By Rya Backer
If you didn't see Joaquin Phoenix on "Letterman" last night, chances are you've read about it — it clearly ranks with one of the late-night king's all-time most awkward interviews.
Whether or not Joaquin is really that despondent and detached — or just the most media-savvy man in showbiz — is open to debate, but that's not the point. At times like this, we can reflect on some of Letterman's interviews that have gone terribly wrong ...
Crispin Glover: This is everybody's go-to bizarre interview, and with good reason: Glover actually tries to kick Letterman in the face.
Courtney Love: Better off presented without comment, because it's too hard to find a single, stand-out moment (there are too many!).
Harmony-Korine: "Here's the pleasantly odd Harmony-Korine." Letterman went all disapproving-dad on the "Kids" writer ...
Madonna: They're kind of BFFs now, but not then! Madonna says some rather inappropriate things during the interview, and then Letterman and Madge get into a war of words over each others' hair.
Harvey Pekar: The man behind "American Splendor" pushed one too many of Letterman's buttons, and Letterman — in an uncharacteristic move — went a bit nuts.
Farrah Fawcett: One of those videos that makes you think, "Oh, that poor thing ..."
Drew Barrymore: Sometimes, surprises make for great live television — especially when said surprises find Letterman lost for words ...