“Let’s talk about me.
What do you think of my suit?”
Phil Donahue
BLOSSOM
Phil Donahue, the groundbreaking daytime talk show host of “The Phil Donahue Show,” has died. He was 88.
He died [08/18/2024] “peacefully after a long illness,” his family said in a statement shared with The Times. “Today” broke the news of the host’s death. Donahue was a contributor to the NBC morning show.
Donahue was known for bringing the audience into the talk-show format, engaging with them just as he did with the notable and eclectic list of guests on the show, including anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, musical star Dolly Parton and groundbreaking comedian Richard Pryor.
By Dawn Burkes
Los Angeles Times
From Wikipedia:
Phillip John Donahue (December 21, 1935 – August 18, 2024) was an American media personality, writer, film producer and the creator, and host of The Phil Donahue Show. The television program, later known simply as Donahue, was the first popular talk show to feature a format that included audience participation. The show had a twenty-nine–year run on national television that began in Dayton, Ohio, in 1967 and ended in New York City in 1996.
Donahue's shows often focused on issues that divide liberals and conservatives in the United States, such as abortion, consumer protection, civil rights and war issues. His most frequent guest was Ralph Nader, for whom Donahue campaigned in 2000. Donahue also briefly hosted a talk show on MSNBC from July 2002 to March 2003. Donahue was one of the most influential talk show hosts and was often referred to [as] the "king of daytime talk". Oprah Winfrey has said, "If it weren't for Phil Donahue, there would never have been an Oprah Show". In 1996, Donahue was ranked #42 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
Here is the tally of shows which gets Donahue into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame as a member of the League of Themselves:
DONAHUE
5863 episodes
O’Bservation:
There is one episode of ‘Donahue’ which I wanted to mention. In 1986, Donahue gathered four of the cast members from ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ – Andy Griffith, Don Knotts, Jim Nabors, and George Lindsey. (Their characters of Andy, Barney, Gomer, and Goober are all in the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.) They were there to look back on that series and to promote the upcoming TV reunion movie.
The reason I wanted to single it out was because earlier this year, Don Knotts was inducted into the TVXOHOF as a member of the League of Themselves. So I thought it might be nice to show the televersions of Donahue and Don Knotts together onscreen.
At any rate, here are the other shows which fleshed out Donahue’s telefictional persona….
CAPTAIN KANGAROO AND FRIENDS (1985)
SESAME STREET
Big Bird is determined to prove to the adults that Mr. Snuffleupagus is real.
L.A. LAW
SPLATOON (1991)
[Abigail Perkins is appearing on the ‘Donahue’ show. Back at the offices, Ann Kelsey, Arnie Becker, and Cara Jean “CJ” Lamb are watching her on TV.]
Phil Donahue:
I'd like you to meet Miss Abigail Perkins. Miss Perkins is an attorney with the firm here in Los Angeles, McKenzie Brackman Cheney Kuzak and Becker. Two years ago, Miss Perkins was attacked by a deranged client who had a lead pipe. You defended yourself using a hand gun, you shot the guy. And you killed him.
It should be said, however, that you did not have a carry permit, did you Miss Perkins?
Abby Perkins:
No, they are impossible to get. Responsible citizens are not allowed to carry firearms. Which means that if I had been attacked on the street instead of in my office, I would probably be dead.
Ann Kelsey:
I thought she wasn't going to do this.
Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb:
Something must have changed her mind.
Phil Donahue:
8,000 people are killed in this country every year with a handgun. Many of them are children, shot accidentally.
Abby Perkins:
That's appalling. So is selling guns to people with criminal records or a history of mental illness. I support gun registration, waiting periods, and background checks, but to say that no one....
Professor Henry Bennett:
Passing out pistols is contemptible.
Abby Perkins:
I'll tell you what's contemptible: our government cannot stop the drug wars. Our government cannot stop rising crime. Our government cannot stop the guns from getting to the gangs, and they want to pass laws to stop them from getting to you and me.
Professor Henry Bennett:
So you just arm everyone and become a society of violence?
Abby Perkins:
We already are a society of violence. All I'm saying is it's time to let the good people fight back.
Phil Donahue:
Lawyers who kill, and we'll be back in just a moment.
BLOSSOM
Nick is disturbed by Blossom's increasing interest in sex, while after sneaking off to a make-out party with Six and two boys, guilty Blossom dreams discussion-show host Phil Donahue has her in a segment on "Women Who Lie to Their Parents".
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL
Episode #1116 (1991)
WHO’S THE BOSS?
TONY MICELLI, THIS YOUR LIFE (1992)
After meeting a famous baseball player, Tony dreams about what could have been if he'd made it in the Majors.
ELLEN
ELLEN: A HOLLYWOOD TRIBUTE PART 2 (1998)
A parody of the career of Ellen DeGeneres, celebrating her 75 years in show business.
Donahue was a multi-dimensional. He had at least three incarnations in Skitlandia, and all in the same show. That’s the nature of a world inspired by sketch comedy.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE
Phil Donahue showed up several times over the course of the late night classic’s history. In the beginning, he resembled Joe Piscopo. Later, he and Phil Hartman could have been mistaken for brothers. And finally, Darrell Hammond assumed the mantle.
I'll find more, but here's a picture of Donahue with two other members of the TVXOHOF - Carrie Fisher and her Mom, Debbie Reynolds. (With them is Carrie's daughter, Billie Lourd.)
And another, with Johnny Carson....
Someday, I hope to find more pictures for this tribute.
Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Donahue.
“Let’s talk about me.
What do you think of my suit?”
Phil Donahue
BLOSSOM
Whaddya know? A TV rerun!
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