Johnny Carson, the king of late night television and master of comedy, charmed millions with his humor on “The Tonight Show,” but his iron-fisted rule over the show and monstrous ego led to numerous celebrities being banned.
Among them were Louise Lasser, who was barred after a disastrous SNL hosting stint; Chevy Chase, rumored to have been banned but actually invited back multiple times; Bob Hope, whose scripted jokes and deteriorating health strained his relationship with Carson; Lola Falana, banned after a controversial interview;
Kathy Griffin, whose sharp wit got her banned from multiple shows; Rich Little, whose impersonation of Carson led to a ban; Howie Mandel, whose awkward prop stunt ended his appearances; Sandra Bernhard, banned from David Letterman’s show over personal disputes; Sylvester Stallone, whose alleged ban was more myth than fact; Howard Stern, banned by Jay Leno after a chaotic appearance; Bobcat Goldthwait, who set his chair on fire; and Brad Garrett, banned for refusing to alter his stand-up routine. Each ban highlights the sometimes tumultuous relationships between Carson and his guests, leaving a lasting impression on late-night television history.