The Ultimate Ranking: Uncovering the Top Daytime Talk Shows of the Iconic '90s Era!

Summary

The best 90s talk shows were a mix of tabloid drama and informative content, with some shows focusing on relationships and family issues.

Shows such as The Jerry Springer Show and Geraldo pushed the limits of controversy with their provocative and chaotic content. On the other hand, shows like Leeza and The Oprah Winfrey Show took a more uplifting and enlightening approach, delving into significant subjects and showcasing noteworthy individuals.

The top talk shows of the 90s were typically known for their sensational and dramatic content, but not all of them followed this formula. This decade witnessed a variety of entertaining daytime talk shows, ranging from the outrageous like The Jerry Springer Show to tabloid talk shows like Geraldo. These shows featured prominent hosts who achieved great fame outside of hosting, as well as others who reduced their on-screen presence after the 90s ended.

Nevertheless, a handful of daytime talk shows truly stood out as the best of the 90s. What made most of these shows highly entertaining was their reflection of the era, presenting content that would now be considered extremely offensive and unexpected. However, not all talk shows, like the best late-night talk shows, solely focused on scandalous and salacious topics. Some were genuinely informative and featured interviews with important figures discussing relevant issues. These are the standout daytime talk shows of the 90s, and although not all of them were thoroughly shocking, they were equally captivating.

15 The Tempestt Bledsoe Show (1995-1996)

14 Rolonda (1994–1997)

In January 1994, the talk show Rolonda made its debut with Rolonda Watts as the host and her own production company backing the show. Prior to this opportunity, Rolonda began her career as a reporter for various TV networks, and her exceptional work earned her an Emmy nomination. After showcasing her talent on Inside Edition and later on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Rolonda was given the chance to host her very own talk show, which turned out to be a relative success.

Rolonda's talk show, which spanned four seasons, concluded in 1997 under her own direction. It took over The Les Brown Show, which got axed due to a lack of viewership. Rolonda ensured that her 90s talk show stayed true to its format, engaging in meaningful conversations about impactful topics such as her coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial. However, she made the decision to end her show when Jerry Springer introduced sensationalized television, refusing to conform to that style on her own program.

13 Leeza (1994–2000)

Originally known as John & Leeza from Hollywood, Leeza started in 1993 with John Tesh and Leesa Gibbons as hosts. However, within a year, Tesh left and the show was renamed Leeza, with Gibbons as the sole host. Prior to this, Gibbons had established herself as a respected journalist on Entertainment Tonight for six years. Following Tesh's departure, Leeza went on to achieve great success in the world of daytime talk television.

The show originally centered around celebrity news and interviews, drawing inspiration from Leeza and Tesh's work on Entertainment Tonight. However, following Tesh's departure, Leeza transformed into a more conventional talk show. This strategic decision proved to be wise as the show enjoyed a seven-year run, concluding in 2000 after airing 1,270 episodes. Notably, the show dedicated significant attention to crime and celebrity stories, resulting in Leeza receiving 29 Daytime Emmy nominations and winning three.

12 The Joan Rivers Show (1989–1993)

Despite its 1989 premiere, The Joan Rivers Show swiftly became a popular 90s talk show, captivating audiences for a remarkable five-year run until 1993. Prior to her success on the show, Rivers had already established herself as a talented comedian, earning prestigious accolades such as an Emmy Award, Grammy Award, and a Tony Award nomination. Her previous experience as a guest host on Johnny Carson's program, followed by her own late-night talk show that posed as competition to Carson, further showcased her expertise in the field.

television for many years as viewers continued to enjoy her unique and uproarious brand of humor.

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and continued to be a great success.

11 Geraldo (1987 - 1998)

One of the most popular daytime talk shows in the '90s was Geraldo, hosted by journalist Geraldo Rivera. Known as "trash TV," this tabloid talk show gained notoriety for its sensational content and lack of vetting for guests. The show has been parodied numerous times, even in a hilarious episode of Family Guy.

Geraldo was no stranger to controversy. In a 1988 episode, tensions erupted when the KKK, Black activists, and Jewish activists were all present. This led to one of the most memorable brawls in talk show history, with audience members and crew members joining in. Rivera himself suffered a nasal fracture when a chair was thrown at his face. Despite the incident, Geraldo found himself embroiled in another brawl at a KKK rally, resulting in cuts and even a bite to his thumb.

10 The Montel Williams Show (1991 - 2008)

The Montel Williams Show aired for an impressive 17 seasons and 4,325 episodes, making it one of the most notable daytime talk shows of the '90s. While it covered tabloid topics like others of its time, Montel Williams approached these subjects with an inspirational perspective rather than a controversial one. Despite its long run, the show did not receive significant recognition and was eventually canceled by Fox in 2008.

The show delved into various compelling narratives, such as reuniting lost loves and family members, the experiences of mothers who gave up their babies for adoption, the stories of women who fought and survived sexual assault, and more. Montel Williams, who himself lives with multiple sclerosis, frequently brought attention to this condition in his discussions on the show.

9 The Jenny Jones Show (1991 - 2003)

During the 1990s, Jenny Jones became synonymous with daytime talk shows. Produced by Quincy Jones, The Jenny Jones Show had an impressive run of 12 seasons from 1991 to 2003. It made history as the most widely syndicated talk show at the time. While it initially had a mild tone, the show gradually transformed into a tabloid-style program, exploring increasingly unconventional topics such as troubled teenagers sent to boot camp, individuals confronting childhood bullies, makeovers, and more. Additionally, the show served as a platform for aspiring musicians including Usher, Ludacris, and Nelly.

8 Donahue (1967 - 1996)

Phil Donahue's talk show was a beloved fixture in daytime television during the '90s. Regarded as one of the best talk shows of that era, Donahue himself was highly esteemed as a host. The series concluded in the late '90s, after an extensive run. Renowned for its focus on more serious subject matter, Donahue's show stood out among its counterparts. Its inaugural episode even featured a prominent atheist discussing her beliefs. Interestingly, while the '90s saw the rise of scandalous tabloid talk shows, Donahue opted to delve into deeper and weightier topics. As a result, the show garnered a lasting place in pop culture history. Though it may not have courted controversy like other daytime talk shows, it was still recognized as the 29th greatest TV show of all tine by TV Guide.

7 The Jerry Springer Show (1991 - 2018)

The Jerry Springer Show stands out as the most recognizable and popular daytime talk show of the '90s, known for its unparalleled outrageous content. It swiftly became one of the most controversial syndicated shows, gaining immense popularity over its 27-year duration and even spawning three spinoffs. Surprisingly, the show wasn't always a tabloid talk show.

Initially, the series centered around political issues, but low ratings in the first season prompted a dramatic shift. In the mid-90s, there was a complete turnaround as the focus shifted to scandalous subjects such as incest and adultery, resulting in the infamous Jerry Springer fights and brawls that the show is renowned for.

6 The Sally Jessy Raphael Show (1983 - 2002)

The tabloid talk show began in the early 1980s and continued until the early 2000s. It was regarded as one of the top daytime talk shows during the 1990s. As the show gained recognition and a devoted audience, it transitioned to be simply known as "Sally". It was among the pioneering daytime talk shows to feature a female host, who was considered one of the finest talk show hosts in the United States. The inclusion of audience participation also made it stand out. Sally played a pivotal role in establishing the format of modern talk shows and actually aired three years before The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Hosted by Sally Jessy Raphael, known for her distinctive oversized glasses, the show covered a broad range of topics, including controversial subjects like extreme religious beliefs and teen pregnancies, as well as lighter topics such as hypnotism and comedic pranks. Despite the decline in popularity of the tabloid talk show genre by the early 2000s, Sally remained enduring and continued for multiple decades.

5 The Maury Povich Show (1991 - )

Renamed Maury, this long-running tabloid talk show continues to thrive, having been renewed for the 2021-2022 season. Over its 30 seasons, the show has covered a wide range of topics, including teenage pregnancy, paternity disputes, obesity, bullying, and phobias. The phrase "You are NOT the father" has become iconic, as it is often exclaimed when host Povich reveals DNA results. Despite facing criticism for exploiting serious issues for entertainment, the show's salacious and guilty pleasure nature has endeared it to fans, even garnering an Emmy nomination.

4 The Queen Latifah Show (1999 - 2001, 2013 - 2015)

Renowned for her successful acting and rapping career, Queen Latifah's admirers may overlook her brief but remarkable stint as a talk show host in the '90s. Surpassing its contemporaries, her show, which aired from 1999 to 2001 and had a revamped second season in 2013, garnered high ratings despite its limited run. Executively produced by power couple Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, The Queen Latifah Show featured captivating interviews with a diverse range of guests, including both celebrities and ordinary individuals with compelling stories, while also delving into trending topics in popular culture. Notably, this talk show, although short-lived, earned two nominations for the prestigious NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Talk Series.

3 The Ricki Lake Show (1993 - 2004)

The chant "Rick-i, Rick-I, Rick-i" was instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up in the '90s. Fans of the charismatic talk show host would eagerly repeat the chant every time she took the stage to begin an episode. Just like other talk shows of the time, this show tackled controversial topics and featured different guests discussing a specific issue in each episode. It was widely regarded as one of the best daytime talk shows of the '90s, receiving a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show Host and nominations for a second Emmy and a People's Choice award.

Setting itself apart from other shows that targeted an older stay-at-home mom audience, The Ricki Lake Show aimed to attract a younger demographic. The show encouraged audience interaction and elicited reactions to various topics, ranging from neglectful parents to discrimination and family drama. The show made a brief comeback in 2012, airing for one final season.

2 The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996 - 2002)

After gaining recognition from Hollywood through the reality competition series Star Search in the 80s, O'Donnell went on to have her own highly acclaimed talk show in the 90s. This daytime show, which aired for six seasons, covered a wide range of captivating topics including Broadway, families, charities, and more.

In each episode, O'Donnell engaged in interviews with different guests while actively interacting with her audience. Moreover, the show frequently showcased delightful Broadway performances. Notably, it featured popular recurring segments such as "Kids Are Punny," where jokes submitted by children were shared. This series played a pivotal role in LGBTQ+ representation on television and was even honored with five Emmys throughout its successful six-season run.

1 The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986 - 2011)

The Oprah Winfrey Show is a highly influential daytime talk show of this generation, recognized as one of the finest of the '90s. It was led by one of the most influential personalities in television history. Additionally, it holds the distinction of being one of the longest-running talk shows ever. Due to her immense popularity, the show eventually came to be known simply as Oprah. Each episode covered a wide range of topics, with a unique approach to discussing difficult subjects that set it apart from other daytime talk shows.

The show's content encompassed everything from personal growth to philanthropy, including Oprah's own endeavors in this field. It also featured informative discussions on medical and mental health with renowned experts like Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil, whose careers were significantly boosted by their appearances on the show. Recognized by TV Guide as one of the 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, it comes as no surprise that Oprah is beloved by fans of daytime talk shows.