Unforgettable Faces
Charismatic personalities once dominated late nights, Sunday evenings, and weekday afternoons. These 15 made us laugh and introduced us to new talent, one episode at a time.
Johnny Carson
For three decades, American television was dominated by one charming man. He had an iconic golf swing pantomime and impeccable comedic timing. Johnny Carson's 30-year reign on The Tonight Show brought him the well-deserved title "King of Late Night TV”.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
Johnny Carson (Cont.)
Carson's career in entertainment began at a young age when he started performing as a magician called "The Great Carsoni". He even hosted Carson's Cellar on KNXT-TV in Los Angeles (1951-1953). Carson’s final host appearance on May 22, 1992, attracted about 55 million viewers.
Ed Sullivan
His stoic demeanor and famously stiff introductions might seem out of place by today's hosting standards. Still, Ed Sullivan possessed an uncanny ability to spot talent that would resonate with American audiences. Until 1971, The Ed Sullivan Show became the definitive Sunday night ritual for families.
The Ed Sullivan Show(1948-1971), CBS Productions
Ed Sullivan (Cont.)
When he introduced Elvis Presley and later The Beatles through his show, he wasn't just booking acts. He was facilitating cultural revolutions. Sullivan's contributions to TV even earned him recognition as one of TV Guide's "50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time" (ranked #15 in 1996).
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
Phil Donahue
Here comes an American journalist and producer who created and hosted The Phil Donahue Show, later renamed Donahue. He has collected 10 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Host and a Peabody Award (1980). Donahue tackled controversial topics such as abortion, feminism, etc.
jbach, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Joan Rivers
"Can we talk?" With this signature phrase, Joan Rivers broke through comedy's glass ceiling and carved out space in the male-dominated world of late-night television. Her razor-sharp wit and fearless approach to taboo subjects made her simultaneously controversial and beloved.
Tribune Entertainment, The Joan Rivers Show (1983-93)
Joan Rivers (Cont.)
She appeared many times as Johnny Carson's guest host on The Tonight Show. During her debut appearance, Carson famously declared her a star. Rivers became the first female presenter of a late-night network talk program in 1986 when she hosted Fox's The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers.
Joan Rivers is Hilarious on Carson Tonight Show by Johnny Carson
Alex Trebek
Alex Trebek was a Canadian-American widely recognized for hosting the iconic quiz show Jeopardy! for 37 seasons. In 1973, Trebek moved to the United States and began hosting game shows such as The Wizard of Odds, High Rollers, Double Dare, and Classic Concentration.
Alex Trebek (Cont.)
For Jeopardy!, he hosted over 8,200 episodes, setting a Guinness World Record for most episodes of a single game show hosted. Trebek also got 8 Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game Show Host, while his final episode aired posthumously on December 25, 2020.
Regis Philbin
During the primetime dominance of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire from 1999 to 2002, Regis Philbin's catchphrase "Is that your final answer?" enthralled Americans. He has also been a part of Million Dollar Password (2008) and the first season of America's Got Talent (2006).
Ricki Lake
At just 24 years old, Ricki Lake became the youngest talk show host in history when her eponymous show debuted in 1993. Ricki Lake ran for 11 successful seasons. She even won a Daytime Emmy nomination and Sweden's Aftonbladet TV Prize for “Best Foreign TV Personality”.
I'm Begging Him for Forgiveness | Ricki Lake by Talk Show Rewind
Pat Sajak
Before becoming a household name, Pat Sajak was a DJ for the American Forces Vietnam Network during the war. He used to broadcast to troops while serving in the US Army. His friendly demeanor and quick wit caught the attention of radio executives.
smata2, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pat Sajak (Cont.)
This eventually led to his life-changing role as host of Wheel of Fortune in 1981. Sajak's 40-plus years spinning the wheel alongside co-host Vanna White created television's longest-running host-hostess duo. Sajak frequently guest-hosted Larry King Live and Live with Regis and Kelly as well.
Pat Sajak Leaves 'Wheel of Fortune' After 40 Years by Inside Edition
Jay Leno
Despite the controversial Tonight Show transition involving Conan O'Brien in 2009-2010, Leno maintained his audience's loyalty until his final retirement in 2014. After that, he continued hosting Jay Leno's Garage. His "Headlines" segment of real newspaper bloopers became a Monday night institution.
Julie Chen Moonves
"But first..." became the signature transition phrase that Julie Moonves used to win over viewers during pivotal moments on Big Brother. She has hosted this reality competition since its American debut in 2000. Interestingly, her career began in serious news, where she worked as a reporter and anchor.
Julie Chen Moonves (Cont.)
Julie's demeanor earned her the nickname "Chenbot" from fans who noticed her precisely controlled hosting style. Beyond Big Brother, she served as moderator on The Talk for eight seasons. She then left the show after allegations against her husband, Les Moonves, surfaced.
John Charles Daly
During the day, Daly served as vice president of ABC News and anchored evening broadcasts. He reported on events like D-Day and Roosevelt's death before donning a tuxedo to host the popular panel show at night. Daly moderated celebrity panelists as they questioned contestants to guess their occupations.
John Charles Daly (Cont.)
He also hosted other programs like It’s News to Me (1951–1953) and appeared in notable broadcasts such as the "Kitchen Debate" coverage between Richard Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev in 1959. However, his role in What’s My Line? solidified him as a cultural icon.
CBS Television, Wikimedia Commons
David Letterman
In 1982, NBC gave Letterman a late-night slot following Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show. This marked the debut of Late Night with David Letterman, where his offbeat humor and absurd segments like "Stupid Pet Tricks" and "Top Ten Lists" gained a cult following.
Late Show with David Letterman, CBS
Conan O'Brien
Harvard Lampoon president turned television writer Conan O'Brien had the most unusual path to hosting compared to anyone mentioned here. With virtually no on-camera experience, the redheaded comedy writer was a shocking choice to replace David Letterman on Late Night in 1993.
NBC, Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993–2009)
Conan O'Brien (Cont.)
Prior to becoming a host, it is said that O'Brien worked as a writer for SNL and The Simpsons. His notable episodes for The Simpsons include "Marge vs. the Monorail" and “Homer Goes to College”. On leaving NBC in 2010, O'Brien launched his own show on TBS.
Twentieth Century, The Simpsons (1989– )
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey's unprecedented cultural influence began in 1984 when she moved to Chicago to host AM Chicago. She soon renamed it The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her revolutionary approach created intimate conversations with celebrities and everyday people that often led to emotional revelations and healing moments.
Oprah Winfrey (Cont.)
Her book club selections instantly became bestsellers, and those annual "Favorite Things" episodes created product frenzies. By the time her show ended in 2011 after 25 years and 4,561 episodes, Winfrey had built a media empire, including her OWN network and mainstream acting success.
Dick Cavett
Cavett began his career as a writer for The Tonight Show with Jack Paar and Johnny Carson. In 1968, he started his own talk show on ABC titled The Dick Cavett Show. This was notable for its diverse guest list, featuring Marlon Brando, Katharine Hepburn, and John Lennon.
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