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Here are the TV segments that went viral online. We’ll highlight memorable moments from TV shows, award shows, specials, and news broadcasts that gained even more traction through online sharing. Our list features iconic moments like “Woman Yells at Cat”, “Best Cry Ever”, Antoine Dodson, and many more!
20: Tom Hanks Reacts to Ricky Gervais’s “77th Annual Golden Globe Awards” (2020)
When Ricky Gervais hosts the Golden Globes, all of Hollywood is watching. The comedian is known for his daring jokes aimed at celebrities, often right in front of them. This was particularly true during his record fifth and likely final hosting in 2020. As Gervais delivered his opening monologue, cameras caught the reactions of various stars. Tom Hanks, in particular, seemed to struggle to hide his discomfort or disgust—a sentiment likely shared by many in the audience. Twitter quickly turned Hanks’s scrunched-up face into a meme, perfectly capturing the moment.
19: Winona Ryder Reacts at the SAG Awards “23rd Screen Actors Guild Awards” (2017)
When “Stranger Things” won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, all eyes were on David Harbour as he delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech about bullying and toxic culture. However, viewers at home were also captivated by his co-star Winona Ryder’s reactions. Her eye movements and hand gestures shifted from confusion to approval throughout the speech. It remains unclear whether she was responding directly to what Harbour was saying or, as one observer noted in The Verge, going through the stages of becoming an ally. Either way, this moment quickly became a meme-worthy highlight.
18: Woman Yells at Cat “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (2010-)
The journey from a TV segment to internet fame can be swift, but sometimes it takes almost a decade. In a 2011 episode of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” cast member Taylor Armstrong had an emotional breakdown during an argument, pointing at Kyle Richards as she tried to calm her down. The Daily Mail featured a still image from this moment in its episode review. Fast forward to 2019, when Twitter user @MISSINGEGIRL combined that image with a picture of a cat sitting in front of a plate of vegetables, originally posted on Tumblr the year before. This clever pairing led to the creation of a popular meme.
17: Lip Sync Battle with Emma Stone “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (2014-)
When Jimmy Fallon took over as host of “The Tonight Show,” he turned it into a hub for viral videos. Moments like Fallon and Justin Timberlake going all-out with hashtags or Daniel Radcliffe showing off his rapping skills grabbed everyone’s attention. However, Emma Stone’s enthusiastic lip-syncing truly stole the show. While her performance to Blues Traveler was entertaining, it was her over-the-top gestures and facial expressions during DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” that won everyone’s hearts. Once it was shareable online, it became a hit that many people loved watching together.
16: Tommy Wiseau Stands on Stage at the Golden Globes “75th Golden Globe Awards” (2018)
Unless it’s the Razzies, Tommy Wiseau is not someone you’d typically expect to see on an awards show stage. However, in 2018, the writer, director, and star of the famously bad film The Room appeared at the Golden Globes. James Franco, who won Best Actor for portraying Wiseau in The Disaster Artist, invited him on stage but quickly stopped him from speaking. This unusual moment went viral on Twitter, with many people wondering what Wiseau had intended to say. Later, he revealed that he planned to start with a line from “The Room” and then promote his film.
15: Net Neutrality “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (2014-)
John Oliver’s segments are crafted with online sharing in mind, and his 2020 discussion on police brutality is a perfect example. His shows frequently inspire viewers to take action, starting with a memorable plea from the first season of “Last Week Tonight” about saving Net Neutrality. After humorously explaining why it was crucial to protect the Internet, Oliver urged all his viewers—and even his critics—to contact the FCC and voice their opinions. This call to action sparked an overwhelming online response, temporarily crashing the FCC’s website due to the massive influx of traffic.
14: Best Cry Ever “Intervention” (2005-)
The A&E series Intervention follows individuals battling addiction, featuring interventions orchestrated by their loved ones. Still going strong, it kicked off its 21st season in mid-2020 and remains a standout in reality TV, showcasing raw moments of rock bottom and the unpredictable reactions that follow. One unforgettable scene features a grown man’s anguished cries, unlike anything audiences had witnessed before. Once the internet caught wind of this clip, it was swiftly remixed, creating a viral version that became truly extraordinary.
13: Lie Witness News – Coachella 2013 “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (2003-)
There’s something about the desire to appear knowledgeable that leads us to pretend we know things we don’t—and Jimmy Kimmel Live turned this into pure comedy. At Coachella, famous for its blend of amazing music and festival-goers eager to seem cool, the show sent an interviewer and camera crew to ask people about completely fake bands. One by one, these festival-goers confidently shared their opinions or claimed to know the “artists.” The outcome? A hilarious segment that perfectly highlights just how far people will go to fit in.
12: ‘Apparently’ This Kid Is Awesome, Steals the Show During Interview “WNEP-TV” (1953-)
When Newswatch 16’s Sofia Ojeda interviewed a young boy named Noah at the Wayne County Fair, no one could have predicted what would unfold—but we’re so glad it did! Instead of talking about the ride, Noah took the opportunity to express his excitement about being on live TV, repeatedly using the word “apparently” in his responses. His funny and endearing comments quickly turned him into an internet sensation, earning him a spot on The Ellen Show and, of course, a place on our list!
11: South Carolina Answers a Question “Miss Teen USA 2007” (2007)
Pageants have been a significant part of culture for years, but they’ve faced growing controversy in recent times. This shift is due to society’s evolving perspective, where women and girls are increasingly valued for their personalities and achievements rather than just their physical appearance. Some critics argue that these contests fail to highlight the most intelligent individuals. One moment in particular seemed to reinforce this viewpoint. When Miss South Carolina was asked about the state of education, her confusing and disorganized response quickly went viral, sparking a wave of memes and widespread discussions.
10: Coffee Cup “Game of Thrones” (2011-19)
Even though “Game of Thrones” was a defining force in pop culture during the 2010s, the most talked-about moment from its final season wasn’t a plot twist—it was a blunder. Rather than discussing the plastic water bottle that appeared in the finale, let’s focus on the infamous coffee cup spotted during the Winterfell banquet scene. Once eagle-eyed fans pointed it out, HBO acknowledged the mistake and edited it out, but the excitement didn’t end there. The cast had fun with it too, with Sophie Turner jokingly blaming Emilia Clarke, who then playfully shifted the blame to Conleth Hill.
9: Steve Harvey Announces the Wrong Winner of the “64th Miss Universe” (2015)
When Steve Harvey hosted the 2015 Miss Universe pageant, he made a mistake that would go down in history. Instead of naming Miss Colombia Ariadne Gutiérrez as the first runner-up and Miss Philippines Pia Wurzbach as the winner, Harvey mistakenly crowned Colombia as Miss Universe. Four minutes later, he returned to the stage to correct his error, but by then, the moment had already gone viral. The clip spread like wildfire, and Harvey quickly became a meme, with people joking about his wrong announcements in everything from sports to politics. While his career eventually bounced back, for a time, Steve Harvey was synonymous with this unforgettable blunder.
8: The Lonely Island’s Digital Short with Akon “Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
When Andy Samberg took the reins for digital shorts on Saturday Night Live, audiences were treated to some iconic sketches. With hilarious skits like “The Shooting” and unforgettable tunes like “Jack Sparrow,” “I’m on a Boat,” and “Jizz in My Pants,” he and his crew, The Lonely Island, showcased their comedic brilliance. One of their standout moments is the song “I Just Had Sex,” featuring Akon and DJ Frank E. The song humorously celebrates an awkward achievement while poking fun at ridiculously low standards and capturing the embarrassed reactions of their partners.
7: Kids Interrupt Live BBC World News Broadcast “BBC News” (1997-)
Working from home has its advantages and challenges, and when you’re live on TV, those challenges can lead to viral moments. In 2017, Professor Robert Kelly was giving a live interview on the BBC about South Korean politics when his children unexpectedly stole the show. First, his daughter Marion wandered into the room, followed by his son James, rolling in on a chair. Shortly after, Kelly’s wife, Jung-a Kim, rushed in to gather the kids. Though the family was initially embarrassed, the moment quickly went viral, turning them into internet celebrities. The BBC even invited them back for a proper family interview just days later.
6: The Lonely Island’s Debut with Justin Timberlake “Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
When we think of The Lonely Island’s most iconic songs, it’s hard not to recall their hit that centered around a very unconventional gift idea. Following the viral success of “Lazy Sunday,” their second SNL Digital Short, “Dick in a Box,” brought an edgy topic to national TV in an unexpectedly hilarious and catchy way. With Justin Timberlake joining the comedy trio, this holiday-themed track made waves with its humor and unforgettable three-step “gift-giving” guide. It’s undoubtedly a standout debut single that helped cement The Lonely Island’s reputation in comedy music.
5: Antoine Dodson “WAFF-48 News” (1954-)
This viral TV moment began with a serious situation: a break-in and attempted assault at the Lincoln Park housing project in Huntsville, Alabama. When local news interviewed Antoine Dodson, the victim’s brother who had chased off the intruder, his passionate response quickly caught the internet’s attention. The clip went viral, leading to numerous remixes, with “Bed Intruder” by The Gregory Brothers becoming particularly popular. Dodson used his newfound internet fame and earnings from the song to make a positive change, raising enough money to move his family to a safer neighborhood.
4: Kanye West Ruins Taylor Swift’s Night “26th MTV Video Music Awards” (2009)
Okay, I’m going to wrap up this list, but this moment from the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards is one of the biggest internet moments ever! When Kanye West unexpectedly stormed the stage during Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech for Best Female Video, he not only ruined her big moment but also got himself kicked out of the event. This incident also highlighted just how powerful Twitter had become in shaping culture. Even after the event, while MTV tried to move on, the conversation continued on Twitter, keeping it alive for days, weeks, and even years. This was a landmark moment for social media!
3: “Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That” “KFOR TV” (2012)
When Kimberly Wilkins, better known as Sweet Brown, was interviewed by KFOR-TV in Oklahoma, she quickly took the spotlight, shifting the focus away from the fire she was discussing. With her vibrant personality, she captivated everyone as she shared the details of her apartment building burning down. Her distinctive pronunciation of “bronchitis” and her unforgettable catchphrase turned the clip into a viral sensation, amassing millions of views and sparking countless remixes and autotuned versions. Now, that’s how you know you’ve truly made it online!
2: Baby Yoda Drinking Soup “The Mandalorian” (2019-)
The breakout star from the beloved Disney+ series The Mandalorian is undeniably Baby Yoda. Although many affectionately call him Baby Yoda, his official name is actually The Child. Social media played a major role in skyrocketing his popularity, turning him into a meme sensation—especially ones featuring him eating. One of the most cherished memes showcases Baby Yoda calmly sipping soup while watching a fight, possibly rivaling Kermit the Frog’s iconic tea-drinking moment!
Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable mentions:
Carpool Karaoke with Sir Paul McCartney, The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015-)
A legendary appearance in a segment designed to go viral.
Ellen Page Calls Out Hateful Leadership, “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (2015-)
An unexpected and powerful speech during an interview.
Bernie Sanders Slow Jams the News, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” (2014-)
A fun segment that went viral featuring Bernie Sanders.
Bill O’Reilly Freaks Out, “Inside Edition” (1989-)
A TV host’s off-air rant that went viral years later.
1: Susan Boyle Competes on a British Talent Competition “Britain’s Got Talent” (2007-)
We’ve all heard the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but few embody this better than Susan Boyle. When she took the stage on “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2009, her modest appearance led to some initial laughter from the audience. However, as soon as she began to sing, her extraordinary voice stunned everyone. Viewers, both in the crowd and at home, were completely blown away by her talent. Her performance not only captivated audiences but also challenged our tendency to make quick judgments.
Conclusion
These top 20 TV segments that broke the internet not only captured the attention of audiences but also left a lasting mark on pop culture and social media. From unexpected moments and viral blunders to heartfelt performances and comedic brilliance, each segment demonstrated the immense power of television to entertain and unite people. Whether they sparked laughter, surprise, or even controversy, these unforgettable moments remind us of the unpredictability and excitement of live TV. As we continue to navigate the constantly changing world of entertainment, it’s clear that these segments will be remembered for their ability to engage audiences and create shared experiences that resonate long after the show ends.
