57 Wild And Wonderful Late-Night Talk Show Moments

By | September 7, 2022

Late night talk shows are a wellspring of salacious discussions and witty banter. This is especially true when the show books a controversial or cutting-edge guest to appear on the show. These rule-breaking loose cannons provide for some of the most entertaining moments in television history, as this collection of photos reminds us. 

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Remember When Madonna Made Johnny Carson Blush Because of Her Late Night Flirting?

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When Johnny Carson hosted Madonna on The Tonight Show on June 9, 1987, he probably assumed he would simply be interviewing the rising pop singer, but Madonna had other plans. The sexy singer flirted shamelessly with Carson until it was obvious to television viewers that the late night host was totally smitten with the Bay City, Michigan, native. Just a few weeks after her inaugural Tonight Show appearance, Madonna embarked on a world tour to promote her “Who’s That Girl” album. Later that year, the “Like a Virgin” singer sought an annulment of her marriage to actor Sean Penn. The split was not because of her flirtation with Johnny Carson, but due to irreconcilable differences. 

Janis Joplin In full "Pearl" mode on one of her last TV appearances

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Rocker Janis Joplin made several guest appearances on a certain talk show hosted by Mr. Cavvett, including one just a few months before her tragic and untimely death in 1970. Nicknamed Pearl, Joplin introduced the world to a unique sound, a mix of rock, blues, and soul music. After her death, a posthumous album of her recordings was released, titled “Pearl”. On this album, fans could hear “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Cry Baby,” and “Mercedes Benz.”