The 1980s gave us some of the most memorable talk show moments—some heartwarming, some hilarious, and others so awkward they still make us cringe. Whether it was a baffling celebrity interview, an uncomfortable guest interaction, or a bizarre on-air stunt, these moments live on in infamy. Watching them today, you might find yourself squirming in your seat, wondering how everyone kept a straight face. Let’s take a look back at 12 talk show moments from the ’80s that were so awkward, they’re still hard to forget.
1. Crispin Glover’s Strange Appearance on Late Night with David Letterman
In 1987, Back to the Future star Crispin Glover stopped by David Letterman’s show and gave one of the most bizarre interviews in late-night history. Wearing thick platform shoes and behaving erratically, Glover suddenly challenged Letterman to an arm-wrestling match before throwing a high kick that nearly hit him in the face. Letterman, clearly unsettled, cut the segment short and walked off stage, leaving the audience in stunned silence. To this day, people debate whether it was a publicity stunt or a genuine moment of unpredictability.
2. Madonna’s Gum-Chewing Attitude on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Madonna was no stranger to making waves, but her 1987 interview with Johnny Carson was especially memorable for all the wrong reasons. Chewing gum throughout the segment, she gave short, dismissive answers and seemed uninterested in the conversation. Carson, ever the professional, tried to keep things light, but even he struggled to get a meaningful response. The interview ended up being more uncomfortable than entertaining, with viewers wondering if she even wanted to be there.
3. Shelley Duvall’s Troubling Interview on The Late Show with David Letterman
Actress Shelley Duvall, best known for The Shining, made an unsettling appearance on Letterman’s show in 1988. She spoke about seeing UFOs, referenced a missing friend who she believed had transformed into someone else, and rambled in ways that concerned the audience. Letterman tried to keep the conversation moving, but it was clear something wasn’t right. Years later, this interview resurfaced as an example of how Hollywood often fails to support stars struggling with personal issues.
4. Farrah Fawcett’s Confusing Interview on The Late Show with David Letterman
In 1987, Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett appeared on Letterman’s show and left both the host and the audience scratching their heads. She spoke in a rambling, disjointed manner, laughing at odd moments and losing track of her own stories. Letterman, who was known for handling unusual guests, tried to keep things light, but even he seemed baffled. Many speculated whether she was simply nervous, but whatever the cause, it was an interview that left a lasting impression.
5. Jerry Lawler and Andy Kaufman’s Feud Gets Physical on Late Night with David Letterman
Andy Kaufman’s long-running wrestling feud with Jerry Lawler spilled over into an infamous 1982 talk show appearance. During their Late Night with David Letterman interview, Lawler smacked Kaufman so hard he fell out of his chair. Kaufman responded by launching into an expletive-laden rant before storming offstage in a fury. While it was later revealed to be a staged stunt, the moment felt shockingly real at the time and left viewers completely stunned.
6. Burt Reynolds and Marc Summers’ Unexpected Drink Toss on The Tonight Show Starring Jay Leno
In a 1989 appearance, Burt Reynolds and Double Dare host Marc Summers shared the couch, but things quickly took a turn. After some light teasing, Reynolds, who was going through a public divorce, threw a glass of water at Summers. Not to be outdone, Summers retaliated with a splash of his own, leaving Leno awkwardly trying to restore order. While the two later played it off as a joke, the tension in the moment was painfully real.
7. Joan Rivers’ First Tonight Show After Johnny Carson Banned Her
After years as a guest and guest host on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, Joan Rivers’ decision to start her own talk show in 1986 led Carson to permanently ban her from appearing. When she finally returned to The Tonight Show in 1986 as a guest of Jay Leno, the moment was thick with tension. Rivers tried to laugh it off, but it was clear she felt the sting of Carson’s rejection. Even viewers at home could feel the lingering awkwardness of an industry friendship that ended badly.
8. Geraldo Rivera Gets a Chair to the Face on The Geraldo Rivera Show
Talk show host Geraldo Rivera’s attempt to mediate a 1988 discussion about extremist groups quickly spiraled out of control. As tensions escalated between guests, a brawl erupted on stage, and Rivera found himself in the middle of the chaos. One guest hurled a chair, hitting Rivera in the face and breaking his nose on live television. Despite the pain, Rivera continued the show, but the moment became one of the most infamous in daytime talk show history.
9. Tom Selleck’s Uncomfortable Confrontation on The Rosie O’Donnell Show
Though it happened in 1999, the moment is tied to the ’80s because of Tom Selleck’s status as a defining star of the decade. Rosie O’Donnell invited him on to discuss his career but blindsided him with aggressive questions about his views on gun control. Selleck, clearly uncomfortable, remained calm but struggled to redirect the conversation back to his work. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, and even the audience didn’t seem to know how to react.
10. Grace Jones Slaps Russell Harty on The Russell Harty Show
Grace Jones, the bold and unpredictable singer, made waves during a 1981 interview on The Russell Harty Show. Unhappy that Harty was turning his back to her to speak to another guest, Jones lightly slapped him before escalating into repeated slaps as the interview grew more chaotic. The host tried to keep control, but Jones’ frustration was impossible to ignore. The bizarre interaction left the audience in shock, cementing it as one of the most uncomfortable moments in talk show history.
11. David Letterman’s Cringe-Worthy Interview with Cher
When Cher appeared on Late Night with David Letterman in 1986, she didn’t hold back her feelings. After years of declining his invitations, she finally showed up and bluntly told Letterman she thought he was a rude man. Letterman, caught off guard, laughed it off, but the audience gasped at the unexpected honesty. The moment was painfully awkward, though it did help set the stage for future, more lighthearted interviews between the two.
12. The Infamous Morton Downey Jr. Show Brawl
The Morton Downey Jr. Show was known for its over-the-top confrontations, but one 1988 episode took things too far. A panel discussion spiraled into chaos when guests started screaming at each other, eventually leading to physical altercations. Downey himself fanned the flames, egging on the chaos rather than diffusing it. The sheer hostility of the moment made it one of the most jaw-dropping and uncomfortable talk show scenes of the decade.
Talk shows in the 1980s were full of unscripted, unpredictable moments, but some were so awkward they still make us squirm today. Whether it was a celebrity going off the rails, an unexpected feud playing out in real time, or an on-air stunt that went terribly wrong, these moments are impossible to forget. While they might have been uncomfortable back then, they now serve as a fascinating look at how different television used to be. Looking back, you can’t help but wonder how some of these moments even made it to air in the first place!
