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“I don't know too many people who would walk away from a mega hit like Cheers voluntarily,” Phil Donahue told Shelley Long in 1987.

Long heard that one a lot. In 1995, another interviewer approached the subject like this: “You’ve been in a lot of big hits, and you’ve been in some films that didn’t do as well.”

“Yeah, some flops,” Long laughed.

“Well, it seems like when the films that don’t do as well come out, there’s always some reviewer who says, ‘Oh, she shouldn’t have left Cheers,’ and they harp on that. Did that ever get you down? Were there moments when you regretted that decision at all?”

No regrets, replied Long. But there was something else that was getting her down. “I’ve been annoyed by the comments and the constant questions of ‘Do you regret? Do you ever regret? Do you blah blah blah?...

Media in the '80s was full of larger-than-life personalities, and TV was no exception. From high-concept action to star-driven crime solving and even confined comedies, bigger was usually better. Some of the best shows just kept growing, and a couple of the titles on this list of the best 1980s TV shows are still around (or at least have been revived very recently). Those that didn't last nonetheless made their mark on pop culture at large.

While not every show named below is an American show, they are all, to some degree, scripted. Even though the decade spawned many iconic talk shows and nonfiction programming, with hosts ranging from Phil Donahue to Robin Leach, those are best covered elsewhere. These are the stories that kept us coming back to their characters, actors, plots, and wild gimmicks, in a decade where money was seemingly no object, and TV tried to cater to every age group.

Mariska Hargitay has been playing Olivia Benson for years in Law & Order: Svu. The show brought some great things into Hargitay’s life, including the Joyful Heart Foundation. However, the best thing she found on the show was her future husband, Peter Hermann. In the third-season episode, Monogamy, Hermann appeared as defense attorney Trevor Langan for the first time.

It was the beginning of a relationship that would complete two successful decades of marriage. They began dating in 2002, after Hermann’s first appearance on Svu, and got married in 2004. However, the two years in between weren’t all magical for the couple, who were hit with some hard realizations.

Peter Hermann gave Mariska Hargitay heartbreak before the Law & Order: Svu stars got married Mariska Hargitay as Olivia Benson and Peter Hermann as Trevor Langan in Law & Order: Svu | Credits: NBC

When Peter Hermann finished filming his first Law & Order: Svu episode,...

When the great Leslie Nielsen made the media rounds in 1996, promoting his James Bond spoof, Spy Hard, everyone wanted to know one thing. Was he shocked when O.J. Simpson was arrested for murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and Ron Goldman, and did he think he was guilty? Ever the Canadian gent, Nielsen retired the ever-present fart machine he enjoyed using in interviews, and tried to give a thoughtful answer. Basically, he said that the Oj he knew on set from the three Naked Gun movies they did together never gave him an inkling that he would be capable of murder, although, to read between the lines of his answer, it was clear Nielsen likely had serious doubts as to his innocence.

Indeed, when The Naked Gun 33 1/3rd came out on March 18th 1994, no one who went to see it – and I was one of them – would have ever thought that three months later,...

Robert Richter, an independent filmmaker and producer whose credits include nearly 90 documentaries on a wide range of subjects, died at his home in New York City on February 16 following complications associated with heart failure. He was 95.

A three-time Academy Award nominee for best documentary short, Richter’s expanse of accolades included a 2008 National Emmy for “exceptional merit in nonfiction filmmaking” as executive producer on the HBO version of his documentary feature “The Last Atomic Bomb,” and three duPont Columbia Broadcast Journalism awards (TV’s Pulitzer Prize). Richter was the only independent producer to receive the United Nations Environment Programme’s Global 500 Award.

Born and raised in New York City, Richter’s decades-long career in filmmaking began at Occidental College in California with an experimental Telluride Association program, followed by a B.A. from Reed College in Oregon and an M.F.A. from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop.

While studying...

We lost some entertainment giants in 2024.

Among the big-screen legends who died during the past 12 months were Donald Sutherland, James Earl Jones, Maggie Smith, Carl Weathers, Shelley Duvall, Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr, Louis Gossett Jr., Anouk Aimée, Marisa Paredes and Gena Rowlands.

Related: Saying Goodbye: A Video Tribute To The Hollywood And Media Figures We’ve Lost In 2024

The TV world mourns the likes of Bob Newhart, John Amos, Phil Donahue, Linda Lavin, David Soul, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Martin Mull, Shannen Doherty, Michael Cole, Richard Lewis, Richard Simmons, James B. Sikking, Peter Marshall and Joe Flaherty.

Filmmakers and producers who left us include Norman Jewison, Roger Corman, Al Ruddy, Jon Landau, Lynda Obst, Jim Abrahams, Charles Shyer, Irv Wilson and Paolo Taviani.

The industry also paid tribute to such top executives as Charles Dolan, Paula Weinstein, Jamie Kellner, Richard Parsons, Gerald Levin and Paul Fox.

Broadway’s lights were a...

Previous | Image 1 of 17 | NextCindy Morgan of ‘Caddyshack,’ 1954-December 30, 2023 (3/23/12)

Chicago – As always, we lost a number of notable people in 2024. In his persistence and glory, photographer Joe Arce has spent his career not only taking Exclusive Portraits of every notable he runs across, but he also has collected an archive that reminds us again of the well-known personalities who passed away, 2024 In Memoriam.

Date of when photographed is in parenthesis. Click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through the slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos © Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com.

2024MEMORIAM1: Cindy Morgan of ‘Caddyshack,’ 1954-December 30, 2023 (3/23/12) 2024MEMORIAM2: Comedian Richard Lewis, 1936-February 27, 2024 (5/12/15) 2024MEMORIAM3: TV Actor Ron Harper, 1933-March 21, 2024, (9/10/16) 2024MEMORIAM4: Actor Louis Gossett Jr., 1947-March 29, 2023 (8/12/11) 2024MEMORIAM5: Comic Actor Martin Mull, 1943-June 27, 2024 (4/8/98) 2024MEMORIAM6: Comedian Bob Newhart, 1929-July 18, 2024 (6/15/13) 2024MEMORIAM7: TV Pundit Lou Dobbs, 1945-July 18, 2024 (6/14/11) 2024MEMORIAM8: TV Talk Show Host Phil Donahue,...

For over 60 years, the Presidential Medal of Freedom has been given out as the highest honor a civilian can get. Joining U.S. President Joe Biden’s list this year – his final in office – are some of our own favorite performers, including Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington.

The official White House website noted the philanthropic works of Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington – those in the fight against Parkinson’s and serving as a national spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, respectively – as key reasons for receiving the Medal of Freedom. Both have continued to fight the good fight for decades, so it is pretty amazing to see them recognized on this prestigious level. Notably, Denzel Washington was set to receive the Medal of Freedom in 2022 but could not attend due to contracting Covid-19.

Both Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington have made plenty of headlines as of late.

President Joe Biden is set to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals this Saturday in one of his final acts before leaving office. The prestigious award is the country’s highest civilian honor and is given to people who have made outstanding contributions to society in various fields such as public service, world peace, culture, and security.

Among those receiving the Medal of Freedom are well-known names from Hollywood, sports, business, and other fields.

Some of the biggest names include actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, as well as musician Bono. Fashion icons Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren will also be honored, along with basketball legend Magic Johnson, who co-owns the Los Angeles Lakers. Chef José Andrés, known for his humanitarian work and culinary skills, is another recipient.

Other notable honorees include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, famed conservationist Jane Goodall, and soccer star Lionel Messi.

President Joe Biden, in one of his last official duties before leaving office later this month, will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 people on Saturday, including a number of names familiar to Hollywood.

The Medal of Freedom is the country’s highest civilian honor and is presented to recipients “who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”

Biden will award the medals on Saturday at The White House.

Recipients include actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, the singer Bono, fashion icons Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren, Lakers co-owner and NBA legend Magic Johnson, chef José Andrés, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, conservationist Jane Goodall, soccer star Lionel Messi, science communicator Bill Nye and financier George Soros.

Other honorees include AFI founder George Stevens Jr., investor David Rubenstein, entrepreneur Tim Gill,...

The land of soaps continues to mourn many great daytime drama stars who passed away in 2024. As fans reflect on the past year, the highs and lows, we take this opportunity to pay tribute to some of the incredible actors and actresses we have lost this year.

In Memoriam – Soap Stars We Lost At The Beginning Of 2024

Bridget Dobson, the co-creator of Santa Barbara, and also once a head writer for General Hospital (Gh), As the World Turns (Atwt), and Guiding Light (Gl), passed away in January 2024 at the age of 85.

Meanwhile, Days of Our Lives (Dool) legend, Bill Hayes, who played Doug Williams on the show passed away on January 12. Alec Musser, who was on All My Children (AMC) playing Del Henry (as well as other movie roles) passed away on January 12 as well, when he took his life at the age of 50.

As January went on, David Gail,...

MSNBC fans who are disappointed in the progressive-leaning network after Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election may no longer have it to kick around.

The cable-news outlet could have to consider changing its name and familiar markings under a spin-off of the bulk of the cable assets of parent company Comcast, one of the nascent company’s new top executives suggested to an assemblage of MSNBC staffers Wednesday morning, according to two people familiar with the gathering.

Mark Lazarus, who will lead the spin-off after it separates from Comcast, told an audience that included Rachel Maddow, Chris Jansing and Katy Tur that he was not sure whether MSNBC would have to change its identity as part of the transaction, which will split the cable network and its business-news sibling CNBC from NBC News and NBCUniversal. If the two networks are no longer part of the NBC corporate entity, attendees wanted to know,...

Updated: Comcast’s announcement Wednesday that it will spin off nearly all of its cable networks has left a host of questions as to the path forward, particularly given the intertwined nature of NBC News with MSNBC and, to a lesser extent, CNBC.

“I could be completely wrong. We could all be fired a year from now. You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow,” Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough said on air this morning, before putting a more hopeful gloss on the pending change.

“What they are doing is what other media firms are doing — you spin off the cable channels which, seven years ago, were making a ton of money. Now they’re trying to figure out how to make them profitable.”

MSNBC and CNBC will be spun off along with other channels such as USA Network and Golf Channel into a separate company led by Mark Lazarus,...

Throughout 2024, we will continue to update this In Memoriam photo gallery with notable celebrity deaths from film, television, theater and music. Major entertainment figures to be honored in the 2024 gallery are TV legends Bob Newhart and Phil Donahue, Oscar/Tony/Emmy winner Dame Maggie Smith, Emmy/Tony/Grammy winner James Earl Jones, music legend and Grammy/Tony/Emmy winner Quincy Jones, Oscar winner Louis Gossett, Jr., Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Gena Rowlands, Oscar nominee Teri Garr, director/producer Norman Jewison, broadway legend Chita Rivera, country music superstars Kris Kristofferson and Toby Keith and actors Dabney Coleman, Donald Sutherland and Carl Weathers.

Featured in the 2023 gallery were Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Tina Turner, Harry Belafonte, Jeff Beck, Robbie Robertson and David Crosby, Oscar and Tony winner Alan Arkin, Oscar/Emmy/Tony winner Glenda Jackson, Oscar and Grammy winner Burt Bacharach, Oscar winner William Friedkin, Grammy legend Tony Bennett,...

Hip-hop is ripe to be capitalized on, and GOP operatives are taking advantage while trying to take over swing states. Already, artists like Fivio Foreign, Kodak Black, and Sexyy Red have advocated for Donald Trump in various ways this election cycle (some with the help of Billy McFarland). Trump’s campaign is transparently pandering to Black voters through photo ops and with snippets from his speeches appearing in songs like Fivio and Kodak’s “ONBOA47RD,” a baffling political endorsement track.

However, Trump and his team aren’t the first...

Emmy turned 76 this year, but her wrinkles still aren’t showing thanks to the tireless efforts of the production crew that helped put on this year’s awards show. (See the complete winners list.) After watching the ceremony on television all my life, I actually got to attend it this year and bore witness to “Hacks” and “Shōgun” winning the night’s biggest prizes. While seated in the Orchestra section of the Peacock Theater, I uncovered these five secrets about the 2024 Emmys that you wouldn’t know unless you were actually there.

TV Theme Songs

All of those classic tunes you heard while watching the ceremony on your screens was just the icing on the cake. During the commercials, attendees were treated to dozens more TV theme songs as the event was taking a break. In fact, when the show was dark, I heard everything from “Goosebumps” and “Home Improvement...

Bob Newhart, James Earl Jones, Peter Marshall, Shannen Doherty, and more luminaries were honored during the heartfelt In Memoriam segment led by Jelly Roll at Sunday’s Emmy Awards. Jimmy Kimmel then hit the stage to crack a few jokes in honor of Newhart’s deadpan humor.

The country star started his heartstring-tugging performance with “I Am Not Okay,” his single about his struggles with mental health, by sharing a sweet message. “I believe that music is therapeutic. I believe that music can heal. I also believe that storytelling is just as cathartic,...

Talk shows are a fickle business. There have been hundreds of talk shows throughout the history of television, and only a select few connect on such a profound level that they stick around. It's almost unheard of to go more than a few years on the air, let alone pull a Johnny Carson or David Letterman and stick around for decades.

The longevity guys will be saved for another list, though. This list is for the celebrities who didn't get a chance to get settled in their talk show gigs, or even leave on their own terms. We're talking about the controversial ones, the ones who were undone by personal scandals and off-screen antics. Let's begin, shall we?

Alec Baldwin (Up Late with Alec Baldwin) Celebrities Visit "Late Show With David Letterman" - April 11, 2011 | Jeffrey Ufberg/GettyImages

Alec Baldwin has become so mired in controversy in recent years that it's...

Producers for the 76th annual Emmy Awards have been editing the special “In Memoriam” segment to be featured on Sunday’s ABC ceremony. Since the most recent ceremony was delayed until mid-January, there are only eight months of TV legends who have died instead of the typical 12 months.

We have assembled a list of people below who might be selected. Members of the academy’s TV Hall of Fame are host and producer Phil Donahue, anchor and journalist Robert MacNeil, lighting designer Bill Klages and actor and comedian Bob Newhart. Some of the previous Emmy winners and nominees include previous academy president Leo Chaloukian, actor Bill Cobbs, actor Dabney Coleman, actress Shelley Duvall, actor and writer Joe Flaherty, director Jerry Foley, actor Louis Gossett Jr., actor Bill Hayes, actor James Earl Jones, host Peter Marshall, actor and comedian Martin Mull, actress Gena Rowlands, actor James B. Sikking, actor Donald Sutherland and actor Carl Weathers.

Chicago – Last week, the world woke to the news that Phil Donahue, talk show pioneer in the 1970s and beyond, had passed away at age 88. Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com took an Exclusive Portrait of the talker in 2010, and the Portrait is republished as a contributions memorial to Phil Donahue.

Midwestern at heart, Donahue was born in Cleveland, and found his way to Notre Dame University, where he graduated in 1957. He began his broadcasting career in Cleveland, but his break came as nationwide notice was focused on his interviews, subsequent work as a news anchor in Dayton, Ohio, and as a stringer for the Walter Cronkite-era CBS Evening News. His Dayton radio show “Conversation Piece” early on scored a triple historical talk coup with then presidential candidate John F. Kennedy, The Tonight Show host Johnny Carson and activist leader Malcolm X.

Phil Donahue in Chicagoland, 2010

Photo credit: Joe...

For adults of a certain generation, daytime talk shows of the 1980s and 1990s represented all that was right with the world during a sick day home from school.

In an ideal scenario, your parents or caregivers would leave you to your own devices so you could veg out in front of the boob tube all day, munching on your favorite crap snacks and soaking in all the histrionic sensationalism this television genre had to offer. Spontaneous fist fights! Grotty-to-hottie makeovers! Baby daddy paternity tests! (Fun fact: I once attended a taping of Maury “You are not the father” Povich’s Maury in college, and the staff stuffed us with free pizza to entice us to stay through some reality star’s book promotion. Who said bread and circuses are ancient history?)

Like network TV soap operas and the “trashy novel” classics of the mid-20th century, tabloid talk shows...

Phil Donahue, a pioneering figure in the world of daytime television, passed away at 88 on August 18, 2024, at his Upper East Side residence in Manhattan.

The legendary talk show host, known for his groundbreaking work on The Phil Donahue Show, succumbed to a long illness, as his family confirmed.

Donahue’s influence on the television industry was profound, as was the fortune he amassed over his illustrious career.

At the time of his death, Phil Donahue’s net worth was estimated to be around $150 million. This considerable fortune was primarily accumulated through his pioneering work in daytime television, particularly with The Phil Donahue Show, which first aired on November 6, 1967.

Originally broadcast from Dayton, Ohio, the show revolutionized the talk show format by introducing a live studio audience and tackling controversial and socially relevant topics long before they were commonly discussed on television.

Donahue’s ability to engage with complex issues like eating disorders,...

Phil Donahue, the legendary talk show host, passed away at 88.

He left behind a legacy that not only transformed television but also touched the hearts of millions.

His wife of 44 years, actress Marlo Thomas, recently paid a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, sharing her grief and gratitude with their loyal followers.

In a poignant Instagram post, Thomas expressed her deep sorrow and announced that she would be taking a break from social media to mourn her loss.

“Hello, Friends,” Thomas began her message. “I’m sure by now you’ve heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night, so I know you understand that I’ll be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who took care of Phil, and held him close to their hearts.”

Thomas thanked her followers for the outpouring of love...

Marlo Thomas has paid tribute to her late husband, Phil Donahue, who died on Sunday night (August 18) at 88 years old following a long illness. Thomas, who was married to the legendary talk show host for 44 years, took to her Instagram page on Monday (August 19), where she shared a lengthy, heartfelt message. “Hello, Friends,” she wrote. “I’m sure by now you’ve heard the very sad news that I lost my sweetheart last night, so I know you understand that I’ll be stepping away from this page for a while to take care of myself and the many people who took care of Phil, and held him close to their hearts.” She continued, “But I didn’t want to disappear without saying thank you for the beautiful messages of love and support that have been coming in all day, and for the wonderful and generous way that you’ve...

After an outpouring of appreciation today for Phil Donahue, the beloved talk-show host who died Sunday, Donahue’s wife of 44 years, actor Marlo Thomas, posted a brief remembrance and note of thanks online.

Thanking friends and fans for all the “beautiful messages of love and support,” Thomas also appreciated “the wonderful and generous way that you’ve let Phil and me share our life adventure with you over the years. As a man who spent his career loving his audiences, Phil got such a kick out of our cozy little community here, and I know he would be very touched by the heartwarming thoughts and memories you’ve been sharing.”

She did so while sharing “one of my favorite photos” of herself and Donahue looking relaxed and happy riding a Vespa on vacation.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marlo Thomas (@marlothomas)

Thomas ended with, “I hope...

Phil Donahue, the celebrated King of Daytime Talk who altered the direction of talk television as host of the syndicated “The Phil Donahue Show” and later the redubbed “Donahue” for nearly three decades, died Sunday evening (August 18) following a long and undisclosed illness. He was 88 and surrounded by family, including his wife of 44 years, the actor, producer, author and social activist Marlo Thomas.

From 1969 when his show was picked up for national syndication until leaving the air in 1996, Donahue presided as the unquestioned pioneer of a type of television discussion that for the first time incorporated studio audience interaction as an intrinsic part of the mix. That audience was predominantly packed with women whose opinions were taken seriously. Both “Phil Donahue” and “Donahue” were by design swathed in controversial, issue-driven topics. He was the first to give voice to gay rights activists, feminists and antiwar protestors as well as abortion rights advocates and opponents.

Justice may have been served in the murder of Johnny Wactor.

Two people have now been charged with murder in connection with the death of the General Hospital star, who was killed over Memorial Day weekend. Robert Barceleau and Sergio Estrada are both charged with murder, as well as attempted robbery and grand theft, according to our sister site Deadline. Leonel Gutierrez has also been charged with attempted robbery and grand theft, while Frank Olano was charged with being an accessory after the fact to the killing. All four were arrested and booked last Thursday, the LAPD announced.

More from...

Phil Donahue, the trailblazing talk show host who revolutionized daytime television, passed away on Sunday night.

Donahue, known as the King of Daytime Talk, died peacefully at home.

He was reportedly with his wife of 44 years, actress Marlo Thomas, and his family, following a long illness, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

His family confirmed the news on Monday, August 19, and requested donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.

Donahue tackled contemporary and often controversial subjects, actively involving his studio audience by moving through the crowd with a microphone.

This approach allowed him to seamlessly integrate their questions and comments into the ongoing discussion, skillfully blending audience interaction with his insightful commentary,

Phil Donahue’s revolutionary career in television

Donahue began his illustrious career in 1967 when he launched The Phil Donahue Show in Dayton, Ohio. The program, later renamed Donahue, quickly gained notoriety...

Another great has been lost: Phil Donahue, daytime TV icon who paved the way for many who came after him, has passed away.

For many 70’s and 80’s babies, Phil was a big part of the TV life, and his death is truly a heartbreak.

His family shared the news on The Today Show on August 19th, along with the cause of his passing at 88.

He leaves quite the legacy behind.

Phil Donahue attends the American Icon Awards at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on May 19, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) Phil Donahue’s Cause Of Death: Long Illness Took The Talk Show Host

The legendary TV talk show host died on Sunday August 18th, after battling a long illness.

While they didn’t provide further details on his health battle, it sounds like his passing was expected, as was able to pass away...

Phil Donahue, the groundbreaking talk show host who revolutionized daytime television, died on Sunday at his home in New York City after a prolonged illness. He was 88 years old.

Donahue’s innovative approach to television talk shows, which included engaging his studio audience in discussions on controversial topics, paved the way for future hosts and transformed the landscape of daytime programming. His show, The Phil Donahue Show, aired for nearly 30 years from 1967 to 1996.

Born Phillip John Donahue on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio, he began his career in broadcasting as a radio and TV news anchor in his home state. His breakthrough came in 1967 when he launched The Phil Donahue Show on Wlwd TV in Dayton, Ohio.

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Donahue’s format, which encouraged audience participation and tackled sensitive subjects like women’s rights, quickly gained popularity.

The recent passing of legendary talk show host Phil Donahue has cast a spotlight on his remarkable life and career. While Donahue’s contributions to television are undeniable, his wife, Marlo Thomas, has been a luminary in her own right. Beyond being the partner of a cultural icon, Thomas has carved out a remarkable career as an actress, producer, author, and social activist.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Marlo Thomas in Friends (1994) || credits: NBC

Surprisingly, many people are unaware of Thomas’s iconic role in the beloved sitcom Friends, where she portrayed Rachel Green’s sophisticated and glamorous mother, Sandra Green.

This unexpected connection between the worlds of daytime talk and primetime comedy underscores the breadth of Thomas’s career and her enduring impact on popular culture.

Marlo Thomas, Famous TV Icon, Once Starred on Friends

Marlo Thomas, daughter of the legendary comedian Danny Thomas, emerged as a trailblazing figure...

Many people who think of Phil Donahue, the pioneering talk show host who died on Sunday at 88, may conjure the caricatured image as played by Phil Hartman on Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s: roving around his set with a mic, interrogating his weeping guests at machine gun-pace, rolling his eyes and barking at audience members’ insipid questions. They think of him as someone with absolutely zero bedside manner, as Hartman does in this SNL segment featuring Donahue barking at a parade of sobbing domestic violence victims.

Donahue’s...

Live with Kelly and Mark is on hiatus for the summer while showing previously recorded episodes. Still, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos update everyone on their social media activities.

Kelly shared photos of her special night when she was awarded a Disney Legends Award and got to harass her old friend, Ryan Seacrest, as Monsters and Critics have reported.

She worried fans when she took a couple of weeks off Live with Kelly and Mark while Mark had to find fill-in co-hosts.

As photos of Kelly appeared on social media after she accepted the Disney Legends Award, fans asked if the time she took off was due to new Botox for her.

Mark has now taken the time to update fans on an upcoming charity event he is helping Patrick Demsey from Grey’s Anatomy with, and it sounds exciting.

Mark shared a short video post describing the news, especially for...

Oprah Winfrey is an icon in every definition of the word. Being a legend in the history of daytime television, her programs have single-handedly entertained entire countries of people. She has changed lives and inspired the careers of many. However, it is important to remember that even icons get inspired by those before them.

Oprah Winfrey. Credit: Apple TV+

For Winfrey, Phil Donahue was who inspired her to go into the line of work that she did. While some would stay quiet, she has done no such thing and has been very vocal about how thankful she is to the host for how he affected her. From telling it to his face, to voicing it after his passing.

Oprah Winfrey’s Life Was Changed By Phil Donahue

During a segment of her show, Oprah Winfrey was interviewing Phil Donahue when she decided to stray away from the usual format and...

TV personalities are paying their respects to pioneering talk show host, Phil Donahue.

The late daytime television icon, who hosted more than 6,000 iterations of The Phil Donahue Show from 1967 until 1996, died on Sunday night at his New York City home after suffering from a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, as well as four children from his previous marriage to Margaret Cooney. His youngest son, James, died in 2014.

Following the news of Donahue’s death, many who have followed his footsteps took to social media to celebrate his legacy.

“There wouldn’t have been an Oprah Show without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously. He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil,” wrote Oprah Winfrey.

Sally Jessy Raphael, who rose to fame in...

Toward the end of one of the most explosive episodes of Donahue — in which host Phil Donahue, who died Monday, tackled the hot topic of obscenity in music in 1990 — a caller said she believed Madonna should be arrested. Phil just chuckled. “Have you seen some of these Donahue shows?” he asked, taking off his blazer and putting it over his head and stumbling down the stairs. “Next thing you know, you’ll see this [he mimics a perp walk] and the handcuffs. And you’ll say, ‘You know what? He’s guilty, he’s got to be.

Longtime TV talk show host Phil Donahue died on Sunday night after battling illness for a long time, his family announced. He was 88. n 1991, Donahue made a guest appearance playing a TV host in an episode of The Bold and the Beautiful. Donahue died at his home surrounded by his family, including his […]

The post Phil Donahue Dies At 88 appeared first on Soap Opera News.

Legendary daytime talk show host Phil Donahue has passed away at the age of 88. Debuting in 1967 and going nationwide thanks to syndication in 1969, The Phil Donahue Show had a successful, 29 year run on television, eventually ending in 1996. Over the course of his career, Donahue was the recipient of 20 Emmy Awards, with 10 of those being specifically for his talk show, and the others being for Outstanding Talk Show Host.

Per Variety, Donahues passing was announced on the Today Show this morning, with a brief statement from his family released that said he died "peacefully" at his home in Manhattan on Sunday, August 18. The statement said he was surrounded by those he loved, including his wife of 44 years. You can read it in full below.

"Groundbreaking TV talk show journalist Phil Donahue died Sunday night at home surrounded by his wife of 44 years Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever Charlie.

Refresh for updates… Oprah Winfrey, Sally Jessy Raphael, Montel Williams and many more of Phil Donahue’s peers and friends today paid tribute to the late longtime daytime talk show.

“There wouldn’t have been an Oprah Show without Phil Donahue being the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously,” she posted on Instagram (see it below). “He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace Phil...

Legendary daytime talk show host Phil Donahue passed away last night at the age of 88 after a long illness. Donahue practically invented many conventions that are now talk-show staples, such as walking into the audience and interacting with its members. As his show took off in the 1970s, he also tackled issues that no other talk show dared touch. “If there had been no Phil Donahue Show, there would be no Oprah Winfrey show,” Winfrey said in 2002. “He was the first to acknowledge that women are interested in more than mascara tips and cake recipes — that we’re intelligent, we’re concerned about the world around us and we want the best possible lives for ourselves.”

Donahue’s signature cadence, dramatic mannerisms and audience interactions not only made for engaging TV but a go-to impression for three generations of Saturday Night Live cast members.

Joe Piscopo’s version in 1982 was...

Phil Donahue, the pioneering daytime TV talk show host who welcomed audience participation and was willing to engage in any topic — from economic theory to adult diaper babies — died on Sunday at his New York City home, The New York Times reports. He was 88.

A representative for the family, Susan Arons, confirmed his death. An exact cause was not given, though the family did say he died after a long illness. Following the announcement, Donahue’s wife, actress Marlo Thomas, thanked friends for the “beautiful messages of love and support...

Oprah Winfrey is crediting Phil Donahue for blazing the trail that led to her own iconic talk show in the wake of the daytime legend’s death over the weekend.

“There wouldn’t have been an Oprah [Winfrey] Show without Phil Donahue,” Winfrey wrote on Instagram Monday, adding that Donahue was “the first to prove that daytime talk and women watching should be taken seriously. He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace, Phil.”

More from TVLinePhil Donahue, Legendary Talk Show Host, Dead at 88Oprah to Examine Prescription Weight Loss Drug...

Phil Donahue, known as the “King of Daytime Talk,” has died at the age of 88. He passed away in his home surrounded by family on Sunday, August 18. To remember the daytime television legend, here is a look at the talk show host’s long, successful career.

A Look Back At Phil Donahue’s Career

The daytime talk show host kickstarted his career in the late 1950s. He got his start on radio and television before pitching his own talk show, The Phil Donahue Show. The show was created in 1967 in Dayton, Ohio. Over the years, he gained credibility for talking about controversial topics. He also took viewers behind bars at the Ohio State Penitentiary in 1971, which gained him a lot of recognition among journalists.

The show’s hour-long broadcast dedicated itself to single issues. Each episode would cover things like abuse in the Catholic Church, race relations, and feminism, all hot topics at the time.

Sad news in the celebrity world as TMZ is reporting that talk show legend, Phil Donahue has passed away at the age of 88.

His family has confirmed this, and his passing was announced during “The Today Show” in the morning of Monday, August 19.

Phil Donahue Was Surrounded By His Family

A statement was shared on The Today Show, written by Donahue’s loved ones, which included his wife of over four decades, Marlo Thomas.

It was said that those closest to him were by his side when he died, which was reportedly the evening of Sunday, August 18.

It was said that Phil’s passing followed a long battle with an illness, and no other information was provided in regard to the cause of his death.

Phil Donahue’s Talk Show Legacy

Donahue hosted The Phil Donahue Show for 29 years and was known as a trailblazer for television talk shows in this format.

The Bold and the Beautiful alum and daytime talk show host Phil Donahue died. The daytime legend was 88 years old.

Rest In Peace

Today reported that Donahue died on Sunday, August 18, following a long illness. He was surrounded by his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, his sister, children, and grandchildren, along with his dog, Charlie.

In 1991, Donahue played a TV host in one episode of B&b, which long-time viewers may remember. The host pioneered the modern talk show format, which includes audience participation. He hosted his show, The Phil Donahue Show, and later, Donahue, from 1967 to 1996. For his work, People reported, he won 20 Emmy Awards, 10 as a host, and 10 for the show. The show rebooted briefly on MSNBC from 2002-2003.

President Joe Biden awarded Donahue the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor, last May. He received the medal alongside Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky and actress Michelle Yeoh.

The former Phil Donahue Show host passed away on Sunday night surrounded by his loved ones.Mega

Legendary TV talk show host Phil Donahue has died aged 88.

RadarOnline.com can reveal Donahue, who first reinvented the TV talk show format as the host of The Phil Donahue Show in the 1960s and beyond, passed away on Sunday night at his home on the Upper East Side of Manhattan following a long illness.

Donahue's family confirmed his death in a touching statement on Monday morning.Mega

His family said in a statement: "Donahue died at his home surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie."

Donahue pioneered the modern format of issue-based daytime talk shows – and was the first to add the staple of audience participation – when The Phil Donahue Show first premiered in November 1967.

His show...

People.com has just reported that daytime talk show host icon Phil Donahue has passed away at the age of 88. In a statement provided by his family, they confirmed that Donahue had “died in his home surrounded by his family including his wife of 44 years — actress Marlo Thomas — as well as his sister, his children, grandchildren and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie.” The statement also confirmed that he had “passed away peacefully following a long illness.” The family also requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund.

Those of you who grew up in the 90s probably caught the tail-end of his famous talk show Donahue, which he created and hosted as it evolved from the local series The Phil Donahue Show from Dayton, Ohio, in 1967 to the New York City institution, which concluded in...

The iconic television talk show host Phil Donahue, who was the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show (later known simply as Donahue), has died. He was 88. As reported by Today, Donahue’s family confirmed the star passed away peacefully on Sunday night (August 18) following a long illness. He was said to have died at home surrounded by his family, “including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, his sister, his children, grandchildren, and his beloved golden retriever, Charlie.” Donahue’s family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund. Born on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland, Ohio, Donahue began his broadcasting career in 1957 as a production assistant at Kyw radio and television based in Cleveland. After graduating, he became program director for Wabj radio in Adrian, Michigan, before moving on to become a stringer for the CBS Evening News and,...

Phil Donahue, whose “The Phil Donahue Show” created the blueprint for highly caffeinated, issues-based daytime TV talk shows in its nearly 30-year syndicated run, has died, his family confirmed to “The Today Show” on Monday. He was 88.

The pioneering “Phil Donahue Show” first aired in 1969, was renamed “Donahue” five years later and ran for 29 years. The host’s penchant for energetically moving among the studio audience, soliciting opinions with a microphone in hand, would inspire even wilder formats from more tabloid-focused imitators like Sally Jesse Raphael, Jerry Springer, Maury Povich and, yes, Oprah Winfrey, who credits Donahue as her inspiration.

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As his acolytes ratcheted up the circus atmosphere, Donahue’s frenetic, audience-participation style began to look downright civilized by comparison, and the show ended in 1996. But Donahue was much more than just a talk-show host and kept busy after...

Phil Donahue, the legendary television host, has passed away at the age of 88.

His family announced the news on the Today show, sharing he passed on Sunday (August 18) after a long illness. He died at home surrounded by family, including his wife of over 4 decades Marlo Thomas, his kids, grandkids, and his dog Charlie.

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You may recognize him from his talk show The Phil Donahue Show, which began airing nationally back in 1969. It was later rebranded Donahue, where it ran nationally until 1996. Over the course of his lengthy talk show career, he earned nine Daytime Emmy Awards, 21 total nominations and a primetime Emmy for his special, Donahue and Kids.

Our thoughts are with Phil Donahue‘s friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time. Rip.