Can you imagine being called out on national television for being a bad interview guest? That's exactly what happened when Rosie O'Donnell recently named Keanu Reeves as one of the "worst" guests she ever had on her talk show. While she insists she wasn't trying to throw the beloved actor "under the bus," her candid explanation has everyone talking. But here's where it gets controversial... is Keanu really a bad interview, or is there more to the story?
During an appearance on "Sam Pang Tonight," O'Donnell, the former host of the wildly popular "Rosie O'Donnell Show," recounted her experience with Reeves. She was quick to clarify that she adores him, saying, "I love the guy. He’s so sweet, he looks gorgeous, I love all his movies." However, she then added the kicker: "But he would not answer a question." It appears this wasn't a case of animosity, but rather a clash of personalities and interview styles.
O'Donnell described their 1997 interview (which you can find on YouTube), remembering the challenges of trying to engage Reeves on live television. "I’d say, ‘So, Keanu, how’s it going? How are you feeling?’ [He’d respond] ‘Good.’ We were live. We couldn’t re-tape," she explained. Faced with short, unrevealing answers, O'Donnell humorously recalled telling Reeves, "You know, Keanu, it is a talk show. You have to talk!" Imagine the pressure – both for the host and the guest!
To be fair, O'Donnell emphasized multiple times that Reeves, now 61, is "a lovely man and a good-hearted guy." She also pointed out that the "John Wick" star did return to her show in 2001, suggesting he learned how to navigate the talk show format. As she quipped, "So he got the hang of it." This could be interpreted as a sign that Reeves simply needed time to adjust to the often-intrusive nature of celebrity interviews. And this is the part most people miss... the discomfort many actors feel when forced to be 'on' outside of their roles.
Revisiting the original 1997 interview, it's clear that O'Donnell recognized Reeves' discomfort and, to her credit, attempted to make him feel more at ease. At one point, after Reeves laughed at a question, she playfully acknowledged, "Sorry, but you know it’s a talk show. We’ve got to ask questions." She even directly asked him, "You don’t do a lot of these shows do you? Do you hate them?" Reeves honestly replied, "I’m not comfortable with them, but they’re fun. It’s alright," prompting O'Donnell to offer him a snack or toy, trying to lighten the mood.
Interestingly, some YouTube users praised O'Donnell for her handling of the situation, noting how she adapted her approach to accommodate Reeves' introverted nature. One commenter wrote, "I like how [she] changed her strategy after knowing Keanu was uncomfortable being asked that much." This raises an important question: Is it the responsibility of the interviewer to adapt to the guest, or is it the guest's responsibility to be engaging, regardless of their personal feelings?
As of now, Reeves' representatives haven't responded to requests for comment. It's worth noting that O'Donnell also shared positive experiences, naming Martin Short as the "best" guest and Barbra Streisand as her "favorite." Her show, which ran from 1996 to 2002, clearly provided a diverse range of interview experiences.
So, what do you think? Was Rosie O'Donnell right to call out Keanu Reeves, even with good intentions? Is it fair to judge someone based on their performance in a talk show setting? Or should we give Reeves a break, considering his well-known aversion to the spotlight? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Could it be that Keanu's perceived 'awkwardness' is actually part of his charm? Let's discuss!
