The origins of today?s trash daytime talk shows lie in Phil Donahue?s entrance to the talk show arena in the late 1960s. Previously, morning talk shows consisted of a combination of news stories, discussion and interviews, but his show, Donahue, was the first of its kind to involve audience interaction. More importantly, Donahue was the first to showcase controversial or unique real life stories. In the early seventies, topics on his show included homosexuality, which had never been addressed on national television before, adultery and other things that were considered too graphic and sexually explicit to be exhibited on television. As a result of this groundbreaking style of talk programming, Donahue often had trouble with censorship and was the only television show at the time that was frequently boycotted by major stations. Although Phil Donahue is today seen as one of the greatest talk show hosts of all time, ?many of the things people are complaining about on today?s talk shows were around more than 20 years ago on Donahue? . In the 1980s, Oprah Winfrey, Sally Jesse Raphael and Geraldo all came onto the daytime talk show scene, adhering closely to the format which Donahue had proven

The popularity of Rikki Lake has remained fairly stable, with over 85% of her audience being under 30 , an unusually high proportion. Without the violence and profanity of Springer, Rikki Lake still has all the basics of trash talk: family feuds, affairs, jealousy and tears. One thing worthy of note about Rikki Lake is that the guests are decidedly less ?trailer-park? than Jerry Springer - they appear to be more intelligent, better dressed and noticeably younger and more attractive. This no doubt influences the popularity of the show, as rather than feeling superior to the guests, home viewers can relate more easily. It is less humerous, but still entertaining. Poppy Karamanolis, a 45-year-old masseuse says of Rikki Lake ?I think I?m a bit old for it. I much prefer Oprah because I can relate more easily. Although, having said that some of the antics on the Rikki Lake Show are quite entertaining. But, as I say, it?s all a bit beyond me - my daughters love it?. Rikki Lake is particularly popular with teenaged girls. Jessica, a 13-year-old student says that Rikki is her favourite show. ?I love it so so much. I?m not allowed to watch Jerry Springer, but I watch Rikki whenever I can. I love the makeover ones! Oh, and the love triangle ones!?

Thomas Corry, a 21-year-old student claims that TV talk shows are pathetic and rot young minds. According to him, ?the only thing more disgusting than the people who go on these shows are the people who sit at home and actually watch it?. This comment highlights the obvious: there is an overwhelming demand for trash talk and so long as this demand is there, talk shows will have to get increasingly extreme in order to retain ratings. The fact that Jerry Springer is not broadcast during school holiday times in Australia is some indication of the possible harming effects of the show for children. However, adults who view the shows for what they are - sensationalised entertainment; at times staged; an inaccurate portrayal of contemporary lifestyle - can realistically be unharmed by this genre. It is only when the shows are seen as a basis for reality that problems emerge.

Some topics in this essay:
Jerry Springer, Rikki Lake, Vicki Abt, Fran Lebowitz, Oprah Winfrey, Phil Donahues, Camille Paglia, African American, Whining Jer-ry, Cultural Tool, rikki lake, trash talk, jerry springer, oprah winfrey, daytime talk, talk viewers, tv talk, public forum, audience interaction, home viewers, springer rikki lake, jerry springer beating, trash talk viewers,