Lights, camera, flash! When it comes to live TV, anything can happen – especially when celebrities involved. Throughout the years, audiences have witnessed some truly shocking moments as some of the most popular stars let their guards down and revealed a little too much on camera.
From the infamous moment when Drew Barrymore lifted her top and gave David Letterman an eyeful to Jaye P. Morgan’s jaw-dropping Gong Show performance, these unforgettable celebrity flash moments have become an integral part of television history.
In this titillating video, we’ll delve deeper into some of the most scandalous moments when celebrities exposed themselves on live TV shows. So, grab your popcorn and settle in for a rollercoaster ride through some of the most memorable and boundary-pushing moments in television history!
FactsVerse Presents: She Flashed Her Breasts on Live TV While Cameras Were Rolling
Mayim Bialik and Cleavagegate
Mayim Bialik, the star of The Big Bang Theory and current host of Jeopardy, appeared on The Late Late Show With James Corden on Monday, February 8th 2016. During the show, the British host brought up a then-recent social media dispute between Piers Morgan and actress Susan Sarandon, which had dubbed “#Cleavagegate.”
The disagreement began when Morgan criticized Sarandon’s bra top at that years SAG Awards, calling it inappropriate for an In Memoriam tribute. Sarandon responded to Morgan’s criticism by tweeting a throwback photo of herself in a bra staring at Michelangelo’s David statue. And many other women joined in by tweeting photos of their cleavage to Morgan.
During the discussion on The Late Late Show, Bialik self identified as a feminist and stood up to Morgan when he made a jab at feminists who sent him photos of their cleavage. On live TV, she seemingly opened her dress to show off her chest while facing away from the camera. Bialik later teased Morgan on Twitter saying that she hoped their ‘paths would cross again…with or without cleavage”. And Morgan placed his headshot next to Sarandon’s on The Late Late Show’s green room wall. And captioning the photo with a reference to the “cleavagegate” controversy. Join Facts Verse to know the details about celebrities who flashed her breast on live TV while cameras were rolling.
Jaye P. Morgan on The Gong Show
Jaye P. Morgan is a retired American singer, actress, and game show panelist who gained fame in the 1950s and 1960s for her sultry voice and glamorous image. She appeared on numerous TV shows, including “The Perry Como Show,” “The Ed Sullivan Show,” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” However, she is perhaps best known for a controversial incident that occurred on “The Gong Show” in 1978.
“The Gong Show”, in case you aren’t familiar, was a popular game show in the 1970s that featured amateur performers showcasing their talents in front of a panel of celebrity judges. The judges had the power to “gong” an act off stage if they found it to be particularly bad or offensive. Morgan was a regular panelist on the show, known for her witty comments and unpredictable behavior.
During one episode in 1978, Morgan shocked both the audience and her fellow judges when she suddenly seemed to get caught up in the moment and proceeded to unbutton her top and expose her breasts. The incident captured on camera and quickly became a sensation, making headlines across the country. While this wasn’t Morgan’s first on-air “flashing’ incident, it the last straw for the network that aired the show, NBC, who quickly dropped her from the show’s lineup for the remainder of it’s daytime run. That being said, she would continue to appear on the nighttime syndicated version of the show as a regular panelist.
Many people outraged by Morgan’s behavior, calling it obscene and inappropriate for television. Others defended her, arguing that it was a harmless and spontaneous moment of fun. Morgan herself later admitted that she had been drinking before the show and that the incident was a mistake. She apologized for her behavior and took a hiatus from television for several years.
The incident sparked a larger conversation about censorship and decency on television, and led to increased scrutiny of game shows and other forms of entertainment. Many networks began implementing stricter guidelines for content. And the incident served as a cautionary tale for performers and producers alike.
The Gong Show’s Infamous Popsicle Twins
Jaye P. Morgan’s eye-catching antics were pretty much par for the course when it came to the show on which she infamously unleashed her “secret weapons”. You see, in the 1970s, The Gong Show gained a reputation for regularly featuring controversial acts. One such act “Have You Got a Nickel?” (also known as “The Popsicle Twins”), which involved two young women in cutoff shorts provocatively licking Popsicles on stage. The judges divided on the non-act, with Phyllis Diller giving it a zero, Jamie Farr giving it a two, and Jaye P. Morgan awarding the pair a perfect 10, joking that it how she got started.
Years later, the show’s creator Chuck Barris revealed in an interview that he intentionally submitted outrageous acts to the censors. And hoping that some of the tamer ones would slip through. The Popsicle Twins’ act was too suggestive for Barris, and he submitted it as a decoy to distract the censors. Shockingly, the girls were actually 17 years old at the time, despite some believing they were merely portraying minors. The censors let the act air in the Eastern and Central time zones before realizing their mistake and censoring it for the Mountain and Pacific time zones.
Janet Jackson’s Nipplegate
Here’s one that most of you are probably pretty familiar with. During the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004, Janet Jackson performed a duet with Justin Timberlake. In the final moments of the performance, Timberlake reached over and ripped off a part of Jackson’s costume, revealing her breast which adorned with a nipple shield.
The incident, which lasted only a few seconds, seen by millions of viewers and caused a major uproar. The Federal Communications Commission received numerous complaints. And CBS, the network that aired the halftime show, fined by the FCC for the incident.
The “nipplegate” incident had a significant impact on both Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s careers. For Janet Jackson, the incident caused immediate backlash. And with many people criticizing her for what they saw as a deliberate attempt to generate controversy and publicity. She faced major public scrutiny and forced to issue a public apology for the incident. Some radio stations even boycotted her music, and she disinvited from the Grammys that year. Her career took a hit, and she largely stayed out of the public eye for a while.
For Justin Timberlake, the incident initially seen as a positive move for his career, as it generated a lot of buzz and attention. However, as the public backlash against Jackson intensified. Timberlake also criticized for his role in the incident, with some accusing him of throwing Jackson under the bus. He forced to issue a public apology as well. And his career also took a hit, although not to the same extent as Jackson’s.
Despite the fallout from the incident, both Jackson and Timberlake were eventually able to recover and continue their successful careers in music and entertainment. Join Facts Verse to know the details about celebrities who flashed her breast on live TV while cameras were rolling.
Drew Barrymore’s Last Hurrah
Once upon a time, Drew Barrymore was a wild child who dabbled in drugs, alcohol, and nights at Studio 54. Her rebellious streak started before she even reached the age of ten and continued into her teenage years, leading to a lot of publicity for her controversial antics. Even her friend and mentor, Steven Spielberg, tried to get her to calm down after she posed for Playboy. But his advice fell on deaf ears.
In 1995, Barrymore was hanging out with a friend at the Blue Angel club in New York. The venue known for its eclectic live entertainment, ranging from burlesque shows to amateur stand-up comedy. Barrymore and her friend decided to join in on the fun. And with her creating a persona for herself under the name Lolita.
As the comedy act went on, Barrymore inspired to dance around like a go-go dancer from a 60s movie and gradually took off her clothes behind her friend. Little did she know that word of her performance would get back to David Letterman’s team. And who brought it up during her pre-interview for her upcoming appearance on his show.
Despite the unexpected topic of conversation, Barrymore felt safe and comfortable on Letterman’s birthday show. They joked about her Blue Angel performance. And then the impromptu idea to recreate it on the show occurred to her. Without thinking, she hopped up on his desk, lifted her top, and planted a kiss on his cheek. Join Facts Verse to know the details about celebrities who flashed her breast on live TV while cameras were rolling.
Barrymore described the moment as an “uncalculated silliness,” but it marked a turning point for her. She was ready to move on from her wild ways and clean up her image. The incident brought a sense of freedom and fun rather than being wrong. And it inspired her to seek out projects that didn’t involve nudity or sex scenes.
Looking back, Barrymore realizes that the incident marked the end of an era for her. She watched the show with her friends, who were both stunned and thrilled. And realized that she was ready for a new chapter in her life. Her next project, the movie “Ever After,” offered a fresh and empowering take on Cinderella. And she loved being a part of it.
Now, as a talk show host herself, Barrymore can look back on the incident with Letterman as a defining moment in her life. It was a moment of pure spontaneity and lightheartedness that left an indelible mark on her career.
The world of entertainment has witnessed numerous instances of celebrities baring it all on live television. And often resulting in a media frenzy and a flurry of social media reactions. While some may see it as a bold statement or a moment of liberation, others consider it inappropriate and disrespectful. Regardless of the opinions, it’s undeniable that these moments have become a part of pop culture history and continue to intrigue and shock audiences.
Can you think of any other instances celebs flashed the camera on live TV and did you happen to witness any of the aforementioned TV moments live as they happened? Let us know in the comments. And as always, thanks for watching!
