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Late-night TV is built on banter, but sometimes a guest completely steals the spotlight. From awkward silences and shocking confessions to wild on-air stunts, these celebrity moments caught hosts totally off guard. We’re counting down the most unforgettable times famous guests turned the tables and left the room stunned. Which one made you cringe, laugh, or rewind?
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00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most notable times a late
00:10night presenter was shocked, stunned, or surprised by a guest.
00:2010. Jim Carrey Pauses With His Beard
00:23Jimmy Kimmel Live
00:24Through his many transformations, Jim Carrey continues to be one of the more eccentric and
00:30beloved celebrities in Hollywood. This 2017 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live leads to a
00:36thunderous introduction and a showcase for the actor's beard. Rather than sitting down,
00:41Carrey lets the crowd clap for much longer than expected.
00:51He doesn't even consider moving for a while. Kimmel lets the man carry on,
00:55but eventually he has to interrupt the guest.
00:58What's going on?
00:59No, not separated at all. In fact, it's the exact opposite. Don't get me wrong, Jim Carrey is a great
01:07character, and I was lucky to get the part.
01:09The Ace Ventura star knows how to command an audience without saying a word. While the
01:14presenter eventually takes back control, the extended ovation seems especially rare for
01:19late night TV.
01:21I always say, the question is not, why are you growing a beard? The question is,
01:25why am I growing a beard and still shaving my balls?
01:299. Zach Galifianakis Lights Up
01:32Real Time with Bill Maher
01:33During a roundtable discussion on this HBO show, Zach Galifianakis joins the panel as they discuss
01:40talking points like marijuana. The segment feels like a time capsule of the early 2010s,
01:45with its cast in The Forgotten Taboos of TV.
01:48I want to say, it's nice to be sitting at a table with the Middle Eastern version of Mr. Clean.
01:55I want to say another hacky joke.
02:00When the comedian seems to stop the jokes, he tries to articulate the complexity of such a hot-button
02:06political topic. Galifianakis then brings out his own joint to smoke on the show.
02:11It's a tricky thing politically to jump on that bandwagon, because I think that maybe
02:16people see it as taboo still.
02:19For this kind of program, the moment remains nearly unprecedented in terms of comedic stunts.
02:25Maher and the panelists take in the historic twist before the comic passes around the evidence.
02:30Oh my god, look at those dragons!
02:33But that's my point. I think that's what people think of it.
02:36If you're eager for more stunning moments from your favorite talk shows, head over to
02:40WatchMojo's 24-7 livestream for more enlightening clips. Scan the QR code on screen to join us for more
02:46entertaining videos about television history.
02:528. Alec Baldwin Shuts Up Jiminy Glick
02:56Primetime Glick
02:57If you're being interviewed by Jiminy Glick, you have to expect a few curveballs.
03:02This segment with Alec Baldwin veers toward the star's love life. Unafraid to do some improv,
03:07the actor makes up a story for every celebrity that the host lists off.
03:11Nicky Kedman. Just… unbelievable, man.
03:16You… you had… you had an affair with…
03:20I did them all, yeah.
03:21There's a few moments that give Martin Short's character pause before one about two California
03:26politicians. When the interviewer asks about Dianne Feinstein, Baldwin crafts an elaborate
03:31story about him, Feinstein, and Barbara Boxer.
03:35And she said, um, would you, um, would you like to do Barbara?
03:43And would you mind if I watched?
03:45And this happened?
03:46And I said, whatever blows your dress up, you know what I mean? Let's go.
03:48You…
03:48Short practicality breaks as his guests run wild with a slew of colorful eyes.
03:53Willing to compete with his talented co-star, the 30 Rockstar reveals just how quick-witted he can be.
03:59Sarah Jessica Parker.
04:01What do you do? She comes to your apartment at 3 o'clock in the morning after she wraps
04:04the friggin' TV show. She's like, you know…
04:06But she's with Matthew Broderick from The Producers.
04:09Come on, get serious.
04:117. Keanu Reeves Answers an Afterlife Question
04:15The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
04:17But in the film…
04:18You could if you wanted to, but you just don't want to take his job away from him.
04:21No, well, yeah, I could get hit by a car, but, you know, hospital.
04:25During a wide-reaching interview on The Late Show, Stephen Colbert talks through
04:29Keanu Reeves' career and other thoughts on multiple subjects.
04:33The segment reached its peak when the host brought up a question about the afterlife.
04:37You could get… you could get thrown and trampled.
04:40Yeah, you can die.
04:41But the thing is…
04:43Yeah, I wasn't going to go that far, but yeah, that's true.
04:46That's what can happen.
04:47Reeves came ready with some of his own wisdom, reaching deep down to offer up a sincere answer.
04:52Colbert froze as he took in the information and contemplated an unexpected kernel of truth.
04:58What do you think happens when we die, Keanu Reeves?
05:05I know that the ones who love us will miss us.
05:13The verbose comedian stopped before shaking his guest's hand, deciding to give the John
05:18Wickstar the final word.
05:20Many people ended up watching the clip online after it seemed to stop millions of people in
05:25their tracks.
05:266.
05:27RuPaul Scares Jimmy Fallon
05:29The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
05:31To start off this segment on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon celebrated RuPaul's appearance on Vanity
05:37Fair.
05:38The host showed off the magazine cover before calling the guest a drag queen.
05:42Would you be friends with Cupcake?
05:44Yeah.
05:44Um, oh yeah.
05:46Okay, good.
05:47All right, good.
05:48Oh yeah, you'd be friends with Cupcake and all of them.
05:50Bianca Dinkins.
05:51Bianca Dinkins would love us some Jimmy, baby!
05:55When the Drag Race star threw off Jimmy Fallon with a strong response,
05:58the comedian paused out of what might have been fear.
06:01He looks terrified after saying what could have ended up being the wrong thing.
06:05As the cover model cuts through the silence, all is well again after the brief moment of uncertainty.
06:11But this was gigantic.
06:12This is the first time a drag queen has ever been put on the cover of-
06:16A drag queen!
06:18A drag queen!
06:21I am the queen of drag!
06:24Fallon later broke down the exchange on his show after it went viral.
06:28After admitting that he was nervous, he brought the whole interview back into focus.
06:33That's it, I'm cancelled.
06:34Yeah, I started my own hashtag Jimmy Fallon was over party.
06:37I was like, I had a good run, you know?
06:39I had 10 years in the business.
06:41I was like, wait, what did I do wrong?
06:43What did I do?
06:44But it was so funny.
06:45I was like, a drag queen!
06:47I was like, oh no.
06:485.
06:49Paul McCartney's Thoughts on Life and Death
06:52The Late Late Show with James Corden
06:53On a very special edition of Carpool Karaoke,
06:57James Corden accompanied Paul McCartney on a musical trip through Liverpool.
07:01This included many behind-the-scenes stories from the former Beatle and a few awesome sing-alongs.
07:17When Let It Be came up, Corden revealed his personal connection to the track in a heartfelt story.
07:22The host's grandfather got a shout-out that led to an incredible full-circle moment.
07:27I can remember my grandad, who's a musician,
07:31and my dad sitting me down and saying,
07:35we're gonna play you the best song you've ever heard.
07:39And I remember them playing me that.
07:40While the comedian's grandad already passed, the memories lived on,
07:44and the musical guest only added to this spiritual segment.
07:47When McCartney provided a simple response about the presenter's family member,
07:52the episode came together with a profound message.
07:55If my grandad was here right now, he'd get an absolute kick out of this.
07:59He is.
08:06Number 4. Nicole Kidman Makes Her Past Feelings Known
08:10The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
08:13As it turns out, Jimmy Fallon's personal life could have taken another path.
08:18He and Nicole Kidman discussed an earlier meeting at the host's apartment.
08:21As the Oscar winner explained it, she mentioned being single and ready to mingle at the time.
08:39This completely caught Fallon off guard as he reeled from the revelation.
08:43With Kidman bringing a larger context to the event,
08:46the two parsed out a miscommunication that led to an awkward meeting.
08:50We can't even have a conversation.
08:52You're trying to, you're feeling a little something.
08:54Yeah, yeah, yeah. You're feeling a little chemistry.
08:56You're feeling a little chemistry now. A little chemistry now.
08:59The comedian seemed more than surprised by the whole thing.
09:02While they both remembered small details about the event,
09:05both performers interpreted the event in much different ways.
09:09Everyone's feeling the sexual chemistry here, and it's awkward, and it's just odd.
09:19You want to play Mario Bros?
09:22You want to play Mario Bros?
09:23Let me show them on new Nintendo.
09:253. The Axe Throw
09:27The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
09:30Among many highlights of Johnny Carson's tenure on TV, this one worked without the need for any response.
09:37Well, the trick is to keep your arm extended, and that way you break the microphone.
09:42You know, you keep your arm extended, and uh, put only one revolution on the, uh…
09:48The Tonight Show segment featured Ed Ames throwing an axe at a wooden board.
09:52With the target shaped like a cowboy, the sharp object landed in an unfortunate spot.
09:58Carson stopped Ames from retrieving the weapon before the laughs could build to their peak.
10:03It might have been among the more surprising and transgressive accidents from the show's history.
10:08The host knew exactly how to milk the moment,
10:11holding back his response for a few more seconds until one hilarious punchline.
10:192. Andy Kaufman Gets Slapped by Jerry Lawler
10:23Late Night with David Letterman
10:25During the early years of his late-night show, David Letterman welcomed some diverse talent to the talk show.
10:31This included spotlighting the famed rivalry between Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler.
10:37The comedian took some verbal shots at the wrestler,
10:40but then the latter retaliated with a slap across the face.
10:43Nobody actually forced you into the ring, you know?
10:45That's right, I don't come out here and try to do stand-up comedy or anything like that.
10:49You know, I'm a wrestler, you're a comedian.
10:50If you are the man that you think that you are, then you'd apologize.
10:53If you're the man that you think that you are, then you'd apologize.
10:54If you're the man that you think that you have to say you are.
10:54Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh.
10:56Letterman tries to referee until the physical assault.
10:59This renders the host speechless, with the aftermath nearly derailing the rest of the episode.
11:04What kind of a guy are you?
11:06No, you're not the kind of guy you're looking for.
11:10I'll just be over here.
11:12We're going to pause here for station identification.
11:15Get the hoses out here.
11:16I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
11:17Kaufman returns to dish out a counter-offensive as the presenter stands by.
11:22While it might have been staged, the entire scenario plays out like a fantastic bit of wrestling lore.
11:27Uh, is Andy, are you coming in here again, or?
11:30I am sick of this .
11:31You are .
11:32My friend, I will sue you for everything you have.
11:35I will sue your .
11:36You're a .
11:37As far as I'm concerned, you hear me?
11:40Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
11:44Cher calls out David Letterman.
11:46Late show with David Letterman.
11:48The pop diva doesn't mince words about this talk show host.
11:52I thought that I would never want to do this show with you.
11:55Now why?
11:56Now let's, let's explore this a little.
11:58Why?
11:59Because you thought I was, uh, uh…
12:01An ass.
12:01Nicki Minaj's rap silences Stephen Colbert.
12:04The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
12:06A hip-hop moment turns the comedian into a puddle of embarrassment.
12:10I might f*** Stephen after the show.
12:13He's gonna come back to work with a magical glow, but…
12:17Drew Barrymore flashes David Letterman.
12:20Late Show with David Letterman.
12:22The host's wide-eyed stare follows this surprising twist.
12:26You know, you know, I, I can't thank you enough for that.
12:35My, my goodness.
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13:04Number 1. Joaquin Phoenix Gets Awkward.
13:07Late Show with David Letterman.
13:09At a turning point in Joaquin Phoenix's career,
13:12he went on Late Show with David Letterman with a new wardrobe.
13:16The host seemed caught off guard by the Oscar winner's look and general attitude.
13:20It's a lovely film, really.
13:26And Joaquin, I'm sorry you couldn't be here tonight.
13:28While few people knew at the time,
13:30Phoenix was deep in character for a documentary project called I'm Still Here.
13:35David Letterman butted heads with his guest and turned every awkward moment into a punchline.
13:40Um, what, uh, what can you tell us about your days with the Unabomber?
13:46The uncomfortable silences drew more laughs,
13:48with the comedian more than willing to call out the odd behavior.
13:52Later going on the show to apologize,
13:54the actor tried to make amends while acknowledging the trainwreck interview.
13:58Is it edited in such a way to make it look like,
14:00Oh, poor Joaquin, Big Dumb Dave is picking on poor Joaquin.
14:04No, I don't think so.
14:06I, so you haven't seen the film?
14:08No.
14:08Oh.
14:09Did we forget another bizarre celebrity encounter on a talk show?
14:12Let us know in the comments below.