Some talk show moments are remembered for their humor. Others for their heart. But the ones that really stick with us? They’re the gloriously awkward ones that make us cringe and laugh in equal measure.
Conan O’Brien was a master of this. His willingness to go along with outrageous bits—like Borat’s pubic hair request—showed his comedic genius. And the “suck and blow” game? Pure, unfiltered awkwardness that became instant TV history.
Aubrey Plaza turned discomfort into an art form. Her deadpan humor and love of awkward silences created some of the most tension-filled (and hilarious) interviews in late-night history. Watching hosts try to navigate her weirdness never gets old.
Craig Ferguson flirted his way into our hearts, whether his guests were playing along or not. His cheeky banter about aging and attraction turned potentially cringe-worthy topics into comedy gold.
And then there are the truly random moments, like Evangeline Lilly’s earlobe tangent. These unscripted detours remind us that no matter how polished talk shows try to be, real human weirdness always finds a way to shine through.
At their best, these awkward moments show us the magic of live TV: anything can happen, and often does. And that’s why we keep watching.
