Chelsea Handler banned this controversial actor from her late-night show

Chelsea Handler has spent 25 years in the entertainment industry, meaning she's crossed paths with countless celebrities. But one actor in particular so annoyed Handler that she banned him from her talk show.

A major aspect of Handler's appeal during her run on Chelsea Lately and Netflix's Chelsea was her ability to talk to anyone. The comedian had no problem discussing any topic and could put her guests at ease.

However, actor and comedian Russell Brand pushed Handler to her limits and seemingly broke the late-night host's goodwill. Brand visited Handler three times during the seven seasons Chelsea Lately aired on E!. But Handler made sure there was never going to be a fourth time.

Handler described Brand as a "pain in the a**" in an interview with Grazia magazine (via Her). "I would never want him back," Handler said. "He stopped all of our production schedules because he needed three espressos before he could even come on for his interview."

The interviews between Handler and Brand were typical of Handler's style. There were insults traded back and forth, but the comedian typically does that as a sign she likes her guest. Yet knowing that Brand slowed up production and annoyed Handler, it's hard to imagine it was just friendly banter between the two.

Since Handler ended her late-night TV and talk show programs, the two stars have gone their separate ways in the genre. Handler stepped in as a guest host on The Daily Show in 2023.

Meanwhile, Brand has seen his late-night TV options limited. That's party due to his various controversies and legal entanglements. He's been seen on Gutfeld! and Real Time with Bill Maher over the past couple of years. Prior to that, he appeared on Conan and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2021.