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From the Associated Press: Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre that brought success to Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88.
NBC’s “Today” show, citing family members, said Donahue died Sunday after a long illness.
Dubbed “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show, typically during a full hour with a single guest.
“Just one guest per show? No band?” he remembered being routinely asked in his 1979 memoir, “Donahue, my own story.”
“The Phil Donahue Show” ran from 1967 to 1996.
BREAKING: Television icon Phil Donahue dies at 88. pic.twitter.com/hzLlC5p5pb
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 19, 2024
Below is video of the time Donahue interviewed Donald Trump, just after he had purchased the Mar-a-Lago estate.
Flashback: Phil Donahue Interviews Donald Trump
Donald Trump appeared on the Phil Donahue Show to promote his book “The Art of the Deal” on December 15, 1987. pic.twitter.com/U5aZKp0kzs
— Wojciech Pawelczyk (@WojPawelczyk) August 19, 2024
Piers Morgan wrote, “RIP Phil Donahue, 88. One of the true trail-blazing icons of American television. He hosted over 6,000 talk shows, and was the first to interact with a studio audience. Interviewing him for CNN a few years ago lived up to every expectation.. such a clever, interesting man.”
RIP Phil Donahue, 88.
One of the true trail-blazing icons of American television. He hosted over 6,000 talk shows, and was the first to interact with a studio audience. Interviewing him for CNN a few years ago lived up to every expectation.. such a clever, interesting man. pic.twitter.com/vxJwCu0OSt— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 19, 2024
Phil Donahue, whose pioneering daytime talk show launched a television genre that made household names of Oprah Winfrey, Montel Williams, Ellen DeGeneres and many others, has died. He was 88. https://t.co/sflCJtGg72 pic.twitter.com/AuvVDz2XGR
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 19, 2024
Phil Donahue died today at the age of 88.
I never get tired of watching one of Milton Friedman’s greatest Donahue moments: pic.twitter.com/DqiWnPyIr8
— Good Morning Liberty (@GoodAMLiberty) August 19, 2024
Rest in peace, Phil Donahue. Sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fans. He was extremely nice to me, gave a wonderful endorsement to my book. It read like he was introducing me as a guest on his TV show. He was a kind, decent man and a national treasure. He pioneered… pic.twitter.com/HItTS4gdqT
— David Mathison (@CDOSummit) August 19, 2024
Phil Donahue, the celebrated daytime talk show host who pioneered the television staple, has died, his publicist confirmed to CBS News. He was 88. https://t.co/fpLtXL2sCj pic.twitter.com/GsyMK3Z8FO
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 19, 2024
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