Rosie O'Donnell Names Keanu Reeves Her 'Worst' Talk Show Guest

Hold onto your hats, movie fans! Rosie O'Donnell just spilled some serious tea on her past talk show experiences, and you might be shocked to hear which A-lister gave her the hardest time.

TL;DR: The Lowdown on Rosie's Revelation

Rosie O'Donnell recently named Keanu Reeves as one of her "worst" talk show guests during an appearance on "Sam Pang Tonight."
Despite her deep admiration for him, O'Donnell explained that Reeves "would not answer a question" during their live 1997 interview, leading to some famously awkward moments.
Good news, though! Reeves returned to the show in 2001 and "got the hang of it," showing growth and proving his "lovely" and "good-hearted" nature.

If you're anything like us, you probably adore Keanu Reeves. The man is a legend, from his early "Bill & Ted" days to his iconic role as Neo in "The Matrix" and, of course, the unstoppable John Wick. He's known for being one of Hollywood's nicest guys, incredibly humble, and genuinely beloved by fans worldwide. So, imagine our surprise when talk show veteran Rosie O'Donnell recently opened up about her time hosting "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" and revealed that none other than Keanu Reeves was "one of her worst" guests. Talk about a plot twist!

The Awkward Truth About Their First On-Air Encounter

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Rosie O'Donnell, who successfully helmed "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" from 1996 to 2002, shared this unexpected anecdote during her recent appearance on the Australian talk show "Sam Pang Tonight." Now 63, O'Donnell made it crystal clear that her critique isn't about Keanu the person, whom she still adores. "I love the guy," she clarified, stressing his sweetness, good looks, and her love for his movies. She even emphasized that she didn't mean to "throw him under the bus" with her candid remarks. But when it came to their first sit-down interview in 1997, things were undeniably tough.

"He would not answer a question," O'Donnell recalled, painting a picture of an interview that was painfully brief in its responses. Imagine being a talk show host, live on air, and trying to keep the conversation flowing when your guest's answers are monosyllabic. Rosie recounted asking simple, open-ended questions like, "So, Keanu, how's it going? How are you feeling?" only to be met with a stoic "Good." For a live show that couldn't be re-taped, this was a challenging situation for any host to navigate.

"I finally said after three minutes, 'You know, Keanu, it is a talk show. You have to talk!'"

— Rosie O'Donnell on her 1997 interview with Keanu Reeves

It sounds like a moment of sheer desperation and humor combined. O'Donnell even doubled down on her initial statement, telling him at one point, "It's a talk show. We've got to ask questions." She remembered the actor laughing good-naturedly at one of her questions, which prompted her to ask if he disliked doing these kinds of shows. His honest reply? "I'm not comfortable with them, but they're fun. It's alright." This admission likely offered Rosie a new perspective, allowing her to adapt her approach. In a testament to her skills as an interviewer, YouTube users who watched clips of that initial chat praised O'Donnell for changing her strategy and ultimately putting the "introverted" star "at ease." It highlights the delicate balance talk show hosts must strike: getting engaging content while making their guests feel comfortable.

From Awkward Silence to Getting the Hang of It: Keanu's Talk Show Evolution

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What makes this story even better is that it's not a tale of a one-time disaster. O'Donnell was quick to point out that Keanu Reeves did, in fact, return to her show for a second appearance in 2001. And by then, things had clearly changed! "He got the hang of it," she quipped, suggesting that the "John Wick" star had learned a thing or two about the art of the on-air chat in the four years since their first, famously brief encounter.

This turnaround speaks volumes about both individuals. For Keanu, it shows a willingness to step outside his comfort zone and improve, even in an area he admitted he wasn't naturally "comfortable" with. For Rosie, it underscores her ability to connect with guests, even those who present significant challenges. It's a reminder that even the most seasoned professionals and the most beloved stars have their moments of awkwardness, and growth is always possible.

Beyond Keanu: Rosie's Best and Most Controversial Guests

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While Keanu Reeves might have topped her "worst" list for interview ease, O'Donnell also shared her experiences with other notable figures. When it came to the "best" star to interview, she enthusiastically named Martin Short. "Because you come out and say, 'How you doing, Marty?' and it's over for you," she revealed, praising his energetic and engaging presence. "He stands up and he goes, 'I'm here!'" According to O'Donnell, Short was "the funniest and the nicest guy," a dream guest who made the host's job a breeze.

Her "favorite" guest of all time, however, was a different icon: Barbra Streisand. These contrasting examples highlight what O'Donnell values in a guest: either an effusive entertainer like Short or a legendary figure like Streisand who likely brought a different kind of engaging presence.

O'Donnell also touched upon more controversial moments from her career, including her fiery 1999 interview with actor Tom Selleck. This particular sit-down escalated into a heated debate over gun laws, following the tragic Columbine massacre. Selleck, who was 80 at the time of the article's context, had an advertisement at the time stating, "I am the NRA. Shooting teaches children good values." Rosie, clearly "torn up about Columbine," found herself in an unprecedented position of challenging a celebrity on live television. She reflected on it as the "first time that I ever challenged a celebrity," noting that she usually accommodated requests to avoid sensitive topics. She likened her approach to Johnny Carson's philosophy: if there was egg on anyone's face, it should be the host's, not the guest's. This Selleck interview stood out as a departure from her usual "nice" and "not a 'get you' kind of interview" style.

Fast forward to her time on "The View" (she co-hosted from 2006-2007 and 2014-2015), O'Donnell even brought up her famous 2007 on-air argument with co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck (48 at the time of context). This clash over American military activity in the Middle East became so intense that the show used an unprecedented split-screen. O'Donnell recently alleged that the entire argument was a "setup" by the show's late producer, Bill Geddie (who passed away in 2023 at 68). Hasselbeck, however, tearfully refuted these claims, urging O'Donnell to "stop the madness" and "stop the lying." These anecdotes demonstrate that Rosie O'Donnell is no stranger to dramatic on-air moments, whether intentional or not, and has a rich history of interacting with famous personalities under the bright lights of live television.

Keanu's Current Endeavors: Still a Force in Hollywood

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Despite a shaky start in talk show interviews over two decades ago, Keanu Reeves, now 61, has clearly thrived in his career. His "John Wick" franchise has amassed billions of dollars, solidifying his status as a major action star and a box office powerhouse. And he's not slowing down. Lionsgate is actively expanding the "John Wick" universe with an upcoming action series titled "John Wick: Under The High Table." Reeves himself is set to produce this new venture, alongside director Chad Stahelski, who will also direct the pilot episode. It seems that while Keanu might still prefer letting his actions speak louder than words in interviews, on-screen, he's definitely found his voice – and a massive audience that loves him for it.

So, the next time you see Keanu Reeves giving a more extended interview, you can thank Rosie O'Donnell (and maybe Sam Pang for bringing it up!) for pushing him a little. It seems even the kindest, most beloved stars can learn a thing or two about the talk show circuit, and it's all part of the fascinating, often awkward, world of celebrity interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rosie's Revelations

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When did Rosie O'Donnell make these comments about Keanu Reeves? Rosie O'Donnell made these comments on Monday, October 13, 2025, during an appearance on the Australian talk show "Sam Pang Tonight." When did Keanu Reeves first appear on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show"? Keanu Reeves first appeared on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" in 1997. He later returned in 2001, reportedly having "gotten the hang of" interviews by then. What other guests did Rosie O'Donnell praise or discuss? O'Donnell named Martin Short as her "best" guest and Barbra Streisand as her "favorite." She also recounted a challenging 1999 interview with Tom Selleck about gun laws and a contentious 2007 argument with Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "The View." What is Keanu Reeves currently working on? Keanu Reeves is currently involved in expanding the "John Wick" universe. He is set to produce the upcoming action series "John Wick: Under The High Table," with Chad Stahelski directing the pilot episode.