Phil Donahue to return?
04-01-02 | 11:09 PM
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From: Home of the Golden Snowball
Phil Donahue to return?
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/ap/20020401/101771145100.html
MSNBC is courting Phil Donahue to return to television as the host of a topical prime-time hour.
Although the network would not comment on its search for new programming, a source close to the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity Monday said Donahue wants to do it but a deal has not been reached.
Donahue, 66, has been having "ongoing discussions" with MSNBC, said his spokeswoman, Jill DeVincens. There has been no agreement, she said.
MSNBC has been struggling in the ratings against its two cable news rivals, CNN and Fox News Channel. A prime-time talk show led by former presidential candidate Alan Keyes (news - web sites) has so far failed to attract much of an audience.
The network has also been hurt because two of its most prominent programs, a news hour with Brian Williams and "Hardball" with Chris Matthews, also air on sister station CNBC.
The Donahue discussions were reported Monday in the New York Daily News, which also said "Politically Incorrect" host Bill Maher, comedian Dennis Miller and ABC newsman Sam Donaldson were being considered for MSNBC's prime time.
ABC "Nightline" host Ted Koppel and Sally Jessy Raphael, whose daytime talk show was recently shut down after two decades, were also being considered, said a source at the network who requested anonymity.
Donahue's daytime show was a pioneer in the field, and he won nine Daytime Emmy awards for best talk show host, the last in 1988.
He cast a wide net for topics, arranging one show where audiences in the United States and the former Soviet Union quizzed each other. He wore a dress for another program on men who like to wear women's clothing.
Oprah Winfrey's show overtook "Donahue" in the ratings in the early 1990s, and production was stopped in 1996.
Donahue was also host of a political talk show that aired on CNBC from 1992 to 1995. His co-host was a Russian friend, Vladimir Pozner.
He has been active in liberal causes, and campaigned in 2000 in support of Ralph Nader (news - web sites)'s presidential candidacy.
MSNBC is courting Phil Donahue to return to television as the host of a topical prime-time hour.
Although the network would not comment on its search for new programming, a source close to the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity Monday said Donahue wants to do it but a deal has not been reached.
Donahue, 66, has been having "ongoing discussions" with MSNBC, said his spokeswoman, Jill DeVincens. There has been no agreement, she said.
MSNBC has been struggling in the ratings against its two cable news rivals, CNN and Fox News Channel. A prime-time talk show led by former presidential candidate Alan Keyes (news - web sites) has so far failed to attract much of an audience.
The network has also been hurt because two of its most prominent programs, a news hour with Brian Williams and "Hardball" with Chris Matthews, also air on sister station CNBC.
The Donahue discussions were reported Monday in the New York Daily News, which also said "Politically Incorrect" host Bill Maher, comedian Dennis Miller and ABC newsman Sam Donaldson were being considered for MSNBC's prime time.
ABC "Nightline" host Ted Koppel and Sally Jessy Raphael, whose daytime talk show was recently shut down after two decades, were also being considered, said a source at the network who requested anonymity.
Donahue's daytime show was a pioneer in the field, and he won nine Daytime Emmy awards for best talk show host, the last in 1988.
He cast a wide net for topics, arranging one show where audiences in the United States and the former Soviet Union quizzed each other. He wore a dress for another program on men who like to wear women's clothing.
Oprah Winfrey's show overtook "Donahue" in the ratings in the early 1990s, and production was stopped in 1996.
Donahue was also host of a political talk show that aired on CNBC from 1992 to 1995. His co-host was a Russian friend, Vladimir Pozner.
He has been active in liberal causes, and campaigned in 2000 in support of Ralph Nader (news - web sites)'s presidential candidacy.
04-02-02 | 12:20 AM
#2
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Phil Donahue to return?
Originally posted by Pac-Rat
He has been active in liberal causes, and campaigned in 2000 in support of Ralph Nader (news - web sites)'s presidential candidacy.
He has been active in liberal causes, and campaigned in 2000 in support of Ralph Nader (news - web sites)'s presidential candidacy.
Bring him back. I never much cared for the aggressive, haughty way in which he conducted his show, but he seems like a nice, knowledgable man of genuine integrity. Besides, we need the voices of some real leftists to be heard.
04-02-02 | 07:45 AM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Re: Phil Donahue to return?
Originally posted by Will Vielficken
Bring him back. I never much cared for the aggressive, haughty way in which he conducted his show, but he seems like a nice, knowledgable man of genuine integrity. Besides, we need the voices of some real leftists to be heard.
Bring him back. I never much cared for the aggressive, haughty way in which he conducted his show, but he seems like a nice, knowledgable man of genuine integrity. Besides, we need the voices of some real leftists to be heard.
Stay retired Phil!
04-03-02 | 02:43 PM
#5
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I don't think this is a bad idea. There are a million talk shows on now, but there are a million talk shows on that suck. Phil has had time to recharge his batteries, so it might be good.
