Why Barbra Streisand Passed On Jimmy Kimmel Live: The Good Side Dilemma

Let’s be honest: Celebrities backing out of talk show appearances is nothing new. Sometimes it’s scheduling conflicts, other times it’s illness—or, as we’ve seen before, a host might say something that rubs them the wrong way. But when Barbra Streisand decided not to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live, it wasn’t for any of those reasons. Nope, it was all about catching her "good side." And let me tell you, that's a story worth diving into.

Here’s the deal: At 76 years old, Barbra Streisand has long been known for having preferences when it comes to which side of her face gets photographed or filmed. Now, Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show set just didn’t align with what Barbra—or her team—deemed acceptable. This little tidbit came to light during a chat between Jimmy (51) and Andy Cohen on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live back on January 21st. During their conversation, Andy (50) asked Jimmy if he’d ever had to rejigger his set to accommodate a guest’s demands, sharing that he himself had done so in the past.

When Guests Dictate the Set Design

Andy Cohen posed the question directly to Jimmy: “If a guest wants you to switch things around so the camera gets their best side, do you refuse? I’ve had to change seats for Mariah Carey four times!” Of course, in Andy’s world, it’s literally a matter of swapping seats. But Jimmy’s response was clear: “Yeah, I’ve had someone ask for that, and I said no.”

But here’s the kicker—when Andy guessed the request came from Barbra Streisand, Jimmy confirmed it. The condition for Barbra’s appearance wasn’t just about switching seats; it was about rearranging the entire set. Imagine this: Jimmy’s desk and chair would need to be on the opposite side of where they usually are, all to ensure Barbra’s good side was perfectly captured. And oh, by the way, no one was allowed to talk about it—not even the audience tuning in night after night.