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The doom of talk-show hosts pretending to be nice

There are multiple talk-show hosts who successfully sold themselves as super-nice and cheerful, and when it was revealed they were not really that way in their personal lives, fans turned on them almost completely: James Corden, Rosie O'Donnell, Ellen Degeneres. They all are very wealthy now, but they no longer get very good gigs (no, guest-starring on "AJLT" is not an impressive gig).

Should Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore, and Kelly Clarkson be scared, or are they actually nice enough in real life it won't ever affect them? Most of the other successful hosts (Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar) don't pretend to be overwhelmingly nice.

by Anonymousreply 7July 1, 2025 9:55 AM

One reason I liked David Letterman is that he didn't hide his grumpy I'll temper, no pretense of being Mr. Nice Guy.

by Anonymousreply 1June 29, 2025 8:57 PM

Wasn't Steve Harvey another "don't look at me, don't talk to me" with his staff when he had a talk show?

Ellen always had mean eyes, never bought her "be kind" shtick.

by Anonymousreply 2June 29, 2025 9:13 PM

Talk shows are fake. So is reality tv.

by Anonymousreply 3June 29, 2025 9:18 PM

Fallon is a drunk who cheats on his wife.

Kelly seems genuine, but she has a messy personal life.

Drew was a wild one when she was younger, but getting sober and having kids mellowed her out a lot.

by Anonymousreply 4June 29, 2025 10:25 PM

Only Conan is as nice as he looks

by Anonymousreply 5June 29, 2025 10:28 PM

Most TV talk-show hosts are former or current stand-up comedians, and they are probably the least nice people alive--comedy always comes from rage. Tina Fey once said the only comedian she knew in her entire career who was not angry all the time (and she pointedly included herself in that grouping) was Rachel Dratch

by Anonymousreply 6June 29, 2025 11:04 PM

Actors also get the gig. They don't just do talk-show but also become game-show hosts when they can't get a film/tv role.

Former child actor Jerry O'Connell (Stand by Me) and Leah Remini are now a game-show hosts.

"Taxi" stars Marilu Henner and Tony Danza had talk-shows. Vicki Lawrence and Ricki Lake ("Hairspray") had one.

by Anonymousreply 7July 1, 2025 9:55 AM
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