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Daytime TV Host Defends 'Trash TV' Legacy
30 Jan
Summary
- Former host reflects on controversial 90s daytime talk shows.
- He claims his show was comparable to Oprah and Phil Donahue.
- Viewer appetite drove the evolution of sensational television.
In the final installment of a documentary series on '90s daytime hits, a former talk show host reflected on his legacy. He stated that he feels good about the impact and difference his show made in people's lives.
The host acknowledged his program was controversial but placed it in the context of his peers, including Oprah Winfrey, Sally Jessy Raphael, and Phil Donahue. He admitted to featuring similar controversial guests early in their careers.
He further suggested that the drive for sensationalism, such as featuring guests with large physical attributes, was a common competitive tactic among shows. The host doesn't blame daytime TV for the subsequent rise of reality shows, attributing it instead to an "evolution" and the audience's "voracious appetite."
The documentary, 'Dirty Talk: When Daytime Talk Shows Ruled TV,' explores the era of 'Trash TV,' where hosts vied for outlandish guests and storylines, sometimes leading to violence. Other hosts like Maury Povich and Leeza Gibbons also appear, discussing their shows' cultural impact.
