Punks are the ideal guests for the raunchy world of daytime talk television. They dress outlandishly. They say crazy shit. And they're totally unapologetic. Furthermore, mosh pits lend themselves very well to quick-cuts when you're trying to make a point about how insane these people are.
Well, TV execs quickly figured out that punks equal ratings with mainstream first wavers the Sex Pistols. And ever since, there's been a never-ending stream of safety pins and dyed hair on shows like Springer, Montel Williams, and Judge Judy.
Sex Pistols vs. Bill Grundy (1976)
This is the original punk rock crashing of television. The Sex Pistols were Malcom McLaren's grand experiment in torturing the British public with its own taboos. And Grundy's hosting of the band that truly broke punk is top-shelf wankery. The broadcast is responsible for TV's "watershed" tradition of saving "adult content" for the later hours.
New York Hardcore vs. Phil Donahue (1986)
'80s hardcore was young, tribal, and maybe kinda sorta more than a little dumb. This clip features excellent cameos from NYHC legends like Cro-Mags' Harley Flanagan and Ray Cappo from Youth of Today.
The Ramones vs. Regis and Kathy (1988)
This otherworldly meeting between OG Bowery brats The Ramones and Regis Philbin and Kathy Lee Gifford is incredibly awkard-slash-goofy. Joey, Johnny, Marky, and Dee Dee look even weirder at 8 a.m.
G.G. Allin vs. Geraldo Rivera (1992)
G.G. Allin was an anti-art, anti-humanity goon. And this excerpt from his appearance on Geraldo is loaded with incredible one-liners from the sickest fuck that ever made a living defecating in public.
Sam McPheeters vs. Montel Williams (1993)
Sam McPheeters -- from Born Against, Men's Recovery Project, Wrangler Brutes, and now Vice Magazine -- sneaks in a quick zinger on The Montel Williams Show.
Marilyn Manson vs. Phil Donahue (1995)
This was an early television appearance for Manson, who would go on to develop quite the reputation as an articulate representative of his work.
Johnny Rotten vs. Judge Judy (1997)
John Lydon is in incredible bug-eyed, manic form in this televised broadcast of his suing an ex-drummer.
Gwar vs. Joan Rivers (1997)
Just in case The Ramones hanging out with Regis wasn't enough, how about Gwar getting down with Joan Rivers?
Justin Pearson (The Locust) vs. Jerry Springer (1999)
We're starting this Springer clip -- which was an excellent prank pulled off by a handful of late 90s screamo kids -- right when it gets good.
Teeth Mountain & Narwhalz of Sound vs. Judge Judy (2010)
Much like the last clip, this was another hoax put together by DIY weirdos. Only instead of West Coast screamo, we're talking East Coast noise rock.
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