The Top Celebrity Clapback Moments in Talk Show History

Talk show hosts are supposed to be the kings (or queens) of their domain, but sometimes their celebrity guests just can’t let their host’s bad behavior slide without giving them a taste of their own medicine.

Hosts like Ellen DeGeneres, Wendy Williams and Johnny Carson have all been humiliated by their guests’ witty remarks and subtle jabs. These dramatic moments will forever go down in television history.

Nicki Minaj

Ellen DeGeneres often pokes fun at the guests on her talk show, but sometimes she takes it too far. After one too many times asking Nicki Minaj about the intimate details of her love life, Minaj snapped at the host for even bringing up the subject.

Then, she dropped Ellen’s name in a song where she rapped, “I am the generous queen, ask Ms. Ellen.”

Wanda Sykes

As two female comedians, it would seem like DeGeneres and Sykes would get along well. But, during an appearance on “The Ellen Show,” Sykes called DeGeneres out for giving out her own tour merchandise in the green room.

She then ridiculed Ellen for even calling her line of stand-up performances a tour because she only visited four cities, all of which were in Southern California.

Wendy Williams to Ellen Degeneres

Never too shy to start some controversy, Wendy Williams stayed true to her persona during an appearance on “The Ellen Show.” After DeGeneres called Williams “mean,” she held her ground and was later banned from ever appearing on the talk show again.

Hasan Minhaj 

Hasan Minhaj put Ellen DeGeneres in her place after she mispronounced his name one too many times. After the mistake, he corrected her and made a joke about how no one has any problems pronouncing the names of white actors Ansel Elgort and Timothée Chalamet.