President’s Affairs
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
This episode, which aired in 1992, took not only the entertainment industry but the whole political landscape of the United States by storm. Gennifer Flowers, during Bill Clinton’s 1992 Presidential campaign, admitted that she had a 12-year extramarital affair with him. This took the world by surprise, especially Stern, who bombarded the lady with irrelevant questions and an unprofessional style. He may have done this to uncover the truth, but the only outcome achieved was poor journalism and dismissive disrespect toward Gennifer Flowers.
Ricki Lake Flirting with Controversy
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
The attitude towards the LGBTQ+ community has changed vastly over the last two or three decades. Even though the struggle for equality is ongoing, they have been recognized and given rights. Ricki Lake, in Season 8 Episode 27, heavily criticized a man who admitted to being in love with a transgender person. Even though the show’s format encourages the guest to share their personal experience, this moment disrupts the whole convention of her willingness to accept personal stories.
Ellen DeGeneres Shows Justin Bieber’s Explicit Pics
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Ellen DeGeneres’ show has gained significant popularity, with her having some of the most fun-filled experiences but also some controversial ones. When Justin Bieber appeared in one of the episodes in 2015, he was made uncomfortable when Ellen showed him an explicit picture of himself during the Bora Bora paparazzi incident. Such behavior will not be tolerated today. However, the pop star took the awkward episode in his stride.
Sally Jessy Raphael’s Farming Emotions for Views
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
The loss of a child can be devastating, especially to mothers who bear them and truly understand the pain. In Season 13, during episode 125, a viewer spoke about her experience of giving her baby up for adoption but still wanting to be a mom. These conflicting thoughts and emotions were exploited by Sally, who took every opportunity to delve into the individual’s personal life. Her approach towards this sensitive topic got a lot of criticism from people who accused her of only prioritizing entertainment value.
Tom Cruise is Too Casual with Oprah
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
This incident took place when Tom Cruise had a girlfriend—Katie Holmes, whom he loved. In May 2005, when Tom Cruise was invited by Oprah to promote his movie War of the Worlds, he acted as if he was a child, jumping around and kneeling about on the floor. He even touched Oprah several times when it was not required in a way that would be termed unwanted. The clip went viral on YouTube.
Geraldo Rivera’s Broken Nose and White Supremacist
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Geraldo River used to host his talk show Geraldo, and in November 1988, he and his producers decided to invite a white supremacist to showcase the thriving racism. Roy Innis, the national chairman of the Congress of Radical Equality, had also joined the panel, and the show soon became a mess. These supremacists got the much-wanted attention that they had been longing for. The set broke into a brawl scene, one of the members from the audience getting evolved, and Geraldo got a broken nose.
Jimmy Kimmel and the Kid Who Wants All the Chinese Out
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Regarding talk shows, Jimmy Kimmel’s show ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live! is probably one of the most entertaining. In 2013, during one of his segments called ‘Kids Table,’ a child from the United States proposed that the solution to the national debt was to ‘kill everyone in China.’ Jimmy faced a lot of criticism for this racism. Even though it was from a kid, the network let it air. He issued a public apology to the Chinese community, who were outraged because of these harmful stereotypes.
Mariah Carvey Forced to Drink Alcohol
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
There is a fine line between entertainment and offense; Ellen DeGeneres often forgets it. When people were speculating about Mariah Carvey being pregnant, Ellen took it upon herself to advocate for them and forced Mariah Carvey to drink alcohol to prove she was not. Mariah was extremely uncomfortable when she was asked about the pregnancy rumors, and forcing her to consume liquor added to her discomfort. Mariah was hiding her pregnancy because she had a miscarriage before, and she feared revealing it to anybody.
18 Classic Movie Quotes That Would Spark Outrage If Said in Today’s Films
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Whether or not you are a movie buff, you’re probably familiar with the famous classic movies that shaped generations. Classic movies often contain iconic lines that have become ingrained in popular culture. However, as we look back, we realize how some of these quotes were downright racist, sexist, or misogynistic and have not aged well with time. Here are 24 classic movie quotes that, if said in today’s films, would likely spark outrage and controversy.