The Mike Douglas Show

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The Mike Douglas Show ranks 3,963 out of the 18,228 shows on TV.com.

The 19 users who count themselves as The Mike Douglas Show fans have written a total of 3 reviews.

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The Mike Douglas Show was first broadcast live in 1961 from the studios of KYW-TV (owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting Company) in Cleveland, Ohio as a local program (Mike Douglas's salary was $400 per week). The show offered a wide variety of guests, ranging from Richard Nixon to the Rolling... more »

The Mike Douglas Show was first broadcast live in 1961 from the studios of KYW-TV (owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting Company) in Cleveland, Ohio as a local program (Mike Douglas's salary was $400 per week). The show offered a wide variety of guests, ranging from Richard Nixon to the Rolling Stones. Most of the guests, though, were entertainers (singers and/or musicians) along with a fair share of comics.

The show is probably MOST noted for its exposure and introduction of (now) famous musical acts and singers, including Barbra Streisand and Aretha Franklin. Regretfully, Westinghouse taped over the Streisand shows to produce editorials. (These yet-to-be-famous performers were given a package deal that, after appearing on the show, would perform at a now-defunct night club in suburban Lakewood called The Chateau.)

The show also showcased all of the latest rock groups of the 1960s. These groups ranged from "The Box-Tops" (1968), "Herman's Hermits" (1965 and 1967), the "Strawberry Alarm Clock" (1967), "The Turtles" (1968 and 1969) to John Lennon and "The Plastic Ono Band" (1972). A true example of the amazing cross section of guests who appeared on any particular show was when "The Turtles" appeared on the same show with comedic actor Ted Knight, and author, Truman Capote. In the words of Howard Kaylan (of the Turtles), "Not too shabby."

In August, 1963, The Mike Douglas Show went into national syndication with a total of 5 local markets (Westinghouse owned local TV stations in Baltimore, San Francisco, Boston and Pittsburgh) airing the program.

Following Westinghouse's victory in a lawsuit against NBC in June of 1965, The Mike Douglas Show moved to a basement studio (142 seats) at 1619 Walnut St. in Philadelphia. (This was the new home of KYW, owned and operated by Westinghouse Broadcasting Company, Group W Productions). The show discontinued live broadcasts in early 1965 following some "off-color" language verbalized by guest Zsa Zsa Gabor. At this time the show's popularity grew extensively and by 1967 the show reached 171 markets, had over 6,000,000 daily viewers (mostly housewives), and was bringing in over $10.5 million annually in sponsors' fees. At this time Mike Douglas's salary was over $500,000 annually. Also in 1967, the program received an Emmy Award for Individual Achievement in Daytime Television, the first such award ever given by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The show remained at the Walnut St. location until July 31, 1972, when the move was made to a newly constructed studio at 5th and Market Sts. in Philadelphia, where KYW remains today. This was the first time a studio was constructed especially for the show. The last PHILADELPHIA broadcast was in July, 1978, when the show moved to LOS ANGELES, California. The last airing was November, 1981.

Note: Mike Douglas started another syndicated program, "The Mike Douglas Entertainment Hour," which ceased production in 1982.less «

• Mike Douglas & Michael Douglas

  Has Mike Douglas ever meet Michael Douglas:|??

  Has Mike Douglas ever meet Michael Douglas:|??less «

  MilhousesDad Last online Nov 20, 2007
  2 comments, last one Aug 12, 2006 + Add Comment

• RIP Mike

  RIP Mike. i loved you show gowing up ...

  RIP Mike. i loved you show gowing up ... less «

  kopeckee Last online 22 hrs, 11 mins ago
  1 comments, last one Aug 11, 2006 + Add Comment

•  

  9.5 Superb

  This was one of the gold standards of daytime TV talk-variety programs that is unmatched today. hide « show »

  Years ago, Mike Douglas and his production team created a daytime variety show that consistently drew huge audiences. It lasted about 20 years and at its peak was syndicated in about 200 markets.
  
  The budget was small - especially at first - but the show did the most it could it could with what it had.
  
  The guest list was a complete who's-who of American pop culture and politics. It was the kind of program you could tune into as a kid, an adult or a senior citizen and enjoy the experience. Douglas was a devout family man and his style, approach and character pervaded the program.
  
  The music was first rate and the interviews were well-done. People didn't shout and talk over one another like they do on the THE VIEW.
  
  Although it was called "The MIKE DOUGLAS Show", it wasn't all about Mike. It was about entertainment and information - unlike OPRAH which after all is all about Oprah. Every week, Douglas graciously shared the spotlight with a co-host who was there with him for 5 full days and they were prominently featured.
  
  The only current daytime show that comes close to what Mike Douglas and company did is LIVE with REGIS and KELLY. Unfortunately, although Regis and Kelly are great, the producer is driving that show into the ground.
  
  
  Sadly, the great Mike Douglas passed away today - Friday August 11, 2006 on his 81st birthday. He will be remembered as a good singer, a true gentleman and a great entertainer.

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  bestec Added Aug 11, 2006 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  The Mike Douglas Show was more than entertaining, it was full of sparkle. He was wholesome and never off-color. The entire family could enjoy his show. Mike Douglas, a great singer, a personable talk host and a truly nice person. hide « show »

  Mike Douglas was a pioneer in daytime talk shows.
  He was wholesome like the guy "next door." The entire family could watch his show which can't be said for many shows today. I knew Mike Douglas in his private life - he's a great family man and after his mother passed on, he looked after his father and moved him to south Florida where my wife and I would take him shopping or have him over to dinner. Mike Douglas, a great singer, a personable talk host and a truly nice person who
  brought something special into living rooms across America.

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  rolllind404 Added Apr 9, 2006 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  The Mike Douglas Show actually premiered in May of 1961 on KYW-TV, Cleveland Ohio not November, as listed on this site. It was syndicated after that and therefore may have started on some other local stations at a later date. hide « show »

  The Mike Douglas Show actually premiered in May of 1961, on KYW-TV in Cleveland Ohio (Channel 3)not November, as listed on this site. It was first syndicated on other Group W stations after that, and therefore may have started on some other local stations at a later date. (May 1961)

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  be2386 Added Mar 17, 2006 All my reviews