Phil Donahue’s daytime talk reign left a lasting imprint before Oprah overtook him

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For nearly two decades, Phil Donahue was a pioneering force in daytime television. With his unique format of roaming the audience with a microphone, making viewers an essential part of his show, he carved out a distinctive niche for himself in the TV talk show landscape.

Donahue’s immense cultural influence, especially among daytime TV audiences that primarily consisted of women, eventually led to a host of imitators in the 1980s. One of those imitators, Oprah Winfrey, would ultimately surpass him in popularity.

“For a long time, I wondered why it took so long for someone to copy us,” Donahue remarked in a 2001 interview with the Archive of American Television. “Then along came Oprah Winfrey. It is not possible to overstate the enormity of her impact on the daytime television game.”

Phil Donahue passed away Sunday at the age of 88 after a long illness. His wife, actor Marlo Thomas, shared the news on Instagram, expressing her grief. “I lost my sweetheart last night,” Thomas wrote, mentioning she would step away from social media to care for herself and those who were close to Donahue.

Winfrey paid tribute to Donahue on social media, acknowledging his significant impact on her career. “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, along with a photo of the two embracing. “He was a pioneer. I’m glad I got to thank him for it. Rest in peace, Phil.”

By the time “Donahue” ended its run in 1996 after nearly 7,000 episodes and 20 Emmy Awards, the daytime television scene was crowded with shows that tried to mimic its format.

Winfrey, who started her show in Chicago like Donahue, premiered in 1985 and captured the ratings lead during the 1986-87 season. Donahue often noted that she “raised all boats,” boosting his ratings even as she eclipsed him.

The television landscape eventually saw a surge of imitators, many of them adopting a trashier format, including “The Jerry Springer Show,” “Geraldo,” and “Jenny Jones.” This shift made Donahue feel out of place.

“The daytime arena changed, the ground moved under my feet,” Donahue told The Associated Press in 2002. “And I was glad to leave.”

Before and after Oprah, Donahue wielded considerable influence, making daytime television more serious, more newsworthy, and occasionally more sensational. He emerged in the late 1960s amid a sea of game shows, soap operas, and less substantial talk shows, demonstrating that daytime viewers cared about current events and social issues.

He provided many Americans their first exposure to topics like sexual harassment, gay marriage, and AIDS. “We’re very, very proud of the way in which our program has reflected our culture since 1967,” Donahue said during the taping of his final show in 1996.

When “The Phil Donahue Show” debuted on WLWD-TV in Dayton, Ohio, it wasn’t supposed to have an audience. However, when a crowd appeared expecting to see the variety show he was replacing, producers decided to let them stay. During commercial breaks, Donahue opened the floor to audience questions, and soon, the audience’s inquiries became an integral part of the show.

“Sometime during that first week, I jumped off my chair and ran into the audience,” Donahue said in a 1996 interview with The AP.

The show moved to Chicago in 1974, shortened its name to “Donahue,” and was syndicated across the United States. Donahue took risks and welcomed controversy. He aired a birth during his first week, televised an abortion in a later episode, and discussed topics like sexual abuse by Catholic priests long before they gained widespread attention.

Memorable guests on “Donahue” included feminist activist Gloria Steinem, leftist provocateur Jerry Ruben of the Chicago Seven, Muhammad Ali, and Ryan White, the boy who became a face of the AIDS epidemic in part due to his appearances on the show.

The show wasn’t always highbrow; episodes were also devoted to topics like male strippers and female wrestlers, which were less common at the time.

Phillip John Donahue was born on December 21, 1935, in Cleveland. He grew up in an Irish Catholic household and had a traditional upbringing. He received an entirely Catholic education, culminating with his graduation from the University of Notre Dame in 1957.

Donahue married Margaret Cooney in 1958, and they had five children—Michael, Kevin, Daniel, Mary Rose, and James—before divorcing in 1975. He met actor Marlo Thomas, famous for her role in “That Girl,” when she appeared on his show in 1977. The couple married in 1980.

In the early 2000s, Donahue made a brief return to television as a host on MSNBC. His show premiered in July 2002 but lasted only seven months. Donahue felt unsupported by the network, which had not yet solidified its identity as a liberal counterpoint to Fox News’ conservatism.

“It took almost three years for Fox to overtake CNN,” Donahue said after his show’s cancellation. “We had six months.”

After leaving MSNBC, Donahue remained semi-retired, making occasional media appearances on talk shows and in TV documentaries. His distinctive voice also featured in the animated show “Frazier” as a caller needing psychological help.

Source: Associated Press