In a candid and hilarious moment on The Sam Pang Tonight Show in Australia, legendary comedian and former talk show host Rosie O’Donnell revealed the celebrity who ranks as her worst-ever guest during her years behind the desk on The Rosie O’Donnell Show — and to everyone’s surprise, it’s none other than Hollywood’s most beloved nice guy, Keanu Reeves.

O’Donnell, who hosted her wildly popular daytime talk show from 1996 to 2002, didn’t hold back when recounting the now-infamous 1997 interview with the Matrix star. Though she was quick to describe Reeves as “sweet” and “gorgeous,” she admitted that his quiet and reserved nature made for one of the most painfully awkward live television moments of her career.

“He’s so sweet, he looks gorgeous, I love all his movies,” O’Donnell began, smiling. “But he would not answer a question.”

The Interview That Fell Flat

O’Donnell painted the scene vividly for Sam Pang and his audience — a live taping, no retakes, and a guest who seemed utterly unprepared to speak more than a single word at a time.

“I’d say, ‘So, Keanu, how’s it going? How are you feeling?’” she recalled. “And he’d just say, ‘Good.’”

The silence that followed, she said, felt endless. As a live host, O’Donnell was used to improvising, but Reeves’ one-word answers gave her little to work with.

“We were live. We couldn’t re-tape,” she emphasized. “I finally said after like three minutes, ‘You know, Keanu, it is a talk show. You have to talk.’”

The audience of Sam Pang Tonight erupted into laughter, but O’Donnell noted that at the time, the moment was anything but funny. “I remember thinking, ‘Oh my God, how are we going to get through this?’” she said.

From Awkward Silence to a Better Return

Despite the rocky start, O’Donnell was quick to clarify that she holds no grudge against Reeves. In fact, she said the actor later returned to her show in 2001 — and by then, he had “got the hang of it.”

“He came back years later, and he was great,” she said. “I think he just wasn’t used to that kind of setting yet. Not everyone’s a natural talk show guest, and that’s okay.”

Indeed, Reeves’ soft-spoken, introspective personality has long been part of his public image. Known for his humility and calm demeanor, the actor’s quiet nature has often contrasted with the fast-paced, highly social world of Hollywood talk shows.

Still, for O’Donnell, that first interview remains an unforgettable lesson in live television unpredictability. “You never know who’s going to be the best or the worst,” she laughed. “Sometimes it’s the people you least expect.”

From Keanu’s Silence to Marty’s Energy

During the same interview, O’Donnell also shared who she considered the best guest she ever had — and the honor went to none other than comedian and actor Martin Short.

“Because you come out and say, ‘How you doing, Marty?’ and it’s over for you,” she said, chuckling. “He stands up, and he goes, ‘I’m here!’”

O’Donnell recalled that Short’s vibrant personality filled the room the moment he walked onstage.

“He was the funniest and the nicest guy,” she said warmly. “So I would say Marty Short was definitely one of the best.”

Her admiration for Short’s energy highlighted the contrast between the two guests — one whose enthusiasm carried an entire segment, and another whose quiet reserve left O’Donnell scrambling to fill airtime.

The Reality of Hosting Live Television

O’Donnell’s reflections served as a reminder of how unpredictable live TV can be. Even seasoned hosts can find themselves caught off guard when a guest doesn’t engage. “You can prepare a hundred questions,” she explained, “but if the person gives you one-word answers, you’re basically doing stand-up at that point.”

As any talk show veteran knows, chemistry between host and guest is often what makes — or breaks — an interview. O’Donnell’s recollection of Reeves’ appearance wasn’t cruel or mocking; rather, it was affectionate and self-deprecating, showing the behind-the-scenes chaos that can happen even on successful programs.

“He’s a great actor,” she reiterated. “It just wasn’t his day to talk. And that’s okay — we’ve all had those days.”

Fans React: Shock, Humor, and Nostalgia

After clips of O’Donnell’s revelation surfaced online, fans were quick to weigh in — many expressing disbelief that Reeves, one of Hollywood’s most universally adored figures, could ever be described as a “bad guest.”

“He probably just didn’t want to talk about himself,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another joked, “Even when Keanu says nothing, he still manages to be iconic.”

Others praised O’Donnell for sharing such a candid and humorous behind-the-scenes story. “This is why we love Rosie,” one viewer commented. “She tells it like it is — but always with warmth.”

A Moment of Honesty That Resonated

For O’Donnell, the story was more than just gossip — it was an honest reflection on the unpredictable nature of her career and the quirks of live entertainment. And in true Rosie fashion, she told it not with bitterness, but with humor and grace.

“I’ve had amazing guests, I’ve had awkward guests, and I’ve had everything in between,” she said. “That’s what makes it exciting — you never really know what’s going to happen.”

As for Reeves, his quiet mystique and kindhearted reputation have only grown over the years, making this decades-old anecdote a charming reminder of his unassuming personality — and of O’Donnell’s quick wit in the face of live TV chaos.