1. Phil Donahue
Before there was Oprah, Phil Donahue was breaking ground with a microphone in hand and a curiosity that didn’t quit. His show started in 1967, and what made it different was his willingness to dive into tough topics like race, gender, and politics long before it was fashionable. Donahue passed away in 2024 at age 88, but his legacy still hums beneath the surface of every honest, audience-driven conversation on daytime TV. “We were talking about things people whispered about,” he once said. And he made sure those whispers got heard.
2. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah didn’t just dominate the talk show game. She flipped the entire medium into something spiritual, personal, and world-changing. “The Oprah Winfrey Show” ran for 25 years, turning raw emotion into transformation and book clubs into bestsellers. Since ending the show in 2011, she has built OWN, produced award-winning films, and stayed deeply involved in philanthropy. She told Harvard graduates in 2013, “Your job is not always going to be your career, but your life is your story.” Oprah’s story is still being written, one purpose-filled project at a time.
3. Sally Jessy Raphael
Sally’s trademark red-framed glasses were as iconic as her tough, no-nonsense style. She wasn’t afraid to ask the questions that made guests squirm, which helped her talk show run strong through the ’80s and ’90s. Today, Sally keeps a low profile but occasionally speaks out about the evolution of television. In a 2020 podcast, she reflected, “Talk shows lost their soul for a while.” She spends more time with family now, but her fiery energy and refusal to sugarcoat things still echo in the genre she helped build.
4. Ricki Lake
If you were a teen in the ’90s, you probably heard Ricki Lake’s voice in your living room after school. Her youthful charm and openness made her show a must-watch. These days, she has taken on more serious work, like producing the documentary The Business of Being Born and advocating for maternal health. In a 2021 interview, she said, “I didn’t expect to have this second act, but it’s the most meaningful part of my life.” Ricki traded the stage for substance and it fits her perfectly.
5. Montel Williams
While others chased drama, Montel kept things grounded. His show often featured serious topics like chronic illness, addiction, and military life. And even though his signature phrase “Take care of yourself” sounded simple, it struck deep. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, Montel turned into a motivational speaker and entrepreneur focused on wellness and veterans’ rights. In 2023, he said on CBS Mornings, “I’m still driven by service. That hasn’t changed.” Whether on stage or behind the scenes, Montel remains steady, thoughtful, and all heart.
6. Jerry Springer
Jerry Springer’s show was the wild ride everyone pretended not to watch but definitely did. With bleeped-out shouting matches and flying chairs, he turned daytime TV into pure spectacle. But behind the madness was a man who saw it all with wry wisdom. “I just work here,” he once joked. Before his passing in 2023, Jerry had rebranded himself as a courtroom TV host, bringing a touch of order to the chaos he once unleashed. Somehow, it worked just like everything else he touched.
7. Maury Povich
“You are not the father!” Those five words became a cultural catchphrase thanks to Maury Povich. For over 30 years, he built a career around solving personal mysteries onstage, often involving DNA results and tangled relationships. Though criticized for exploiting real lives, Maury insisted his show gave people answers they couldn’t afford elsewhere. He retired in 2022, saying to The Today Show, “It’s been a wild ride, but it’s time to breathe.” Now, he enjoys life with wife Connie Chung, far from the studio spotlight.
8. Jenny Jones
Jenny Jones started out lighthearted with more stand-up than sit-down interviews. But her show took a darker turn, especially after a 1995 episode led to tragedy and a lawsuit. She kept going for a while but eventually stepped back. Since then, she has avoided the spotlight, focusing on cooking, philanthropy, and personal projects. She once said, “I didn’t want the drama to define me.” Today, she’s more likely to be found in her garden or behind a camera than on stage and honestly, that peace feels well-earned.
9. Rosie O’Donnell
Rosie’s show was a burst of warmth in the ’90s, goofy, generous, and surprisingly intimate. She brought Broadway to living rooms and gave away Koosh balls like candy. Post-show, she returned to acting and became a vocal political critic. When Trump became president, Rosie packed her bags and moved abroad, calling it an “emotional protest.” In a 2022 interview, she said, “I needed space to breathe and think again.” Rosie still pops up now and then but mostly stays away from the frenzy and that seems to suit her just fine.
10. Geraldo Rivera
Geraldo’s name will forever be tied to sensationalism, from brawls on set to uncovering Al Capone’s empty vault. But love him or not, he knew how to keep people watching. After his talk show ended, he transitioned into political commentary, most notably on Fox News. He clashed with co-hosts and recently parted ways with the network, stating in 2023, “I’m too old for all this drama.” Geraldo may no longer be a daily fixture, but his mix of bravado and boldness helped define an era that quietly signed off just as he did.
This story 10 Daytime Talk Show Hosts Who Once Ran TV and Where They Are Now was first published on Daily FETCH
