COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Phil Donahue, the visionary behind the daytime talk show phenomenon that paved the way for icons like Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, and Ellen DeGeneres, has passed away at the age of 88. According to family members, Donahue died on Sunday following a prolonged illness, as reported by NBC’s “Today” show.
Known as “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue revolutionized the genre by integrating audience participation, often dedicating an entire hour to a single guest. This innovative format distinguished “The Phil Donahue Show” from other interview programs of the 1960s and solidified its status as a trendsetter in daytime television, especially among female viewers.
Launched in 1967 in Dayton, Ohio, and later renamed “Donahue,” the program quickly gained notoriety for tackling pressing social issues. His first guest was the controversial atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair, setting the tone for a show that would delve into topics ranging from feminism and LGBTQ rights to consumer protection and civil rights. The show was syndicated in 1970 and aired nationally for 26 years, amassing 20 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award for Donahue in 1980. Earlier this year, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden for his groundbreaking contributions to the daytime talk show format.
The show was known for its engaging call-in segments, where Donahue would famously ask, “Is the caller there?” He once shared that he hoped to have this phrase inscribed on his tombstone.
A Legacy of Love and Innovation
The final episode of “Donahue” aired in 1996 in New York, where he lived with his wife, actress Marlo Thomas. The couple met in 1977 when she appeared on his show, and he later recounted their instant connection, saying, “You are really fascinating.” They married in 1980 and enjoyed a loving partnership that lasted until his passing. Thomas expressed her heartbreak on Instagram, sharing a cherished photo and reflecting on their life together.
After a brief return to television in 2002 with another iteration of “Donahue” on MSNBC, the show was canceled after six months, with ratings cited as the reason—though it was later revealed that political factors played a role.
Phil Donahue was born Phillip John Donahue on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland, as part of a middle-class Irish Catholic family. He graduated from St. Edward High School in 1953 and earned a business administration degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1957. Although he eventually distanced himself from the church, he acknowledged in his memoir that a part of his faith would always remain with him.
Donahue’s career began with various radio and television roles before he was invited to transition an earlier radio talk show to a television format in Dayton. The program later moved to Chicago and eventually concluded its run in New York, featuring a diverse range of guests including spiritual leaders, homemakers, activists, and entertainers.
Donahue credited the show’s unique style to necessity rather than genius, stating, “The familiar talk-show heads were not available to us in Dayton, Ohio… The result was improvisation.” This freedom of expression contributed to the show’s rise to prominence.
His approach included engaging interviews with guests ranging from Muhammad Ali to Alice Cooper, as well as discussions on controversial subjects that some cities banned. Ralph Nader, a consumer rights advocate, hailed Donahue as “the greatest defender and enabler of our Constitution’s First Amendment right of free speech in 20th century America.”
Over the years, Donahue’s platform became essential for politicians, activists, and entertainers, featuring prominent figures like Hubert Humphrey, Ronald Reagan, Gloria Steinem, and Farrah Fawcett. Beyond his talk show, Donahue collaborated with Soviet journalist Vladimir Posner during the Cold War, creating the groundbreaking U.S.-Soviet Bridge series that allowed live discussions between American and Soviet audiences. He also co-directed the 2006 Oscar-nominated documentary “Body of War.”
Phil Donahue’s legacy as a talk show pioneer and advocate for open discourse will be remembered fondly by audiences and colleagues alike.
Source : https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2024-08-19/phil-donahue-whose-pioneering-daytime-talk-show-launched-an-indelible-television-genre-has-died
