# RIP Phil Donahue **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** celebrity-death, talk-variety-show\ **Created:** [August 19, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908 "2024-08-19T17:27:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908/1 "2024-08-19T17:27:15Z")
RIP. > **[Phil Donahue, talk show host pioneer and husband of Marlo Thomas, dies at 88](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/phil-donahue-talk-show-host-pioneer-dies-rcna129601)** > > His cause of death was not disclosed, though loved ones said he'd been suffering from a “long illness.” [June 13, 1990 - Indecency and Obscenity](https://youtu.be/7Sjwi61HWss?si=_YYjcTa_zTCB6CLv) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908/2 "2024-08-19T17:37:43Z")
I posted this is the Abe Vigoda thread, but I think it fits better here: When we used to visit my grandmother, then in her eighties, she would talk about the Phil Donahue show. “His guests talk about anything! Just anything! It didn’t use to be like that.” When we were driving home, I mentioned this and how it seemed to bother her. “She keeps watching, though,” said Dad. RIP, Phil, and thanks for giving my grandmother insights into the changing world. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908/3 "2024-08-19T17:52:22Z")
I was a young adult who enjoyed watching his programming. I especially enjoyed his collaboration with the Soviet journalist Vladimir Pozner in the late 1980s I believe. I was impressed with that back then. All the older folks will eventually leave us. But their work remains to be discovered by new generations. A toast to Mr. Donahue and his many years of interviews! ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908/4 "2024-08-19T17:55:39Z")
> Is the caller there?? Apparently, not any more ☹ ---
**Author:** ![mtnmatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@mtnmatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtnmatt)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908/5 "2024-08-19T18:17:43Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I was a young adult who enjoyed watching his programming. I especially enjoyed his collaboration with the Soviet journalist Vladimir Pozner in the late 1980s I believe. I was impressed with that back then. > > All the older folks will eventually leave us. But their work remains to be discovered by new generations. > > A toast to Mr. Donahue and his many years of interviews! In the early 90s, I was a producer for a local daily talk show in Fairfield County, CT, and since Phil was based right down the road, we always wanted him on. One day, I happened to answer the phone first when his agent called, so I got all the credit for “landing” the big interview with Phil and Vladimir on News12. It was momentous enough that we gave them a double segment, and I got a lot more cred with the other producers for my “achievement.” Timing is everything. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908/6 "2024-08-19T18:19:31Z")
> [@mtnmatt](#): > > > [@Ellecram](#): > > > > I was a young adult who enjoyed watching his programming. I especially enjoyed his collaboration with the Soviet journalist Vladimir Pozner in the late 1980s I believe. I was impressed with that back then. > > > > All the older folks will eventually leave us. But their work remains to be discovered by new generations. > > > > A toast to Mr. Donahue and his many years of interviews! > > In the early 90s, I was a producer for a local daily talk show in Fairfield County, CT, and since Phil was based right down the road, we always wanted him on. > > One day, I happened to answer the phone first when his agent called, so I got all the credit for “landing” the big interview with Phil and Vladimir on News12. It was momentous enough that we gave them a double segment, and I got a lot more cred with the other producers for my “achievement.” > > Timing is everything. What an awesome accomplishment and memory! ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908/7 "2024-08-19T18:59:34Z")
My mom was a huge fan of this show so I saw my share of episodes as a kid. I remember her yelling at the tv when Madalyn Murrey O’ Hair was the guest. Interestingly enough, I think those shows started my mom’s distancing herself from religion. RIP, Phil. You were one of the better ones. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-phil-donahue/1005908/8 "2024-08-20T00:35:03Z")
He got raw deal being fired for speaking out against the Iraq war. RIP