You know that moment during a live interview when you can tell things are about to get awkward? You can see the body language shift, facial expressions tense, and the silence becomes almost deafening? This is definitely a risk interviewer take when asking difficult questions live on air.
While The Today Show prides itself on wholesome content, they have certainly had some cringe-worthy moments during interviews. On the air since 1952, Some of their cringe-worthy moments were the fault of the host while others were the fault of the guest. You be the judge as we review these episodes of the past.
While The Today Show prides itself on wholesome content, they have certainly had some cringe-worthy moments during interviews. On the air since 1952, Some of their cringe-worthy moments were the fault of the host while others were the fault of the guest. You be the judge as we review these episodes of the past.
The Today Show Secrets
Part of the reason the Today Show has been on the air so long is that the segments and the cast resonate with the American people. Though the hosts come from very different backgrounds, they all seem to work together to make the show insightful and entertaining.
This is quite the production as well. The show runs seven days a week, with three different segments Monday through Friday, Weekend TODAY, and Sunday TODAY. Aside from provisioning the top news stories of the world, the show intertwines segments from the entertainment industry, top chefs, and heartwarming stories from the American public. With so much air time, there are bound to be some cringy bits. So let’s delve into the awkward moments.
The Today Show Secrets
Part of the reason the Today Show has been on the air so long is that the segments and the cast resonate with the American people. Though the hosts come from very different backgrounds, they all seem to work together to make the show insightful and entertaining.
This is quite the production as well. The show runs seven days a week, with three different segments Monday through Friday, Weekend TODAY, and Sunday TODAY. Aside from provisioning the top news stories of the world, the show intertwines segments from the entertainment industry, top chefs, and heartwarming stories from the American public. With so much air time, there are bound to be some cringy bits. So let’s delve into the awkward moments.
Kate Plus Two
Kate Gosselin of Jon and Kate Plus 8 fame has quite the history of cringe-worthy moments on TV, not only on the Today Show but also on her own reality series. With her narcissistic and controlling behavior, it is a wonder that anyone could get a word in edgewise. Why we thought things would be different in an interview with her 13-year-old daughters is beyond me.
Kate agreed to allow her twins to accompany her on the show so they could “clear the air” about their experience filming Jon and Kate Plus 8. Their segment “Growing Up Gosselin” was meant to focus on the girls and their memories from childhood. Understandably, the twins, Cara and Mady, were uncomfortable and timid.
Kate Plus Two
Kate Gosselin of Jon and Kate Plus 8 fame has quite the history of cringe-worthy moments on TV, not only on the Today Show but also on her own reality series. With her narcissistic and controlling behavior, it is a wonder that anyone could get a word in edgewise. Why we thought things would be different in an interview with her 13-year-old daughters is beyond me.
Kate agreed to allow her twins to accompany her on the show so they could “clear the air” about their experience filming Jon and Kate Plus 8. Their segment “Growing Up Gosselin” was meant to focus on the girls and their memories from childhood. Understandably, the twins, Cara and Mady, were uncomfortable and timid.
A Rude Interruption
Savannah Guthrie began the interview by asking Mady how she was doing and what she thought of the reality TV experience. Shy Mady only had the chance to slowly mutter “Um…” before mom could intervene, adding additional pressure for her daughter to speak on command.
Instead of encouraging her in a nurturing way, Kate Gosselin snapped her fingers at her daughter and said, ”Mady - your words. It’s your chance. Spit it out.” Of course, this made her daughter clam up even more because now she was not only nervous but embarrassed as well. Happy Birthday, Lil Nas X! (Sunday, April 9th)Keep Watching
A Rude Interruption
Savannah Guthrie began the interview by asking Mady how she was doing and what she thought of the reality TV experience. Shy Mady only had the chance to slowly mutter “Um…” before mom could intervene, adding additional pressure for her daughter to speak on command.
Instead of encouraging her in a nurturing way, Kate Gosselin snapped her fingers at her daughter and said, ”Mady - your words. It’s your chance. Spit it out.” Of course, this made her daughter clam up even more because now she was not only nervous but embarrassed as well. Happy Birthday, Lil Nas X! (Sunday, April 9th)Keep Watching
It Gets Worse
Though the intention was for her daughters to verify that their lives were all rainbows and fairy tales, the fact that they were not speaking up had Kate obviously flustered and irritated. In true Kate Gosselin style, she took the interview over in an attempt to save her image.
The problem was she went on to make herself look bad by ridiculing her children for all the world to see. Obviously frustrated, she said, “This is the most wordless I’ve heard of them all morning. I don’t want to speak for them, but Mady, go ahead. Sort out the things you said in the magazine, that years later, they’re good, they’re fine. Go for it, Mad. It’s your chance.” Mady’s response? “No, you just said it all”.
It Gets Worse
Though the intention was for her daughters to verify that their lives were all rainbows and fairy tales, the fact that they were not speaking up had Kate obviously flustered and irritated. In true Kate Gosselin style, she took the interview over in an attempt to save her image.
The problem was she went on to make herself look bad by ridiculing her children for all the world to see. Obviously frustrated, she said, “This is the most wordless I’ve heard of them all morning. I don’t want to speak for them, but Mady, go ahead. Sort out the things you said in the magazine, that years later, they’re good, they’re fine. Go for it, Mad. It’s your chance.” Mady’s response? “No, you just said it all”.
Can’t Come Back From That
Kate spent the rest of the interview trying to redeem herself but the damage had already been done. Towards the end, she felt the need to defend her parenting by saying that her daughters agreed to appear of their own accord. She went on to claim, “It’s not like I forced them to do it”. Whether they were forced or not, it was evident they did not want to be there.
While we could speculate about the relationship with Kate and her kids all day long, their audience can draw their own conclusions based on past episodes of their show. I say past episodes because the show was taken off the air not long after the airing of this interview.
Can’t Come Back From That
Kate spent the rest of the interview trying to redeem herself but the damage had already been done. Towards the end, she felt the need to defend her parenting by saying that her daughters agreed to appear of their own accord. She went on to claim, “It’s not like I forced them to do it”. Whether they were forced or not, it was evident they did not want to be there.
While we could speculate about the relationship with Kate and her kids all day long, their audience can draw their own conclusions based on past episodes of their show. I say past episodes because the show was taken off the air not long after the airing of this interview.
No Controlling Cruise
Hollywood action star Tom Cruise had already created a reputation for himself as being somewhat unpredictable during interviews before his segment on the Today Show. Even so, his 2005 appearance with Matt Lauer was one for the cringe-worthy books.
Just before he was scheduled to appear, Cruise and Brooke Shields had a public altercation regarding her use of medication for postpartum depression. Being that his archaic unsolicited opinion was completely out of line, Shields responded by telling the actor to “stick to saving the world from aliens, and let women decide what treatment is best for them.”
No Controlling Cruise
Hollywood action star Tom Cruise had already created a reputation for himself as being somewhat unpredictable during interviews before his segment on the Today Show. Even so, his 2005 appearance with Matt Lauer was one for the cringe-worthy books.
Just before he was scheduled to appear, Cruise and Brooke Shields had a public altercation regarding her use of medication for postpartum depression. Being that his archaic unsolicited opinion was completely out of line, Shields responded by telling the actor to “stick to saving the world from aliens, and let women decide what treatment is best for them.”
Paging Dr. Cruise
Of course, when Cruise began his interview with Matt Lauer to promote his new movie War of the Worlds, Matt took the opportunity to address the elephant in the room by challenging Cruise on his comments to Brooke Shields. Well, as you can imagine, Cruise immediately became defensive and acted as though no one should dare challenge his ideas.
The action star instantly went on a rant stating that psychiatry was a “pseudo-science” and antidepressants were a hoax. He went on to say, “All it does is mask the problem… There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.”
Paging Dr. Cruise
Of course, when Cruise began his interview with Matt Lauer to promote his new movie War of the Worlds, Matt took the opportunity to address the elephant in the room by challenging Cruise on his comments to Brooke Shields. Well, as you can imagine, Cruise immediately became defensive and acted as though no one should dare challenge his ideas.
The action star instantly went on a rant stating that psychiatry was a “pseudo-science” and antidepressants were a hoax. He went on to say, “All it does is mask the problem… There is no such thing as a chemical imbalance.”
The Madness Continues
While Matt Lauer would typically try to diffuse this type of situation, it was apparent that he was frustrated by the misinformation Cruise was trying to spread to the audience. In an attempt to push the issue Matt said, “So, postpartum depression to you is … psychological gobbledygook?”. Obviously frustrated, Cruise responded, “That’s an alteration of what I’m saying; I’m saying that drugs aren’t the answer.”
Matt quickly retorted, “But a little bit what you’re saying, Tom, are you saying you want people [like Shields] to do well — but you want them to do well by taking the road that you approve of…” Cruise, who was now looking confused said, “No. No, I’m not.” The interview thus far was awkward for everyone watching, including Cruise’s then-wife Katie Holmes who was in the audience.
The Madness Continues
While Matt Lauer would typically try to diffuse this type of situation, it was apparent that he was frustrated by the misinformation Cruise was trying to spread to the audience. In an attempt to push the issue Matt said, “So, postpartum depression to you is … psychological gobbledygook?”. Obviously frustrated, Cruise responded, “That’s an alteration of what I’m saying; I’m saying that drugs aren’t the answer.”
Matt quickly retorted, “But a little bit what you’re saying, Tom, are you saying you want people [like Shields] to do well — but you want them to do well by taking the road that you approve of…” Cruise, who was now looking confused said, “No. No, I’m not.” The interview thus far was awkward for everyone watching, including Cruise’s then-wife Katie Holmes who was in the audience.
A Cornered Clinton
Journalists are always looking for the next best interview and while interviewing a government official is pretty high up there, interviewing a former President is one of the biggest opportunities they can get. Apparently, Craig Melvin didn’t get the memo about interview etiquette when speaking with President Clinton as he immediately began questioning him about the #MeToo movement, insinuating he had sexually harassed women.
In an attempt to bring his A-game he posed the question, “Through the lens of #MeToo now, do you think differently or feel more responsibility?” As if that wasn’t suggestive enough, he followed his hard-hitting question up by saying, “you should have resigned”. Unbiased? Perhaps not.
A Cornered Clinton
Journalists are always looking for the next best interview and while interviewing a government official is pretty high up there, interviewing a former President is one of the biggest opportunities they can get. Apparently, Craig Melvin didn’t get the memo about interview etiquette when speaking with President Clinton as he immediately began questioning him about the #MeToo movement, insinuating he had sexually harassed women.
In an attempt to bring his A-game he posed the question, “Through the lens of #MeToo now, do you think differently or feel more responsibility?” As if that wasn’t suggestive enough, he followed his hard-hitting question up by saying, “you should have resigned”. Unbiased? Perhaps not.
A Heated Response
Though he was caught a bit off guard, Clinton was determined to defend himself, while also hoping to gain some sympathy. Showing his obvious disdain for Craig Malvin and his questions he said, “Nobody believes that I got out of that for free. I left the White House $16 million in debt. But you, typically, have ignored gaping facts … and I bet you don’t even know them.”
The former President then went on to describe all of the things he did for the women of the United States while in office claiming that “two-thirds of the American people sided with [him]” during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. It was apparent that this was still a very touchy subject for him.
A Heated Response
Though he was caught a bit off guard, Clinton was determined to defend himself, while also hoping to gain some sympathy. Showing his obvious disdain for Craig Malvin and his questions he said, “Nobody believes that I got out of that for free. I left the White House $16 million in debt. But you, typically, have ignored gaping facts … and I bet you don’t even know them.”
The former President then went on to describe all of the things he did for the women of the United States while in office claiming that “two-thirds of the American people sided with [him]” during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. It was apparent that this was still a very touchy subject for him.
Poking the Bear
You would think that President Clinton’s heated response would have tamed Melvin down a bit but, no, he pushed further by asking if the President had ever apologized to Monica Lewinsky. Appalled by the question Clinton immediately replied by adamantly saying, “I apologized to everyone in the world!”
After admitting he hadn’t spoken to Lewinsky privately, Melvin dug deeper by asking if he thought a private apology was the right thing to do. This may have been the last straw for Clinton because he angrily responded, “You think President Kennedy should have resigned? Do you believe President Johnson should have resigned? Someone should ask you these questions because of the way you formulate the questions.” Awkward!
Poking the Bear
You would think that President Clinton’s heated response would have tamed Melvin down a bit but, no, he pushed further by asking if the President had ever apologized to Monica Lewinsky. Appalled by the question Clinton immediately replied by adamantly saying, “I apologized to everyone in the world!”
After admitting he hadn’t spoken to Lewinsky privately, Melvin dug deeper by asking if he thought a private apology was the right thing to do. This may have been the last straw for Clinton because he angrily responded, “You think President Kennedy should have resigned? Do you believe President Johnson should have resigned? Someone should ask you these questions because of the way you formulate the questions.” Awkward!
Inappropriate Behavior
The once-beloved Matt Lauer has had several blows to his reputation over the last few years that have caused fans and friends to look at him in a whole new light. His behavior has been called creepy and looking back at some past interviews we can see why. One example is his 2012 interview with Hollywood A-lister Anne Hathaway.
Though she was appearing on the show to promote her new film Les Miserables, all Matt wanted to talk about was her wardrobe malfunction at the premiere. While exiting the car on the red carpet, she accidentally exposed that she was underwear-free. While most journalists would stray away from their guest’s embarrassing ordeal, Matt was like a dog with a bone prying her for details.
Inappropriate Behavior
The once-beloved Matt Lauer has had several blows to his reputation over the last few years that have caused fans and friends to look at him in a whole new light. His behavior has been called creepy and looking back at some past interviews we can see why. One example is his 2012 interview with Hollywood A-lister Anne Hathaway.
Though she was appearing on the show to promote her new film Les Miserables, all Matt wanted to talk about was her wardrobe malfunction at the premiere. While exiting the car on the red carpet, she accidentally exposed that she was underwear-free. While most journalists would stray away from their guest’s embarrassing ordeal, Matt was like a dog with a bone prying her for details.
Awkward From the Beginning
Instead of making Hathaway feel comfortable, Matt opened the interview with a comment meant to not only embarrass her but also catch her off guard. With a sly smile on his face, he creepily said, “Seen a lot of you lately”. Feeling as though she should not allow him to try and make her uncomfortable or embarrassed, she fired back with, “Sorry about that. I’d be happy to stay home, but the film”.
While most people think that the instinct would be to fire back at someone who has crossed that creepy line, in all actuality it is incredibly awkward, especially on live TV. Hathaway, however, has always been a celeb who has a low tolerance for inappropriate behavior.
Awkward From the Beginning
Instead of making Hathaway feel comfortable, Matt opened the interview with a comment meant to not only embarrass her but also catch her off guard. With a sly smile on his face, he creepily said, “Seen a lot of you lately”. Feeling as though she should not allow him to try and make her uncomfortable or embarrassed, she fired back with, “Sorry about that. I’d be happy to stay home, but the film”.
While most people think that the instinct would be to fire back at someone who has crossed that creepy line, in all actuality it is incredibly awkward, especially on live TV. Hathaway, however, has always been a celeb who has a low tolerance for inappropriate behavior.
Avoid the Elephant in the Room!
It became even more obvious that all Matt wanted to discuss was her embarrassing moment when he went on to say, “Let’s just get it out of the way… you had a little wardrobe malfunction the other night. What’s the lesson learned from something like that, other than you keep smiling, which you always do?”
Though you could tell she wanted to rip Matt a new one, Hathaway, as poised as ever, responded by saying, “It kind of made me sad on two accounts. One… that we live in an age when someone takes a picture of another person in a vulnerable moment and, rather than delete it and do the decent thing, sells it. And I’m sorry that we live in a culture that commodifies the sexuality of unwilling participants … Yeah, so, um, let’s get back to Les Mis.”
Avoid the Elephant in the Room!
It became even more obvious that all Matt wanted to discuss was her embarrassing moment when he went on to say, “Let’s just get it out of the way… you had a little wardrobe malfunction the other night. What’s the lesson learned from something like that, other than you keep smiling, which you always do?”
Though you could tell she wanted to rip Matt a new one, Hathaway, as poised as ever, responded by saying, “It kind of made me sad on two accounts. One… that we live in an age when someone takes a picture of another person in a vulnerable moment and, rather than delete it and do the decent thing, sells it. And I’m sorry that we live in a culture that commodifies the sexuality of unwilling participants … Yeah, so, um, let’s get back to Les Mis.”
Hindsight Is 20/20
Following Matt Lauer’s shocking dismissal from the Today Show due to allegations of sexual harassment, his 2009 interview with actress Sandra Bullock came under scrutiny. In retrospect, his creepy behavior became as apparent to the world as it was to Sandra during her appearance
Like his interview with Anne Hathaway, Matt went in with a hidden agenda of what he was going to discuss when Bullock entered the stage to promote her film The Proposal. At the beginning of the interview, she commented that she hadn’t been on the show in two years. Instead of engaging in light banter, Matt forged ahead with one of the most inappropriate welcoming statements seen on TV.
Hindsight Is 20/20
Following Matt Lauer’s shocking dismissal from the Today Show due to allegations of sexual harassment, his 2009 interview with actress Sandra Bullock came under scrutiny. In retrospect, his creepy behavior became as apparent to the world as it was to Sandra during her appearance
Like his interview with Anne Hathaway, Matt went in with a hidden agenda of what he was going to discuss when Bullock entered the stage to promote her film The Proposal. At the beginning of the interview, she commented that she hadn’t been on the show in two years. Instead of engaging in light banter, Matt forged ahead with one of the most inappropriate welcoming statements seen on TV.
Without a Filter
Again with the sly smirk on his face, Matt began the interview by saying, “the major thing that’s changed since you were here last? I have now seen you naked” referring to Bullock's nude scene in the movie. A true professional and, shall we say, bada**, Bullock took a moment to suppress her disgust and replied, “And I’m so sorry about that. Were you able to sleep afterward?”
Apparently caught off guard by her response, Matt attempted to recover with some small talk and another bad joke about having her image as his screensaver. At this point, he was no longer looking her in the eye.
Without a Filter
Again with the sly smirk on his face, Matt began the interview by saying, “the major thing that’s changed since you were here last? I have now seen you naked” referring to Bullock's nude scene in the movie. A true professional and, shall we say, bada**, Bullock took a moment to suppress her disgust and replied, “And I’m so sorry about that. Were you able to sleep afterward?”
Apparently caught off guard by her response, Matt attempted to recover with some small talk and another bad joke about having her image as his screensaver. At this point, he was no longer looking her in the eye.
Tit for Tat
You could tell Bullock was now ready to rumble. Seeing that he was looking south of her face, she quickly cornered him by asking, “Why are you looking down?” Lauer sheepishly tried to say he was looking at his notes in an attempt to call off the warranted attack by Bullock. She wasn’t going to let him off the hook. She quickly pointed out that his notes were in his lap, not on her chest.
You would think that Matt would have learned a quick lesson not to mess with Sandra Bullock, however, this dog cannot be tamed. After a few rounds of questions and answers, he was determined to get in just one more inappropriate comment. As he was ending the interview he said, “Did I mention you have a nude scene in this movie?” Wow Matt, wow.
Tit for Tat
You could tell Bullock was now ready to rumble. Seeing that he was looking south of her face, she quickly cornered him by asking, “Why are you looking down?” Lauer sheepishly tried to say he was looking at his notes in an attempt to call off the warranted attack by Bullock. She wasn’t going to let him off the hook. She quickly pointed out that his notes were in his lap, not on her chest.
You would think that Matt would have learned a quick lesson not to mess with Sandra Bullock, however, this dog cannot be tamed. After a few rounds of questions and answers, he was determined to get in just one more inappropriate comment. As he was ending the interview he said, “Did I mention you have a nude scene in this movie?” Wow Matt, wow.
Omarosa Gets the Last Word
Savannah Guthrie should’ve taken some notes from Omarosa’s stint on The Apprentice while preparing to interview her as most of us know she will have the last word. Things became heated between the two during a Today Show appearance when Omarosa took credit for being a whistleblower in the 45th Presidential Administration.
Using a rapid-fire method, Savannah asked a slew of questions about Omarosa’s dismissal from her position in the Trump administration instead of focusing on what the guest wanted. Determined to steer the interview back in the direction that would make her shine, Omarosa took control in her typical condescending way.
Omarosa Gets the Last Word
Savannah Guthrie should’ve taken some notes from Omarosa’s stint on The Apprentice while preparing to interview her as most of us know she will have the last word. Things became heated between the two during a Today Show appearance when Omarosa took credit for being a whistleblower in the 45th Presidential Administration.
Using a rapid-fire method, Savannah asked a slew of questions about Omarosa’s dismissal from her position in the Trump administration instead of focusing on what the guest wanted. Determined to steer the interview back in the direction that would make her shine, Omarosa took control in her typical condescending way.
Getting to the Nitty Gritty
After being a contestant on Trump’s reality show The Apprentice, Omarosa was asked to join the 45th Presidential Administration working as a member of the White House communications team. She along with numerous others employed by the administration were stripped of their titles in a demeaning and unprofessional manner.
Understandably, after her scandalous dismissal, Omarosa wrote and published a tell-all book detailing her experience working for the administration and criticizing President Trump for his mishandling of power. Guthrie saw this tell-all book as a chance to get the inside scoop on what was happening in the White House but she may have been just a bit too eager for Omarosa’s liking.
Getting to the Nitty Gritty
After being a contestant on Trump’s reality show The Apprentice, Omarosa was asked to join the 45th Presidential Administration working as a member of the White House communications team. She along with numerous others employed by the administration were stripped of their titles in a demeaning and unprofessional manner.
Understandably, after her scandalous dismissal, Omarosa wrote and published a tell-all book detailing her experience working for the administration and criticizing President Trump for his mishandling of power. Guthrie saw this tell-all book as a chance to get the inside scoop on what was happening in the White House but she may have been just a bit too eager for Omarosa’s liking.
Cool Your Jets
It was obvious that Savannah was chomping at the bit to delve into the details of Omarosa’s numerous allegations made against the White House officials. When she asked if the President “lies often” and Omarosa answered “absolutely”, Savannah was off and running. She began spitting questions at a rapid pace hoping to throw Omarosa off her game.
When she threw out the hard-hitting question “So why do you work for him?” Omarosa had had enough. In true Omarosa fashion, she said condescendingly, “Savannah, slow down … You don’t have to ask ten questions in one second. It’s okay.” Savannah did slow down, however, she also continued to criticize Omarosa and her actions.
Cool Your Jets
It was obvious that Savannah was chomping at the bit to delve into the details of Omarosa’s numerous allegations made against the White House officials. When she asked if the President “lies often” and Omarosa answered “absolutely”, Savannah was off and running. She began spitting questions at a rapid pace hoping to throw Omarosa off her game.
When she threw out the hard-hitting question “So why do you work for him?” Omarosa had had enough. In true Omarosa fashion, she said condescendingly, “Savannah, slow down … You don’t have to ask ten questions in one second. It’s okay.” Savannah did slow down, however, she also continued to criticize Omarosa and her actions.
Strange Bedfellows
Six months before his death at age 82, iconic actor Burt Reynolds was promoting his 2017 film The Last Movie Star on the Today Show when his flirtatious side went a bit too far. After almost 50 years in the entertainment industry, Hoda Kotb was excited to interview the 1970s sex symbol but was caught off guard after her very first question.
Hoda welcomed her guest and moved directly into her opening question. When she asked how his morning was going. Reynolds responded by saying, “great, since you left me — it was what an hour ago, wasn’t it? You got home all right?”
Always Professional
While many interviewers would have been thrown off by Burt’s comments, Hoda was quick to praise his comedic timing and wit while diverting the conversation back to more appropriate banter. She did, however, ask him a question that briefly had him flustered when she said, “Who do you consider the love of your life?”
Bracing herself for yet another sexual innuendo, she and Burt’s publicist were a bit stunned when he began to answer. After a moment of reflection, he quipped, “You’re naughty; you really are. I’m dead in the water, no matter what I say. Well, she was 7 when I fell in love with her.” He then added, “Stage 7, for about 11 years. I would say Sally [Field].”
An Odd Farewell
Even with the unexpected flirtatious comments, when an icon such as Burt Reynolds agrees to an interview, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a Today Show host. Hoda embraced his odd behavior and ran with it.
At the end of the interview she said, “Well, Burt, we love you. You are a legend, and it’s an honor… When we were talking to different people and saying you were coming, everyone had the same reaction — they were just like, ‘Wow.’” Burt did not disappoint with his farewell remarks as they were just as odd as the rest of the interview. After Hoda thanked him for coming he said, “I am so proud of you for not having your lips larger.”
How Far Is Too Far?
While appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Savannah Guthrie admitted that if she could redo any interview it would be the one with Khloe Kardashian. She divulged that if she had the opportunity to do it again, she would have handled things differently.
Savannah Guthrie was new to the Today Show when Khloe Kardashian made her appearance. Though she wanted to be respectful, she put so much pressure on herself to get the perfect interview she felt she posed questions that made her guest feel uncomfortable. What question do you ask? Whether or not Robert Kardashian was her biological father.
Crossing A Line
Savannah felt that she couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room. In her interview with Andy Cohen, she explained that she had become aware of circulating rumors that Robert Kardashian may not have been the biological father of Khloe and a big part of her knew she had to ask the probing questions to get the scoop from the source.
She also later admitted that there was a part of her that felt asking this type of questions was wrong “because it was kind of probing and personal and intrusive”. Though she says she had this internal conflict, in the end, her feeling of “responsibility” as a journalist took over.
Last Chance
When the time arrived to conduct the interview, Guthrie was still having an internal struggle so she skipped over the question time and again. She admits that she “delayed, delayed, and delayed” until she got to the point that the crew notified her that she only had seconds left before they went to break.
As the crew counted down the last few seconds, Savannah mustered up some courage and finally said, “Actually, I think we’re out of time; I was going to ask — nothing more to say about what people said about your — father — your biological father?”
A Lucky Break
Even though Savannah botched her delivery, Khloe’s reaction put her at ease. With a smile and a giggle she simply said, “I don't know who my daddy is, I guess!” It would seem that Khloe was well aware of the rumors circulating that someone else may be her father besides the man who raised her.
During her interview with Andy Cohen, Savannah admitted that she felt embarrassed to blurt out such a personal question but that Khloe was nothing but “lovely” in her response. Savannah also noted that colleague, Matt Lauer, lectured her on dropping such a bomb with only three seconds left on the clock.
Don’t Mess With Jane
When the Today Show with Megyn Kelly landed Oscar-winners Jane Fonda and Robert Redford as guests they could be sure the show would be a huge hit in the ratings. With such a great opportunity, you would think that Megyn would be on top of her interviewing game. Instead, she went in the opposite direction, causing one of the most awkward moments on the show.
Fonda and Redford had agreed to do the show in 2017 to promote their new movie Our Souls at Night. Instead of asking the iconic actors about the plot of the film or their history together, Megyn crossed a huge line and began probing Fonda about having plastic surgery. As you can imagine, these questions were not well received.
Never Mention a Woman’s Age
Now I am not sure if Megyn had some sort of vendetta against Jane Fonda but her questions sure made it seem that way. She began the interview by praising the iconic actress for aging “gracefully” and with “strength” and while that may seem complimentary, rule number one when talking to an older woman, especially an actress, is you never bring up their age!
As if that wasn’t awkward enough for Fonda, Megyn then dropped a bomb by pointing out to the audience that the actress had “some work done”, obviously suggesting plastic surgery. As you can see by the death stare on Fonda’s face, she was less than pleased with the insensitive direction the interview was going. Her first reaction was to say, “Do we really need to talk about that now?”
Get Back on Track
Jane Fonda’s initial reaction didn’t last long. She quickly regained her composure and said, “Let me tell you why I love this movie that we did, Our Souls at Night, rather than plastic surgery.” Luckily, Megyn took her cue and geared the interview towards the film as opposed to Jane’s face.
After the fact, Fonda made light of the situation when meeting with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie proving to the audience that she was a good sport. She also brought up the incident ingest when being interviewed with Lily Tomlin to promote her hit Netflix series Grace & Frankie.
A Fitting End
Megyn’s performance during the interview didn’t sit well with the executive producers of the Today Show. Though she was eventually fired for comments said on another segment, she admitted to reporters that her biggest regret while working on Today was the way she treated Jane Fonda during that interview.
Fonda, in turn, told Entertainment Tonight that she felt terrible that Megyn Kelly had been fired from the show. The actress said she wished her the best saying, “I feel badly because, you know, I wanted her to make it, I did.”
Defending Blackface
Megyn Kelly’s choice of questions for Jane Fonda was not her only outlandish display on the Today Show. The former Fox News reporter showed her true colors when defending her use of blackface while dressing in a Halloween costume. The segment was meant to discuss offensive Halloween costumes with a panel of guests that included Jacob Soboroff, Jenna Bush Hager, and Melissa Rivers.
Apparently, this was a topic that Megyn was passionate about because she gave her guests “fair warning” that she was “a little fired up”. She then went on to say that “political correctness has gone amok” while defending those who dress in blackface.
An Insensitive Rant
While intensely defending the use of blackface for Halloween costumes, she also criticized a University that had recently banned racially insensitive costumes. As the debate ensued, Megyn became more insistent all the while digging her own grave. Her final argument was defending Luann de Lesseps from The Real Housewives of New York for using dark makeup to dress as Diana Ross.
Obviously frustrated that her point was not well received she went on to say about de Lesseps, “I don’t know how that got racist on Halloween. It’s not like she’s walking around [like that] in general.” Apparently, this segment was the last straw for producers as Megyn Kelly’s segment was canceled soon thereafter.
Careful What You Say
We all know that Sarah Palin has had her fair share of embarrassing interviews, some of which have been on the Today Show. In 2016, the former Alaska Governor was invited to a segment with both Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie to comment on the Iowa caucus race. During their discussion, Savannah brought up Sarah Palin’s son.
Now, Sarah Palin’s son Track had been arrested for assault a few weeks before the interview. Palin had not only commented on the incident, but while on the campaign trail, she claimed that her son had PTSD saying, “My son, like so many others, they come back a bit different, they come back hardened…”
Placing the Blame
Palin followed up her original statement about her son by saying, “It’s a shame that our military personnel even have to wonder if they have to question if they’re respected anymore. It starts from the top” insinuating that the Obama administration was to blame. It was these words that triggered Savannah to question the information she was spreading.
In a blatant attempt to call her out Savannah stated, “You said that President Obama might be to blame for some of the PTSD that’s out there.” Instead of discussing the issue, Paling denied ever saying it and turned on the Today Show and began to criticize their ethics.
We Make No Promises
Palin began to complain saying, “You guys brought me here to talk about Iowa politics and the caucus tonight, not to talk about my kids. And that was a promise. But as things go in the media world, you guys don’t always keep your promises evidently. I never blamed President Obama.” The back-peddling and shift of blame are astounding with this one!
Though she tried to discredit the Today Show, Matt Lauer made sure to set the record straight before the end of the interview by saying, “There were no specific promises made about the content of the interview.”
Calling Out Kanye
Kanye West was invited to be interviewed on the Today Show after he made his accusatory comment “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” during the televised Hurricane Katrina benefit. The rapper joined Matt Lauer thinking that he would agree, however, when he got there, he got a rude awakening.
Matt opened up the segment by playing a video of President Bush’s response to his accusation. In it, the President said, “It’s one thing to say, you know, ‘I don’t appreciate the way he’s handled his business.’ It’s another thing to say, ‘This man’s a racist.’ I resent it. It’s not true, and it is one of the most disgusting moments of my presidency.”
Hammering Home the Point
After watching the video, West admitted that he made the initial statement out of anger and raw emotion and that it didn’t necessarily reflect who he was or how he felt after the fact. He also said the statement was said in the midst of a benefit that highlighted the failures of the government’s response. He acknowledged he was wrong by saying, “in a moment of emotion to peg someone… as a racist, is not — it’s just not right.”
Apparently, Matt did not feel Kanye was sincere because he kept hammering his point home. He once again played the video this time he instructed Kanye by saying, “Don’t even listen this time. I want you to just look at his face… Just look at him … What would you say to him if he would meet with you face-to-face?”
Enough Is Enough
Needless to say, Kanye did not appreciate being talked down to in that way, especially after admitting on live television that he made a rash judgment. It was evident that Matt was milking the situation to increase ratings and Kanye was ready to put a stop to it. He stood up and said, “I didn’t need you guys to show me the tape to prompt my emotions of what I’m going to say… I don’t need all the jazz.”
The rapper then turned into a director and demanded quiet on the set so that he could once again make it clear that he was apologetic about his comments at the benefit. He wasn’t done though. He went on to say that Matt Lauer had set him up and baited him to look bad. Honestly, I don’t disagree.
Long-running TV shows, like the Today Show, can't avoid their fair share of funny, awkward, and even wild and crazy moments. That is also true for the long-running Saturday Night Live. Up next the most controversial moment in SNL's history...
Long-running TV shows, like the Today Show, can't avoid their fair share of funny, awkward, and even wild and crazy moments. That is also true for the long-running Saturday Night Live. Up next the most controversial moment in SNL's history...
The Most Scandalous Moments in Saturday Night Live's History
The iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live has graced our television screens for over four decades with its witty banter and political and social satire. Their ability to handpick comedic players and talented writers has produced some of Hollywood's most successful superstars such as Dan Akroyd, Chevy Chase, Bill Murry, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey as well as many, many others. Throughout the decades the show has introduced us to beloved characters and memorable and hilarious sketches. With that said, SNL has also dealt with tragic losses and unbelievable scandals during its lifetime. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of the most interesting and talked-about moments in the show's history.
Eddie Murphy’s Epic Return After 35 Years
December 21st, 2019 was one of the most epic performances ever seen on Saturday Night Live with the return of iconic comedian Eddie Murphy as host. Murphy joined the cast in 1980 but became estranged from the show and his castmates for over 35 years after he was insulted by David Spade.
Eddie Murphy’s Epic Return After 35 Years
December 21st, 2019 was one of the most epic performances ever seen on Saturday Night Live with the return of iconic comedian Eddie Murphy as host. Murphy joined the cast in 1980 but became estranged from the show and his castmates for over 35 years after he was insulted by David Spade.
Murphy came back with a bang, bringing some of his most beloved characters such as Gumby, Buckwheat, and Mr. Robinson back to life. He shared the screen with Hollywood comedy legends Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, and Dave Chapelle as well as hit musical guest Lizzo. In his monologue, Murphy joked about how life has changed since he was on the show 35 years prior saying, “If you would have told me 30 years ago that I would be this boring stay at home dad and Bill Cosby would be in jail, even I wouldn’t have taken that bet. Who’s America’s dad now?” He concluded the monologue with a memorable impression of Bill Cosby.
Alec Baldwin, the Host With the Most
Being asked to host Saturday Night Live is considered an honor and a privilege in show business so being asked to come back time and again is really saying something about your comedic ability. There aren’t many that can boast this accomplishment so Alec Baldwin should be incredibly proud.
Baldwin holds the record for a recurring host on SNL; hosting on 17 different occasions and always being a hit. Baldwin is best known for his recurring role as Donald Trump making the political satire even more appealing. Show creator Lorne Michaels has been so impressed with him and the characters that he gave him the title of an honorary cast member as well as an open invitation to host whenever the schedule allows. This honor has only been bestowed on one other actor, the eccentric and legendary, Christopher Walken.
Steven Seagal Makes a Terrible Impression
As aforementioned, being selected to host Saturday Night Live is a big deal and should be taken seriously by the lucky actor who is chosen. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. The show's creator, Lorne Michaels didn’t mince words when he spoke of Steven Seagal's performance, he said bluntly that Seagal was the “worst host ever”. The cast members agreed that he was rude and unprofessional. This was the general consensus of the creator, cast, writers, and the audience.
Determined not to relive the frustrating experience, Lorne Michaels added Steven Seagal to the SNL blacklist, banning him from ever hosting again. This isn’t the first time someone has been blacklisted either, Martin Lawrence and Adrien Brody have also been banned from taking part in the show.
Not All Celebs Get Their Shot on SNL
Saturday Night Live is famous for being the starting point for some of the biggest careers in Hollywood, however some of the greatest comedic actors today were passed over by SNL. Stars such as Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell, John Goodman, and Kevin Hart, all hilarious and wildly famous now, received rejections from the show's creator. There were two rejections that may have been a blessing in disguise, however.
Now top celebrities, Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow were hoping to get their break like so many others by auditioning for Saturday Night Live. Even though they gave it their best shot, neither was cast. Luckily, just a short time later, both women were chosen to play iconic roles in the most-watched sitcom of all time, Friends. The show catapulted their careers and both have continued working as successful actors. I second Kudrow’s famous statement of “Thank God I didn’t get Saturday Night Live”.
Open About His Past and Hopeful for His Future
John Mulaney is an American comedian, as well as an actor, writer, and producer. He has several stand-up specials but is probably most well-known for his role in Saturday Night Live. While seemingly having it all, as is the case with many celebrities, he has a darker past and in December 2020, he checked into rehab.
Mulaney has been open about his wild past, which includes partying and drug abuse from a young age. It's no easy feat dealing with fame and the 2020 pandemic didn't make things easier on the comedy legend. It was reported that Mulaney would spend 60 days in rehab, being treated for cocaine and alcohol abuse. His family and friends are behind him and hopefully, he can turn his dark past into a bright future.
Johnny Carson’s Vacation Time Led to the Creation of SNL
Johnny Carson was a legend in late-night television as host of the Tonight Show, a show so popular that the network ran reruns of his program on the weekends. In 1974, Carson made a plea to NBC to stop airing the reruns so that he could use them when he needed a vacation of extra time off during the week. The network complied but found themselves in need of something new to fill their Saturday night time slot.
NBC Turned to Lorne Michaels and asked him to develop a new and fresh comedic show to fill the air space. Knowing that the new program would have to live up to the hilarity of the Tonight Show, Michaels focused on creating a sketch comedy hour and created Saturday Night Live. When explaining his idea to future cast member Lorraine Newman, he described it as Monty Python meets 60 Minutes.
Saturday Night Live Wasn’t the Original Name
Coming up with a name for a show can be challenging, you want something catchy that people can remember but you also want it to represent the content and intrigue the viewer. So imagine Lorne Michaels's disappointment when he was told he could not use the name Saturday Night Live for the premiere of his show in 1975.
NBC rejected the name because their rival network, ABC had a show on the air called Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell. Michaels had to bite the bullet and shorten his program name to Saturday Night. Luckily for Michaels in 1977 Howard Cosell's show went off the air allowing NBC to pay for the rights and change the show's name back to the original. It makes sense now that Chevy Chase started the premier off with the famous line, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night.”
From Greatness Comes Greatness
Saturday Night Live has always been a treasure trove of great talent producing some of the most hilarious sketches in television history so it is no wonder that those ideas would make their way to the big screen. Movies such as The Coneheads, Night at the Roxbury, and The Blues Brothers were highly entertaining and have since become cult classics that have brought in a lot of money.
Quite possibly the most successful film to stem from Saturday Night Live was the stoner blockbuster hit comedy Wayne's World starring its creators, Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. Not all of the spin-offs were successful however, It’s Pat was an absolute flop scoring a rare zero on Rotten Tomatoes.
Creator Lorne Michaels Takes a Five-Year Hiatus
Saturday Night Live was the brainchild of creator and producer Lorne Michaels but in 1980 after five seasons, he took a long leave of absence only to return five years later in 1985. Understandably, during his time away Michaels said that he couldn’t bear to watch SNL.
Andrew Miller and Tom Shales, authors of Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live, interviewed Michaels about that period in his life. He is quoted as saying, “It was very hard for me, in retrospect, to be relieved of the show was an emotional withdrawal that took me, truly, years to get perspective on.”
On the Verge of Cancellation... Twice
When Saturday Night Live ended its tenth season, executives at the network threatened to cancel the show stating that the only way they would consider extending it would be if Lorne Michaels was to return. This threat was incentive enough for the creator of the show to resume his position as a producer.
Ten seasons later, there was a mass exodus of cast members. Vital performers such as Mike Myers, Janeane Garofalo, Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Morwenna Banks, Ellen Cleghorn, Chris Elliot, Laura Kightlinger, Michael McKean, Jay Mohr, and Kevin Nealon all either left on their own accord or were terminated from the show. With such a hit to the roster of the cast, NBC once again considered a cancellation, however, with the show being such a stepping stone to success, they were quickly and easily replaced.
Complaints Surfaced That the Writers Were Lazy
Tina Fey was a key player on Saturday Night Live and was possibly the best known for her portrayal of Sarah Palin, as they looked and acted identically. When she announced her plans for departure, the writers were disappointed as was Lorne Michaels, that is until she wrote her bestselling book Bossypants.
The book discloses many anecdotes about her life but also documents her experience working on Saturday Night Live. Fey wasn’t shy about discussing her workmates and in fact, revealed some rather less than complimentary work habits on their part. Fey says that the writers for the show were both lazy and gross stating that they wouldn’t even get up to use the bathroom but instead kept jars of urine in their offices. Perhaps that is where she got her inspiration for the outlandish characters on 30 Rock.
Oldest Host Award Goes to Betty White
A huge fan of Betty White, Lorne Michaels extended her several invitations to host Saturday Night Live, however with her incredibly busy schedule, they were not able to make it work. Finally in 2010, after an impressive Facebook campaign pleading with the beloved actress to accept the gig, 88-year-old Betty White accepted the invitation.
Live television can be quite demanding so there was a bit of concern that Betty White may find the fast-paced demands of the show challenging. Always a seasoned professional, White showed everyone just how it is done and was a huge hit with all of the cast members, viewers, and the live audience.
Wonder Woman’s Sexuality Exposed
Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot’s upcoming appearance as host for Saturday Night Live was generating a lot of buzz from viewers. Wonder Woman had just premiered and was one of the biggest blockbusters of the summer and the highest-grossing female-led superhero movie of all time making her a very hot commodity.
In true SNL style, the writers created a skit that would address and seek answers about Wonder Woman’s sexuality. Gadot went all in, participating in an epic interaction with openly gay cast member Kate McKinnon. The kiss was a hit and was all people from around the world could talk about the following day. Just goes to show that incredible moments can be made with some great writing and a little conviction.
One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Hit
Wayne's World became one of the biggest hit movies to stem from Saturday Night Live but the idea wasn’t always well received. At the beginning of Mike Myers’ career on SNL, he came up with the idea of Wayne and Garth and thought it would make a hilarious skit. When he brought it to the writers, one of which was Conan O’Brien, they weren’t receptive and told him he could do better.
Not easily deterred, Mike Myers wrote the sketch anyway and convinced the writers to give it a shot. Though the sketch was allowed they scheduled it in the least favorable slot, the final one of the show. Conan O’Brien said he remembered thinking “this poor kid is going to have to learn the hard way.” Even with the doubt expressed by the writing staff the skit quickly became a fan favorite and the movie a huge hit.
Fired for Checking Out the Competition
Chris Rock is considered one of the most famous comedians in the world and he too got his start on Saturday Night Live. He was hired to join the cast in 1990 and was a favorite on the show for three years. When he expressed an interest in the sketch comedy show In Living Color, he was promptly fired.
More than two decades later in 2019, Chris Rock hosted SNL and poked fun at his 1993 dismissal while performing a song with Adam Sandler who could commiserate as he was also fired. His lyrics read “I was fired by NBC, I went on In Living Color, three weeks later they took it off TV”. I suppose it takes a good sense of humor to be a comedian.
Drew Barrymore Was SNL’s Youngest Host
Drew Barrymore rose to stardom at the young age of seven years old after starring in the blockbuster hits E.T. and Firestarter. Because she was so well recognized and frankly cute as a button she became the youngest star to host Saturday Night Live. Viewers loved her performance, in fact, it was one of the most-watched episodes in SNL history. Since her debut as host, Barrymore has returned to host an additional five times.
In addition to her role as host, Barrymore has made several guest appearances and cameos on the show. She has also had the distinct “honor” of being impersonated by cast members Kristen Wiig and Rachel Dratch as well as by fellow actors Kate Hudson and Katie Holmes.
Daman Wayans Was Fired for Improvising
The talented Daman Wayans also was a cast member of Saturday Night Live however, he was only on the show for one season. Wayans wasn’t satisfied that the parts he received were as funny as they could be so he took it upon himself to jazz up a sketch by playing his police officer character as someone who was flamboyantly gay. This did not sit well with the producers as the changes to the sketch were done so without their knowledge.
When Wayans was fired for his improvisation of the sketch he told The Weekender, “I knew I was going to get fired for it. Lorne did the right thing”. Perhaps his kind comments and admission that he had overstepped were well-received seeing that he was able to return to the show two months later to perform his stand-up.
Chris Kattan Was Injured on the Show
Chris Kattan and his ability to play the most hilarious and outlandish characters made him a favorite on Saturday Night Live for seven years straight. However, in 2003 he mysteriously left the show and was no longer seen in the limelight until he appeared on Dancing with the Stars in 2017. When asked on the show why he seemed so stiff he revealed that the upper body stiffness was due to an injury he had incurred while working on SNL.
Kattan revealed that there had been an accident while he was working on a sketch about the Golden Girls which caused his neck to break. Because of the accident, he has undergone four separate surgeries and can no longer do physical comedy.
George Carlin Was the Very First Host
When Saturday Night Live first aired in 1975, they knew they needed a host that was not only a great comedian but was also well known. They lucked out when George Carlin accepted as he was the biggest star in stand-up during those days and his unique satire stole the show. While Carlin did not take part in the sketches as most hosts do, he did perform his stand-up in between them.
The skits for the premiere episode really set the tone for the comedic stylings of the show. One of the skits starred John Belushi as a student who goes to a tutor to learn English but is only taught about wolverines and another depicted an insurance agency that offers a grieving family a new father to replace the one who had died. The first episode also included musical guests Billy Preston and Janis Ian.
Could SNL Predict the Future?
In one of Carlin's rants in his stand up, he couldn’t help but make fun of advertisers and consumers by doing a mock commercial for a three-blade razor which was a futuristic notion for the 1970s and considered very excessive. They named the razor the Triple Trac Razor and ended the parody with the announcer saying, “The Triple Trac...because you will believe anything”.
Needless to say, the audience ate it up and found the very notion of such a razor an absurdity. Even so, 15 years later in 1990, Gillette launched Mach 3 which was in fact a three-blade razor. Perhaps they ought to share a portion of the profits.
Advertising Costs a Pretty Penny Nowadays
Since the election of Donald Trump, the number of viewers of Saturday Night Live has been on the rise and advertisers are not only paying attention they are paying big bucks. With an increase in viewers, the commercial slots have increased in value, a $90,000 slot a few years ago will now run you between $100,000 all the way up to $300,000.
For any show on the networks, ratings are important as are advertising dollars. In order to ensure that viewers do not opt to watch clips online in order to skip commercials, SNL has been collaborating with some of the experts at Apple and Verizon to create custom ads that will be just as entertaining as the show itself.