The laughter riot of celeb interviews is contagious with an air of mystery all-pervasive, and some episodes live in our hearts rent-free.

Celeb talk shows are brief respite and a wealth of knowledge that is otherwise a privilege granted to a few. While the sessions are one humble chance to connect with the on-screen personas, they also create histories. Some are chronicled and analysed time and again to revisit all the fun and scandals.

Charlie Sheen with Andrea Canning (2011)

Charlie Sheen from Two and a Half Men led to a spur of memes with his answers to Andrea Canning’s questions for the sheer irrelevance and nonsense. The interview was held probably in the midst of a ruckus in which the actor was and the responses truly were eccentric. Besides pushing Sheen with her inquisitiveness, Canning contrived to extract some candid and bizarre, at times, answers that had all the viewers gaping wide in ancticipation. Audiences, at the end of the interview, were left with an intriguing, troubled man, and a brilliant actor who had had lived his times.

Ryan Seacrest with Sacha Baron Cohen (2012)

Sacha Baron Cohen, the enigma from “The Dictator,” had caused some rippled on the red carpet when he met Ryan Seacrest, a media mogul in the purest sense. More of an encounter and less of an interview, Seacrest got “ashed,” literally, in this one. While Seacrest was none too pleased about it, the incident drew mixed reactions from paparazzi. While some found it “hilarious,” others were quick to condemn the act for not being appropriate for the grand occasion.

Stephen Colbert with Nicki Minaj (2018)

Nicki Minaj legitimately made Colbert blush with all the talks on “freestyle” verse. The live crowd reverberated with a round of applause and chuckles as the host remained totally unnerved with a smirk. Minaj ends up professing her amorous intentions for Colbert without making it a cringe-fest.  Even as Minaj talks about the release of her album and upcoming tours, she does not spare a few hip-hop artists like Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, and Drake, in the process. The show ends with a dramatic shoutout to Colbert’s wife. Fans had a great time gulping down all the titbits on her perfume and family. Complete paisa wasool if you ask me!

Wendy Williams with Omarosa Manigault Newman (2008)

In 2008, Omarosa Manigault Newman created quite a stir by claiming celebrity status being a reality show contestant. The conversation steers further from cordiality and warmth as the show slowly gathers momentum, and this is where it piques viewers’ interest. This talk show warrants popcorn and diet coke as you cosy up on the sofa to unwind.

Craig Ferguson with Robin Williams (2013)

The censors surely had a tough time editing this one. With Robin Williams, an electric comedian of all time, the interview was raining wit and humour. Perhaps the most astounding factor is the actor-comedian’s appearance in the talk show with Craig Ferguson, the host, with whom he shared amazing chemistry. The entire time was filled with guffaws, funny anecdotes, and audience interactions with some itsy-bitsy gossip involving other legendary comic geniuses. The vibe and energy of the show perfectly nailed it.

Oprah Winfrey with Lance Armstrong (2013)

Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong sat down with Winfrey for an interview that unfurled the human aspects of a man who had been hero-worshipped for long. Thanks to some affronting conversations and eyebrow-raising confessions, the interview was no less than a big scoop for Winfrey, separated into two parts spanning 90 minutes. Here is a flawed and “distraught” hero baring himself before Winfrey and fans loved it!