Phil Donahue Reveals His Most Annoying Guests | David Letterman

Phil comes to New York!
(From "Late Night," air date: 11/15/84)
#phildonahue #rip #letterman
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[@lindaadams2315]

Thank you for posting this in Phil's memory. Many blessings to his wife Marlo, and the rest of the family. Rest easy, Phil..

[@jimmyjames2022]

Phil Donahue was such an earnest, understated man, not a bone of pretense. Daytime TV was lucky to have him.

[@vanmoody]

I always liked when Phil Hartman did him on SNL.

[@TrishRyan-ey8go]

He was a good guy

[@user-ns6js4hn3e]

May be in that business you can't have any bones with pretense either.

[@MrBuketman]

@@vanmoodySo funny. Similar voices and the way Hartman does the mannerisms while dealing with nonsense people😂

[@dBsound100]

He was such a likeable, kind soul. Rest it peace, Phil.

[@shaywhite5064]

Poor Marlo....they were so in love for so long. Rest in Peace Phil ❤💔

[@user-ht1xu4gv2u]

THAT. GIRL ???😊😊😊

[@solitaryman777]

It's always the people left behind who suffer. The heartbreak of losing a long-time partner must be intense.

[@fuzzskis333]

I love Marlo. She has carried her father’s legacy so well. What St. Jude’s has done for families that have experienced the horrors of childhood cancer is beyond measure. Rest in eternal peace Phil. You are in my thoughts and prayers Marlo. May God bless and comfort you in this time of sorrow. 🙏

[@annemccarron2281]

She's fortunate to have found a decent man & lived so many decades without experiencing adultery or verbal or physical abuse. I'm sure she's very appreciative of the married life she had.

[@annrodriguez2891]

​@@user-ht1xu4gv2uYes it was a beautiful love story❤

[@MiddleMalcolm]

Easy to forget how much of a landmark show Phil Donahue had. Hugely influential on that whole concept of television. Always seemed to be a great guy to have a conversation with. Just a natural. ❤

[@pamelaearl7191]

I remember him stating why he started his show. Always be grateful.

[@TrishRyan-ey8go]

I remember staying home sick from school and watching Donahue with my mom❤❤good memories

[@mrsj1417]

There's a hysterical clip where Dave fired Gerry Mulligan for the nth time - and Gerry immediately goes across the hall and appears on Donahue to talk about "horrible bosses who fire people for no reason". 🤣🤣RIP Mr. Donahue.

[@ratso69ful81]

LOL, I missed that one, now I have to search for it

[@bobreed414]

Just enjoyed him so much. His show was so informative.

[@ratso69ful81]

@@bobreed414 Agreed, informative & classy, before it all "went to hell"....

[@lchaney]

Grew up on Donahue. Thanks for making my childhood at home a more interesting learning experience. My mom, grandma, great grandma all watched Donahue. RIP

[@shabadoo24]

I love watching Donahue too. Better than the rest

[@vanmoody]

I didn't always agree with Phil. But the word you used comes to mind. He was interesting. I would add he was likable too.

[@DaNiyaHodge]

Rip Phillip John Donahue, you will be missed

[@meagainandagain5756]

He was an intelligent man. He married beautiful Marlo Thomas, “That Girl”, for those who remember. So, he was even smarter than most people realized! 😊

[@DonnaMayStanish]

lchaney - My mom loved Phil's morning program, and I would skip a day from school to watch his program with her. Nice memories. ♥️

[@NoellaScott]

Phil was my buddy. He was a truly warm, great, humble, kind, and always joyous man. I worked with him for a few years, and never had a single bad moment. He helped me TREMENDOUSLY and was always such a wonderful person. He will be profoundly missed.

[@matthewdubay1180]

Why are you telling that to KZbin, and not at the funeral? Do you think that you are important? I never met the man, yet he had a TREMENDOUS impact on my life too. Do I also get a cookie?

[@NoellaScott]

@@matthewdubay1180 Maybe, if you think REAALLLLLL hard, you'll some day decipher why people broadcast personal stories about the dead to the world when they've passed. I wish you luck on your quest!

[@matthewdubay1180]

@@NoellaScott what quest? Phil was your buddy. So you feel so important, that you need to tell the world about how great he was? We all know this. Be with his family if you were such friends. If you can't attend, send a hand written letter. You like yourself a lot don't you?

[@matthewdubay1180]

@@NoellaScott Every time a friend of mine dies, should I go on social media, to prove how awesome I am, or spend time with the family and share stories in person? Celebrity or not?

[@NoellaScott]

@@matthewdubay1180 Hey, kiddo - you still don't get it. And you never will. You have some serious self loathing going on. Have a lovely life.

[@susanmolnar9606]

Phil and Marlo lived in my town when they settled in together while his show was in NYC. Their house was recently put on the market and we wondered why. We believe now that the end was near. 😢

[@timward3116]

RIP. Probably the most significant host in American television history. Boy, do we need people like him today!

[@autumn1231]

Many like him on MSNBC

[@lylecampbell9036]

​@autumn1231 that's absurd

[@timward3116]

@@lylecampbell9036 You are right, since he is no longer on MSNBC. But when he was on MSNBC, many did like him. Unfortunately, MSNBC didn't like him, though.

[@wampdog61]

@@timward3116they fired him because he was holding the Bush administration’s feet to the fire about the war……that’s a fact

[@TySpiceland]

Why RIP? Dave’s still alive…

[@BearbearbearbearbearbearRarrrr]

Donahue was a rare breed of person, and an icon.

[@TrishRyan-ey8go]

So true ❤

[@bbcsoundcrew]

If you've ever seen Phil Hartman's impersonation of Donahue, it's a work of art. Rip to both of them...

[@andywood5699]

He pioneered the audience participation format and did so with intelligence. Never talked down to his audience and always informed and tackled taboo subjects. I missed him when he left. Rest in Peace Mr. Donahue. My condolences to your wife, Marlo.

[@annavasquez1394]

Marlo & Phil fell in love on live tv🇺🇸

[@rsgabrys----]

-------------------------- yep ....during commercial breaks they were playing spin the bottle of Gretcian formula.....thx ....ok

[@rhoho2217]

There’s a clip somewhere I’ve seen of them on his show and you can literally see them both bewitched with each other. It was the sweetest thing to see. (I’ve never used the word bewitched before but it seems like the best description of what was happening between them.)

[@lexmax08]

RIP. I remember him well. Phil Hartman’s SNL sketch playing him is a classic.

[@brentgardner5103]

RIP to a TV pioneer. 🕯🕯🕯

[@b5maddog]

Classy, respectful and such beautiful hair RIP Phil

[@justaguy6100]

Thanks for this callback. Phil was an ICON.

[@judd442009]

May Phil's memory be a blessing to all those who knew and loved him.

[@JS45678]

Legendary pioneer of Daytime Talk Television. RIP Sir, You are sorely missed. 😔

[@esousa486]

Mr. Donahue was and will REMAIN, a CLASS ACT ...... "Thank You" for enlightening us all, for so long ..... R.I.P.

[@user-cz2bh3yl9y]

He was the best daytime talk show host ever. He was unbiased and fair. I learned so much from his show. RIP Aphil and thank you!!!!!! ☮️💟

[@acousticshadow4032]

Agreed. Phil was the Best. No contest.

[@harvesttable77]

I love this. I used to watch Phil everyday. He was very intelligent, not afraid of controversial guests, and paved the way for so many others.

[@jmaxxtv9912]

I remember Dave doing a "Phil Donahue Week" thing, and he had Phil sitting beside him for the opening of the show, and Phil said something to the tune of "Gee, that's great Dave. You're really not the bastard everyone says you are." I'm paraphrasing, but I'd love to see that clip again. I laughed so hard at that. Rest well, legend. 👍

[@2Majesties]

In terms of positive influence on modern culture, late 20th century, Phil was a real giant.

[@CatJabZ]

Phil Donahue was a great hero of broadcasting history. I loved his show growing up. He was so earnest and wise. You could really trust his words. Don't get much of that these days. Rest in peace Mr. Donahue.

[@dennismarcucci3465]

An absolute legend, my mom, brother and I watched every morning, even when he was on CNBC

[@privatepenguin3137]

Although I watched a little bit of Dave on the morning show...followed by a little bit of Late Night in '82 & '83...but when I really started watching Letterman on a nightly basis, the Phil Donahue Countdown Calendar was in full force. Great memories. R.I.P. Phil...a true television pioneer and had a great sense of humor.

[@user-ht1xu4gv2u]

Dave was too cool on morning show alot of antics there made it to late night. His show. Was a qwik NBC. ATTEMPT TO FILL IN FOR THE CANCELLED BOYCOTTING OLYMPICS......THE BEST WAS A TRIBITE TO A COUPLES ANNIVERSARY. BUT THE SPARKLERS AND CONFETTI NEARLY TORCHED THE TV STUDIO😅😅😅

[@tas22222]

I gotta say Bravo to his parents his upbringing what a GEM Of a man !! I am so happy I got to watch his shows every chance I got, RIP Phil you were a pioneer and as I said A gem of a human being !

[@JonathanHudgins]

Back in the day when TV was good, they even gave shows to intellectuals like Mr. Donahue. RIP.

[@MrBaltch]

It's sad that a decent guy like Phil Donahue is gone, but if you think he was an intellectual, then that's pretty sad as well.

[@JonathanHudgins]

@@MrBaltch He was a very bright man. That's all the qualifications it takes to be called an intellectual, so...

[@missoula2213]

Go take a nap Grandpa.

[@MrBaltch]

No it isn't, an intellectual was generally an author, an academic, someone with great expertise in a specific area. You're also forgetting that Donahue also did stunts for ratings. Good guy, smart guy, not an intellectual.@@JonathanHudgins

[@JonathanHudgins]

@@MrBaltch Go look up intellectual in the dictionary and leave me alone.

[@annmariethompson4587]

Phil will be missed. He was a staple watching in our household. RIP

[@KatieHiggins-hc1ph]

Watching Phil Donahue with my mom , pregnant with my first child , I saw the midwives whose practice was 45 minutes away ! I am a nurse, who was not comfortable with hospital deliveries. One of those midwives delivered my son - the whole experience, including pre ant post natal care was amazing. Loved his show because it was cutting edge, informative, civilized and fun. No one could or has come close to him or his format. 🙏❤

[@kamuelalee]

A legend has died. Phil will be greatly missed. He was a real class act and intelligent human being.

[@KungEMuller]

Phil Donahue will definitely be missed. He was very funny, and Dave helped him promote his talk show.

[@AdamShaiken]

Phil was the first, finest and a genuine human being. May he rest in eternity. My thoughts and prayers to Marlo.

[@johnwohara]

Sad news. History will note that Phil Donahue was a very good man.

[@raywalsh9152]

RIP Phil ... thanks for putting in the effort to educate and entertain at the same time.

[@waltwenzel9549]

Rip Mr Donahue. Loved your show and the person you were.

[@mgebi1]

Daytime TV was real. Had a meaningful conversation with interesting people. How low it sunk after such distinction and a talented caring host. A man who set a respectable standard that all could watch. Looking back at the best. And we ended up with trash. He had vision, real entertainment. A time when tv wanted great not garbage. And this guy did it!!👍💙🇺🇸

[@markusallport1276]

A wonderful and grateful man. I had the honor of meeting Phil & Marlo back in 2000-2001. He was a gratious and shy as he was here on this show. Just a true gentleman, very humble. RIP

[@kittybluett8887]

He was my favourite talk show host, better than all the rest.

[@user-cz2bh3yl9y]

I wish more of his shows were on KZbin. I WOULD watch every one.

[@kimr5479]

I would too!👍

[@ATLcentury334]

Phil was just the best. I learned a lot about myself from his show.

[@AudreyLMcFarland]

RIP Phil, for all of us who watched your show, grew up watching, you were so much fun to watch... as this clip showed, a true gentleman! Marlo, We are so sad for your loss! - Thank you David for posting this!

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

The most honest talk show host ever..rest well Phil Donahue 🙏

[@rickhensen3278]

Being a big fan of Donahue, my wife at the time , got tickets for us to one of his shows; A truly humble intellectual. I miss him.

[@Mmdmade]

Phil Hartman = Phil Donahue. Must watch

[@JayShep-te4kj]

Joe Piscopo actually did a pretty good a few Donahue years before Hartman. May be hard to believe today but he was actually pretty funny on SNL just because he did so many impersonations on the show.

[@antihero5203]

The SNL sketch of the Donahue show is still comedy gold.

[@tomryan4968]

Darrell Hammond’s impression of Donahue is the gold standard.

[@blu48]

The days of staying up super late to watch Letterman. What a joyous time. RIP wonderful, ,legendary Phil Donohue.

[@Redmenace96]

I remember this show! Donahue was awesome.

[@andyroo9381]

Phil Donahue never had an ego. If he did, he never let it govern his show. Such a good man. I miss the Phil Donahue Show.

[@raymondhoagland4976]

Enjoyed watching Phil run around the audience fielding questions , loved his show ! RIP 🙏Hilarious interview 😂 !

[@lyncressler2608]

I loved this man. He will be missed . Sending love to Marlo ♥️😥

[@jamescarter3196]

I'm 48 and was a child when Donahue was the biggest daytime talk show, before Oprah and many others made their versions of it. There were a lot of talk shows through the '70s but his represented such a solid core of compassion, intelligence, humility and just generally a benevolent and helpful attitude about life, it is hard to overstate how great that show was and what a tremendous moral compass he was for a lot of people and brought together people who today would be separated by partisanship and the like. I can think of hardly anyone else whose work has ever approached the incredibly well-considered and skillful approach to engaging people in conversation that Phil Donahue did for decades. One of the greatest tragedies in media is the way he was scraped out of the television landscape due to political pressure from the right when they went hardcore-partisan in the 90s. He deserved so much better than to be treated that way and his legacy deserves much more attention than it's getting so far.

[@davidmc8475]

WTH are you talking about? The right didn’t end his show, Oprah came along, his ratings dropped and he was cancelled. Turns out women were more interested in trash TV than interesting topics. Women who made up his audience like shows without a lot of substance. The Bachelor, Housewives of Beverly Hills, Daytime Drama shows.

[@mwyatt222]

My mom was on his show speaking on prisoner rights.

[@rhondafortson5205]

PHIL DONAHUE did change daytime TV indeed. His unique ability to tackle so many controversial subjects and handle some difficult people was, and still is, EXCEPTIONAL.

[@JacobElyachar]

RIP to the one of the kings of daytime talk! Phil Donahue was a true pioneer and will be missed tremendously.

[@leilanirocks]

This is so good. Phil is smart and funny and this interview is just the Essence of Dave. I watched this and felt transported back to the first time I watched it almost 40 years ago. Dave did Great TV. 📺

[@sandarahcatmom9897]

Loved that man - and his show.

[@I_am_enigma53]

I loved Donahue. His voice was so memorable. And I enjoyed how he would run through his audience with the microphone.

[@pamelaearl7191]

My heart sank when I saw this heading. Remember this scene! Linus Pauling, Carl Sagan, Stephen Hawking; orphan diseases, Turettes, Dominos delivery crashes and the very first time A.I.D.S. was discussed. Those are just some of the guests and topics. Cheers Dave and Dave's team. Feels like we've lost a favourite teacher. He was funny too. RIP Phil and thank you for everything. My thoughts are with Marlo, Charlie and their families.

[@peterbreughel4440]

Two of the great innovators of American television.

[@jmbutler5]

I was fortunate enough to be on the Donahue show 3 times and it was a honor to meet him along with Walter Cronkite, Ryan White’s mother & I don’t remember the last time. He was a very honest, fascinating man & I love my memories of those times.❤

[@Eye2Eye24]

That's cool. He was a 1 of a kind

[@pauld.cullenjr.7934]

I loved the Donohoe countdown on Late Night. The progression of different calendars was so hilarious - it deserves a clip collection of itself!

[@michelek.5233]

RIP Phil. You were progressive, amazing at talking to people and just a Real One. You'll be missed.

[@leannlaplante3643]

Phil's joy came through in even the toughest topics he covered. Lord, thank you for sharing his soul with us.

[@huflungdung8252]

Phil Donahue. A dear good man. RIP

[@kimr5479]

I loved his talk show, Boy I miss the talk shows from back then Rest Well Phil Donahue!😥🙏

[@WhtrBruin]

I would LOVE to see a Countdown Calendar compilation. Those were comedy gold.

[@michaelkrupar9808]

While I wasn't a daily viewer, I can honestly say Phil Donahue saved my life. In 1986, I just happened to catch his show about gay men who had married women, started families and then came out later. Yep, I was in that situation and watching this episode gave me a feeling of hope. Here's the title: "Phil Donahue 1986 coming out as gay to a heterosexual spouse and children."

[@jillbloomer7708]

As a Daytonian...still..loved this guy! He put us on the map! Was able to attend a show!❤

[@jvalatka]

A lot of insights from dearly departed Phil in this clip, but if you came for the "most annoying guests" part: 12:21 - 14:14: Phil was generally annoyed at people who answered his long questions with replies like "uh-huh" and "yeah". He did mention Jerry Rubin, and Dave volunteered Abby Hoffman, who had called Phil "Merv" throughout his appearance.

[@ratso69ful81]

R.I.P. Phil Donahue

[@mattclary2069]

Phil was such a nice guy, and it's refreshing to see Dave as a younger, less bitter guy. (Love ya Dave)

[@TrishRyan-ey8go]

Phil Donahue was a genuinely and sincerely a good man ☘️

[@Obsessedwithcookies758]

R.I.P to another loved icon. He was one of my grandma’s favorites. ❤

[@beckyshell4649]

I Remember growing up with the Phil Donahue show . He always had informative show that was also interesting and at times entertaining.

[@mikefannon6994]

I was in high school in Dayton when he started- always watched in summer. Different kind of TV.

[@maryvitale9264]

I always liked and ADMIRED PHIL

[@user-zj1ft5tx5f]

My most favorite Phil Donahue show was when Neil Diamond was trying to teach Phil to sing and move to the Torah. Neil was having a hard time keeping a straight face. He was trying to get Phil to loosen up and sway back and forth. Neil said "don't worry you're gonna look sexy"! The audience was screaming with laughter. It's here on KZbin if you want to watch it. God Bless you, Phil. You are going to be missed.

[@StevenTorrey]

Phil Donahue passed on today 8/19/24 aged 88.

[@Cantbuyathrilll]

Back when civil discourse was second nature

[@carleneburton4557]

What an awesome human being and will be missed. He was the first to call out the lies from the Bush administration leading up to the war on Iraq - and he was cancelled (of course) from MSNBC. Prayers and love to Marlo and his family, let his memory be a blessing.

[@royfizzbin2938]

Donahue was a good guest. I remember him being on Late Night often (17 times, according to IMDB). Dave did Phil's show in 1985. A good episode; it's on Don Giller's channel.

[@KathiB-e5n]

As a child I was sick a lot and my Mom watched this show. We only had one TV so I ended up watching starting in first grade. I always liked him. Rest in Peace, Phil. No one was as good as you.

[@jacquesjoseph2022]

This was the time when tv host and journalist couldn’t be brought. RIP Phil Donahue🙏🏽

[@HardRockMiner]

RIP, Phil Donahue. ❤

[@APTKSU]

He was a champion for women's rights early on. Groundbreaking television. Interesting side note: Jerry Springer was supposed to be his successor on daytime tv; Jerry's shows started out very much "Donahue-esque"...

[@solitaryman777]

Jerry's politics were closely aligned with Phil's. I remember the old Air America radio network that had Jerry Springer on in the afternoon, and he was surprisingly sensitive and progressive (compared to what his show turned into). Jerry expressed regret about the turn his TV show took later on, likening it to pro wrestling.

[@APTKSU]

@solitaryman777 Yes! He was a extremely smart, politically progressive person. He actually ran a primary campaign to be Ohio governor in the very early 80s. He would have been a great senator, in the vein of Franken.

[@bradcooke5383]

Iconic Phil. What a great American and person. We will all miss him.

[@chemicalbrother7613]

Growing up in the USSR, Phil Donahue was the first non-Hollywood personality millions of soviet people got to know during his and Vladimir Posner’s attempt to build a TV bridge between the two nations. He was an absolute professional TV journalist and entertainer, which is a lot in these days of Stephen Colberts, Jimmy Fallons, Don Lemons, etc. RIP.

[@fire1777]

Condolences to Marlo.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand on the Donahue Show was absolutely awesome. The crowd had no idea how to respond to them. LOL!

[@wintercame]

Wish I'd seen those, 😄.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

@@wintercame They're on youtube and they are totally worth watching! The Ayn Rand show from Madison Square Garden is insane. The crowd was absolutely enraged at her and she called a woman a "hippie" for asking a question she thought was "rude". It's absolutely hilarious.

[@cherylsibson2529]

Thanks for posting about Phil Donahue, he was a class act, and he took his staff to Paris! They do need a talk show host like Phil Donahue, and Marlo Thomas Parents are People - she could update a video and make one about Grandparents are people, and tell a story about Phil being a Grandpa!

[@NightWarriorAlive]

Guy was part of my childhood; home from school, watching daytime TV.

[@obionekenobi7401]

Two people having a conversation wearing ties…..my heavens!!!!!

[@janicescott6569]

Oh yes, he was loved and will be missed.

[@frndofbear]

Phil opened my eyes to how other people live. He was a great influence on my political views which definitely skew left now.

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

RIP

[@8gagee]

I use to watch him, when I was home sick, from school. I remember when he got together with Marlo...my girl crush from when I was 4.....love both of them. RIP Phil

[@dakotahstr]

Loved watching Phil everyday❤❤

[@chrispowers345]

RIP, Phil. You were never short of being a fun, informative, class act.