Dr. Phil remembers daytime talk show legend, Phil Donahue

Texas — For many, Phil Donahue’s death Sunday after a long illness meant the end for one of daytime television talk shows greats.

But for Dr. Phil, it meant the loss of a colleague, someone he considered intelligent, genuinely curious and a risk taker.

"Oprah’s right. Phil Donahue paved the road for her. And she paved the road for me. And we’re always grateful for those who came before us. And he will be remembered,” shared Dr. Phil. “We’re talking about a real pioneer here in this industry and he was just that – a pioneer. And what you see on camera, is really what you got in terms of the man. He was very much on camera how he was off camera.”

Dubbed “the king of daytime talk,” Donahue was the first to incorporate audience participation in a talk show, typically during a full hour with a single guest. The format set “The Phil Donahue Show” apart from other interview shows of the 1960s and made it a trendsetter in daytime television, where it was particularly popular with female audiences.

“He wanted to know what women thought. He married a smart and innovative woman named Marlo Thomas who I also knew,” said Dr. Phil. “He really gave women a voice and wanted to know what they thought. And in doing so, he opened a whole corridor of input from the female audience in daytime television and that was a real innovation.”

Donahue met Thomas, who was the “That Girl” star of the 1960s and a household name at the time. He later said it was love at first sight, according to the Associated Press. The couple remained married since 1980. Donahue had five children, four sons and a daughter, from a previous marriage.

Donahue interviewed Dr. Phil in 2002, providing feedback in between laughs.

“He said ‘You know I watch you and you get in there and you get right to it. Sometimes you’re too harsh. I think sometimes you need to give ‘em one more second to get to the point but I love the way you get to it.’ And we had a great conversation,” said Dr. Phil. “He had a great sense of humor and a willingness to say anything that came into his mind.”

In addition to Dr. Phil, many took to social media to express their sadness about Donahue's death. 

President Joe Biden shared: "In Phil Donahue, our nation has lost a trailblazing television icon who held up a mirror to America and united us around the toughest issues of our time. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the Donahue family and keep them close in our hearts."

Talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael posted: "This is a very sad day. I admired Phil Donahue for so many reasons, and he was one of the finest broadcasters in American television. If there wasn't a Phil, there would have never been a Sally. My thoughts & prayers go out to Marlo and their family."

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) expressed his condolences, sharing: "Phil Donahue died today at 88. RIP. In honor of his passing, give a listen to the greatest 2-minute explanation in history… Milton Friedman on the blessings of capitalism."

American film director Michael Moore joined the conversation, stating: "My good friend Phil Donahue has passed away. Fearless. Brave. Would not back down. Gave voice to the voiceless. He was removed from TV for his outspoken stand against the Iraq War. Made one of the best docs ever- BODY OF WAR(2007). He was kind, giving, relentless. An inspiration."