History• Like soap operas, talk shows
began as daytime radio programming for housewives.
• The formula was applied to television because itwas inexpensive for a young medium.
The 1950’s: public affairs shows• Meet The Press: first and longest
running TV talk show of all time (1947)– 1st moderator Martha Rountree, only
female moderator in show’s history
• Various imitators of panel discussion formula emerged
• Leave It To The Girls: panel of female celebrities and one male opinion (1949)
The 1950’s: morning shows
• Today (1952) integrates news and entertainment– Televisions longest running
daytime series and one of the most profitable TV shows in history
– The “Today Girl” added in 1953
– “Today Girl” becomes a full-fledged cast member in 1974
The 1960’s: more entertainment & women• 1963: Barbara Walters becomes a
regular “Today Girl”• Female-hosted shows increase
– Focus on celebrity interviews and the host personality rather than issues• Girl Talk (1963-1970)• Gypsy (1965) hosted by Gypsy Rose Lee• Pamela Mason Show / The Weaker (?) Sex
(1965 / 1968)
The 1970’s: serious issues• Helen Gurley Brown attempts to address
serious women’s issues with Outrageous Opinions in 1967
• The Phil Donahue Show (1967) popularizes the shift towards serious issues– Audience questions and phone calls on air– Seeks heated debates and controversial guests
• Phyllis Schafly (anti-ERA) and Eleanor Smeal (head of NOW)
The 1980’s: sensationalist competition
• Competitors copy Donahue’s style of sensationalism with political undertones.– Sally Jesse Raphael moves from radio to TV
(1985)– The Oprah Winfrey Show (syndicated
nationally in 1986)• Oprah becomes richest woman in America in the 1990’s and turns from sensationalism to therapy
The 1980’s: more variety• “Tabloid TV” debuts with Geraldo
in 1987– Geraldo boasts an “edge”, complete
with fistfights• Leave It To the Women (1981)
updates Leave It To The Girls• Live With Regis and Kathie Lee
(1989) returns to entertainment without sensationalism
The 1990’s: “exploitalk”• “Exploitalk”: aimed at 18-34
year olds, and focuses increasingly on human sexuality topics– 1991: Maury Povich,
Montel Williams, Jenny Jones– 1992: Jerry Springer– 1993: Leeza Gibbons,
Ricki Lake
The 1990’s: backlash against Trash TV
• Senator Joseph Lieberman and his associates convince many advertisers to withdraw sponsorship
• Jenny Jones murder trial • Many hosts decide to clean up their
acts• New shows lead the way back to
entertainment programming– Rosie O’Donnell (1996)– Barbara Walter’s The View (1997)
One-Host/ Moderator ~ Daytime
• Single topic• Regular
professional guests– e.g.) Psychic Sylvia
Brown on Montel Williams
• Affected By:– Phil Donahue-
audience participation and on-air phone calls
– Game shows• Queen for a Day-
charity• This is Your Life-
surprises and emotions
Panel Discussion ~ Daytime• People discuss aspects of lives or
current social issues• More dialogue• Different opinions sparks
interesting conversations
“Couch Shows” ~ Daytime• One host behind desk who
conducts interviews• Alternative to “trashy talk shows”• Coffee break companionship• Entertainment for those who work
nights– e.g.) The Rosie O’Donnell Show
One-Host ~ Nighttime• Talk shows move to night by 1954• People did not want to hear about
controversial issues while winding down for bed = comedy-oriented
• Late-night recipe:– Sidekick– Bandleader– Opening monologue– Guests
• e.g.) Late Night with Conan O’Brien, sidekick Andy (who recently left), bandleader Max.
Panel Discussion ~ Nighttime• Similar set up as daytime
– e.g.) Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher
• Night issues– comedy-oriented
News Talk Shows• Day
– News and entertainment value
– Typically Panel Discussion
– Relaxed setting• e.g.) Good Morning
America, living room set
• Night– Straight news, 2-4
topics in 1-hour program
– Typically One Host
• How different than regular news programs:– Human-interest
stories– Celebrity
interviews
The View• Premiered August 11, 1997 on
ABC• Hosted by 5 women, led by
Barbara Walters• Cover diverse topics• Mostly female audience
The Topics• Hot Topics• Celebrity Guest Interviews• Beauty/Health/Fashion Tips• ”Out of the Closet”• Special Segments• “Question of the Day”
“Loose and flip and they say things women aren’t supposed to say out loud, let alone on TV. They swoon over cute guys, complain about ex-husbands, react emotionally to events and people in the news and say unkind things about other women” ~ Joyce Millman
Guests
• Females:– Strong– Varying lives– Have messages for
female audience
• Males:– Funny– In touch with
feminine side