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Mike Douglas

Host

"The main thing I was there for was to talk to the guests, make it interesting, and draw whatever you could out of them. Never top them, never belittle them, never say, 'you've been into something, you're not right today.'  No put downs. It worked for me and it'll work for you."

About This Interview

Mike Douglas (1925-2006) was interviewed for three hours in Beverly Hills, CA.  Douglas talks about his start in television as the host of the local Chicago series Hi Ladies and discusses his career as a singer and a voiceover artist (he provided the singing voice for Prince Charming in the Disney classic, Cinderella.)  He recounts his numerous appearances on television, including work as a regular of Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge and speaks in great detail about his long-running stint as the host of The Mike Douglas Show .  He describes moving the show from Ohio to Pennsylvania and finally to California and how each locale affected the program.  Douglas details his "casting" by producer Woody Fraser, the rigorous production schedule, and notable guests including Aretha Franklin, Judy Garland, John Lennon and a 2-year-old golf prodigy named Tiger Woods.  The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on March 31, 2005.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-1978)
  • Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
  • Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge
  • Mike Douglas Show, The
  • Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

People

  • Lucille Ball
  • Milton Berle
  • Carol Burnett
  • Tim Conway
  • Walter Cronkite
  • Fred De Cordova
  • Phil Donahue
  • Bob Hope
  • Frank Sinatra
  • Dick Smothers
  • Tom Smothers
  • Mary Tyler Moore
  • Barbara Walters

Topics

  • Censorship / Standards & Practices
  • Characters & Catchphrases
  • Civil Rights Movement (c. 1960s)
  • JFK Assassination and Funeral
  • Minorities
  • Nixon

Professions

  • Hosts

Featured Content

DVD: Mike Douglas - Moments & Memories

Mike Douglas DVD

YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres
  • Professions

Highlights

  • Mike Douglas on various guests on his showMike Douglas on various guests on his show
    Clip begins at: 00:05
  • JFK Assassination and Funeral JFK Assassination and Funeral
    Clip begins at: 00:00, Duration: 05m 22s
  • Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and other trademarks associated with his showMike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and other trademarks associated with his show
    Clip begins at: 00:06
  • Mike Douglas on his guest appearance on<i> The Carol Burnett Show</i>Mike Douglas on his guest appearance on The Carol Burnett Show
    Clip begins at: 00:02

Interview

  • Part 1
  • On his early years growing up in Chicago; Kay Kyser giving him his stage name; his childhood; and some of his early professional work
    Clip begins at: 0:107
  • On his first professional singing jobs on Chicago radio; being hired to host what became The Mike Douglas Show out of Cleveland; working with Woody Fraser and Roger Ailes
    Clip begins at: 18:41
  • Part 2
  • On the concept of The Mike Douglas Show
    Clip begins at: 0:24
  • On co-hosts and guest stars on The Mike Douglas Show
    Clip begins at: 14:12
  • Part 3
  • On The Mike Douglas Show
    Clip begins at: 0:23
  • On The Mike Douglas Show moving to Philadelphia; on memorable interviews
    Clip begins at: 13:34
  • On the audience of and typical preparation for The Mike Douglas Show
    Clip begins at: 19:00
  • On a typical day on The Mike Douglas Show
    Clip begins at: 25:00
  • Part 4
  • On a typical day on The Mike Douglas Show (continued) and memorable guests
    Clip begins at: 0:22
  • On the musical segments and house band of The Mike Douglas Show
    Clip begins at: 14:06
  • On moving The Mike Douglas Show to California and memorable guests
    Clip begins at: 18:49
  • Part 5
  • On The Mike Douglas Show guests including: Jack Benny, Bill Cosby, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Chuck Berry, The Smothers Brothers, Phil Donahue, David Letterman, Walter Cronkite, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and seven U.S. Presidents
    Clip begins at: 0:18
  • On the one guest he couldn't get (Frank Sinatra)
    Clip begins at: 26:43
  • Part 6
  • On The Mike Douglas Show sets and catchphrase; on his favorite moments
    Clip begins at: 0:23
  • On going off the air in 1982; on Tiger Woods' childhood appearance on The Mike Douglas Show
    Clip begins at: 04:54
  • On his earlier television work including KTLA
    Clip begins at: 13:49
  • On voicing "Prince Charming" in the Disney feature film Cinderella; on Walt Disney's legacy
    Clip begins at: 23:24
  • On his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1968
    Clip begins at: 26:53
  • Part 7
  • On appearing on The Carol Burnett Show (airdate: January 1, 1968) NOTE: He did not appear on the premiere telecast in 1967; on Carol Burnett; on Tim Conway
    Clip begins at: 0:17
  • On his current projects
    Clip begins at: 07:10
  • On getting recognized; on advice to aspiring hosts
    Clip begins at: 08:38
  • On his family; on how he'd like to be remembered
    Clip begins at: 17:11

Shows

  • Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-1978)
    • Make Douglas appearing on The Carol Burnett Show (airdate: January 1, 1968) NOTE: He did not appear on the premiere telecast in 1967
      Clip begins at: 00:17, Duration: 05m 28s
  • Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town
    • Mike Douglas on his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show (airdate: May 26, 1968)
      Clip begins at: 26:53, Duration: 02m 43s
  • Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge
    • Mike Douglas on how he got his name
      Clip begins at: 01:47, Duration: 02m 43s
  • Mike Douglas Show, The
    • Mike Douglas on the origin of The Mike Douglas Show; Sammy Davis Jr.'s appearance; and working with Woody Fraser and Roger Ailes
      Clip begins at: 18:41, Duration: 12m 20s
    • Mike Doulgas on how The Mike Douglas Show got its start
      Clip begins at: 03:47, Duration: 25m 29s
    • Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 00:23, Duration: 28m 20s
    • Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 00:22, Duration: 28m 43s
    • Mike Douglas on various guests on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 00:18, Duration: 28m 08s
    • Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and The Mike Douglas Show sets
      Clip begins at: 00:15, Duration: 01m 52s
    • Mike Douglas on his favorite moments from The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 02:07, Duration: 01m 46s
  • Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The
    • Mike Douglas on guests doing his show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
      Clip begins at: 22:23, Duration: 01m 16s

People

  • Ann-Margaret
    • Mike Douglas on how Ann-Margret would want to do his shows before others because she knew Douglas would be nice to her
      Clip begins at: 14:40, Duration: 00m 54s
  • Roger Ailes
    • Mike Douglas on working with producers Woody Fraser and Roger Ailes on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 28:21, Duration: 01m 23s
    • Mike Douglas on Roger Ailes' political aspirations while working on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 29:44, Duration: 01m 17s
    • Mike Doulgas on how Roger Ailes helped Richard Nixon with his television image
      Clip begins at: 00:24, Duration: 03m 24s
  • Don Ameche
    • Mike Douglas on co-hosting The Mike Douglas Show with Don Ameche
      Clip begins at: 25:05, Duration: 01m 18s
  • Morey Amsterdam
    • Mike Doulgas on the story Zsa Zsa Gabor told on The Mike Douglas Show that turned it from a live to taped program
      Clip begins at: 15:50, Duration: 01m 31s
  • Paul Anka
    • Mike Douglas on booking Paul Anka as co-host for The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 26:36, Duration: 00m 59s
  • Fred Astaire
    • Mike Douglas on having Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 25:35, Duration: 03m 30s
  • Lyndon B. Johnson
    • Mike Douglas on President Lyndon B. Johnson
      Clip begins at: 21:58, Duration: 04m 23s
  • Lucille Ball
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Lucille Ball
      Clip begins at: 21:28, Duration: 04m 07s
    • Mike Douglas on Lucille Ball and Mary Tyler Moore
      Clip begins at: 04:01, Duration: 02m 03s
  • Jack Benny
    • Mike Douglas on comedian Jack Benny
      Clip begins at: 00:18, Duration: 03m 07s
  • Milton Berle
    • Mike Doulgas on Milton Berle and Richard Pryor appearing together on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 20:31, Duration: 01m 01s
  • Chuck Berry
    • Mike Douglas on John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Chuck Berry
      Clip begins at: 09:56, Duration: 01m 21s
  • Carol Burnett
    • Make Douglas on appearing on The Carol Burnett Show
      Clip begins at: 00:17, Duration: 05m 28s
  • Joan Collins
    • Mike Douglas on demands Joan Collins made in order to be interviewed
      Clip begins at: 17:14, Duration: 01m 46s
  • Tim Conway
    • Make Douglas on Tim Conway
      Clip begins at: 05:45, Duration: 01m 25s
  • Bill Cosby
    • Mike Douglas on comedian Bill Cosby
      Clip begins at: 06:04, Duration: 02m 00s
  • Walter Cronkite
    • Mike Douglas on news anchor Walter Cronkite
      Clip begins at: 17:01, Duration: 01m 51s
  • Billy Crystal
    • Mike Douglas on discovering young comics Billy Crystal and Michael Keaton
      Clip begins at: 27:35, Duration: 01m 41s
  • Sammy Davis, Jr.
    • Mike Douglas on final say for booking guests
      Clip begins at: 12:10, Duration: 01m 24s
    • Mike Douglas on Sammy Davis, Jr.'s appearance on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 22:52, Duration: 02m 13s
  • Fred De Cordova
    • Mike Douglas on The Tonight Show producer Fred De Cordova
      Clip begins at: 16:18, Duration: 00m 43s
  • Walt Disney
    • Mike Douglas on voicing "Prince Charming" in the Disney feature film Cinderella; on Walt Disney's legacy
      Clip begins at: 23:24, Duration: 03m 09s
  • Phil Donahue
    • Mike Douglas on talk show host Phil Donahue
      Clip begins at: 13:56, Duration: 01m 19s
  • Joe E. Brown
    • Mike Doulgas on co-hosts for The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 14:31, Duration: 00m 43s
  • Robert F. Kennedy
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Robert F. Kennedy
      Clip begins at: 06:12, Duration: 00m 32s
  • Mia Farrow
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Mia Farrow
      Clip begins at: 16:13, Duration: 01m 01s
  • Ella Fitzgerald
    • Mike Douglas on "the mix"
      Clip begins at: 10:50, Duration: 01m 20s
  • Aretha Franklin
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Aretha Franklin
      Clip begins at: 10:42, Duration: 03m 24s
  • Woody Fraser
    • Mike Douglas on producer Woody Fraser
      Clip begins at: 06:44, Duration: 01m 08s
    • Mike Douglas on final say for booking guests
      Clip begins at: 12:10, Duration: 01m 24s
    • Mike Douglas on producer Woody Fraser's impact on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 25:00, Duration: 02m 07s
    • Mike Douglas on working with producers Woody Fraser and Roger Ailes on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 25:05, Duration: 04m 39s
  • Judy Garland
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Judy Garland
      Clip begins at: 05:35, Duration: 05m 07s
    • Mike Douglas on his favorite moments from The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 02:07, Duration: 01m 46s
  • Jackie Gleason
    • Mike Douglas on how Jackie Gleason didn't like to rehearse
      Clip begins at: 23:29, Duration: 02m 50s
  • Berry Gordy
    • Mike Douglas on booking African-American acts for The Mike Douglas Show and working with Motown founder Berry Gordy
      Clip begins at: 11:03, Duration: 01m 42s
  • Bob Hope
    • Mike Doulgas on how Ohio native Bob Hope helped promote The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 04:28, Duration: 01m 19s
  • Michael Keaton
    • Mike Douglas on discovering young comics Billy Crystal and Michael Keaton
      Clip begins at: 27:35, Duration: 01m 41s
  • Gene Kelly
    • Mike Douglas on having Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 25:35, Duration: 03m 30s
  • Rose Kennedy
    • Mike Douglas on having tea with Rose Kennedy before she appeared on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 27:07, Duration: 01m 36s
  • Kay Kyser
    • Mike Douglas on how he got his name
      Clip begins at: 01:47, Duration: 02m 43s
  • Peter Lawford
    • Mike Douglas on co-hosting the show MGM star Peter Lawford on the episode in which Judy Garland appeared
      Clip begins at: 07:27, Duration: 03m 15s
  • John Lennon
    • Mike Douglas on five shows with John Lennon and Yoko Ono
      Clip begins at: 08:04, Duration: 04m 19s
  • Jerry Lester
    • Mike Doulgas on co-hosts for The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 14:31, Duration: 00m 43s
  • David Letterman
    • Mike Douglas on late night talk show host David Letterman
      Clip begins at: 15:15, Duration: 01m 03s
  • Martin Luther King, Jr.
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Martin Luther King, Jr.
      Clip begins at: 18:52, Duration: 01m 28s
  • Richard M. Nixon
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Richard M. Nixon 
      Clip begins at: 15:34, Duration: 00m 39s
    • Mike Doulgas on how television hurt the Presidential candidacy of Richard Nixon
      Clip begins at: 00:58, Duration: 00m 24s
    • Mike Douglas on Roger Ailes' political aspirations while working on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 29:44, Duration: 01m 17s
  • Liza Minnelli
    • Mike Douglas on his favorite moments from The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 03:13, Duration: 00m 40s
  • Yoko Ono
    • Mike Douglas on five shows with John Lennon and Yoko Ono
      Clip begins at: 08:04, Duration: 04m 19s
  • Richard Pryor
    • Mike Doulgas on bleeping words on the episode of The Mike Douglas Show on which Richard Pryor appeared
      Clip begins at: 18:31, Duration: 03m 01s
  • Frank Sinatra
    • Mike Douglas on never having Frank Sinatra on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 26:43, Duration: 01m 43s
    • Mike Douglas on Frank Sinatra
      Clip begins at: 17:43, Duration: 05m 41s
  • Tom Smothers
    • Mike Douglas on The Smothers Brothers
      Clip begins at: 12:23, Duration: 01m 33s
  • Dick Smothers
    • Mike Douglas on The Smothers Brothers
      Clip begins at: 12:23, Duration: 01m 33s
  • Barbra Streisand
    • Mike Doulgas on a young Barbra Streisand performing on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 07:26, Duration: 05m 34s
  • Ed Sullivan
    • Mike Douglas on his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show (airdate: May 26, 1968)
      Clip begins at: 26:53, Duration: 02m 26s
  • Mary Tyler Moore
    • Mike Douglas on actress Mary Tyler Moore and Lucille Ball
      Clip begins at: 04:01, Duration: 02m 03s
  • Barbara Walters
    • Mike Douglas on watching Barbara Walters interview 
      Clip begins at: 07:52, Duration: 01m 03s
  • John Wayne
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing John Wayne
      Clip begins at: 23:15, Duration: 00m 28s
  • Oprah Winfrey
    • Mike Douglas on his opinion of Oprah Winfrey
      Clip begins at: 20:39, Duration: 01m 44s
  • Tiger Woods
    • Mike Douglas on introducing the world to Tiger Woods
      Clip begins at: 12:45, Duration: 01m 21s
    • Mike Douglas on Tiger Woods' appearance on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 10:31, Duration: 03m 18s
  • Malcolm X
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Malcom X two days before his assassination
      Clip begins at: 20:20, Duration: 01m 04s
  • Zsa Zsa Gabor
    • Mike Doulgas on the story Zsa Zsa Gabor told on The Mike Douglas Show that turned it from a live to taped program
      Clip begins at: 15:50, Duration: 01m 31s

Topics

  • Historic Events and Social Change > Civil Rights Movement (c. 1960s)
    • Mike Douglas on interviewing Martin Luther King, Jr. and the day he was assassinated
      Clip begins at: 18:52, Duration: 01m 28s
  • Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television > Minorities
    • Mike Douglas on booking African-American acts for The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 11:03, Duration: 03m 03s
  • Historic Events and Social Change > JFK Assassination and Funeral
    • Mike Douglas on the assassination of President Kennedy while he was on-air with The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 00:23, Duration: 04m 57s
  • Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
    • Mike Douglas on "the mix"
      Clip begins at: 10:50, Duration: 01m 20s
    • Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and The Mike Douglas Show "asterisk" sets
      Clip begins at: 00:23, Duration: 01m 44s
  • Television Industry > Censorship / Standards & Practices
    • Mike Doulgas on the CBS censor on the early days of The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 17:21, Duration: 01m 31s
  • Television and the Presidency > Nixon
    • Mike Doulgas on how television hurt the Presidential candidacy of Richard Nixon
      Clip begins at: 00:24, Duration: 00m 58s

Genres

  • Talk Shows
    • Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 18:41, Duration: 12m 20s
    • Mike Doulgas on the concept of, co-hosts, and guests on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 00:24, Duration: 28m 52s
    • Mike Douglas on memorable guests, the audience, and a typical day on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 00:23, Duration: 28m 20s
    • Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show music and guests
      Clip begins at: 00:22, Duration: 28m 43s
    • Mike Douglas on memorable guests on The Mike Douglas Show
      Clip begins at: 00:18, Duration: 28m 08s
    • Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and The Mike Douglas Show sets
      Clip begins at: 00:23, Duration: 01m 44s

Professions

  • Hosts > Host
    • Mike Douglas on advice to aspiring hosts
      Clip begins at: 10:02, Duration: 03m 01s
    • Mike Douglas on advice to aspiring hosts
      Clip begins at: 14:36, Duration: 00m 45s
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Submitted by Kevin S.Butler on Sat, 2011-11-19 22:25.

Kids tv hosts/performers:Paul Tripp,"Buffalo Bob"Smith,Paul Winchell,Jimmy Nelson,Soupy Sales,Chuck McCann,Dayton Allen and Shari Lewis were guests on Mr.Douglas' tv talk/variety show.

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