Actresses Who Are Permanently Banned From Late-Night Talk Shows

The world of late-night television relies on a steady stream of celebrity guests to maintain high ratings and cultural relevance. However, the relationship between hosts and stars is not always harmonious, and certain behaviors or professional conflicts can lead to a lifetime exclusion from the guest chair. Whether due to perceived professional betrayals, backstage altercations, or controversial public statements, several actresses have found themselves blacklisted from these influential platforms. These bans often serve as a reminder of the strict standards and personal preferences that govern the late-night landscape.

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was famously banned from ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ in 1986 after she accepted a deal to host her own program on the Fox network. Carson reportedly felt betrayed because Rivers had been his regular guest host for years, and he never spoke to her again following the news. This ban was strictly maintained by Jay Leno during his entire tenure as the host of the program to honor Carson’s wishes. It was not until 2014 that the restriction was finally lifted when Jimmy Fallon invited Rivers to appear during his first week as host. This legendary conflict remains one of the most cited examples of a long-term blacklist in late-night history.

Kathy Griffin

Kathy Griffin has been banned from several late-night programs, most notably ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ and ‘The Tonight Show’. Her bans typically resulted from her willingness to ignore broadcast standards and use profanity or make controversial comments about other celebrities. While she was a frequent guest early in her career, her unpredictable behavior led producers to deem her too high-risk for live-to-tape broadcasts. Griffin has often discussed these bans in her comedy specials, turning her exclusion into a badge of honor for her public persona. She remains largely absent from the major network late-night circuit today.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr faced a widespread industry blacklist after a series of controversial social media posts led to the cancellation of her ‘Roseanne’ revival in 2018. Following this event, major late-night talk shows including ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ ceased booking her as a guest. The actress had previously been a staple of the late-night circuit, but her public reputation made her a liability for advertisers and networks alike. Producers have indicated that the decision to exclude her from their lineups is a measure to avoid further public relations issues for the networks. Consequently, her television presence is now primarily limited to alternative media platforms and independent outlets.

Vivica A. Fox

Vivica A. Fox was reportedly placed on a permanent ban list for ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ after an incident that occurred during her 2005 appearance. The conflict allegedly began when host Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about Fox’s friend, Star Jones, which the actress found disrespectful and insulting. A heated confrontation followed backstage between Fox and the show’s production team, leading to her being escorted from the building. Kimmel later confirmed in interviews that the actress would not be invited back to the show in the future due to the severity of the altercation. This remains a rare instance of a specific late-night host publicly confirming a long-term ban on a high-profile actress.

Sandra Bernhard

Sandra Bernhard was reportedly banned from ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ following a series of appearances that the host found to be too provocative for his audience. Her unconventional performance style and edgy humor often clashed with the more traditional expectations of late-night television in the 1980s. While she continued to appear on other programs like ‘Late Night with David Letterman’, the doors to Carson’s stage remained closed to her for the rest of his career. This exclusion highlighted the significant power that individual hosts held over the careers of performers during the peak of the talk show era. Even after Carson retired, Bernhard’s history with the show served as a notable example of the consequences of challenging late-night norms.

Please share your thoughts on these late-night bans and whether you think they were justified in the comments.