Top 10 Best Television Talk Shows of All Time
Talk shows have been a staple of television for decades, giving audiences everything from insightful interviews to hilarious comedy bits. Some focus on hard-hitting news and in-depth discussions with influential figures, while others aim to entertain with celebrity guests, games, and lighthearted banter.
No matter the format, the best talk shows keep viewers coming back with engaging hosts, memorable moments, and a unique approach to storytelling.
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The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Every show that Ellen does is one more show I look forward to. Seeing how she takes something and makes it so funny just makes my day. Even when someone is sad or down, just turn on Ellen's show and you'll be laughing, even when you think you can't.
Ellen is a beautiful person inside and out, and it shows when there is something that touches her with one of the stories. She is also gifted, beautiful, and a hardworking person. I also love when she sends others out to people's houses and surprises them. I look forward to that one day. Everyone says I have a better chance of winning the lottery, but I look at it this way: If it's meant to be, it will be, and if not, I love seeing what she does for others. So, even if I can only dream, that's good enough for me.
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Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Every episode of Conan is different and hilarious from the starting title. Conan always has his genius ways of kicking off the show with the ridiculous news of this country and making it funny. He also has really funny skits and unpredictable interviews.
And don't forget the world's best co-host, the incredibly witty Andy Richter. His endings are great, whether with new bands or starting comedians, but it is amazing of him to give those young stars a chance to shine like he has.
Conan is an extremely talented individual. He has really good writers and was a writer for The Simpsons for four years. My favorite talk show host by far, the guy can really jam on the guitar. Plus, Andy is probably the best and wittiest sidekick.
Again, everything he does reflects his hard work. He made 'Conan' work on TBS after the whole late-night fiasco and is probably the most patient and content talk show host. His shows are always hilarious.
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Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Just one sketch with Matt Damon will prove who's the funniest guy in the talk show and TV business.
Very funny, always makes guests feel comfortable. Not like Letterman, who is a lot more bitter.
Jimmy is the funniest of all the current late night talk show hosts.
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The Late Show with David Letterman
I'm from the UK, but I love to try to find this on YouTube, etc. I watch all the people I know. He gets a lot out of the person being interviewed and he has a great sense of humour.
He makes any other talk show look like a joke. David Letterman for the world.
David Letterman is a man I believe would always speak and smile even if he did not know you. He has no certain group of people who he likes or dislikes.
Look at all the different singers, bands, and people on his talk shows.
He is funny. He is also relaxing to watch, perfect for late night.
Awesome show! For me, he beats Jay Leno for sure!
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The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
The show is funny, but here you get the news you get nowhere else. It's a shame that we have to watch Comedy Central to get the news. Our news is picked to benefit the rich.
For example, the biggest climate protest in history wasn't mentioned by some news stations, and the stations that aired the protest didn't cover much. Hong Kong is getting more attention than our protests.
One of the most informative and entertaining shows ever - comedy genius with heart!
Jon Stewart is a hilarious genius. Keep it up, Jon!
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Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
He focuses on entertainment and less on inspiring hatred and anger with politics, which is what we need. There's so much to enjoy in this day and age.
He really is the best. His sense of humor, and also his games and sketches, can't be compared.
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is a really great show. He's a really funny guy, and I watch him all the time. He has a lot of popular celebrity guests on his show.
Every night, he is really hilarious, as are his guests, and he always plays amazing games with them. Best sense of style.
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The Graham Norton Show
This is bound to be lower on the list just because it's British and therefore not as popular, but I implore everyone in the known universe to watch this show. Unlike every other talk show, it's not staged. Guests are more relaxed, and the jokes write themselves just from the unpredictability of the show.
For example, just go on YouTube and type in 'Chris O'Dowd eats fly.' Comic genius.
Allowing guests to interact with one another makes Norton's show number 1. The fact that 9 times out of 10 they get it right with the blend of personalities makes for top viewing.
You often get to see the celebrities in a new light, especially when they are relaxed and interacting with the less so-called personalities.
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The Colbert Report
The show spanned a whole 11 seasons. Colbert then followed up with The Late Show and another talk show report. All were really successful and an awesome deal in comedy.
The Colbert Report is a great backtrack, and I hope The Late Show will reach near that sometime. It has pretty cool methods of presentation and a real smart point-to-punchline routine. Good job, Stephen Colbert!
This show is always hilarious and interesting. Colbert always delivers the most amusing information with a straight face and eloquent composure. Truly a great show.
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The Oprah Winfrey Show
Oprah is hands down the greatest interviewer of all time. Her ability to relax a guest in a way that makes them feel they are sitting by a fire with a cup of tea is unmatched. Only Oprah connects and opens them in a way no other interviewer I've seen in my lifetime.
Oprah is the best talk show host. She has 25 years of experience, making her an exceptional host. The show is so good.
She helps so many people. I love Oprah. Oprah is the best ever host in the world. She is on the list of influential people in the world.
I love talk shows, but Oprah Winfrey, to me, is the most respected and gifted. She's beautiful, fair, hardworking, and dedicated to what she does. I will always have the utmost respect for her.
Love you, Oprah.
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The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Jay Leno, I love your show and would love to get training on how to conceptualize a talk show. I love what you have achieved so far and more power to your elbow. Jay Leno, you are the greatest.
Thanks. McIntosh Ephraim Eze, Nigeria
Leno is without a doubt the funniest talk show host in America. Jimmy Kimmel is a close second.
Jay Leno has taken talk show hosting to a whole other level.
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The Late Late Show with James Corden
James is a wonderful person. His show is fun to watch. The segments are beautiful.
I love Carpool Karaoke and Flinch.
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Late Night with Seth Meyers
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The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Charlie Rose and Craig are, without a doubt, better than David Letterman, Conan, Jay, or Oprah. Who made this foolish list? Foolishness. And who dares put Johnny Carson below number one?
Craig Ferguson should have gotten The Late Show job. He wouldn't have quit late-night television had he received the job. Sadly, we lost this amazing show and the show he could have had.
Way underrated. The man can interview a wall and it would be funny.
By the way, it's a great day for America, everybody.
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Real Time with Bill Maher
This guy here can do anything to make you laugh or listen. He is always dressed nice and very funny. And always ready to answer anything you want to talk about or do.
A good show and a great guy. He is one of a kind, the best.
A show with real discussion, good panels, and a great host!
Great show, great host. Keep up the good work, Bill.
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Dr. Phil
Phillip Calvin "Phil" McGraw, known as Dr. Phil, is an American television personality and author who hosted the television show Dr. Phil. McGraw first gained fame with appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show in the late 1990s. His long-running daytime talk show offered advice on a wide range of personal... read more
At first, I thought openly sharing the problems and difficulties of troubled guests on national television could only be for monetary gain or exploitation, like on the Dr. Oz show or Jeremy Kyle show. But after watching the interviews, I felt that Dr. Phil really makes me sympathize with the affected guests. The fact that these people can openly talk about their problems with him in a straightforward interview style makes this the greatest TV show for me.
Dr. Phil is one of the most professional talk show hosts I've ever seen. He's fair, and he helps a lot of people. I respect him and love the way he and his wife work together. It's simply beautiful the way he loves her - so inspiring.
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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Not even close! By the way, Letterman's facial expressions are really annoying.
Would that we could have him back. The modern versions don't even come close.
Why is he not number 1? Is it because not many people know him?
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The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show, sometimes called Jerry Springer or simply Springer, is an American syndicated tabloid talk show. It was hosted by Jerry Springer, who was a former politician before becoming a television personality. The show became famous for its controversial and often chaotic subject matter... read more
Jerry Springer has a good show. He goes out of his way to help people of any age and race. Many people watch the show because they may be in need of someone to talk to, and Jerry gives them the opportunity to make that call.
Sometimes, people don't know who to turn to for support, but Jerry always has something to say to assist others. Not everyone may appear on the show, but simply watching it can be helpful to someone, somewhere.
Jerry Springer has helped so many young people turn their lives around and get their lives back on track. Some may have been in the jail system, some may not have changed, but some have.
People do watch his show and learn a lot. He is very easy to talk to, very kind, and just shows love to everyone. He is another leader trying to help others, and he does a good job.
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Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Hilarious, and the drinks element is very nice.
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Larry King Live
There's a lot I could say about Larry King. His talk show was great, and not just the show itself. He was someone anyone enjoyed talking to. He had a personality that made everyone love talking to him. Funny, kind - you name it, he was. He remains a man everyone loved.
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The Real
They have a lot to say but say nothing you can understand. It would be nice to have someone on there who, when they speak, you can understand everything they are saying.
Best talk show! I watch it every day. What a great group of opinionated ladies. Very entertaining.
This is a new talk show. They're actually stealing the audience from The View.
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Live! with Regis and Kelly
This show would not be the same without Regis and Kelly. They can make you laugh together. They can say or do something to make you stop feeling sad. They get along great. It goes to show that there are couples out there (on the show) who can get along very well, with no problems. This is "GREAT".
Loved when Regis would share his stories on the show. The first 20 minutes of host chat were the best.
I miss Regis. I liked his stories about the things that happened to him and his nights on the town.
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Da Ali G Show
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Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
This is simply the best show. It has information delivered in the funniest way. Very well-researched and relevant.
John Oliver is incredible. It's a show with brains.
This show is rated 9.1/10. The other talk shows are rated well below 9, so I am really having a hard time understanding these ratings.
John Oliver is simply hilarious! Genius!
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The Jonathan Ross Show
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The View
The View is an American talk show that was conceived by broadcast journalist Barbara Walters and television producer Bill Geddie. It premiered in 1997 and features a panel of women discussing current events, politics, and pop culture. The show has won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and remains a prominent... read more
The View may be boring to some people, and that's life, but they always have a large audience, and they are always on different talk shows, so they must have something that we all love.
And I am a young woman. It's not your age, it's what you like and dislike in life. Old women are also smart women and know who they are, and they are proud.
The hosts are a good mix, with often diverse views. Joy is the very intelligent one with plenty of funny hits. Sherry is the real one to whom many women can relate. Elisabeth is the pretty one with strong Republican links and views. Whoopi and Barbara are the anchors. I love this show mostly for their hot topic discussions.
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Inside the Actors Studio
This is a very good show. I really enjoyed it.
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Trisha
I enjoyed watching this show. Trisha was always helping others. She always had a kind word to say.
I really miss the show. Anyone that can reach out to help others is the greatest. We all need someone "sometime" in our life.