The Real Reasons These Celebrity Talk Shows Got Canceled
What are the real reasons these celebrity talk shows got canceled? These programs are a long-lasting staple in television, which have produced some of the most memorable interviews and outrageous behavior from celebrities and regular people alike. Many remember the infamous moment Tom Cruise jumped on the couch on The Oprah Winfrey Show, or when Ellen Degeneres gave an incredible prize to an everyday hero on her show.
While these moments are some of the most talked-about moments in television, sometimes the talk show and its host wind up on the cutting room floor. Maintaining a successful celebrity talk show, whether daytime or late night, comes with a set of challenges in the highly saturated market. Additionally, celebrities who've found success in their careers on television and film don't always carry that charisma over when granted their very own talk show. To that end, here are the real reasons these celebrity talk shows got canceled.
Khloe Kardashian's canceled celebrity talk show was tense behind the scenes
With a show that's infiltrated millions of homes around the world, Khloé Kardashian was poised to have success on her celebrity talk show Kocktails with Khloé. The reality TV sensation made a name for herself as the funny and blunt sister who seemed to have a comeback for almost everything. While it appeared that this combination would translate over to her talk show, the outcome of this venture was less than fruitful.
Kocktails with Khloé aired in 2016 on FYI, but after 14 episodes, producers canceled it. What really went wrong with Kocktails with Khloé? According to Page Six, the show did well in the ratings, but behind-the-scenes accounts shed light on the off-camera turmoil. "It was chaos," a source close to the show said. "Nobody agreed with anybody else about what it should be or what direction it should be going."
Another staffer revealed most of the crew felt Khloé had become used to the success of Keeping Up with The Kardashians and "being able to call the shots." The source added, "But it's not like that on a small show...Eventually everyone had enough."
Critics didn't like Russell Brand's tasteless jokes on his canceled celebrity talk show
Russell Brand is known for both his eccentric personality and the vulgar sense of humor that defined his early career days. Brand has also starred in films like Get Him to the Greek and Arthur, but he's also had some failures along the way — including an infamous, 14-month marriage to Katy Perry, who's undergone a stunning transformation.
While Brand tried to take his over-the-top persona and unfiltered commentary on political and social events to late-night television in 2012, the comedian was met with criticism from audiences and critics alike. According to the Daily Mail, Brand X with Russell Brand was panned by critics for "a series of tasteless jokes." The show also suffered from the focus of the program leaning toward Brand's own eccentric life rather than the guests that came on to talk with him. The Los Angeles Times recounted Brand's jokes falling flat over a mostly silent audience.
With an unrelatable host and a less-than-engaged audience, FX canceled the celebrity talk show after just two seasons.
Tyra Banks quit her own celebrity talk show, which was then canceled
International supermodel Tyra Banks took the reality TV world by storm as the host of the competition show America's Next Top Model. With over 20 seasons under her belt, the model-turned-host ventured into the daytime talk show space with The Tyra Banks Show, which aired from 2005 to 2009. The celebrity talk show was a success, earning multiple Emmy wins.
Banks then went on to headline and produce the daytime show FABlife, which aired on ABC, and featured co-hosts Chrissy Teigen, fashion editor Joe Zee, interior designer Lauren Makk, and YouTube star Leah Ashley. However, Banks exited the show after only three months; she released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter saying she left the show to focus on her cosmetics line, Tyra Beauty, full-time.
Banks also had parting words for the show. "I will, however, continue to support the growth and success of FABLife and greatly admire my fellow co-hosts and the talented production team behind the show," she shared. However, the show failed to replace Banks, and was canceled shortly after her departure.
Magic Johnson's stage presence didn't translate to his cancelled celebrity talk show
Earvin "Magic" Johnson is an NBA legend with over five titles to his name. Two years after ending his professional basketball career in 1998, Johnson launched his late-night talk show, aptly named The Magic Hour. Unfortunately, while Johnson was a trailblazer on the court, his inability to connect with audiences resulted in low ratings and harsh critiques, according to The Hollywood Reporter – which deemed the celebrity talk show "absent the spark of spontaneity and sharp conversation."
Although The Magic Hour received a spike in ratings, thanks to the notorious episode featuring critic of the show Howard Stern — whose controversial appearance on doubled viewership — it was too late for the late-night show; it came to an end after only three months on the air. Johnson released a statement to The New York Times on the cancelation saying, "We were improving with each day...but this is television, and shows are canceled all the time for one reason or another.”
Kris Jenner's canceled celebrity talk show was an unexpected flop
From Khloé Kardashian to Kris Jenner, the Kardashian/Jenner clan — who's undergone a stunning transformation — hasn't had the best of luck in the fickle world of daytime television. The business-savvy "momager" added daytime talk show host to her list of business ventures in 2013, with her self-titled show Kris.
While many expected the show to take off due to Jenner's reputation of making gold out of anything thrown her way, the celebrity talk show failed to find its footing, and was canceled after a dismal six-week test run. The Hollywood Reporter spoke with senior vice president of programming at Fox, Frank Cichas, who explained, "That was one where [sister company] 20th Television tried to capitalize on a name." Additionally, Cichas had some less-than-flattering thoughts on Kris. "When the camera was on she looked not just like a deer in the headlights, but like a deer that already got hit," he revealed.
Kris was also said to be a big expense for the station, which led to Fox's decision to part ways.
The cancelation of Busy Phillips' celebrity talk show is a mystery even to her
The late-night talk show circuit is typically dominated by men, leaving few spots for women to host a show in those coveted time slots. But Busy Philipps seemed to be on the right track in 2018 with her effervescent show Busy Tonight. The celebrity talk show brought a fresh take to the genre with her welcoming personality and cocktails for guests, but that wasn't enough to save the show from the looming ax of cancelation — which dropped after only one season.
Philipps released a statement about the show's cancelation on her Instagram account (via Vanity Fair), letting fans know the E! network opted out of renewing it. Philipps also acknowledged the things Busy Tonight was able to do creatively and culturally, and alluded to her mystified state after receiving the news of the cancelation. "I'm so proud of all of the things that we've done, that we've been able to do, and I feel the show is really successful in that way, but, you know...I don't know what to say."
Harry Connick Jr.'s celebrity talk show was canceled
Former American Idol Judge Harry Connick Jr. forged his way from singer, to judge, to daytime talk show host with his show Harry in 2016. The celebrity talk show promised to combine his charming personality and comedic talents with a variety-style format. While Harry was marketed at families and everyday people, the program was unable to take off, and saw a decline in ratings over its two-season run.
Fox producers called it quits during the second season, adding Harry to a long line of failed daytime talk shows. Connick released a statement about his canceled show, which was obtained by Variety, "I'm incredibly proud of the show we produced over the past two seasons," he shared. He added that his show aimed to uplift the everyday women who "work hard to make our world a better place." In closing, he also said, "I am truly grateful for the opportunity and will continue to find avenues to uplift our country."
Bethenny Frankel was relieved her celebrity talk show was canceled
The Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel found herself with her own daytime talk show titled Bethenny in 2014. The fan-favorite of the Bravo franchise branched off from her successful "Skinnygirl" business to try and find success in a new medium.
While Frankel's straightforward wit and charismatic personality found favor with RHONY fans, the transition to talk show host wasn't as smooth; the celebrity talk show was canceled after one year due to low ratings. Frankel then got candid in an open letter to fans (via Bravo), revealing how she felt about the show ending so abruptly. For one, she mentioned that there were some parts of the job that didn't suit her personality. "I tend to be quite inappropriate which may not be suitable for daytime television or for the suits that run network television nationwide." Additionally, Frankel wrote that she "felt a bit diluted, filtered and somewhat constricted" in the family-friendly daytime talk show space.
Ultimately, Frankel wasn't too upset that her show didn't last, even going as far as to say that she was "relieved" that it was over.
Due to market saturation, Anderson Cooper's celebrity talk show was canceled
CNN host Anderson Cooper is a well-known face in television, and is the primary anchor for the CNN show Anderson 360. And while Cooper does well in the realm of journalism, he didn't find the same traction when it came to his celebrity talk show, Anderson. The program lasted for two seasons, but it failed to connect with viewers, and wasn't renewed for a third season.
According to Deadline, Anderson tried to reimagine itself, adding both a live audience and a new set design, as well as rebranding to Anderson Live after the first season pulled in low ratings — but to little avail. So in 2013, Anderson Live's production team released a statement about the end of the series, attributing the cancelation to "a marketplace that has become increasingly difficult to break through." Cooper also chimed in on the end of his final talk show saying, "I am very proud of the work that our terrific staff has put into launching and sustaining our show for two seasons."
Rosie O'Donnell's second celebrity talk show was canceled
Rosie O'Donnell had a successful daytime talk show in the late '90s, The Rosie O'Donnell Show; the program ran for five years before O'Donnell walked away from the show altogether (after a conflict concerning her contract). But the beloved comedian and actress wasn't done headlining her own show, and she later appeared on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network in a new talk show format.
The Rosie Show debuted in 2012, with a strong showing in the ratings. But the celebrity talk show eventually fell prey to a ratings decline, despite being on Oprah's network. Business Insider revealed the cracks started to show after top guests no longer wanted to appear on the less-than-popular talk show.
O'Donnell subsequently attempted to revamp the program, which only indicated that it was heading down a slippery slope. Eventually, The Rosie Show was canceled in 2012 after two seasons. "It was a great year for me — I wish the show was able to attract more viewers — but it did not," O'Donnell shared in a statement. "So I am headed back to my home in New York — with gratitude."
Ricki Lake's second celebrity talk show got lost in the competition, and was subsequently canceled
Ricki Lake was one of the most beloved daytime talk show hosts in the 90's. The star brought her relatable personality to audiences with on Ricki Lake, and tackled topics that concerned young women and working moms. Lake's first run as a celebrity talk show host lasted from 1993 to 2004; nine years after the end of that show, Lake made a comeback with the Ricki Lake Show in 2012.
Many expected the return to bring in high ratings since her former show was such a success, but like many celebrity talk shows, The Ricki Lake Show failed to find good favor with viewers at home. The show ended after one season in 2013, due to tough competition from talk shows that were on around the same time, including Katie, Steve Harvey, and The Trisha Goddard Show (via The Hollywood Reporter).
Lake released a statement at the time of the cancellation saying, "I am so proud of the shows we completed this season, sparking important conversations about everything from raising children to mental illness to suicide prevention to coming out."
TBS canceled George Lopez's celebrity talk show
George Lopez is no stranger to the small screen, as his successful sitcom George Lopez had a solid run from 2002 to 2007. Shortly after the show ended, Lopez moved his talents to the late-night talk show format in 2009 with Lopez Tonight. While the comedian reached a diverse fan base, other factors at play halted the success of the celebrity talk show.
Television politics came into the forefront when TBS wanted to bump the show from an earlier time slot in order to air Conan instead. Shortly after the move, the network canceled the program after two seasons — and with only two days notice from producers.
Lopez released a statement to HuffPost on why he thought the show was axed so quickly. "I don't think TBS wanted that show," he explained. "I don't think they wanted that demographic." Lopez added that the network wasn't willing to take the necessary risks when it came to taking the talk show to the next level. "You can't be on late night and be safe, that's a recipe for failure," he said.
Jeff Probst's canceled celebrity talk show couldn't get enough audience support
Jeff Probst has over 40 seasons worth of hosting credits to his name, thanks to the wildly successful and long-running competition show Survivor. While Probst has experienced the heights of television success, his transition from game show host to the celebrity talk show host fell flat with audiences.
The Jeff Probst show debuted on CBS in 2013, but it was canceled after filming only one season. While it followed the typical format of interviewing celebrities guests and everyday people, the ratings were low from the start, and continued to decline as the season progressed. Even with the addition of former Facts of Life star Lisa Welch as co-host, viewers never adjusted to Probst out of the wild and on daytime set.
The Hollywood Reporter obtained a statement from Probst that addressed his flop in daytime television. "I'm super bummed but extremely proud," he revealed. "The truth is all shows come to an end — ours just ended a decade sooner than we had hoped."
Critics panned Chevy Chase's infamous celebrity talk show, which was canceled
While many celebrity talk shows don't make it past the first season, there's one that stands out as the most infamous and critically panned talk show in the history of the genre. Chevy Chase's long resume of blockbuster movies like National Lampoon and CaddyShack wasn't enough to save the ill-fated show, which premiered in 1993, and was canceled after only five weeks on the air.
Critics panned the show, calling Chase uncomfortable to watch on-screen. One review from Entertainment Weekly said The Chevy Chase Show "has managed only to give vulgarity a bad name." His awkward interview with Goldie Hawn was also a point of contention for the controversial movie star, and according to Fox executives, nothing could be done to resuscitate the flailing show. "They plugged in a lot of comedy writers at the end," a Fox executive told Entertainment Weekly. "But the show wasn't taking."
With less-than-favorable reviews from critics and audiences, the end of The Chevy Chase Show was inevitable.