Entertainment

9 Must-See Awkward Celeb Interviews

by Alex Kritselis

I have a confession to make: I'm addicted to watching awkward celebrity interviews. It’s true! I just can't get enough of 'em — and I know I'm not alone. Sometimes, the interviews are so incredibly awkward, they make you want to crawl into a hole and die. Other times, they're so incredibly ridiculous, you can't stop laughing. For me, the best awkward celebrity interviews are actually the ones that have you cringing and giggling at the same time. After all, if no part of the interaction makes you laugh, you run the risk of suffering an awkwardness/second-hand embarrassment–induced heart attack (and nobody wants that).

So, why do we find watching awkward celebrity interviews so satisfying? That's a good question. Generally speaking, I think we like seeing other people squirm (well, when we're sitting safely behind our computer screens, anyway). We probably experience some degree of Schadenfreude. Additionally, when celebrities make interviews uncomfortable (as opposed to journalists), it shows us that they're not infallible (they’re just like us!) and we love that.

I've searched high and low to find the best awkward celebrity interviews that will make you guffaw and wince at the same time. Here they are, in all of their painful and hilarious glory:

When Jesse Eisenberg Compared The Interviewer To Carrot Top

Holy awkward, Batman.

When Tom Cruise Got Sprayed In The Face With Water

My favorite part is when the interviewer tried to escape.

When Jessica Simpson REALLY Had To Go To The Bathroom... Or Something?

Jessica Simpson on her daughter: "Her dad is her boyfriend."

Me:

When Kate Gosselin's Daughters Destroyed Her On 'The Today Show'

Pure magic.

When Selena Gomez Was Forced To Endure This Awkward Silence

It's sooo awkward... but I can't look away!

When Meg Ryan Was Confronted By BBC's Sir Michael Parkinson

Sir Michael Parkinson: "In other words, if you were me, what would you do now?"

Meg Ryan: "Well, I'd just wrap it up."

Served.

When David Blaine Clammed Up On National Television

I guess he just wasn't feeling it?

When Tom Cruise Lost His Marbles On 'Oprah'

Cruise was in possession of exactly ZERO of his marbles here. They were all gone.

When Aretha Franklin Was NOT Amused

I don't think Aretha Franklin's earpiece was working properly during these interviews, which made it difficult for her to hear the questions... which in turn made it seem like she'd rather be someplace else. Still, it's pretty hysterical to watch.

Images: Giphy; tim doggar/YouTube; Alex Kritselis/Bustle