Talk shows in the 1980s
Talk shows in the 1980s experienced significant transformation, reflecting major sociocultural and technological changes in American society. This era saw a notable increase in viewership and the emergence of diverse hosts, including influential figures like Oprah Winfrey, Sally Jessy Raphael, and Arsenio Hall. These hosts brought groundbreaking subjects to the forefront, addressing topics previously considered taboo, such as teen pregnancy and alternative lifestyles. The concept of "infotainment" emerged, blending information with entertainment and allowing ordinary individuals to share their stories, thereby elevating their experiences to celebrity status.
The technological advancements of the time, such as the rise of cable television and VCRs, provided more programming options and altered viewer habits, leading to a demand for fast-paced, attention-grabbing content. This shift also enabled producers to create low-cost talk shows that did not require extensive resources. As a result, the talk show format became a vital component of American television, offering both emotional support and entertainment during a dynamic decade marked by demographic shifts and changing consumer preferences. Overall, the 1980s redefined the landscape of talk shows, making them more inclusive and relevant to a broader audience.
Talk shows in the 1980s
Television programs in which the host, guests, and audience engage in topical conversations
Talk shows of the 1980’s reflected changing demographics in society and offered television viewers opportunities for self-improvement through relevant topics and “infotainment.”
Since the beginning of television, talk shows have been a popular programming choice of both producers and viewers. With appealing hosts, interesting guests, and timely topics, talk shows have consistently attracted large and loyal audiences. During the 1980’s, however, talk shows not only maintained their popularity but also saw an increase in viewership, resulting in an explosion of talk show formats, increased competition, diverse hosts, and groundbreaking subject matter.
Sociological Changes
Prior to the 1980’s, talk shows and news programs generally were hosted by white males such as Johnny Carson, Phil Donahue, and Dick Cavett. On the heels of the civil rights movements of the 1960’s and 1970’s, the 1980’s witnessed great shifts in traditional demographics. Minorities became recognized and sought-after consumers, and television producers had to adjust the face of talk shows and their personalities to attract and accommodate this growing and diverse new demographic. Women and minorities such as Oprah Winfrey, Sally Jessy Raphael, Arsenio Hall, and Geraldo Rivera began dominating the talk show circuit, ushering in changes in topics, guests, and audience members. The 1980’s redefined what was acceptable to discuss on television, expanding talk show topics to include traditionally taboo subjects such as teen pregnancies, alternative lifestyles, and eating disorders.
With the 1980’s obsession with self-improvement, talk shows adopted the term “infotainment” and offered information about health, news events, and trends affecting Americans. Talk shows began to include ordinary people as guests, not just celebrities or experts, to discuss issues that were relevant to viewers’ lives. In doing so, the average person was elevated to celebrity status, and viewers received televised therapy in the security of their own homes. Hosts acted as surrogates for the audience at home, asking personal questions and supporting their guests as they responded.
The queen of therapeutic and informative talk was Winfrey, whose debut show aired in September, 1986. Winfrey comforted guests as they opened up, and she shared her own stories of abuse and neglect, relationships, and weight problems, frequently crying with her audience. Although Donahue had discussed controversial topics since the 1970’s, his approach was more intellectual than emotional.
Industry and Technological Changes
Technological advances in hardware and syndication distribution methods, along with changes within the broadcast and cable industries, also contributed to the talk show revolution of the 1980’s. Cable television and its new networks offered viewers more entertainment choices, and Videocassette recorders (VCRs) and remote controls offered viewers more ways to pick and choose their entertainment. These advancements created new challenges for producers to overcome in order to retain their sponsors.
Cable and satellite networks, along with the emerging television networks, found themselves with numerous hours to program. Talk shows provided needed “filler” programming at a low cost, since they required no writers or actors and minimal sets. Also, the prevalence of syndication and the ease of distributing programming over satellites made it affordable for small stations to receive new talk shows, free from network constraints.
During the 1980’s, Americans had more consumer choices because of deregulation policies, more disposable income as a result of a soaring stock market and a sense of prosperity, and more entertainment choices because of technological advances and broadcasting distribution methods. Viewers’ ability to “channel surf” (and their diminishing attention spans) meant that producers had seconds to capture and retain viewers. In order to do this, talk shows transformed into quick, over-the-top programming based on attention-grabbing sound bites.
Impact
During the fast-paced decade, Americans turned to talk shows for both emotional security and entertaining escape. Shows became ethnically diverse to meet societal expectations and to compete in the changing media landscape, and they became more prevalent through syndication advancements and an abundance of cable and network channels.
Bibliography
Day, Nancy. Sensational TV: Trash or Journalism? Springfield, N.J.: Enslow, 1996. Explores the motives and practices of television talk and news shows.
Grindstaff, Laura. The Money Shot: Trash, Class, and the Making of Talk Shows. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2002. Examines ambush and emotional tactics employed by talk shows.
Kurtz, Howard. Hot Air: All Talk All the Time. New York: Basic Books, 1997. An in-depth look into the biggest names in talk shows.
Manga, Julie Engel. Talking Trash: The Cultural Politics of Daytime TV Talk Shows. New York: New York University Press, 2003. Investigates sociological factors contributing to talk shows’ popularity.
Parish, James Robert. Let’s Talk: America’s Favorite Talk Show Hosts. Las Vegas: Pioneer Books, 1993. Includes biographies of television talk show hosts.
Scott, Gini Graham. Can We Talk? The Power and Influence of Talk Shows. New York: Insight Books, 1996. A history of the rise in popularity of talk shows.
Shattuc, Jane M. The Talking Cure: TV Talk Shows and Women. New York: Routledge, 1997. Analysis of the interaction between women’s issues and talk shows.