Being a daytime talk show host is no easy feat. It takes more than just charisma to captivate guests and audiences for years on end. Since the dawn of television, countless shows have come and gone, but a few legends have truly left their mark. These hosts didn’t just entertain—they connected, inspired, and shaped the medium itself. Let’s dive into Closer’s list of the top 10 greatest talk show hosts of all time, starting with the queen of them all.
#1: The Oprah Winfrey Show
When you think of daytime talk shows, one name stands out above the rest: Oprah. Her 25-year reign as the queen of daytime began on September 8, 1986, and she didn’t just host a show—she created a movement. “We are all looking for the same thing,” Oprah once said. “The one lesson I came away with from doing The Oprah Winfrey Show is that we all want to know that we matter. We want to see ourselves reflected in the stories we hear and the values we share.” That’s exactly what made her show so special. It wasn’t just about celebrity interviews; it was about real people, real issues, and real connections.
#2: Donahue
Long before Oprah graced our screens, Phil Donahue was paving the way for modern talk shows. His program, which aired from November 6, 1967, ran for an incredible 29 years and nearly 7,000 episodes. What made Donahue unique? He let the audience take center stage. “When I realized the people in the audience were asking better questions than I was,” Phil recalled, “I jumped out into the crowd, and it saved us. There wouldn’t have been a Donahue show without the audience.” That interactive approach revolutionized the genre and set the bar high for future hosts.
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#3: The Mike Douglas Show
Before talk shows became flashy spectacles, there was Mike Douglas. A former big band singer, Mike brought warmth and authenticity to the small screen from 1961 to 1982. His secret? Hard work. “I worked harder than any host did,” he admitted. “But the trick was making it look easy.” Mike’s charm and ability to connect with guests made his show a beloved staple of daytime television for over two decades.
#4: The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Ellen DeGeneres burst onto the scene in 2003, and for nearly two decades, her show was a beacon of positivity and kindness. “I became a comedian to make people feel good,” Ellen explained. “My whole being is about making people happy. And with the talk show, all I cared about was spreading kindness and compassion.” Her genuine personality and playful antics turned her program into a must-watch for millions of fans worldwide.
#5: Dinah!
Dinah Shore was a trailblazer in the world of talk shows. After hosting Dinah’s Place for four seasons, she launched Dinah! on October 21, 1974, where she spent six years charming audiences. Despite her success, Dinah always had one fear: “There are people you’re impressed with, that you’re in awe of, and you sit there and can’t think of anything to ask.” But Dinah’s natural charisma and ability to put guests at ease made her one of the most beloved hosts of her era.
#6: The Merv Griffin Show
Merv Griffin was a force to be reckoned with in the talk show world. On October 1, 1962, the very same day Johnny Carson began hosting The Tonight Show, Merv kicked off a 24-year run in daytime television. “We were very competitive,” Merv admitted, “because I was getting all the good guest stars!” With his sharp wit and knack for booking A-list celebrities, Merv became a household name and left an indelible mark on the industry.
#7: Live With Regis and Kathie Lee
Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford’s chemistry was undeniable. When they launched Live on September 5, 1988, they created a morning show unlike any other. While Regis joked about being “out of control,” he knew exactly what he was doing. “Even though it was just a little, simple nine o’clock in the morning show,” he said, “I wanted guests to look better than they did on anybody else’s program.” Their blend of humor, heart, and celebrity interviews made Live a morning staple for decades.
#8: The View
Launched on August 11, 1997, The View has become a cornerstone of morning television. Over the years, the show has featured 24 cohosts, but its mission remains the same: to bring together smart, diverse women who can discuss hot topics with passion and grace. Creator Barbara Walters envisioned a program where “women of different ages and personalities could disagree without killing one another—and, better still, might actually like each other.” That vision has kept The View relevant for nearly 25 years.
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#9: The Rosie O’Donnell Show
Rosie O’Donnell’s daytime run from 1996 to 2002 earned her the nickname “Queen of Nice.” Reflecting on her time as a host, Rosie said, “I don’t think I was playing a character. I was myopically focused on show business my entire life, and to be in the midst of it was overwhelming.” Her genuine enthusiasm and ability to connect with guests made her show a hit, even as she tackled tough topics with her signature blend of humor and heart.
#10: The Kelly Clarkson Show
Kelly Clarkson’s journey from American Idol winner to talk show host is nothing short of inspiring. When she launched her program in 2019, Kelly knew she had one big lesson to learn: “Shutting up! I am a talker. I had to really learn to listen and let people kind of go… because you never know where they’ll take you.” With her infectious energy and down-to-earth personality, Kelly quickly became a fan favorite and proved that she’s more than just a singing sensation.
