Summary

• Daytime talk shows, like Joe Franklin's Memory Lane, are the natural evolution of radio shows with added visual elements from TV.
• Shows like The Montel Williams Show and Dr. Phil brought innovative concepts, each with a unique approach to content and guest interaction.
• While some shows thrive on conflict and controversy, wholesome shows like Rachael Ray offer a more positive and inclusive format.

The best daytime talk shows all rank among the most popular shows ever broadcast, with many daytime talk show hosts becoming celebrities with a level of fame that exceeds their guests. Daytime talk shows have a long history, with the first appearing in the 1950s. They are in many ways the natural evolution of the phone-in radio shows that preceded TV, adding a visual element — as evidenced by the fact that radio personality Joe Franklin is widely credited with creating the first daytime talk show, Joe Franklin's Memory Lane.

In the decades since, daytime talk shows remain a staple of the small screen, with many famous hosts such as Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and Jerry Springer being instantly recognizable household names. Always filmed in front of a studio audience and filled with off-the-cuff banter, a variety of guests, and — in some cases — unpredictable confrontations, there are plenty of reasons millions of viewers find daytime talk shows irresistible. There are many titans of TV among the best daytime talk shows, but the highest ranked of all stand out even among such fierce competition.

15 The Montel Williams Show (1991-2008)

17 Seasons, 4,325 Episodes

Between 1991 and 2008, one of the most popular syndicated daytime talk shows was The Montel Williams Show. Distributed to multiple channels by a variety of studios over the decades, most recently CBS, The Montel Williams Show ran for an impressive 17 seasons and 4,325 episodes. Host Montel Williams constantly evolved the show to keep it fresh and competitive, a strategy that definitely worked in the show's favor.

The Montel Williams Show was particularly notable for regularly bringing on self-proclaimed psychic Sylvia Browne as a guest.

Earlier episodes of The Montel Williams Show brought a tabloid feel similar to Jerry Springer. However, while Springer was crash TV to the end, The Montel Williams Show morphed as tastes changed, and he delivered a show more similar in feel to later talk shows with Oprah Winfrey in later seasons. The Montel Williams Show was particularly notable for regularly bringing on self-proclaimed psychic Sylvia Browne as a guest.

14 Dr. Phil (2002-2023)

21 Seasons, 3,505 Episodes

If there's one day time talk show that could be said to be a spiritual successor to the powerhouse that was Jerry Springer, it's Dr. Phil. Initially appearing as a segment on Oprah Winfrey's show, Dr. Phil McGraw finally got his show in 2002, and it was on the air for an impressive 21 seasons. Labeled an "advice" show, McGraw meets with families and people going through issues of all kinds and uses his knowledge of clinical psychology to try and help them through the problems.

McGraw was a practicing psychologist at one point, which lends some credibility to his advice, and at Dr. Phil's peak, over six million viewers tuned in to see the wild stories and bombastic guests. Like Jerry Springer, although with a slightly toned-down atmosphere, Dr. Phil episodes focused on a wide range of topics, from family dysfunction to financial planning and weight-loss tips. A notable regular feature were live polygraph tests for guets run by retired FBI agent Jack Trimarco.

13 The Wendy Williams Show (2008-2022)

13 Seasons, 1,500+ Episodes

The show many fans refer to as Wendy, The Wendy Williams Show, had an impressive run between 2008 and 2022, competing with many of the best daytime talk shows ever made and still managing to hold a steady viewership. The Wendy Williams Show was on the air for 13 seasons, both with and without controversial host Wendy Willams, and went head-to-head with The Ellen DeGeneres Show for viewers in the females aged 25-54 demographic.

Wendy also appeared as herself in 2017's comedy series Nightcap.

Arguably more divisive than Ellen when both were on the air, Wendy Willams was more outspoken and opinionated on issues, and placed a greater focus on gossip. The strategy seemed to work, as it's exactly what some viewers want from the best daytime talk shows. Wendy would include "Hot Topics" each week and focus mainly on reality TV stars and Black entertainers in her segments, as well as divulging information about her own personal life.

12 The Talk (2010-)

13 Seasons, 2,000+ Episodes (Still Running)

One of the most successful daytime talk shows to be put out by network CBS is The Talk, which was an instant hit due to having a well-selected range of hosts and offering up somewhat-balanced debates on current issues and the latest headlines. Adopting a similar format to The View, The Talk premiered in 2010 and was developed by actor Sara Gilbert (Roseanne), who also served as the lead host for much of the show's run.

Critics seemed to be especially warm to The Talk, honoring it with four Daytime Emmy Awards during its run.

Over the years, the hosts of The Talk have included household names like Sharon Osbourne, Eve, Sheryl Underwood, Marie Osmond, Carrie Ann Inaba, Leah Remini, and Jerry O'Connell. Interestingly, while the series copies The View's style to some degree, it's less politically charged and has a more casual format. Critics seemed to be especially warm to The Talk, honoring it with four Daytime Emmy Awards during its run.

11 Rachael Ray (2006-2023)

17 Seasons, 2,000+ Episodes

Many of the best daytime talk shows feature plenty of conflict or focus on darker topics like celebrity scandals or family issues, which is a key reason that the incredibly wholesome Rachael Ray was such a breath of fresh air for the genre when it debuted in 2006. While Rachael Ray focuses mainly on cooking and teaching the audience recipes and cooking tips, she also welcomes celebrity guests and interviews them in a casual, informal setting.

Many guests on Rachael Ray were actors and musicians, but she would also bring in health and lifestyle experts to do makeovers and more. The show originally premiered in 2006, created by Oprah Winfrey's company. It was handled by a different production company at the end of its run, but remained popular, averaging about two million viewers over its 17 seasons. It has also won three Emmys, including for Outstanding Talk Show, cementing it as one of the best daytime talk shows of the last few decades.

10 Live With ... (1983- )

36 Seasons, 7,580+ Episodes (Still Running)

Airing since 1983, Live With… has had various hosts over the years, most notably the late Regis Philbin and Kathie Lee Gifford. More recently, Kelly Ripa has been the main face on the show alongside her husband Mark Consuelos. She was the last co-host that Philbin had, and Ripa since co-hosted alongside Michael Strahan and Ryan Seacrest before Consuelos ed to bring the couple's natural chemistry to the small screen.

With 35 seasons under its belt, Live With... has been a staple of early morning TV for decades, and is the daytime talk many viewers turn to when looking for casual viewing over breakfast.

With 35 seasons under its belt, Live With... has been a staple of early morning TV for decades, and is the daytime talk many viewers turn to when looking for casual viewing over breakfast. Live With... has always managed to bring plenty of variety, including comedic segments, trivia, unscripted conversations, prizes, and interviews. With over five million viewers on average, it's easy to see why Live With... has long been one of the best daytime talk shows on early morning television.

9 The Jerry Springer Show (1991-2018)

27 Seasons, 4,969 Episodes

While it may not be the absolute best daytime talk show out there, it's impossible to argue that The Jerry Springer Show is definitely among the most famous (and the most notorious for its many controversial episodes). The Jerry Springer Show began airing in 1991 and ended in 2018 with 28 seasons and 4,969 episodes.

There were controversies surrounding this show when it was on the air as people questioned its authenticity or if it glorified violence.

Jerry Springer rewrote the rules when it came to daytime television, and its legacy made it one of the best daytime talk shows in history, despite its controversy. The show brought on guests who shared their experiences with controversial issues, including adultery or incest. There were controversies surrounding this show when it was on the air as people questioned its authenticity or if it glorified violence. Despite that, it was a true cult favorite and a show seen around the world in all its glory.

8 The Phil Donahue Show (1967-1996)

26 Seasons, 5,515 Episodes

The Phil Donahue Show, also known as simply Donahue, was one of the earliest daytime talk shows on the air, starting in 1967 and running until 1996. The talk show took itself seriously and never morphed into more of a tabloid show in the 1990s. Its impressive run of almost thirty years demonstrates a much greater level of longevity than many competitors that perhaps beat it when it came down to the size of its viewership.

Despite this, his 29 years on the air was a landmark achievement, and he was the grandfather of the best daytime talk shows.

The true end of Donahue came when Oprah Winfrey and Sally Jessy Raphael sured him in the ratings, and his time on the air finally came to an close as viewers wanted more lighthearted daytime television. Despite this, his 29 years on the air was a landmark achievement, and he was the grandfather of the best daytime talk shows.

When the Phil Donahue Show first started, it only aired in four cities: Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Indianapolis.

7 Good Morning America (1975- )

45 Seasons, 9,980+ Episodes (Still Running)

Good Morning America airs every morning on ABC and has been a staple of early daytime talk shows since 1975. The show is similar to The Today Show and the hosts report on the news headlines each day live in Times Square. Unlike the more lighthearted Live With..., the early hours of the ABC broadcast schedule takes a more highbrow, almost news-like approach. The show has had multiple spinoffs, such as Good Night America, Good Afternoon America, and GMA Wake Up Call.

Good Morning America focuses on news from around the world as the hosts discuss the news and cover every subject they can, which ranges from medicine, finance, education, and gardening. The show has rotated hosts over the years, with names like Charles Gibson, Joan Lunden, Diane Sawyer, and Robin Roberts in lead roles. It also won the first three Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program.

6 The Dr. Oz Show (2009-2022)

13 Seasons, 1,681 Episodes

The Dr. Oz Show may not have reached the viewership of its competitors while on the air, but it was a truly innovate daytime talk show, as evidenced by its multiple awards and critical accolades. As far as celebrity doctors go, they don't get much more famous than Dr. Mehmet Oz. He got his start on Oprah Winfrey's show, and his series launched in 2009 and lasted for 13 seasons.

His unique approach to the content featured on his daytime talk show made Mehmet Oz someone fans loved to watch.

While Oz was primarily a show that covered health, wellness, and medical stories, Dr. Oz also delved into true-crime stories and sometimes interviewed celebrities as well. Having received 10 Daytime Emmy Awards over his 13 seasons, his show was never at the top of the ratings race, but his unique approach to the content featured on his daytime talk show made Mehmet Oz someone fans loved to watch. Oz ended his show when he chose to run for the U.S. Senate, a race he lost.