Actresses Who Are Permanently Banned From Late-Night Talk Shows

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Late-night talk shows need celebrity guests to stay popular and relevant. But the relationship between hosts and stars isn’t always smooth, and certain actions can get an actress permanently banned from appearing on these shows. Whether it’s because of broken trust, arguments behind the scenes, or something they’ve said publicly, some actresses have found themselves cut off from these important platforms. These bans highlight the high expectations and personal feelings that shape the world of late-night television.

Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers and Johnny Carson had a famous falling out in 1986 when Rivers agreed to host her own show on Fox. Carson felt deeply hurt because Rivers had been a frequent fill-in host on his ‘Tonight Show’ for years, and he never spoke to her again. Jay Leno continued to honor Carson’s wishes by keeping Rivers off the show throughout his time as host. The ban finally ended in 2014 when Jimmy Fallon invited Rivers on during his first week hosting the show. This long-lasting feud is still remembered as one of the most well-known examples of a blacklist in late-night television.

Kathy Griffin

I’ve noticed Kathy Griffin isn’t on most of the big late-night shows anymore, like David Letterman’s or The Tonight Show. From what I understand, she used to be a regular guest, but she wasn’t afraid to push boundaries with her jokes – sometimes using strong language or talking about other celebrities in a way producers didn’t like. It got to the point where they considered her too unpredictable for live TV. She actually talks about being banned in her stand-up, and seems to wear it as a kind of achievement – it’s become part of who she is as a performer. It doesn’t look like she’ll be back on those major network shows anytime soon.

Roseanne Barr

After Roseanne Barr posted controversial comments online in 2018, her successful ‘Roseanne’ revival was cancelled and she was effectively blacklisted by the television industry. Major late-night shows like ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ stopped having her as a guest. While she used to appear frequently on these shows, her damaged public image made her a risk for advertisers and networks. Producers have explained that keeping her off their programs is a way to prevent further negative publicity. As a result, she now mostly appears on smaller, independent media platforms.

Vivica A. Fox

Vivica A. Fox is said to have been permanently banned from ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ following a 2005 incident. Reports indicate the issue started when Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about Fox’s friend, Star Jones, which Fox considered offensive. This led to a tense argument with the show’s staff backstage, and Fox was asked to leave. Kimmel later confirmed that Fox would not be appearing on the show again, citing the seriousness of the disagreement. It’s unusual for a late-night host to publicly announce a long-term ban for a celebrity.

Sandra Bernhard

Sandra Bernhard was allegedly barred from ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ after her appearances were considered too risqué for viewers. Her unique comedy and performance style didn’t fit with the more conventional late-night TV of the 1980s. Though she continued to appear on shows like ‘Late Night with David Letterman,’ Carson never invited her back for the rest of his time hosting. This situation demonstrated how much control talk show hosts had over performers’ careers during that era. Even after Carson’s retirement, Bernhard’s experience remained a well-known example of what could happen when someone challenged the established rules of late-night television.

I’m really curious to hear what everyone thinks about these recent late-night restrictions. Do you believe they were fair? I’d love to read your opinions in the comments and see where everyone stands on this.

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2026-02-24 23:56