Celebrities often make appearances on talk shows to promote their latest movie or television show, and can even help spike ratings for a talk show because of their popularity. While talk show hosts are grateful for the stars that come to sit on their couch and have a chat, there have been numerous times when a host has banned a celeb because of their outrageous behavior or because it's a matter of principle.
The celebs on this list have been uninvited from certain talk shows because of their bizarre behavior or simply because the host and the star just don't get along. Piers Morgan's tight-lipped feud with Madonna has been going on for years and so, he's banned the "Material Girl" from both his U.K. and U.S. shows. Anderson Cooper, who hosted Anderson Live from 2011-2013, refused to have any of the Kardashians on his show because they were already everywhere else.
Others still were banned from talk shows until they could get their addictions under control. All of which make up quite a list of celebrities who have been missing from the talk show circuit for years.
Updated November 2023: This article has been updated to reflect the most recent information regarding stars who have been banned from talk shows.
15 Madonna Was Banned From Piers Morgan Live
Ban Date: 2001
- Ban started over a bread roll-throwing incident
Broadcaster Piers Morgan will never allow Madonna to come on his newest talk show, Piers Morgan Uncensored, as it's clear that the British television personality is not a fan of the songstress.
During CNN's Television Critics Association Winter 2011 Session, Piers referred to Madonna as "an irritant in my life for 20 years" and added that the only way he'd allow the Queen of Pop on his show is if she "made an apology to CNN."
While he never truly revealed why he has so much hate for the star, Piers did admit there was a bread roll-throwing incident and that "there's a series of crimes" that Madonna "reportedly" did to him.
Madonna has never responded to his backlash.
14 Joan Rivers Was Banned From The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Ban Date: 1986
- Ban started because Joan Rivers did not tell Johnny Carson she was getting her own show
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson ran on NBC for 30 years and one of his permanent guest hosts was Joan Rivers. The comedians enjoyed one another's company for some time, but things went downhill when Rivers received her own talk show for the FOX Network, airing opposite Johnny.
According to Johnnu, Joan never personally told him that she received her own show, but Joan disagreed. Joan's talk show was quickly canceled, but she was never allowed back on Johnny's talk show, nor Jay Leno's show, out of respect for Johnny.
When Johnny passed in 2005, Joan revealed that he never forgave her.
13 Kathy Griffin Has Been Banned From Almost All Of Them
Ban Date: 2012
- Ban began with all the talk shows over bizarre behavior
Kathy Griffin is no stranger to controversy and her antics have banned her from multiple talk shows. The comedian has been banned from past and present talk shows, including, Leno, Conan, Ellen, The View, Live with Regis and Kelly, Letterman, and The Today Show.
The comedy star has had some wild moments on live air including stripping down to her undergarments during the 2012 New Year's broadcast, dropping the F-bomb on The View, and appearing on Letterman in 2012, after being banned, and proceeding to undress on air.
12 Gary Busey Was Banned From The Howard Stern Show
Ban Date: 2001
- Ban started over erratic behavior
Gary Busey has been known more recently for his erratic behavior than for his acting skills. This behavior was front and center during an interview on The Howard Stern Show and it is what got Gary banned from ever coming back.
In 2001, Busey had a problem with minding his personal space. According to Grunge, he tried to lift Robin Quivers over his head and even attempted to chase Howard Stern down in the studio. This led to Gary getting tired and trying to wrestle Howard to the ground.
After repeated warnings, Gary was booted from the show. He was also banned for life from coming back to chat with Howard.
11 Gilbert Gottfried Was Banned From The Howard Stern Show
Ban Date: 1987
- Ban started because of a joke taken too far
Gilbert Gottfried has the most recognizable voice in Hollywood with his most famous role in Disney's Aladdin, voicing the parrot Iago. Gottfried has had numerous roles in movies and television, and he was a frequent guest on Howard Stern's talk show.
The two men got along quite well and Gilbert appeared on the show several times, but something occurred between them that got Gilbert banned from the show. It's presumed that the actor took a joke too far by either spitting on cupcakes or spitting them on the floor behind the scenes. However, some people believe the two stars just didn't click anymore.
10 Howard Stern Was Banned From The Tonight Show With Jay Leno
Ban Date: 1994
- Ban began after Howard Stern brought adult film stars to talk over guests on the show
Howard Stern and Jay Leno's talk shows are opposite, but that wasn't the reason why Jay officially banned Howard from his late-night show The Tonight Show With Jay Leno. While Howard constantly accused Jay of plagiarism and lying, when Howard appeared on Jay's show it just went from bad to worse.
During Howard's interview on the show, he brought adult film stars out and would purposely talk over other guests' during their interviews, and do more outrageous antics. This got Howard banned from Leno's show and even NBC got in on it, publicly slamming Howard for his actions.
9 Jay Leno Was Banned From Conan
Ban Date: 2010
- Ban began because Jay Leno ended up taking back over The Tonight Show after it was given to Conan O'Brien
While Jay Leno banned folks from his talk show, he was actually banned from Conan after the fiasco with The Tonight Show being taken away from Conan O'Brien.
Jay wanted to step back from The Tonight Show. This meant that Conan was cleared to come in as the new host. Wanting to keep both comedians on NBC, Jay was given a slot at 10:00 PM while Conan kept the later Tonight Show slot. But, when both shows did not have the audience that NBC hoped for, they took The Tonight Show away from Conan and gave it back to Jay, a move that left a bad taste in Conan's mouth.
Conan took his talk show to TBS and stated that Jay would never be a guest on his show.
"He can come as the musical guest, because that I want to see; no one knows he has an operatic range," O’Brien joked.
"No, there are certain things I will not do, regardless of the price."
Jay never did come on Conan, with Conan sticking by his guns and not allowing him on his show.
8 Dax Shepherd Was Banned From The Conan O'Brien Show
Ban Date: 2004
- Ban began because Dax Shepherd came to The Conan O'Brien Show intoxicated
Dax Shepherd came onto The Conan O'Brien Show to promote a new film but the interview went downhill fast when Dax could not keep his train of thought and rambled through his interview on the talk show.
"I show up on the show. I don’t know what he’s talking about," Dax explained.
"I can tell he’s queuing me up for stories I’ve told, but I don’t know any of the stories. So, I’m just doing what I can to be funny out there, and I am a mess."
This happened because Dax had consumed so much alcohol that he blacked out only to be shaken awake by his manager to get to Conan before being late.
Once the interview was over, Conan banned Dax from the show until he could get clean. Fortunately, Dax did get sober and was back on Conan several times after his difficult appearance and the two wound up on good terms in the years after as well.
7 Hugh Grant Was Banned From The Daily Show With Jon Stewart
Ban Date: 2009
- Ban started because Hugh Grant was rude on The Daily Show
It's hard to believe that actor Hugh Grant would get banned from anything, but he rubbed talk show host Jon Stewart the wrong way while making an appearance on his show in 2009.
When Hugh came on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, he was incredibly rude, even cursing and complaining on the show, which is unlike all the charming characters he plays on screen. Jon wasn't a fan and banned the Brit from his show.
After hearing about the way he acted in front of the talk show host, Hugh tweeted about his experience.
"Turns out my inner crab got the better of me with TV producer in 09. Unforgivable. J Stewart correct to give me kicking."
6 The Kardashians Weren't Allowed On Anderson Live
Ban Date: 2011
- A feud never ensued between The Kardashians and Anderson Cooper, but over-exposure kept the family members from being on Cooper's show
The Kardashian/Jenner family has been on almost every talk show there is, except Anderson Cooper's. The television journalist who hosted Anderson Live for two years already knew that he did not want any of the Kardashian clan on his new daytime talk show, despite the fact that the Kardashians admired him.
While there is no hate between Anderson and the most famous Hollywood family, on an episode of Watch What Happens Live, the journalist told Andy Cohen that the Kardashians are already everywhere and all over the media, so he simply didn't have anything new to say to them, so what would be the point to put them on his daytime talk show?
