TALK SHOWS.
A “talk show” are shows organized principally around talk. The second most common format is the public affairs show, in which a host (or hosts) interview people in the news or experts in a given field. Shows that follow this format include both the morning news programs (Good Morning America or Meet the Press) and “issue” talk shows (The Oprah Winfrey Show or The Jerry Springer Show).
What we’re most used to is the informal guest-host format, in which the show’s host welcomes celebrities or other talk-worthy individuals in what is perceived as an informal discussion. Wrapped around these segments are comedic or musical segments or both.
Television talk shows have been around since the dawn of the medium, crossing over like so many shows from its origins on radio. Thus, the start of talk shows’ golden age can be considered in 1948, even though the television wasn’t common in American homes until the 1950s.
History has changed that perception, as hosts have become more influential, their shows more topical, and the discussions generated occasionally newsworthy. And news programs often present a round-up of talk show hosts’ comments on current events — not only to entertain but to share the prevailing thought patterns of everyday women and men. The second rule is that a talk show must be experienced in the present tense, whether it is broadcast live or taped in front of an audience earlier in the day. They should feel fresh, as if they are happening in the moment, even if the show is a 10-year-old rerun.
The Host is Everything, the host maintains a high degree of control over their show, from subject matter to comedic tone. They are also the brand and must carry that burden. The host can attract and repel guests, negotiate in kind for their program.
Since 1948, hundreds of talk shows have come and gone, with only a few having true staying power. Conan O’Brien, for example, managed to hang on only because the network didn’t know what else to put in its place.
