Talk Shows


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

Tabs

About

Talk Shows describe series featuring a host/hostess who interacts with one or more guests on which the focus is conversation. For late-night talk shows see Late Night.

Highlights
Phil Donahue on guests on his talk show Donahue
28:30
Vicki Lawrence on what she learned about being a good talk show host on Vicki! and from Carol Burnett
03:35
Regis Philbin on hosting his own talk show, which led to being hired as "second banana" on Joey Bishop's talk show
05:11
Michael Gelman on being on camera on Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and Live with Regis and Kelly
04:07
Dick Cavett on his first morning talk show, evening show, and PBS talk show, all called The Dick Cavett Show
56:03
Stephanie Edwards on hosting the ill-fated A.M. America in New York
17:18
Who talked about this genre

Steve Allen

View Interview
Steve Allen on the early days of The Steve Allen Show
06:58
Steve Allen on hosting the second Steve Allen Show, a late-night show on WNBT
05:37
Steve Allen on Pat Weaver deciding to bring The Steve Allen Show to network and re-titling it Tonight
01:33
Steve Allen on Tonight Show producer Bill Harbach; on the impact of the show; on booking talent and memorable guests
16:17
Steve Allen on the openings, stunts and skits on The Tonight Show
09:00
Steve Allen on The Tonight Show regulars - Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence, and Eydie Gorme
02:45
Steve Allen on musical guests, sketches, audience interviews, and tough issues on The Tonight Show
28:30
Steve Allen on shooting outside the studio for The Tonight Show, and on censorship and the Blacklist
13:10
Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show (prime-time version) moving to ABC in 1961 as the short-lived New Steve Allen Show
03:33
Steve Allen on the sketches and the crew of the syndicated Steve Allen Westinghouse Show
18:23

Charlie Andrews

View Interview
Charlie Andrews on co-creating and writing for Garroway at Large
18:15
Charlie Andrews on co-creating and writing Garroway at Large (Part 2)
29:35
Charlie Andrews on co-creating and writing Garroway at Large
09:03
Charlie Andrews on writing for Today
22:04

Frances Buss Buch

View Interview
Frances Buss Buch on directing Mike and Buff
02:23
Frances Buss Buch on directing The Stork Club
01:26

Vince Calandra

View Interview
Vince Calandra on consulting as a talent executive for John Davidson's, Alan Thicke's, Joan Rivers', Vicki Lawrence's, and Pat Sajak's talk shows
27:51

Robert Caminiti

View Interview
Robert Caminiti on assistant directing on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder
15:15

Charles Cappleman

View Interview
Charles Cappleman on working on Edward R. Murrow's Person to Person
03:55

Dick Cavett

View Interview
Dick Cavett on writing for Johnny Carson for the Emmys
02:45
Dick Cavett on his first morning talk show, evening show, and PBS talk show, all called The Dick Cavett Show
56:03
Dick Cavett on advice to aspiring talk show hosts
01:41

Esme Chandlee

View Interview
Esme Chandlee on working in production on the TV show, Here's Hollywood
01:46

RuPaul Charles

View Interview
RuPaul Charles on appearing on The Arsenio Hall Show, and on losing his mother
03:35
RuPaul Charles on hosting The RuPaul Show on VH1
06:44

Margaret Cho

View Interview
Margaret Cho on reuniting with Jerry Seinfeld on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
02:46

Roy Clark

View Interview
Roy Clark on being a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson while Jimmy Dean was guest-hosting
03:29
Roy Clark on guest hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and on deciding what to play on shows
03:02
Roy Clark on guest-hosting The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
15:25

Robert Clary

View Interview
Robert Clary on appearing on The Merv Griffin Show, and on his personal friendship with Griffin
01:50

Nick Clooney

View Interview
Nick Clooney on production and audiences of his local television talk shows
04:12

Bill Dana with Emerson College

View Interview
Bill Dana on writing and performing on The Steve Allen Show
20:01

Hugh Hefner with Emerson College

View Interview
Hugh Hefner on his syndicated show Playboy's Penthouse
19:14

Charles Grodin with Emerson College

View Interview
Charles Grodin on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman
05:30
Charles Grodin on changing his public persona when he hosted The Charles Grodin Show on CNBC
02:26

Andy Rooney with Emerson College

View Interview
Andy Rooney on writing for television shows, including Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and The Garry Moore Show
01:52

Jackie Mason with Emerson College

View Interview
Jackie Mason on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
01:06

Lewis Black with Emerson College

View Interview
Lewis Black on The Steve Allen Show's influence, and on Henry Morgan
03:02

"Weird Al" Yankovic with Emerson College

View Interview
"Weird Al" Yankovic on his first national television appearance on Tomorrow, with Tom Snyder
00:56

Chuck McCann with Emerson College

View Interview
Chuck McCann on working with Steve Allen on The Steve Allen Show
04:50

Dick Cavett with Emerson College

View Interview
Dick Cavett on how TV show hosts balance public and private lives
03:05

John Conte

View Interview
John Conte on hosting Town Talk on his television station in Palm Springs
02:02

Fred de Cordova

View Interview
Fred de Cordova on producing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
05:51
Fred de Cordova on producing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (Part 2)
28:43
Fred de Cordova on producing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (Part 3)
22:38

Bob Costas

View Interview
Bob Costas on filling in for Larry King on Larry King Live
00:49

Billy Crystal

View Interview
Billy Crystal on his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
08:43

Bill Daily

View Interview
Bill Daily on writing for The Mike Douglas Show
03:18

Tony Danza

View Interview
Tony Danza on hosting The Tony Danza Show
03:21

Ossie Davis

View Interview
Ossie Davis on the creative freedom he and Ruby Dee had on their series With Ossie & Ruby
01:49

Elias Davis

View Interview
Elias Davis and David Pollock on writing for The Joey Bishop Show
17:07
Elias Davis and David Pollock on writing for The Pat Boone Show
04:17
Elias Davis and David Pollock on writing for and showrunning The Steve Allen Show
17:54

James Day

View Interview
James Day on moderating the series Kaleidoscope
09:51

Joe DeTullio

View Interview
Joe DeTullio on working on the set for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and for various Broadway shows
06:57

Milton Delugg

View Interview
Milton Delugg on working with Abe Burrows and others when he transitioned to television
04:56
Milton Delugg on being hired as conductor (replacing Skitch Henderson) on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, on working with the band, on working with musical guests, and on being on-camera on the show
09:46
Milton Delugg on the 1974 revival of the game show Treasure Hunt
01:07

Phil Donahue

View Interview
Phil Donahue on his television talk show, Donahue
13:43
Phil Donahue on the early years of Donahue
30:35
Phil Donahue on Donahue
29:58
Phil Donahue on Donahue
28:54
Phil Donahue on Donahue
28:30
Phil Donahue on Donahue and Pozner & Donahue
28:25
Phil Donahue on ending Donahue
13:07

Mike Douglas

View Interview
Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show
11:14
Mike Doulgas on the concept of, co-hosts, and guests on The Mike Douglas Show
28:52
Mike Douglas on memorable guests, the audience, and a typical day on The Mike Douglas Show
28:17
Mike Douglas on hosting The Mike Douglas Show
28:39
Mike Douglas on memorable guests on The Mike Douglas Show
28:07
Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and The Mike Douglas Show sets
01:44

Hugh Downs

View Interview
Hugh Downs on why he was drawn to hosting Today
03:17
Hugh Downs on his preparation for hosting Today; on memorable interviews on the show and leaving the program in 1971
18:03

Roger Ebert

View Interview
Roger Ebert on differences of opinions with Gene Siskel on certain movies; on how they affected the fate of films
04:29
Roger Ebert on discussing colorization and a black and white episode of Siskel & Ebert & the Movies
02:46
Roger Ebert on casting a new critic (Richard Roeper) for the television show to replace Gene Siskel; on working with Roeper
09:02

Stephanie Edwards

View Interview
Stephanie Edwards on hosting the ill-fated A.M. America in New York
17:18
Stephanie Edwards on Everyday
09:29

Pat Harrington, Jr. with Emerson College

View Interview
Pat Harrington, Jr. on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
17:08
Pat Harrington, Jr. on getting into show business with help from Jonathan Winters, and on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
07:19

Ed Begley, Jr. with Emerson College

View Interview
Ed Begley, Jr. on guest-starring on Maude, and on The Steve Allen Show being his favorite show
01:18

Richard Frank

View Interview
Richard Frank on developing Live with Regis and Kathie Lee
02:52

Pamela Fryman

View Interview
Pamela Fryman on working on The Mike Douglas Show and The John Davidson Show
08:41

Michael Gelman

View Interview
Michael Gelman on working with Regis Philbin on The Morning Show
03:03
Michael Gelman on producing Live with Regis and Kathie Lee and Live with Regis and Kelly
27:53

Frank Gifford

View Interview
Frank Gifford on meeting his wife Kathie Lee Gifford on Good Morning America
04:52

Whoopi Goldberg

View Interview
Whoopi Goldberg on how Barbara Walters revived her career after Whoopi was canceled -- by asking her to co-host The View, and on contemplating leaving The View
07:15

Lewis Gomavitz

View Interview
Lewis Gomavitz on acting as prop master on The Toni Tennille Show, and on his retirement
02:53
Lewis Gomavitz on acting as prop master for Dinah!
06:44

Hal Gurnee

View Interview
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar
39:44
Hal Gurnee on directing Tonight Starring Jack Paar and The Jack Paar Program
42:37
Hal Gurnee on directing The David Frost Show
13:39
Hal Gurnee on directing The David Letterman Show
21:26
Hal Gurnee on directing Late Night with David Letterman
43:22

Dwight Hemion

View Interview
Dwight Hemion on directing early live boxing telecasts and on how he came to direct The Steve Allen Show and Tonight
02:53

Florence Henderson

View Interview
Florence Henderson on being a "Today Girl" on Today
08:36
Florence Henderson on becoming a regular guest and a guest host on The Tonight Show aka The Jack Paar Show
15:10

Skitch Henderson

View Interview
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on being musical director for Steve Allen's Tonight
18:45
Lyle "Skich" Henderson on acting as music director on Steve Allen's Tonight and on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
25:35
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on Steve Allen's man on the street segments on Tonight
03:38
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on The Mike Douglas Show
00:57
Lyle "Skitch" Henderson on The Merv Griffin Show
01:11

Marilu Henner

View Interview
Marilu Henner on hosting her own talk show, Marilu
01:54

Martin Hoade

View Interview
Martin Hoade on working on The Bob Considine Show and It Happened Today
03:34

Michael King

View Interview
Michael King on King World producing the show Soap World
06:25
Michael King on King World acquiring The Oprah Winfrey Show
09:17

Don Roy King

View Interview
Don Roy King on directing The Mike Douglas Show
17:40

Larry King

View Interview
Larry King on his advice to anyone who wants to become an interviewer "you never learn a thing when you're talking"; on being interviewed
01:24

Lynwood King

View Interview
Lynwood King on directing Tonight! America After Dark
06:46
Lynwood King on filling in as director for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
08:47

Roger King

View Interview
Roger King on distributing and selling The Oprah Winfrey Show
08:46
Roger King on creating and distributing The Roseanne Show, starring Roseanne, and on how King World dealt with failure
04:58
Roger King on creating and distributing Dr. Phil, featuring Dr. Phil McGraw
01:32
Roger King on working with Phil McGraw on Dr. Phil, and on the launch of the show
01:09

Arnie Kogen

View Interview
Arnie Kogen on being hired to write for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
04:40
Arnie Kogen on writing for Thicke of the Night
02:35

Bernie Kopell

View Interview
Bernie Kopell on appearing on The Steve Allen Show
10:37

Mort Lachman

View Interview
Mort Lachman on working on This is Your Life; with Roy Rogers as a guest and on writing a spoof of the series for Bob Hope
02:12

Peter Lassally

View Interview
Peter Lassally on producing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (Part 1)
45:10
Peter Lassally on producing The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (Part 2)
22:33
Peter Lassally on producing The Late Show with David Letterman
17:35
Peter Lassally on producing The Late Late Show
22:18

Vicki Lawrence

View Interview
Vicki Lawrence on the key to a sucessfull talk show: letting the host be themselves
05:18
Vicki Lawrence on what she learned about being a good talk show host on Vicki! and from Carol Burnett
03:35

Eugene Lee

View Interview
Eugene Lee on his work designing for talk shows: Ricki Lake, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night with Seth Meyers
19:17

Art Linkletter

View Interview
Art Linkletter on Art Linkletter's House Party
15:36
Art Linkletter on People Are Funny
10:35
Art Linkletter on being one of the interim hosts of The Tonight Show in 1962 between Jack Paar's departure and Johnny Carson's arrival, and on working with Steve Allen
02:52

James Lipton

View Interview
James Lipton on creating and hosting Inside the Actors Studio
17:19

Stewart MacGregory

View Interview
Stewart MacGregory on being unit manager on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar
01:24
Stewart MacGregory on working with Jack Paar on The Jack Paar Program
06:55
Stewart MacGregory on the infamous "water closet incident" from The Tonight Show with Jack Paar
04:31

Barry Manilow

View Interview
Barry Manilow on appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
01:31

Ed McMahon

View Interview
Ed McMahon on Edward R. Murrow's Person to Person, and on a favorite Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson sketch of his, which spawned a running joke
04:12
Ed McMahon on being the announcer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
18:46
Ed McMahon on being announcer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
27:54
Ed McMahon on being the announcer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
28:04
Ed McMahon on being the announcer for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
28:20
Ed McMahon on announcing for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
20:32

Jayne Meadows

View Interview
Jayne Meadows on acting in and writing for Meeting of Minds
17:54

Nolan Miller

View Interview
Nolan Miller on designing for Gloria Swanson guest-starring on Burke's Law and on The Steve Allen Show
04:48

Bernie Orenstein

View Interview
Bernie Orenstein on writing the pilot for The Pat Boone Show with Saul Turteltaub
01:30

Daniel Petrie, Sr.

View Interview
Daniel Petrie, Sr. on directing Studs' Place
05:04

Regis Philbin

View Interview
Regis Philbin on hosting his own talk show, which led to being hired as "second banana" on Joey Bishop's talk show
05:11
Regis Philbin on the importance of his elongated show opening segments
01:28
Regis Philbin on the benefits of not booking his own guests
00:47

David Pollock

View Interview
Elias Davis and David Pollock on writing for The Joey Bishop Show
17:07
Elias Davis and David Pollock on writing for The Pat Boone Show
04:17
Elias Davis and David Pollock on writing for and showrunning The Steve Allen Show
17:54

Tom Poston

View Interview
Tom Poston on being a regular player on The Steve Allen Show
14:50

Maury Povich

View Interview
Maury Povich on criticisms of his talk show Maury
01:49
Maury Povich on his talk show, Maury
13:24

Jeff Probst

View Interview
Jeff Probst on hosting The Jeff Probst Show
11:22

Ward Quaal

View Interview
Ward Quaal on talk shows and programming for women at WGN and programming for minorities
03:53

Tony Randall

View Interview
Tony Randall on creating the National Actors Theater, and on making cameos on Late Show with David Letterman
02:38

Sally Jessy Raphael

View Interview
Sally Jessy Raphael on her talk show Sally aka The Sally Jessy Raphael Show
01:05:15

Keith Raywood

View Interview
Keith Raywood on production designing for Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
12:03

Fred Rogers

View Interview
Fred Rogers on imitations of him on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and by Eddie Murphy on Saturday Night Live
03:24

Howard Rosenberg

View Interview
Howard Rosenberg on daytime talk shows
02:34

John Shaffner

View Interview
John Shaffner on designing the set for The Tonight Show Starring Conan O'Brien
09:57
John Shaffner on designing the set for Ellen DeGeneres' talk show
07:01

James Sheldon

View Interview
James Sheldon on directing the radio show "We, The People," which was then simulcast on television and radio and became a regular television show
04:06
James Sheldon on the challenge of making We, The People  visual, since it had started as a radio show
02:18
James Sheldon on the first time he heard of the Blacklist: when he tried to hire Madeline Lee on We, The People
01:29

Cybill Shepherd

View Interview
Cybill Shepherd on hosting the syndicated talk show, Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
02:15

Ira Skutch

View Interview
Ira Skutch on directing The Swift Home Service Club
01:24

Jeremy Stevens

View Interview
Jeremy Stevens on his first writing job for television on The Skitch Henderson Show
12:00

Saul Turteltaub

View Interview
Saul Turteltaub on writing for various talk shows, including The Les Crane Show and The Merv Griffin Show
07:02
Saul Turteltaub on writing for The Pat Boone Show with Bernie Orenstein
01:49

Bruce Vilanch

View Interview
Bruce Vilanch on writing for Burt Reynolds' Conversation With
02:27
Bruce Vilanch on helping Bette Midler with her farewell appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
00:57

Jimmie Walker

View Interview
Jimmie Walker on being discovered and appearing on Jack Paar Tonite
06:35

Betty White

View Interview
Betty White on appearing on Tonight Starring Jack Paar
01:53

Larry Wilmore

View Interview
Larry Wilmore on writing for Into the Night
03:14

Jonathan Winters

View Interview
Jonathan Winters on the special quality Johnny Carson brought to The Tonight Show
04:39

Lauren Zalaznick

View Interview
Lauren Zalaznick on developing The RuPaul Show
04:14
Lauren Zalaznick on Watch What Happens Live with host Andy Cohen
07:37

Alan Zweibel

View Interview
Alan Zweibel on learning to write jokes by watching shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Dick Cavett Show
03:52