How to Predict Viral Talk Show Guests: A Guide to Betting on Appearances

Talk shows have been a staple of American television for decades. From Johnny Carson to Oprah Winfrey, talk show hosts have always tried to book the most interesting and entertaining guests who will attract viewers and create buzz. These days, with viral videos and memes spreading instantly online, the race is on to book guests who will go viral and get the internet talking.

As a talk show betting fan, here’s how you can try to predict which guests are most likely to blow up and create viral appearances.

Look for Controversial Guests

Nothing drives online discussion more than controversy. If a guest is known for being polarizing or having views outside the mainstream, their appearance is ripe for arguments and outrage that fuel social media viral spread. For example, booking provocative figures like Milo Yiannopoulos or Alex Jones is likely to cause an uproar that gets clips and quotes passed around online. The more controversial the guest’s opinions, the more viral their appearance is likely to be.

Guests who act inappropriately can also cause controversy. Chelsea Handler said her worst guest was Justin Bieber, who attempted to flirt with her, making for a very uncomfortable interview. Other ‘difficult’ guests include Madonna on the Late Show with David Letterman back in 1994, and Joaquin Phoenix on the same show in 2009.

When betting on potential viral guests, keep an eye out for famous feuds or rivalries as well. If two celebrities or public figures are openly clashing right now, either one showing up on a talk show could stir up attention and debate. The drama between Taylor Swift and Kanye West was a reliable viral goldmine for years. Booking guests who represent both sides of a feud can also lead to combustible chemistry and outrageous confrontations.

Follow Online Buzz

Keep your finger on the pulse of what’s hot online and see which people are generating viral buzz on social media platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. If an influencer, politician, activist or any public figure seems to be getting a ton of shares and engagement for their videos and posts, there’s a good chance their talk show appearance will also be widely watched and shared. Stay on top of trending stories and personalities to identify guests with viral potential.

Especially monitor platforms like Reddit, where huge communities of users can fixate on particular topics or people and exponentially magnify their relevance. For instance, if an obscure politician or expert starts trending on subreddits like r/politics or r/news, they may be on the cusp of wider fame and viral interest.

Look for Quirky Guests

Today’s viral stars thrive on being unique, quirky and one-of-a-kind. Keep an eye out for rising online personalities who have an offbeat persona or special talent. For example, booking oddities like ‘Double Rainbow Guy’ or ‘Bed Intruder Song Guy’ in their viral heyday would likely have generated buzzworthy appearances. Guests with an eccentric hook often translate into fun, shareable talk show segments.

Part of spotting quirky viral potential involves watching viral video compilations on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. That’s where you may discover one-hit wonders with unusual talents or personalities that capture the internet’s imagination. Booking someone like ‘Blinking White Guy’ while his songs were hot could score talk shows an elusive viral episode.

Seek Outgoing Guests

Some guests just have a knack for going viral regardless of the context. They have big, boisterous personalities combined with a talent for delivering catchphrases or hilarious soundbites perfect for meme formats. For instance, Dr. Phil’s guest Danielle Bregoli (aka ‘Cash Me Ousside Girl’) and Wendy Williams’ guest Sweet Brown (‘Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That’) had viral moments largely through their own memorable one-liners. Look for chattery guests who can’t help but be quotable.

The key is scanning guest interviews and appearances to see if they have a track record of generating funny quotes, dramatic reactions or memorable exchanges. Someone like James Brown’s boisterous daughter or the Grape Lady from old TV outtakes could provide reliable comedic fodder. Their expressive, unfiltered personalities set them up for viral soundbites.

Target Nostalgic Guests

Nothing brings in views and taps into viral nostalgia like revisiting old viral stars. Try to spot guests who had their moments in the limelight years ago but have faded over time. Booking viral throwbacks like ‘Star Wars Kid’, ‘Leave Britney Alone Guy’, or ‘Numa Numa Dance Guy’ could potentially reignite old memes and take audiences back to the early internet days. Capitalize on nostalgia for a can’t-miss viral recipe.

To identify the best blasts-from-the-past, read articles and watch videos counting down the biggest viral sensations from the 2000s, 90s or earlier. That will refresh you on viral trailblazers who could prompt a huge wave of reactions and reminiscing if they appeared on modern talk shows. Viral nostalgia equals ratings gold.

Maximize Guest Interactions

Sometimes the secret sauce for a viral talk show moment is the chemistry between multiple guests. Try to predict interactions that could create a perfect storm of laughs, cringe or conflict. Pairing Gucci Mane with James Lipton, Snoop Dogg with Martha Stewart or Alex Jones with Piers Morgan were ingenious matchups that generated views and online chatter.

Study guests’ personalities and histories to imagine the most wild, unpredictable or hilarious combinations possible on a given talk show. Pitting Judge Judy against Dog the Bounty Hunter or Mike Tyson against Dr. Phil would likely produce fireworks. Fun clashes drive engagement, making certain guest interactions surefire viral bets.

Predicting which talk show guests will blow up online into viral sensations is more art than science. But paying close attention to online trends, controversies, and rising personalities can help you spot those special guests with just the right mix of quirkiness, controversy, and catchphrase potential. Follow these tips and you’ll have a better shot at betting on the next big talk show guest destined for virality. Just remember—when that next big viral moment happens, you saw it coming first!