Turns out even the "Internet's Boyfriend" can be a tough nut to crack on live TV, according to talk show legend Rosie O'Donnell.
TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on Rosie's Revelation- Rosie O'Donnell recently named Keanu Reeves as one of her "worst" talk show guests from her eponymous show.
- The challenge came from his reluctance to answer questions during a live 1997 interview for The Devil's Advocate.
- Despite the rocky start, O'Donnell clarified that Reeves is a "lovely man" who "got the hang of it" during a follow-up appearance in 2001.
Rosie O'Donnell recently revealed Keanu Reeves was her most challenging talk show guest on 'Sam Pang Tonight.' Find out why she called him 'one of the worst' but still loves the actor and how he improved!
Whoa! Rosie O'Donnell's Surprising "Worst Guest" Pick
Alright, film fans, grab your popcorn because Rosie O'donnell just dropped a bombshell that has everyone talking! During a recent appearance on the Australian talk show Sam Pang Tonight, the iconic host of The Rosie O'Donnell Show and former panelist on The View was asked to name her most challenging celebrity guest.
And who did she name? None other than the universally adored, "Internet's Boyfriend" himself, Keanu Reeves!
Yeah, you read that right. Keanu Reeves. The guy known for being incredibly kind, humble, and a total legend in action films like The Matrix and John Wick. It's a revelation that's certainly got people scratching their heads and replaying old clips.
Rosie O'Donnell recently spilled the tea on her time hosting 'The Rosie O'Donnell Show,' revealing Keanu Reeves was a challenging guest. Discover why and who her all-time favorites were!
Back to 1997: The Infamous "Good" Interview
So, what exactly went down? O'Donnell recalled Reeves' initial appearance on her live show back in 1997. He was there to promote his film The Devil's Advocate, but according to Rosie, the conversation just wasn't flowing.
"He's so sweet, he looks gorgeous, I love all his movies, but he would not answer a question," O'Donnell explained to Sam Pang's surprised audience. She recounted a typical exchange:
"I'd say, 'So, Keanu, how's it going? How are you feeling?' [He'd respond] 'Good.'"
— Rosie O'Donnell
Imagine being on live television with a huge star, and all you get are one-word answers! Rosie, ever the quick wit, eventually had to address it directly. After about three minutes of this conversational standstill, she famously told him, "You know, Keanu, it is a talk show. You have to talk."
Reeves himself even admitted on air at the time that he wasn't "comfortable" with TV appearances, though he added they could be "fun." It seems a talk show wasn't exactly his natural habitat early in his career.
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A Redemption Arc: Keanu "Got the Hang of It"
Before anyone starts thinking Rosie was throwing shade, she quickly clarified her admiration for the actor. She stressed that Keanu is "a lovely man and a good-hearted guy." And here's the good news for all the Keanu fans out there: he came back!
O'Donnell noted that Reeves returned to her show in 2001, and by then, he had definitely improved his talk show game. "But he did come back, and he got the hang of it," she said, ensuring everyone knew there were no hard feelings. It seems even the most stoic stars can learn the ropes of talk show banter!
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The Best of the Best: Rosie's Favorite Guests
While Keanu might have been a challenge, Rosie also took the opportunity to shout out her absolute favorite guests. For the "best" guest, she picked the incomparable Martin Short, citing his incredible energy and stage presence.
"Because you come out and say, 'How you doing, Marty?' and it's over for you," she revealed. "He stands up, and he goes, 'I'm here!' He was the funniest and the nicest guy, so I would say Marty Short was definitely one of the best."
— Rosie O'Donnell
And for her ultimate "favorite" guest, the legendary Barbra Streisand took the top spot. It's clear that Rosie appreciates guests who know how to light up a room and deliver an engaging conversation.
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Beyond Keanu: Other Memorable Rosie Moments
This candid Australian interview wasn't the only time Rosie has reflected on her talk show days. She also recalled her heated 1999 interview with actor Tom Selleck, where they clashed over gun laws following the Columbine massacre. That moment, she said, was "very awkward" and the first time she ever really challenged a celebrity on her show.
More recently, O'Donnell also shed light on a famous on-air fight with Elisabeth Hasselbeck on The View in 2007, alleging that the dramatic split-screen moment was a "setup" by the show's late producer, Bill Geddie. Hasselbeck has since refuted these claims, calling them "lying" and asking to "stop the madness." So, it seems Rosie has plenty of stories from her long career in front of the camera!
Keanu Now: Still the Talk of the Town (and Talk Shows!)
Despite his early talk show jitters, Keanu Reeves is still very much a prominent figure in Hollywood, and yes, he still does talk shows! He recently appeared on Travis and Jason Kelce's "New Heights" podcast, where he proved he's gotten much more comfortable with the format.
Reeves is currently busy promoting his new supernatural comedy movie, Good Fortune, which hit theaters on October 17, 2025. In the film, directed by Aziz Ansari, Keanu plays an angel named Gabriel. He's joined by a fantastic cast including Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen, Sandra Oh, and Keke Palmer.
So, while Rosie O'Donnell's 1997 experience might have been a bit of a struggle, it's clear that Keanu has come a long way and continues to charm audiences both on and off screen!
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