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Best Hot Ones Episodes
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Chris Whitehair
- Last Updated: August 15, 2025
My Favorite Top 10 Hot Ones Guests
I’ve written extensively about Hot Ones previously, starting with my Best Hot Ones Sauces list, which quite literally made my business profitable with all of the sales I’ve generated through it, to the list of Most Viewed Hot Ones Episodes, to the epic complete List of Hot Ones Hot Sauces that have appeared throughout the entire 27+ season run.
I can’t say that when the show first debuted, I was an avid watcher. However, after starting Flower City Flavor Company and getting involved in the hot sauce industry, I quickly made sure to catch the newest episode each week.
It took me a very long time to go back and ensure I’d seen every episode (including finding the Mario Batalli episode, which was removed from the official YouTube page).
There are many “Best Of” lists online, and my list and many of the others indeed overlap, but this is my honest take on the best Hot Ones episodes.
Best Hot Ones Episodes Ranking Criteria
I mainly evaluated four aspects:
1. Funny/Entertaining
The whole point of watching Hot Ones, or any TV show, is to be entertained. Was I entertained? Not all entertainment needs to be funny. Still, in the case of Hot Ones, I feel being funny is extremely important, as many of us, everyday people, want to see big-time stars suffer (playfully, of course!).
2. Sean’s Questions
Sean Evans is one of the best interviewers on all talk shows. Did Sean’s questions get the best out of the celebrity? Did the questions help move the episode forward in a way that led to the climax?
3. Guest Enthusiasm
Attitude is important. Did the guest seem to want to be there? Were they genuinely vibing with Sean? A talk show does work both ways, so there must be give and take.
4. Hot Sauce Reactions
Did guests have memorable reactions? How did they do with Da Bomb? Did they comment on the great flavors when they weren’t distracted by the heat?
A wide range of celebrities have appeared on the show. Many are outside of my particular interests; however, I tried my best to objectively judge each episode, even if I was unaware of who the guest was before watching or if I had any preconceived negative feelings about them.
With that all outlined, let’s look at my Top 10!
#10 - Idris Elba
Name of Episode: Idris Elba Wants to Fight While Eating Spicy Wings
Season: 9
Original Release Date: August 1, 2019
My list starts with Idris Elba’s episode at #10. His appearance is highlighted by his escalating intensity and increasing agitation, culminating in a hilarious moment where he dramatically questions Sean Evans, asking “Whose f***ing idea was this show?” and wondering if Sean’s cameraman, “Chris,” could fight. It’s a classic example of a guest reaching their limit and turning their frustration into humor as the spice takes its toll.
#9 - Lorde
Name of Episode: Lorde Drops the Mic While Eating Spicy Wings
Season: 15
Original Release Date: July 29, 2021
Coming in at #9, Lorde’s Hot Ones appearance is remarkable for her incredibly composed and almost unfazed reactions to the spice. Her remarkably calm demeanor throughout, nearly as if the spice wasn’t affecting her, deeply impressed me. She approaches the wings with a thoughtful, almost scientific curiosity, making for a unique and strangely captivating experience. Sean even commented on her “composure through this thing, it’s a sight to behold,” as she maintained her ability to articulate her thoughts and even offer critiques of the sauces despite the heat.
#8 - Dave Grohl
Name of Episode: Dave Grohl Makes a New Friend While Eating Spicy Wings
Season: 17
Original Release Date: February 24, 2022
Dave Grohl comes in at #8. It makes my list due to his pure excitement and genuine enjoyment of the sauces, making for a truly rock-and-roll interview. The Foo Fighters frontman fully commits to the spice-induced madness, descending into hilariously unhinged chaos that includes burping loudly, making bizarre confessions, referencing Narnia, and even sharing “Blacktooth Grin” shots with Sean Evans. “I’ve got a confession to make!”, as Grohl struggles, perfectly encapsulates his commitment to the show.
#7 - Halle Berry
Name of Episode: “Halle Berry Refuses to Lose to Spicy Wings
Season: 9
Original Release Date: June 6, 2019
Halle Berry comes in at the seventh spot. Her performance impressed me with her incredible resilience and stoicism, as she maintained her composure despite the intensifying heat. She powered through the hottest sauces with barely a flinch, showcasing her grace and articulation throughout, a true testament to her mental fortitude against the “wings of death.” She even managed to clean the wings perfectly to the bone, all while just keeping her smile through it.
#6 - Key & Peele
Name of Episode: Key & Peele Lose Their Minds Eating Spicy Wings
Season: 2
Original Release Date: April 28, 2016
This episode is a masterclass in comedic timing, as Key & Peele showcase their tag-team comedic genius as the spice takes hold. They bounce off each other perfectly, delivering increasingly absurd and hilarious reactions and improvisational humor that provides constant laughs as the tension builds. They often roasted Sean Evans and the premise of the show itself, with their echoed sentiment of “Whose f***ing idea was this show?” becoming a memorable highlight.
#5 - Jennifer Lawrence
Name of Episode: Jennifer Lawrence Sobs in Pain While Eating Spicy Wings
Season: 21
Original Release Date: June 22, 2023
Jennifer Lawrence lands at #5. What I found highly entertaining about J-Law’s episode is her dramatic and relatable struggle with the spice, culminating in tears and a now-famous, meme-worthy expression of pure agony. She goes from being somewhat skeptical to absolutely sobbing and repeatedly exclaiming, “What do you mean?!” in sheer disbelief and pain —a genuinely heartfelt and humorous reaction that many viewers can identify with.
#4 - Paul Rudd
Name of Episode: Paul Rudd Does a Historic Dab While Eating Spicy Wings
Season: 10
Original Release Date: October 17, 2019
I love me some Paul Rudd, and his Hot Ones appearance is iconic for his effortlessly charming demeanor and impressive composure throughout the challenge. His reactions were often understated, yet punctuated by moments of intense pain that were unexpected. His now-memorable “Hey, look at us. Who would’ve thought? Not me!” while struggling with The Last Dab perfectly encapsulates his cool-guy persona slowly crumbling and has since become a widely popular internet meme.
#3 - Shaq
Name of Episode: Shaq Tries to Not Make a Face While Eating Spicy Wings
Season: 8
Original Release Date: March 14, 2019
Shaquille O’Neal may not have been known for hitting 3’s while in the NBA, but he comes in at #3 on my list. His massive size, which made the wings and bottles look tiny in his hands, added to the visual comedy, but also for his continuous declaration that he wouldn’t make a “face,” immediately followed by him making the most exaggerated and comical faces imaginable. His surprisingly vulnerable reactions to the heat and memorable comments like “Snotty Pippin” further cemented the NBA legend’s episode as a true highlight.
#2 - Gordon Ramsay
Name of Episode: Gordon Ramsay Savagely Critiques Spicy Wings
Season: 8
Original Release Date: January 24, 2019
#2 is Gordon Ramsay, the famously fiery chef, met his match on Hot Ones, providing hilarious and expletive-laden critiques of the wings while desperately trying to cool down with various remedies. The sauce names themselves didn’t get spared either. “Hippy Dippy Green, what are they smoking when they come up with these names?”. Even as he struggled with the heat, he maintained his tough chef persona. He dissected the flavors (or lack thereof) with his signature expletive-laden wit, leading to memorable moments like “This is f***ing dishwater!”
#1 - Conan O'Brien
Name of Episode: Conan O’Brien Needs a Doctor While Eating Spicy Wings
Season: 23
Original Release Date: April 11, 2024
From the moment I heard Conan O’Brien would be an upcoming guest, it was a must-watch, and boy, he exceeded all expectations. His episode is legendary for its chaotic, unhinged reactions to the spice. Conan took things to the next level by arriving with his own “doctor” and dramatically drenching himself in hot sauce. He flawlessly fused his trademark self-deprecating wit with exaggerated theatrical agony, turning every grimace into a punchline. His performance included hilariously long-winded, absurd monologues, culminating in the now-legendary “Dab of the Decade” speech. The episode was so notable that it earned its own Wikipedia page. It’s a legendary installment, an instant classic that any future guest may never top.
Best Hot Ones Interviews: In Conclusion
It was a ton of fun revisiting the best of the best Hot Ones episodes.
While I could only compile a Top 10, otherwise this list would be much longer, some fantastic episodes just missed the cut, like Aubrey Plaza, Cardi B, Hugh Jackman & Ryan Reynolds, Mick Foley, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
There you have it—a spicy trip down memory lane, revisiting some of the most unforgettable moments from Hot Ones.
From the calm composure of Lorde to the wild antics of Dave Grohl, each guest brought their unique flavor to the challenge, proving that the heat can bring out the best (and most hilariously unrestrained) in anyone.
These episodes aren’t just about the spice; they’re a testament to genuine reactions, unexpected humor, and the sheer entertainment of watching celebrities face their delicious, fiery Waterloo.
Which Hot Ones moment still makes you sweat just thinking about it? Leave a comment below!
