Phil Donahue, who changed the face of American morning television with a talk show that highlighted current and often controversial social and political issues, has died at the age of 88, according to what NBC’s Today program said in a statement from the Donahue family on Monday.
The program reported that he died surrounded by his family, yesterday, Sunday, after being ill with it.
Donahue’s show began airing in 1970, when morning television offered a mix of soap operas, game shows and home economics to viewers, mostly women.
The program dealt with topics previously considered taboo on television, including relations between ethnic groups.
Donahue was known for his ability to ask his guests questions, and move around the studio to give his audience a chance to express their opinions.
The success of his show paved the way for other daytime talk show hosts, most notably Oprah Winfrey, his show eventually surpassed Donahue’s in the ratings.
Winfrey explained that if there was no Phil Donahue, there would be no Oprah.
