TALKSHOWS



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**What are talk shows?**
Talk shows are usually a television or radio program in which certain audiences come together and discuss various viewpoints on certain topics put forth by the talk show host. Many talk shows feature a guest panel consisting of groups have vast knowledge of such issues. In the past talk shows were mainly for the purpose of political discussions, but in today’s modern world, talk shows have become more than just a stage for political discussions. Modern day talk shows have become a stage to many various forum of discussion, ranging from lifestyle of the rich and famous, to the discussions of problems faced by normal civilians.

**History**
Ever since the creation of the television medium, talk shows have been a popular broadcast, and have been aired since the very beginning. One of the first talk shows to have ever aired was by Edward R. Murrow, entitled Small World in 1950s, making political talk shows a popular feature. Today talk shows range from tabloid talk shows such as //[|The Jerry Springer Show]//, to interviews with famous people and celebrities on the [|Ellen] show and the ever so popular and famous [|The Oprah Winfrey Show] ( the mother of all talk shows).

**Tabloid talk shows**
The origins of tabloid talk shows started in the 1970s with a [|Phil Donahue], host of //[|The Phil Donahue Show].// Tabloid talk shows became very popular very fast, as they delt with topics and issues which are other wise “[|taboo]”; homosexuality, atheism, the sex and drug culture, etc. Further more, tabloid talk shows had their audience directly invovled with their guest panle, as hosts went straight out to the audience memebers. Therefore tabloid talks shows provided people with a forum where they could interact with celebrities on a level plain field. After Donahue, came [|Oprah Winfrey], an african american woman, who further pushed the limits of this genre, making it one of the most popular media genres ever. Today Oprah Winfrey’s talk show caters to an audience on a massive scale who differ in race, culture and ethnicity, but yet are all crazy over her talk show.

**List of tabloid talk shows:**

 * //[|The Jerry Springer Show]// ([|1991] - //Present//), hosted by [|Jerry Springer]
 * //[|The Oprah Winfrey Show]// ([|1986] - //Present//), hosted by [|Oprah Winfrey]
 * //The Montel Williams Show// ([|1991] - //Present//), hosted by [|Montel Williams]
 * //[|Ricki Lake]// ([|1993] - [|2004]), hosted by [|Ricki Lake]
 * //[|Dr. Phil]//

**Audience**
Talk shows are catered towards a mass audience, from teenagers to elderly, to people obsessed with lives of celebrities and to non working females who feel connected to the outside world through these talk shows. Furthermore, talk shows have taken a form of spiritual healing for many of its audiences as not only do talk shows deal with celebrity lives but many, such as the [|Montel Williams] show and //[|Dr. Phil]// provide clinical psychological help and emotional support to people who have been through tough times in their lives.

**How are Talk Shows Unique?**
Although talk shows started of as regular discussion programs where the audience did learn from the guest panels knowledge, but had very limited interaction with the audience directly, talk shows very quickly became an identity and genre of their own. What makes talk shows show different is their variety in topics and discussions, but also their openness to ideas and thoughts. Talk shows gave their audience a stage on which they all felt equal to voice out against and or for many issues. Talk shows were never afraid of raising taboo issues and create awareness about them.

**Controversies**
With all its glory and powerful impact over their audience, talk shows have also managed to stir up many controversies. Many sociologists claim that talk shows promote behaviour which is outside the acceptable norms of our society no matter how open minded and accepting we become.“Sociologist Vicki Abt criticised tabloid talk shows for redefining social norms. In her book [|Coming After Oprah: Cultural Fallout in the Age of the TV talk show], Abt warned that the media revolution that followed Oprah's success was blurring the lines between normal and deviant behavior”. (wikispaces; tabloid talk shows). One of the most famous and yet trageic controversy created was on //[|The Jenny Jones Show].// In this perticular episode, titled “same sex crushes”, a gay man named [|Scott Amedure] was murderd by [|Jonathan Schmitz] after Amedure confessed his feelings for Schmitz. Schmitz was later charged with second degree murder and senteced to 25-50 years in prison. This controvery eventually led to the cancelation of the jenny jones show, but many other talks shows still push their limits with issues.

**New Canadian Talk Shows**
Gill Deacon is one of CBC’s newest daytime talk shows that débuted just over a month ago. Her style is geared more towards inspirational guests and topics, compared to gossip and Hollywood. In fact, it encourages the viewer to see life in a different perspective as Gill relates more personally with the viewers. It is perhaps too early to say how long this personality will last, but she successfully gears herself away from the American talk show genre and gives daytime television a refreshing twist.

**Jay Leno**
//The Tonight Show//, staring host Jay Leno, is currently in its 15th season on the air. This late night talk show combines comedy skits, interviews and entertainment for one hour every night. //The Tonight Show// includes many regular comedy segments, some of which include: The show also serves as one of the most popular stops for publicity for stars of the entertainment industry and even politicians. //The Tonight Show// frequently features 'civilian' guests who often include amazing kids as well as interesting and/or amusing talents. Jay Leno's //The Tonight Show// has accomplished many awards including Emmy Awards in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999 and was voted as "Favourite Late Night Show" by TV Guide Readers in 1999 and 2000. Aside from these awards, //The Tonight Show// has had many remarkable achievements over its 15 years on the air. Here are a few examples: //The Tonight Show with Jay Leno// is broadcast every night at 11:35 pm on NBC.
 * "Headlines"
 * "Ask Jay Anything"
 * "Stuff We Found on eBay" (hilarious!!)
 * "Jaywalking"
 * "Battle of the Jaywalking All Stars"
 * Leno's exclusive interview with Senator John Glenn and the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery
 * raised $360,200 for the Twin Towers Fund (2001)
 * raised $505,100 for the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Fund (2005)
 * Pay Per View wrestling match between Jay Leno and Hulk Hogan
 * //The Tonight Show: Unplugged//The Tonight Show: Unplugged in response to California's power crisis

David Letterman
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**References:**
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." __NBC.Com__. NBC Universal Inc. 04 Dec. 2006 http://www.nbc.com/The_Tonight_Show_with_Jay_Leno/about/show.shtml.

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/T/htmlT/talkshows/talkshows.htm


 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabloid_talk_show**

http://www.oprah.com/


 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk_show**


 * Visual References:**

Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford; http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/T/htmlT/talkshows/talkshows.htm

Oprah Winfrey: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/10110000/10112155.jpg

Regis and Kelly: http://a.abclocal.go.com/images/kgo/cms_exf_2005/news/amusement/entertainment/regis_kelly_story_page.jpg Conan O'Brien: http://www.thebestlinks.com/images/thumb/9/9b/275px-Conanobrien.jpg