Summary

• The best daytime talk shows have evolved over time, with morning shows becoming more of an advertising platform and traditional talk shows transitioning to a mix of serious topics and entertainment.
• Phil Donahue popularized a more serious, respectful approach to daytime talk shows, but Jerry Springer brought shock TV to the genre, forever changing it.
• Today's best daytime talk shows maintain elements of their predecessors but focus on a balance between respect and entertainment, attracting millions of viewers daily.

The best daytime talk shows have changed drastically over the years. There are two different type of daytime talk shows that dominated the air in the early days of television. There were the morning shows, with The Today Show the grandfather of them all, and there were the daytime talk shows that focused more on the audience and interviewing guests, with Phil Donahue as the man who ushered in this form of daytime entertainment. However, over time, the morning shows spread out among the networks and became more of an advertising device for studios, record labels and television networks.

As for the daytime talk shows that Donahue specialized in, those changed in the 1990s. While Donahue was a man who took his job seriously and broached serious topics with a level of respect, shows led by Jerry Springer brought shock TV to daytime talk shows, and things were never the same after that. In the modern day of TV, the best daytime talk shows are a strong mix of all those that came before but maintain more of the respect of Donahue rather than the anything-goes-on TV format of Springer. The one constant is that millions still tune in to watch these shows every day and have been for decades.

15 The Montel Williams Show (1991-2008)

17 Seasons, 4,325 Episodes

There have been many daytime talk show hosts that came and went. While names like Tyra Banks, Ricki Lake, and Drew Barrymore have taken their turns at hosting a daytime talk show, none reached the level of Montel Williams, who hosted his show for an impressive 17 seasons and 4,325 episodes. Williams got his start in 1991 with a trial period of 13 weeks and 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.

14 Dr. Phil (2002-2023)

21 Seasons, 3,505 Episodes

• Stream now on Fubo

Initially appearing as a segment on Oprah Winfrey's show, Dr. Phil McGraw finally got his show in 2002, thanks to Winfrey, 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 over six million viewers tune in to see the crazy stories and characters who end up on Dr. Phil, one of the best daytime talk shows in history.

13 The Wendy Williams Show (2008-2022)

13 Seasons, 1,500+ Episodes

Wendy Williams was on the air for 13 seasons, competing with The Ellen DeGeneres Show for viewers in that key female, 25-54 demographic. While she's arguably more controversial than Ellen, more outspoken and opinionated on issues, and places a greater focus on gossip, this is exactly what some viewers want from the best daytime talk shows. She covers "Hot Topics" each week and focuses mainly on reality TV stars and Black entertainers in her segments, as well as divulging information about her own personal life. Fox replaced her with Sherri Shepherd in 2022. The Wendy Williams Show won one Emmy Award.

12 The Talk (2010- )

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

• Stream now on Paramount+

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. Over the years, the hosts include big 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 love it, honoring it with four Daytime Emmy Awards.

11 Rachael Ray (2006-2023)

17 Seasons, 2,000+ Episodes

• Stream now on Fubo

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. Sometimes, it's actors and musicians, but she also brings 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, solidifying it as one of the best daytime talk shows.

10 Live With ... (1983- )

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

• Stream now on Fubo

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. She was the last co-host that Philbin had and has since worked with Michael Strahan, Ryan Seacrest, and most recently, her husband Mark Consuelos. With 35 seasons under its belt, the show wakes many people up in the morning with funny bits, trivia, unscripted conversations, prizes, and interviews. With over five million viewers on average, this is one of the best daytime talk shows on early morning television.

9 The Jerry Springer Show (1991-2018)

27 Seasons, 4,969 Episodes

• Stream now on Peacock

The Jerry Springer Show began airing in 1991 and ended in 2018 with 28 seasons and 4,969 episodes. This was the show that changed everything about 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 first 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. However, the true end of Donahue came when Oprah Winfrey and Sally Jessy Raphael surpassed him in the ratings, and his time on the air finally came to an end as fans wanted more lighthearted daytime television (via The Washington Post). Despite this, his 27 years on the air was a landmark achievement, and he was the grandfather of the best daytime talk shows.

7 Good Morning America (1975- )

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

Good Morning America airs every morning on ABC and has been on the air since 1975. The show is similar to The Today Show and the hosts report on the news headlines each day live in Times Square. The show 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

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. While 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 the controversy made him someone that his fans loved to watch. Oz ended his show when he chose to run for the U.S. Senate, a race he lost.

5 The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019- )

5 Seasons, 750+ Episodes (Still Running)

• Stream now on Fubo

Kelly Clarkson became a star when she won the first-ever season of American Idol and then went on to enjoy a successful music career. She then got a taste of television when she became a coach on The Voice. Finally, in 2019, Clarkson took on her own talk show. Clarkson differentiated herself from the best daytime talk shows by adopting a casual and fun format that highlights regular yet remarkable people and their inspiring stories. She interviews surprising deserving individuals and celebrity guests while delivering her special Kellyoke performances. It was a massive hit, winning her 13 Emmy Awards in her first three seasons alone.

4 The View (1997- )

27 Seasons, 5,000+ Episodes (Still Running)

Stream now on Hulu

The View features a panel of women discussing current and political issues. The panel has seen major changes numerous times, often because the women begin fighting and end up refusing to work together anymore. It started with Barbara Walters, Joy Behar, Meredith Viera, Star Jones, and Debbie Matenopoulos. Behar is the only remaining original, joined by several women of differing political and social views. The ladies all have passionate views and often talk over one another which can make the show seem more lively than others. Nonetheless, it won 31 Daytime Emmy Awards and averages over three million viewers an episode.

3 Today (1952- )

70 Seasons, 18,000+ Episodes (Still Running)

• Stream now on DirecTV

When it comes to the best daytime talk shows, none have been on the air as long as The Today Show. This series started on the air in 1952, and it has over 18,000 episodes since it began, making it the fifth longest-running American TV series in history. It differs from other talk shows, in that there are three segments and each one offers a different experience. The first two hours offer the news and weather, similar to Good Morning America. However, the second show is 3rd Hour Today and the last is Today with Hoda & Jenna, and those are more like Live...than GMA. The show averages over six million viewers every morning.

2 The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986-2011)

25 Seasons, 4,561 Episodes

• Stream now on Fubo

The Oprah Winfrey Show began airing in 1986 and ended in 2011 for a total of 23 seasons and made Oprah Winfrey one of the most influential women on television when it was airing - and even now that the show has ended. The series showed Oprah Winfrey interviewing ordinary people and learning about their extraordinary experiences. She also interviewed celebrities and her influential Oprah Winfrey Book Club selections almost guaranteed an author the top spot on bestseller lists. Over her 25 seasons, she won 47 Emmys - and she stopped submitting her show, or she could have won more (via Oprah.com), easily one of the best daytime talk shows of all time.

1 The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003-2022)

19 Seasons, 3,294 Episodes

Despite later controversies, The Ellen DeGeneres Show remained one of the best daytime talk shows of its era until DeGeneres finally stepped down from her role. It featured the unique stylings of DeGeneres, including her signature dancing, interaction with the audience, and celebrity guests. Sometimes the guests were average people invited on the show because of an inspirational story or viral video depicting a special talent. Airing since 2003, the show received an incredible 171 Daytime Emmy Award nominations, winning an equally impressive 61 of them.