Talk Show Hosts That Are Nothing Like They Seem
Talk shows have always been a part of the American television experience. Audiences around the world have welcomed these personalities into their homes for decades, turning to them for humor, knowledge, and some mindless entertainment. Watching these programs daily, many viewers feel a genuine connection to the host and, after a while, feel like they truly know them. But who are they when the camera isn't rolling?
For many of these talk show hosts, as their years on television go by, negative stories about them begin to leak. Their reputations as forces solely for good takes a hit and a different picture of their personality is shown — one that peels back the curtain and exposes who they are when the cameras stop rolling. For many of these hosts, allegations of rude and even criminal behavior have led to them departing their shows in a disgraced fashion, leaving many long-time fans incredibly disappointed that they aren't always who they seem to be. So just which talk show hosts have revealed their different natures to the world? Let's find out.
Tamron Hall's behind the scenes nightmare
"Tamron Hall" was a huge daytime hit, and in November 2021, it was already renewed for a fourth and fifth season. As she's continued to succeed, however, reports have begun to leak about drama behind the scenes. The Daily Mail reported that, in June 2020, the show fired over 20 employees — a slap in the face during the pandemic. "What really sucks is Tamron is earning millions of dollars a year, yet these team members aren't. Why couldn't she take a pay cut to keep everyone employed during this really difficult time?" an anonymous source told the outlet.
Hall responded to these claims in an Instagram video: "That story that I did not pay 20 people and fired them and left them hanging is a lie," she said. "And like any other show, like any other product, people make changes and we did — after the season had wrapped. Not during, not while. So this notion that I ran off securing bags, it is not true."
Issues with the staff haven't been the only things brewing behind the scenes, either. The Daily Mail also reported that the show was a toxic workplace after a third executive producer quit. Sources reported that Candi Carter and Hall frequently clashed and that the set was toxic and catty. "When you work with Tamron, it's her way or the highway," an anonymous source revealed.
Barbara Walters was the ice queen at The View
Barbara Walters is one of the most legendary names in television. As a creator of the hit daytime show, "The View," she was always looked at as a woman who supports other women and puts them in a position of power. Over the years, however, stories from former co-hosts have painted a disastrous picture of "The View" behind the scenes.
Jenny McCarthy took a seat on the panel in 2013, but reportedly was unprepared for what came next. In an excerpt of the book "Ladies Who Punch: The Explosive Inside Story of The View," (showcased in Vulture), McCarthy detailed explosive encounters with Walters that involved her being berated and having her outfits picked apart. "When I'd hear the shuffle of her feet, I knew that Barbara was after me," McCarthy explained. "It would get faster. Oh my God — she's coming! Based on the speed of the shuffle, I would hide or get on the phone."
TV personality Ross Mathews had his own run-in with an icy Walters when he made an appearance on "The View." After being invited by Walters to guest co-host the show, Mathews was left confused when she claimed to not know who he was. In his book "Name Drop," Mathews wrote he even asked Walters for some last minute advice before heading out on stage, to which she bluntly replied, "I'd like to tell you to go out there and be yourself but I hope you won't."
Steve Harvey's staff hated him
Steve Harvey has had a legendary career in television and radio. He's well-liked and always looked at as a great guy and a total professional. In 2017, however, people were left shocked when a harsh memo to his staff was leaked to the press. In the memo, which can be read in full on Robert Feder, Harvey demanded boundaries at all times. "Do not come to my dressing room unless invited. Do not open my dressing room door. IF YOU OPEN MY DOOR, EXPECT TO BE REMOVED," the memo read in part. "My security team will stop everyone from standing at my door who have the intent to see or speak to me." Harvey claimed he no longer wanted to be "ambushed" and wrote that the new policy was not meant to cause "offense." However, it seemed to do just that.
After being painted as a diva and upsetting fans, the host of "Steve Harvey" was forced to explain himself. In an exclusive interview with ET, Harvey stated,"I probably should've handled [the memo] a little bit differently," but that he didn't regret sending it out. "I've always had a policy where, you know, you can come and talk to me — so many people are great around here, but some of them just started taking advantage of it," he explained. Sources told Variety that the memo was leaked by a former staffer who lost their job after Harvey moved the show to Los Angeles.
Tyra Banks was a real diva
Tyra Banks not only took the runways by storm as a successful supermodel, she also had two popular television shows under her belt: "America's Next Top Model" and "The Tyra Show." Her talk show lasted for five seasons and even won two Daytime Emmys, reported People. In fact, it was so successful that, when she announced "The Tyra Show" was ending, the viewers weren't the only ones who were shocked — her staff was caught off guard, too. However, as a source told the NY Daily News, that wasn't the first time Banks had pulled a move like that. "When the show moved from L.A. to New York, several staffers weren't even directly told about the change — they heard through the grapevine that it was going to move locations. Even so, a lot of those people gave up their lives on the West Coast so they could continue working for the show. Now they're out of luck."
Failure to communicate with them wasn't the only issue Banks' staff had with her, either. As the NY Daily News reported, many staffers found it difficult to work with her, finding her overly controlling. A source told the publication, "She ... could be extremely brutal. She really is a diva," which caused many staffers to quit after just a few months. Her behavior on "America's Next Top Model" also came under fire from fans after her cruel treatments of the contestants came to light.
The backlash against James Corden
British comedian James Corden made a name for himself this side of the pond when he took over "The Late Late Show" from Craig Ferguson in 2015, Variety reported. As host of the late night show, Corden made headlines and has gone viral with his animated personality and lively "Carpool Karaoke" and "Sidewalk Musical" segments. While he may seem like a genial personality on camera, that veil got lifted in 2019, when he conducted a Reddit AMA that went haywire. Instead of fans entering the thread with questions, it was flooded with multiple people detailing rude encounters they had with the talk show host. Commentators revealed stories about him allegedly being rude to restaurant staff, being rude to his wife, and throwing tantrums behind the scenes of his talk show. Corden and his staff only answered three questions before quickly signing off.
In April 2019, he also faced backlash after a Twitter user wrote about Corden showing up to a union meeting for television writers, where he advocated to pay them less, reported Mic. After this tweet went viral, Corden quickly refuted the claim on Twitter, writing in part, "I love every writer on my show and all I ever wanted from that meeting was to explore whether talented people could get a better opportunity."
Rosie O'Donnell's off-air drama
Rosie O'Donnell first took over our television screens in 1996. The comedian headlined her own show (as seen in Vulture), before moving over to "The View." O'Donnell had plenty of live memorable moments under her belt, but behind the scenes, she was known for a completely different reason. In 2015, when she made her return to "The View," drama quickly ensued. Media outlets reported a heated argument between O'Donnell and a producer, in which she had to be physically restrained. "Anyone who challenges Rosie, or says no to her and doesn't let her be the empress, becomes a target. She wanted to be treated like an executive producer, without having the title," a source told the Daily Mail. Staff members would reportedly call her "The Beast" behind her back in reference to her bully behavior, and when senior producer Jennifer Shepard-Brookman sued O'Donnell for slander (per The Hollywood Reporter), sources stated that the comedian was "an extremely nasty woman."
"The View" wasn't the only set that had drama surrounding O'Donnell, either. In 2012, just five months after launching a talk show on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network, it was canceled. The Daily Beast reported that the show was a disaster behind the scenes, with an indecisive O'Donnell unsure of what she wanted and humiliating her staff in the process. Staff called the show a "hellhole" and reportedly were only told it was canceled just hours before the press was alerted.
David Letterman's toxic workplace
With over 33 years hosting his own late night show, David Letterman was considered a legend to many. His show was a staple and laid a blueprint that other late night hosts would later follow. However, Letterman had plenty of controversial moments before officially retiring in 2015. In 2009, Letterman revealed on air that he received a package with a letter and described it as blackmail, reported Vice. "It says that, 'I know that you do some terrible, terrible things. And I can prove that you do these terrible things,'" Letterman described. "And sure enough, contained in the package was stuff to prove that I do terrible things." He decided to publicly confess the "terrible thing," which was an affair he was having with his personal assistant. Letterman, who was married, later apologized to his wife publicly on the show, per The New York Times.
This wouldn't be the only scandal that involved the talk show host. After the on-air affair confession, a former writer on "Late Night with David Letterman" wrote a piece for Vanity Fair detailing her experience working behind the scenes. She described the work environment as hostile and toxic, and accused Letterman of "sexual favoritism." Nell Scovell detailed how Letterman sleeping with female staffers created a power hierarchy in the workplace that drove her to eventually leave. In 2019, Letterman apologized to Scovell and the other women who worked for him, as seen in The Hollywood Reporter.
Jimmy Fallon's rumored party boy antics
Jimmy Fallon is one of the most recognizable faces in late night. His show is known as a good time with quirky games and fun interviews, all tied together by his relatable persona. But the grueling schedule of filming in New York City allegedly had a negative impact on him. There have been consistent reports of his excessive partying and drinking, all of which the host has denied. In 2014, the chatter got louder when former SNL cast member Horatio Sanz told Vulture that he and Fallon both used alcohol to cope with the stressful schedule. "We were super-functioning alcoholics, definitely. They say that kind of goes hand in hand with 'SNL,' some kind of substance-abuse issues, because it's so stressful, you easily find yourself blowing off steam a lot."
In 2015, the New York Post reported that NBC began feeling worried about Fallon's partying after back-to-back random injuries and a late night bar brawl that he was present for (per Page Six). "There is so much money at stake, the pressure is enormous. [Besides doing the show daily], they're looking for the next viral thing to hit." the source says. "He has no outlet. He's young. He's still learning. You forget he hasn't been doing this for 10 years." Fallon addressed the rumors himself, telling the The New York Times in 2017, "I could never do a day-to-day job if I was drinking every night. That's just kicking you when you're down."
Ellen DeGeneres is not so kind
For 19 seasons of "The Ellen Show," Ellen DeGeneres had urged viewers to always be kind to one another. But in 2020, DeGeneres faced a reckoning that many people were waiting for. Past rumblings of the host being a raging bully behind the scenes got too loud for her to ignore. It all started in March 2020, when comedian Kevin T. Porter tweeted, in part, "Respond to this with the most insane stories you've heard about Ellen being mean." A slew of stories from former employees, guests, and fans poured in. Comedian Benjamin Siemon revealed one story he'd been told, tweeting, "A new staff member was told 'every day she picks someone different to really hate. It's not your fault, just suck it up for the day and she'll be mean to someone else the next day.['] They didn't believe it but it ended up being entirely true." Four months later, Buzzfeed News compiled stories from former employees who detailed the toxic work environment that drove many staff members to quit.
Outside of experiencing racism, unequal pay, and retaliation for taking personal days, one employee confirmed that they were instructed to not speak to DeGeneres if they saw her on set. One former employee described the hypocrisy as "Be kind to the world, not your employees." Following this explosive report, the show was then placed under investigation by WarnerMedia, Entertainment Weekly reported, and in March 2021, DeGeneres announced the final season of her show.
Sharon Osbourne bullied her co-hosts
"The Talk" premiered on the daytime scene in 2010 and quickly became a hit. Despite being well-received by viewers, however, drama constantly brewed behind the scenes, and host Sharon Osbourne always found herself in the center of it. In March 2021, viewers were shocked when a conversation about race between Osbourne and co-host Sheryl Underwood quickly turned heated. According to Entertainment Weekly, Osbourne was discussing her support of Piers Morgan and couldn't understand why she would be deemed racist for defending him. When Underwood attempted to calmly explain, Osbourne lashed out at her and began crying. Many viewers considered her actions combative and insensitive.
As the backlash toward that segment began to grow, stories from former co-hosts Leah Remini and Holly Robinson Pete resurfaced. Both of them alleged that Osbourne was the culprit behind their firing back in 2011. "I'm old enough to remember when Sharon complained that I was too 'ghetto' for 'The Talk' ... then I was gone," Peete tweeted in part. Leah Remini shared the same claim in 2012. "Sharon thought me and Holly were 'Ghetto,' (her words) we were not funny, awkward and didn't know ourselves," Remini tweeted, via the Chicago Tribune. In response to another fan, she wrote, "Sharon said she asked [for] us to be fired." Remini also alleged that Osbourne frequently used racist and homophobic language toward her co-hosts, something Osbourne has denied, per ET.
Matt Lauer brought drama to daytime
Matt Lauer's being fired from "The Today Show" was a culmination of the multiple stunning allegations about the anchor. Lauer was once a respected journalist who landed plenty of high profile interviews and was seen as the star of the daytime show. As the years went on, however, stories began to leak that painted Lauer as an egotistical jerk who often used his power on the show to bully co-anchors like Ann Curry and have them kicked off the show, The Atlantic reported. As if the bullying rumors weren't enough, in 2016, Page Six reported an alleged affair between Lauer and co-anchor Natalie Morales. Both stars sternly denied the allegations and Morales quietly left the show, but rumors of Lauer being unfaithful didn't quiet down.
In 2017, his shocking firing came after multiple allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior became public, according to People. In 2020, journalist Ronan Farrow's book, "Catch and Kill," alleged that Lauer sexually assaulted his NBC colleague, Brooke Nevils. These allegations were something Lauer denied, telling Variety, "In a new book, it is alleged that an extramarital, but consensual, sexual encounter I have previously admitted having, was in fact an assault. It is categorically false, ignores the facts, and defies common sense."
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Jay Leno's never-ending feud with his peers
Since the 1990s, Jay Leno has been the top dog of late night television. Though he always showed a witty, light-hearted side to the audience, Leno seemingly didn't claim that top spot by being nice all the time. According to Entertainment Weekly, he was allegedly unapologetically cut throat to beat the competition, something David Letterman has commented on before. Letterman has never been shy about his feud with Leno, and the former late night host even poked fun at Leno's feud with Conan O'Brien, saying, "two kinds of talk show hosts: Jay Leno, and those who have been victimized by Jay Leno," (per Entertainment Weekly).
Leno's reputation took a hit after he entered into a feud with O'Brien over their late night TV spots, HuffPost reported. After essentially robbing O'Brien of his time slot and forcing him to leave the network, viewers and celebrities sided with O'Brien. As for the two comedians themselves, there seems to be little chance of reconciliation between them. O'Brien told The Hollywood Reporter in 2012, "The odds are we will both leave this Earth without speaking to each other, which is fine. There's really nothing to say." Leno's long-running career left him with plenty of other feuds (that haven't died down yet, per The Daily Beast), but he still believes he has nothing to apologize for. In 2019, he told Andy Cohen on "Watch What Happens Live" that "I can't think of anything I'd do different."