30 Best talk shows of all time
by ruffcoaley | created - 25 Dec 2013 | updated - 25 Dec 2013 | PublicThese shows had the biggest impact on tv. did the best numbers and lasted the longest
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1. Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993–2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Conan O'Brien, a Harvard Lampoon alumnus, hosts this late-night comedy/talk-show, which is often silly and whimsical.
Stars: Conan O'Brien, The Max Weinberg 7, Andy Richter, Joel Godard
Votes: 18,929
2. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)
TV-14 | 105 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Host Johnny Carson performs comedy routines and chats with various celebrities.
Stars: Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Doc Severinsen, Skitch Henderson
Votes: 4,234
3. Late Show with David Letterman (1993–2015)
TV-PG | 60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
The Late Show with David Letterman is an hour-long weeknight comedy and talk-show broadcast by CBS from the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway in New York City.
Stars: David Letterman, Paul Shaffer, Alan Kalter, Biff Henderson
Votes: 14,282
4. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992–2014)
TV-14 | 62 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Jay Leno takes over the Tonight Show with interview, sketches, and plenty of laughs.
Stars: Jay Leno, Kevin Eubanks, Edd Hall, John Melendez
Votes: 10,922
5. The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986–2011)
TV-PG | 60 min | News, Talk-Show
Oprah Winfrey hosts a live audience talk-show with celebrity guests and discusses daily stories.
Stars: Oprah Winfrey, Nate Berkus, Gayle King, Chris Rock
Votes: 5,426
6. SportsCenter (1979– )
60 min | News, Sport, Talk-Show
Daily sports news, results, and features.
Stars: Neil Everett, Scott Van Pelt, Elle Duncan, Matt Barrie
Votes: 2,441
7. Howard Stern (1994–2009)
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Raunchy interviews, sketches, and social commentary from the king of shock radio.
Stars: Howard Stern, Robin Quivers, Matt Sager, John Melendez
Votes: 1,159
8. ABC News Nightline (1980– )
30 min | News, Talk-Show
A nightly discussion of one important news event from earlier that day.
Stars: JuJu Chang, Bill Weir, Terry Moran, Byron Pitts
Votes: 359
9. Jenny Jones (1991–2003)
TV-MA | 60 min | Drama, Talk-Show
A daytime talk show with sensational topics, invited guests, and audience participation.
Stars: Jenny Jones, Matthew Sheridan, Crystal Storm, Valerie Mikita
Votes: 444
10. Larry King Live (1985–2010)
TV-14 | 60 min | News, Talk-Show
Popular and controversial journalist Larry King hosts this CNN call-in talk show.
Stars: Larry King, Bob Woodward, Ryan Seacrest, Bill Maher
Votes: 1,266
11. Good Morning America (1975– )
TV-G | 120 min | News, Talk-Show
They present the news and information source of the day's topics and journalism.
Stars: Lara Spencer, Ginger Zee, Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos
Votes: 2,020
12. Donahue (1967–1995)
60 min | Talk-Show
Phil Donahue's show started off similar to other shows of its day, featuring celebrities and musical acts, but he soon started pushing the envelope by discussing health and social topics previously considered taboo.
Stars: Phil Donahue, Bob Hope, Maria von Trapp, Sammy Davis Jr.
Votes: 407
13. The Jerry Springer Show (1991–2018)
Not Rated | 60 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
Among his peers' other talk-shows, Jerry's is of the more passionate and of the more sensational. His topics range from bisexual affairs to rape. His guests are more believable than some other talk-shows.
Stars: Jerry Springer, Peter A Kelly, Steve Wilkos, Chuck Conners
Votes: 4,692
14. The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003–2023)
TV-G | 60 min | Talk-Show
A mix of celebrity interviews, musical performers, audience participation games, and segments spotlighting real people with extraordinary stories and talents.
Stars: Ellen DeGeneres, Stephen Boss, Andy Lassner, Kym Douglas
Votes: 17,587
15. Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003– )
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Jimmy Kimmel interviews celebrities.
Stars: Jimmy Kimmel, Cleto and the Cletones, Guillermo Rodriguez, Paul E. Raff
Votes: 17,409
16. The Daily Show (1996– )
TV-14 | 22 min | Comedy, News, Talk-Show
A comedy news show featuring humorous takes on top stories.
Stars: Jon Stewart, Trevor Noah, Stephen Colbert, Roy Wood Jr.
Votes: 48,167
17. Real Time with Bill Maher (2003– )
TV-MA | 60 min | Comedy, News, Talk-Show
Comedian and political satirist Bill Maher discusses topical events with guests from various backgrounds.
Stars: Bill Maher, Andrew Sullivan, Michael Moore, Arianna Huffington
Votes: 14,326
18. The Montel Williams Show (1991–2009)
TV-PG | Drama, Talk-Show
A daily, one hour talk show hosted by Daytime Emmy Award-winner Montel Williams, a highly decorated naval officer, actor and motivational speaker.
Stars: Montel Williams, Sylvia Browne, Maria Setaro, Jason Hair-Wynn
Votes: 423
19. The Arsenio Hall Show (1989–1994)
60 min | Comedy, Music, Talk-Show
Arsenio Hall hosts this hip, late-night talk show.
Stars: Arsenio Hall, Burton Richardson, Michael Wolff, Sinbad
Votes: 992
20. The Best Damn Sports Show Period (2001–2009)
TV-MA | 60 min | News, Sport, Talk-Show
The Best Damn Sports Show Period was an American sports television show that aired on Fox Sports Net. The show regularly featured irreverent and opinionated interviews with top athletes, ... See full summary »
Stars: Brian Kahn, Tom Arnold, Chris Rose, John Salley
Votes: 204
21. Dr. Phil (2002–2023)
TV-14 | 45 min | Talk-Show
Talk show in which Dr. Phil McGraw invites guests to confront their problems.
Stars: Phil McGraw, Madison Graber, Robin McGraw, T.D. Jakes
Votes: 4,249
22. The Wanda Sykes Show (2009– )
TV-14 | 60 min | Comedy, Talk-Show
A new weekly late-night series, The Wanda Sykes Show will feature Sykes' personal take on the events of the week punctuated by field pieces and produced comedy segments. Everything from ... See full summary »
Stars: Brant Kaiwi, Wanda Sykes, Keith Robinson, Shelley Dowdy
Votes: 238
23. Regis and Kelly in Prime Time (2002 TV Special)
Talk-Show
Stars: Ben Affleck, Amerie, Paul James Bannerman, Duy Beck
Votes: 36
24. The Wendy Williams Show (2008–2022)
TV-14 | 60 min | Talk-Show
Talk show in which Wendy Williams chats about celebrity gossip and what's new in the entertainment world.
Stars: Wendy Williams, Melissa Garcia, Jason Rooney, Sherri Shepherd
Votes: 1,898
25. The Doctors (2008–2022)
TV-PG | 60 min | News, Talk-Show
A team of medical professionals discuss a range of various health-related topics and answer questions from viewers who are too embarrassed to ask their own doctors.
Stars: Travis Stork, Andrew Ordon, Jim Sears, Rachael Ross
Votes: 1,004
26. The Geraldo Rivera Show (1987–1998)
TV-MA | 60 min | Talk-Show
Geraldo interviews various guests who wish to reveal a secret to a loved one on Television. Mistress Tara counsels and gives her spin on things.
Stars: Geraldo Rivera, Tina Malave, J.D. Ligier, Tom Wedge
Votes: 224
27. Regis & Kathie Lee: Special Edition (1988 TV Special)
Stars: Regis Philbin, Kathie Lee Gifford, Mike Wallace, Barbara Walters
28. Ricki Lake (1992–2004)
TV-MA | 60 min | Talk-Show
Yet another daytime television talk show, specializing in sensationalistic topics, with invited guests and a studio audience.
Stars: Ricki Lake, Anita Lawson, James Easter Bradford, Moniere
Votes: 688
29. Rachael Ray (2006–2023)
TV-G | 60 min | News, Talk-Show
Rachael Ray offers simple solutions to everyday issues.
Stars: Rachael Ray, Mike Goral, Gretta Monahan, Ian Smith
Votes: 1,163
30. The Tyra Banks Show (2005–2011)
TV-PG | 60 min | Talk-Show
Tyra talks to the biggest celebrities about everyday things.
Stars: Tyra Banks, Carolyn London, Toccara Jones, Andrew Trees
Votes: 1,419
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