20 Short-Lived Celeb Talk Shows You Forgot About
20 Short-Lived Celeb Talk Shows You Forgot About
When you’re a celebrity, life often involves big houses, flashy cars, and, oh yeah, a talk show or two! Many people who’ve had some sort of fame — actors, comedians, or musicians — have attempted to host their own talk shows through the years. But not everyone can be the legendary Johnny Carson, who hosted The Tonight Show for an amazing 30 years, from 1962 to 1992. In fact, you may not have ever known some of these people had talk shows because they were so short-lived! It’s difficult to say why some shows make it and some don’t. A big personality, popular guests, and flashy skits don't guarantee success. From a few months to several years, many talk shows simply couldn’t attract a fan base for the long-run.
Here are a few personalities you probably forgot once had talk shows:
Lily Allen
The singer’s first number one hit in the UK occurred in July 2006. Her debut album, Alright Still was hugely successful. It also earned a Grammy nomination.
'Lily Allen and Friends'
Allen hosted Lily Allen and Friends on BBC in 2008. It featured her online network of friends, a couple of celebs thrown in for good measure, and conversation with someone made famous by the Internet. It lasted just one season.
Fran Drescher
Who wouldn’t want to exchange gossip with Fran Drescher? She first came to fame with her brash style and loud-but-lovable approach to childcare on The Nanny. It seemed she was a natural talent for a talk show.
'The Fran Drescher Tawk Show'
The show, The Fran Drescher Tawk Show, with the title playing up on her accent, aired on six Fox TV stations in 2010. It was trialed for a three-week run. Unfortunately, that was the end of it.
Martin Short
Known for his comedic talents on Saturday Night Live, Short also starred in hit comedies such as Three Amigos, The Santa Clause 3 and Father of the Bride. He also had a stage career and did quite a bit of voice-over work for animated movies.
'The Martin Short Show'
In 1999, he hosted The Martin Short Show. The program (predictably) featured celebrity interviews and comedy skits. It lasted one season, although it did receive several Daytime Emmy nominations.
Chevy Chase
Alongside his friend and peer Martin Short, Chase also began his comedy career on Saturday Night Live in 1975. He went on to star in many popular comedies including Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation series, and Fletch. For a while, it seemed everything he touched became gold.
'The Chevy Chase Show'
In 1993, Chase hosted The Chevy Chase Show on Fox. Not even the top talent that appeared such as Goldie Hawn, Tom Selleck, and Kenny Loggins could save things. The show lasted a dismal five weeks on air.
Alan Thicke
Thicke was best known for his role on the hit TV series Growing Pains in the '80s. In addition, he wrote for other popular '80s TV series such as Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life. He was also a successful composer, penning the theme songs to both of those shows.
'Thicke of the Night'
Thicke’s show, Thicke of the Night, actually lasted for three seasons from 1980 to 1982. Predictably, it featured celebrity interviews. With 102 episodes, the show actually had one of the more successful stints when it comes to short-lived late-night TV shows.
Gabrielle Carteris
First gaining fame on the 90s hit, Beverly Hills 90210, Carteris was almost 30 when she played a teenager on the series. She soon became a regular presence on commercials, TV series and made-for-TV movies. Carteris later became president of the Screen Actors Guild, the actors’ trade union.
'Gabrielle'
In 1995, Carteris left the series for her own talk show, Gabrielle. Unfortunately, she didn’t experience the same level of fandom the series had inspired. The show was cancelled after one season.
Queen Latifah
Breaking out in hip-hop music in the '80s, Queen Latifah first co-starred on the hit Fox TV series, Living Single. She soon began appearing in supporting roles before taking lead roles in movies such as Beauty Shop. Her immense talents as an entertainer have earned her a Grammy, an Emmy, and an Academy Award nomination for her role in Chicago.
'The Queen Latifah Show'
The Queen Latifah Show debuted in 1999 and ran for two seasons. In 2013 to 2015, she had a second go at daytime TV and revived the show under the same name. This version included celebrity interviews, human interest stories, and pop culture news.
Tony Danza
You may be surprised to know that Danza once made a living as teacher and a professional boxer! He was discovered during a workout and became a regular on the long-running '70s and '80s series, Taxi. Danza later appeared on another '80s hit, Who’s the Boss.
'The Tony Danza Show'
In 2004, he began hosting The Tony Danza Show, which aired in the morning right after the immensely popular Live with Regis and Kathy Lee. Running for two seasons, the show had 330 episodes, which is one of the longer runs for celebrity daytime talk shows.
Caroline Rhea
Best known for her role on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Rhea also appeared in several movies and stand-up comedy specials. She was a regular on Hollywood Squares and hosted The Biggest Loser for the first three seasons.
'The Caroline Rhea Show'
In 2002, Rhea was chosen by Rosie O’ Donnell as the new host of O’Donnell’s show, even hosting the last few weeks. The show was then renamed The Caroline Rhea Show and included monologues and celebrity and non-celebrity guests. It lasted less than one season.
Danny Bonaduce
Bonaduce was a child star who came to fame as the wisecracking middle son on the '70s TV hit, The Partridge Family. He largely dropping out of public life in the '80s. But his career revived in the '90s with cameos on several TV shows, including Married … With Children and The Drew Carey Show.
'Danny'
In 1995, Bonaduce was hired by Disney to host his own daytime talk show, Danny. Unfortunately, it fizzled in less than one season. In 2013, he joined Dick Clark and former child actor Mario Lopez, in co-hosting another day time talk show, The Other Half. Intended as a male counterpart to The View, the show lasted only two seasons.
Harry Connick, Junior
Truly a child prodigy, Connick began performing as a pianist and vocalist at the age of 5. He achieved tremendous success in 1989 for his work on the soundtrack for When Harry Met Sally. In the '90s, Connick continued to perform and added acting to his resume with appearances in movies such as Little Man Tate and Hope Floats.
'Harry'
Connick hosted the daytime talk show, Harry, for two seasons starting in 2016. Its approach was different from many other shows, focusing on an upbeat blend of talk, comedy and variety with a family-friendly angle. Despite its short run, the show was nominated for five Daytime Emmy Awards.
Megan Mullally
Best known for her part in the popular '90s TV series, Will & Grace, Mullally won two Emmy Awards for her role on the show. She has appeared in many Broadway productions and had recurring guest roles on series such as Parks and Recreation and 30 Rock.
'The Megan Mullally Show'
After Will & Grace, Mullally hosted her own daytime talk show, The Megan Mullally Show, which debuted in fall 2006. Critics said her charisma from the TV series didn’t translate to a talk show. It ran for less than one season and was pulled from the air in January 2007.
Greg Behrendt
You may not instantly recognize the name, but Behrendt is a standup comic and was a script consultant for Sex and the City. He co-authored the best-seller, He’s Just Not That Into You, which became a movie.
'The Greg Behrendt Show'
Several other talk shows debuted at the same time in 2006, and Behrendt joined the fray with The Greg Behrendt Show. The show was different from many others because it discussed relationship problems and included a phone call segment (Behrendt would mediate between a guest and someone on the phone) and a hidden camera spoof. The show folded in one season.
Tyra Banks
First recognized as a swimsuit model and Victoria’s Secret angel, Banks began acting in 1993 on Fresh Prince of Bel Air. She also appeared in films such as Coyote Ugly. Banks created the long-running series, America’s Next Top Model.
'The Tyra Banks Show'
In 2005, Banks hosted the talk show, The Tyra Banks Show. It tended to focus on women’s issues, but later seasons gravitated toward more of a tabloid feel. It was cancelled in 2010, so it actually had a relatively long run. The show also garnered two Daytime Emmy Awards.
Russell Brand
Brand shot to fame in the 2008 film, Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The comedian appeared in several more movies, including the remake of Arthur and The Tempest. He also did the voice of Dr. Nefario in Despicable Me.
'Brand X With Russell Brand'
Brand hosted a late-night talk show, Brand X with Russell Brand, in 2012 in which he shared his views on current events and pop culture. Critics didn’t love it. Unfortunately, it lasted just one season.
Kris Jenner
Jenner is best known for being the mom and manager to her six kids, most notably her Kardashian daughters. Since 2007, she has appeared on the reality series, Keeping Up With the Kardashians. She briefly ran a children’s boutique and wrote her autobiography and a cookbook.
'Kris'
In 2013, her talk show, Kris, debuted for a six-week summer trial run on a handful of Fox stations. The most notable moment was when her son-in-law, Kanye West, showed the first photos of his child, North West, with Jenner’s daughter, Kim. Ultimately, the show wasn’t well-received and was not picked up for a full season.
Wayne Brady
The ultra-talented Brady started his career in theater in central Florida. After moving to Hollywood, he earned parts in TV series such as I’ll Fly Away and In the Heat of the Night. He became a regular on the improv comedy series, Whose Line is It Anyway?.
'The Wayne Brady Show'
In 2002, Brady hosted the daytime talk show, The Wayne Brady Show. The show was well-received, mainly due to Brady’s quick wit and pleasant demeanor. It only lasted two seasons, though it garnered him two Daytime Emmy Awards.
Busy Phillips
Phillips is known for her many TV roles in '90s series including Freaks and Geeks, Dawson’s Creek, ER, and Cougar Town. She also has appeared in movies such as He’s Just Not That into You and Made of Honor.
'Busy Tonight'
In 2018, Phillips hosted a late-night talk show, Busy Tonight, on E! that featured comedic skits and her take on pop culture. Of course, celebrity interviews also were included. Despite some big-name guests such as Julia Roberts and John Stamos, the show didn’t last the season.
Carnie Wilson
The daughter of Brian Wilson of Beach Boys Fame, Wilson experienced considerable success in the '90s as part of the musical group, Wilson Phillips. When the group broke up in the mid '90s (though it did reunite briefly twice), her solo career never quite took off.
'Carnie!'
Wilson hosted her own daytime talk show, Carnie!, which debuted in fall 1995. Many other first-time hosts also debuted at the same time, and although Wilson’s show had better ratings than some, it could not survive. The show was cancelled mid-season and replaced by The Rosie O’Donnell Show.
Emeril Lagasse
Yes, we do mean that Emeril Lagasse! Best known for his amazing food and restaurants, popular cooking shows, and best-selling cookbooks. He even starred briefly in his own sitcom!
'The Emeril Lagasse Show'
The Emeril Lagasse Show was a weekly talk show that aired on Sunday afternoons on Ion Television and premiered in spring 2010. It featured a house band, a live studio audience, and plenty of cooking. Unfortunately, it didn’t gain a steady following, and Bam! It was cancelled after a few months.
Some of them even won Emmys!