Phil Donahue, pioneer of the daytime talk show, dies at age 88

(Reuters) — Phil Donahue, who changed the face of U.S. daytime television with a long-running syndicated talk show that highlighted topical and often provocative social and political issues, has died at age 88, NBC’s “Today” show reported on Monday, citing a statement from his family.

Donahue died surrounded by his family on Sunday following an illness, the “Today” show reported.

Debuting in 1970 when daytime television offered its mostly female viewers a diet of soap operas, game shows and homemaking programs, Donahue’s show tackled subject matter once considered taboo for television, including abortion, the sexual revolution and race relations.

With his boyish charm, irrepressible energy and thick white hair, Donahue was known for aggressively questioning his guests and bounding through the studio to give his audience a chance to be heard.

The success of his show paved the way for other daytime talk-show hosts, most notably Oprah Winfrey, whose program eventually eclipsed Donahue’s in the ratings.

“If it weren’t for Phil Donahue, there never would have been an Oprah show,” Winfrey has said.

Among the proliferation of daytime shows following in Donahue’s wake were a number that became known for sensationalism and occasional violence.

Such programs, hosted by personalities including Jerry Springer, Geraldo Rivera, Sally Jessy Raphael and Maury Povich were his “illegitimate children,” Donahue told interviewers, adding he loved them all.

With the daytime talk field becoming increasingly crowded, loud and rude, Donahue’s program slid in popularity, leading to its cancellation in 1996 after 26 years and thousands of shows on national television, the longest run for a syndicated U.S. talk show.

Donahue, who often spoke of his Roman Catholic upbringing, was one of the first television personalities to forcefully address sexual abuse of children by clergy in the Catholic Church, bringing the topic to national attention.

In addition to hot-topic issues, Donahue occasionally devoted time to lighter fare like misdiagnosed allergies and traded quips with celebrity guests from comedian Jerry Lewis to shock rocker Marilyn Manson. For an episode on cross-dressing, Donahue wore a skirt.

He won nine Daytime Emmys for best talk-show host.