Can We Talk? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sally Jessy Raphael

Sally was born in Pennsylvania in 1935. I used to watch her show back in the late 80's. I really enjoyed her style, and the way she treated her guests. She recently had corrective surgery on her eyes, but still wears her trademark glasses.
Sally has guest starred on "Jenny Jones" in 2001 for "Jenny's 10th Anniversary Show". She also guest starred on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show: in 1997.
One of Sally's shows featured the adorable "Monkees", including Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and the lovable Davy Jones. Where was Marcia Brady?

Answer: Maury Povich

Maury was born in the U.S. Capitol, Washington D.C. in 1939. Maury's talk show, "The Maury Povich Show" debuted in 1991. Maury hosted "A Current Affair" from 1986 to 1990 before his own talk show.
After Martin Bashir interviewed Michael Jackson in his "Living with Michael Jackson: A Tonight Special", the world was disgusted with Michael. Maury took it upon himself to show the behind the scenes footage in "Michael Jackson Interview: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See" show. It was sad how Martin made Michael look worse than what he was. Yet Maury came to the rescue of Michael with a beautiful documentary.
Maury also guest starred on the "Jenny Jones Anniversary Show" on June 13, 2001. Maury appeared with Conan O'Brien in 1999 also.

Answer: Johnny Carson

Johnny was born in Corning, Iowa back in 1925. He debuted on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in 1962. His very first guest on the show was "You Bet Your Life's", Groucho Marx. Johnny had numerous guests over the years, including Jay Leno, Bob Hope and David Letterman. The Divine Miss M herself, Bette Midler, sang a beautiful song to say "goodbye" to Johnny.
Ed McMahon stayed by Johnny's side from 1962 to 1992. Johnny had a few bandleaders before striking gold with Doc Severinsen in 1967.
Johnny is and will always be irreplaceable. Jay Leno is doing a fine job, but he's no Carson!

Answer: Rosie O'Donnell

Rosie has spoken of being a major fan of Tom Cruise. She finally had him as a guest on her television show, "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" in 1996 with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Renee Zellweger. Two days later,
Nicole Kidman appeared on Rosie's show. Some people actually doubt her 'crush' on Tom, but she sticks by her stories that she is a major fan of his.
I'm not quite sure why, but her show only lasted from 1996 to 2002. She picked up a few Daytime Emmy Awards for her show.
Rosie, not a newcomer to the talk show circuits, visited David Letterman in 1994. She appeared on "The Larry Sanders Show" in 1995. Even during her show, she made appearances on "Dennis Miller Live", "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien".

Answer: Phil Donahue

I like to think that Phil was the beginning of daytime talk shows. I liked his manner, his style. I liked the way he talked to his guest, making each one feel special. Phil was one classy guy. His show, "The Phil Donahue Show" debuted in 1970 and lasting for 26 years!

By the way, "That Girl" is the famous Marlo Thomas, or the mother of Rachel on "Friends".

Phil guest starred on only a few television shows through his early career. He was on radio talk show with Howard Stern. He appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman" in 1993.

Answer: Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers was born in New York in 1933 in Brooklyn.
Joan actually had her own show, "The Joan Rivers Show" in 1969. She hosted "The Tonight Show" numerous times between 1981 and 1986. She again featured her own show in 1989 called, "The Joan Rivers Show". This show lasted longer than her original show. It lasted up until 1993.
Joan has been on many other talk shows, including "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" in 1997 and "Larry King Live" in 2004.
Can we talk Joan? You sure can!

Answer: Oprah Winfrey

Oprah came in like a lion in 1986 and created her own talk show empire, "The Oprah Winfrey Show". She has done everything from "the book club" to little "favors" for her guests. She appears to be an extremely nice person.
She enjoys putting 'groups' of people on her show. From the cast of "Shrek 2" in May 2004 to some of the cast of "Ya Ya Sisters" in May of 2002.
Oprah also has been on a few talk shows, including, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in 1996 and "The Arsenio Hall Show" in 1992.
We love you Oprah, after all these years!

Answer: Arsenio Hall

Arsenio was born in Cleveland in 1955. He hosted his own show from 1989 to 1994. He had numerous celebrities visit his stage. Luther Vandross, Bill Cosby, Will Smith and Spike Lee were a few of the famous people to stop by. Barry Manilow guest starred about nine times on his show.
Arsenio has guest starred himself on several talk shows also. "The Sharon Osbourne Show" in 2004, "The Chris Rock Show" in 1997 and the "Jackie Thomas Show" in 1992.

Answer: Ricki Lake

Ricki was born in 1969 in New York. Ricki came to fame in the movie "Hairspray", a cute comedy based on 60s hairdos, as Tracy Turnblad. Ricki hit the talk show circuit with "Ricki Lake" in 1993. Some people regard Ricki as the Queen of the talk shows. I used to watch her show, I was very impressed with the kindness and sweetness of her voice. She's a gem to watch! Ricki has guest starred on a few different talk shows herself, including "The Late Show with David Letterman" in 1994 and "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" in 1996.

Answer: Leno

Jay Leno once switched spots with Katie Couric from the "Today Show" as a promotion. Katie took over his role on "The Tonight Show".
Jay came on "The Tonight Show" as a guest back on January 14, 1977. He started guest hosting the show in 1987, taking over the host position when Johnny Carson retired in 1992. No one can replace Johnny, but Jay did a great job at trying. He must have enjoyed his time on stage, because stayed there as the main host for 17 years.

Talk show hosts come and go. We've seen these ten and more on stage at one time or another. Who's your favorite? Donahue, Lake, Winfrey, Jenny Jones, Letterman, Shandling, Carson or the old timers Dinah Shore or Mike Douglas? I hope you enjoyed playing the quiz and keep talking!