In the first of what will be Movieline's many investigations into the decade, we inspect the 10 greatest talk show guests of the 2000s. Some of the listed winners were in on the joke, and some were pretty decent jokes themselves. Grow a beard, recall your favorite menu items from prison, and enjoy.
10. Bob Barker on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (December, 2006)
Viewers suspected something was afoot when Bob Barker, who was at that time finishing up his run on The Price is Right, started harassing host Craig Ferguson about the flimsiness of his desk. Little did they know that Barker was a trained martial artist who would actually break the (admittedly styrofoam) desk right on air. The self-effacing jab about "not having that many climactic moments" at his age is also a scream, particularly with Barker's Beauties standing right there.
9. William Shatner and Sarah Palin on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (December, 2009)
I was nervous about putting three 2009 spots on this list (stay tuned!), but Shatner and Palin shocked the hardcover-purchasing populace when they read from each other's autobiographies in this Tonight Show segment. Shatner is also one of Conan's best "In the Year 2000" cue-card readers, and that status helped bumped him onto this list. And can you believe it? Palin is a believable TV personality with a knack for punchlines. Insert your own.
8. Heidi Klum on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (October, 2003)
An appearance from Heidi Klum as she dons an $8 million diamond-studded bra is welcome anyway, but when the current Project Runway doyenne looked down and murmured, "I think my bra has broken," an unprecedented wave of confusion and delight rippled through the audience. Jay and guest Martin Short offered their jackets to cover the supermodel as she made some impromptu adjustments.
7. Warren Zevon on Late Show with David Letterman (October, 2002)
The legendary musician was Dave's only guest during the Fall 2002 taping, as the rocker had recently been diagnosed with incurable mesothelioma and planned to retire from music. He spoke at length about his illness and performed a number of songs, including ones requested by Dave himself.
6. Harrison Ford on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (February, 2006)
The unpredictable (and sometimes sinister) Harrison Ford's four appearances on Conan's show are best summed up with the following clip, where he lets up on the grizzled reputation that's come to precede him.
5. Jim Cramer on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (March, 2009)
Histrionic pundits have a special place in the decade's best talk show appearances, but the ne plus ultra remains Jim Cramer's March 2009 spot on The Daily Show. In addition to wildly recanting his CNBC show's advice to stockholders, Cramer practically sputtered for Stewart to go easy on him. Come on, Jim: Even Ann Coulter knows you can't let them see the whites of your lies.
4. Paul Newman on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (August, 2005)
The 80-year-old screen legend seemed serene upon accepting Jay Leno's go-karting challenge, but his final words to Jay once in the driver's seat ("Pray for your life") told another story. The event would serve as one of the last great TV moments for the beloved icon.
3. Angie Harmon (and Jason Sehorn) on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (March, 2000)
When Angie Harmon appeared on The Tonight Show to promote Law & Order, she had no idea her boyfriend (and professional football star) Jason Sehorn was hiding backstage. In an unceremonious mutter, Leno told Harmon he was at the studio, and within seconds the dashing Sehorn came out and proposed to Harmon, right on air. Her dropped jaw made for unforgettable TV and the beginning of a marriage that produced three kids and a few testimonials for John McCain.
2. Joaquin Phoenix on The Late Show with David Letterman (February, 2009)
When David Letterman looses his true crankiness, a nation exhales. That's what we want in an avuncular late-night emcee -- and in an actual uncle, for that matter. Dave's barb to the newly enigmatic Phoenix, who was on the verge of quitting acting and beginning "a hip-hop career," is the greatest of the decade: "I'll come to your house and chew gum."
1. Paris Hilton on The Late Show with David Letterman (September, 2007)
Was there any doubt? Paris Hilton wanted to talk about her fragrance and her movie -- not her recent jail stint. Letterman had other plans. In short: The funniest (and most genius) talk show interview of the decade.