Mike Douglas

Talk Show Host

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his three-hour interview, Mike Douglas (1925-2006) talks about his start in television as the host of the local Chicago series Hi Ladies and discusses his career as a singer and a voiceover artist (including providing the singing voice for "Prince Charming" in the Disney classic Cinderella). He recounts his numerous appearances on television, including work as a regular of Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge and speaks in great detail about his long-running stint as the host of The Mike Douglas Show. He describes moving the show from Ohio to Pennsylvania and finally to California and how each locale affected the program. Douglas details his "casting" by producer Woody Fraser, the rigorous production schedule, and notable guests including Aretha Franklin, Judy Garland, John Lennon, and a 2-year-old golf prodigy named Tiger Woods. Karen Herman conducted the interview on March 31, 2005 in Beverly Hills, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"The main thing I was there for was to talk to the guests, make it interesting, and draw whatever you could out of them. Never top them, never belittle them, never say, 'You've been into something, you're not right today.' No put downs. It worked for me and it'll work for you."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Mike Douglas on his earliest television appearances, including KTLA's inaugural broadcast with Bob Hope

03:53

Mike Doulgas on a young Barbra Streisand performing and co-hosting on The Mike Douglas Show

05:48

Mike Douglas on Judy Garland and Peter Lawford appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

05:07

Mike Douglas on how he got his talk show, The Mike Douglas Show

02:50

Mike Douglas on having Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly on The Mike Douglas Show

03:24

Mike Douglas on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

03:00

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early years growing up in Chicago; Kay Kyser giving him his stage name; his childhood; and some of his early professional work

On how he got his talk show, The Mike Douglas Show; on working with producer Woody Fraser The Mike Douglas Show; on working with producer Roger Ailes on The Mike Douglas Show

Chapter 2

On how Roger Ailes helped Richard Nixon with his television image when he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show; on what Roger Ailes brought to The Mike Douglas Show as producer; on how the concept for The Mike Douglas Show came about, and how Bob Hope helped promote it

On the rapid growth of The Mike Douglas Show; on a young Barbra Streisand performing and co-hosting on The Mike Douglas Show; on the concept of having co-hosts each week on The Mike Douglas Show including Joe E. Brown and Jerry Lester

On Zsa Zsa Gabor swearing on The Mike Douglas Show which turned it from a live to taped program, and on censorship issues with the show; on an incident between Milton Berle and Richard Pryor on The Mike Douglas Show;

On how he worked with his co-hosts on The Mike Douglas Show; on Paul Anka cancelling at the last minute, and on having comedians like Michael Keaton and Billy Crystal co-host The Mike Douglas Show

Chapter 3

On learning of the assassination of President Kennedy while he was hosting a live broadcast of The Mike Douglas Show; on interviewing Robert F. Kennedy on The Mike Douglas Show; on producer Woody Fraser hiring staff for The Mike Douglas Show

On watching Barbara Walters interview; on some of his most challenging interviews on The Mike Douglas Show; on getting the proper mix of guests on The Mike Douglas Show

On moving The Mike Douglas Show from Cleveland to Philadelphia; on providing question in advance for guests on The Mike Douglas Show and on topics that are off limits; on the audience for The Mike Douglas Show and on his studio audiences

On The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson; on the demanding taping schedule for The Mike Douglas Show; on interviewing Rose Kennedy on The Mike Douglas Show

Chapter 4

On researching guests for The Mike Douglas Show; on what makes a good interview; on Judy Garland and Peter Lawford appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

On interviewing Aretha Franklin and Tiger Woods on The Mike Douglas Show; on the musical segments and band of The Mike Douglas Show; on The Mike Douglas Show moving to Los Angeles

On interviewing Lucille Ball and John Wayne on The Mike Douglas Show; on having Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly on The Mike Douglas Show

Chapter 5

On Jack Benny appearing on The Mike Douglas Show; on Mary Tyler Moore and Lucille Ball on the Mary Tyler Moore Comedy Hour; on Bill Cosby appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

On the week John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show; on having Tom and Dick Smothers on The Mike Douglas Show; on having David Letterman on The Mike Douglas Show

On The Tonight Show producer Fred De Cordova; on news anchor Walter Cronkite; on interviewing Martin Luther King, Jr. on The Mike Douglas Show

On having Malcom X on The Mike Douglas Show two days before his assassination; on meeting several United States Presidents including Lyndon B. Johnson; on never having Frank Sinatra on The Mike Douglas Show

Chapter 6

On The Mike Douglas Show sets and catchphrase; on his favorite moments from The Mike Douglas Show; on the end of The Mike Douglas Show

On how the industry has changed since he started; on the tapes of The Mike Douglas Show; on having Tiger Woods on The Mike Douglas Show when he was a child

On his earliest television appearances, including KTLA's inaugural broadcast with Bob Hope; on his turbulent friendship Frank Sinatra;

On voicing "Prince Charming" in the Disney feature film Cinderella" and on Walt Disney's legacy; on his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show

On his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1968

Chapter 7

On appearing on The Carol Burnett Show with Tim Conway; on then-current projects; on his interaction with fans

On advice to aspiring talk show hosts; on his family; on how he'd like to be remembered

Shows

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)

Make Douglas on appearing on The Carol Burnett Show with Tim Conway

06:51

Ed Sullivan Show, The aka Toast of the Town

Mike Douglas on his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show

02:42

Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge

Mike Douglas on how he got his name shortened by Kay Kyser on Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge

02:43

Mary Tyler Moore Comedy Hour

Mike Douglas on Mary Tyler Moore and Lucille Ball on the Mary Tyler Moore Comedy Hour

02:39

Mike Douglas Show, The

Mike Douglas on how he got his talk show, The Mike Douglas Show

02:43

Mike Douglas on Sammy Davis, Jr. appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

02:35

Mike Douglas on working with producer Woody Fraser The Mike Douglas Show

03:18

Mike Douglas on working with producer Roger Ailes on The Mike Douglas Show

02:38

Mike Doulgas on what Roger Ailes brought to The Mike Douglas Show as producer

01:14

Mike Doulgas on how the concept for The Mike Douglas Show came about, and how Bob Hope helped promote it

01:58

Mike Doulgas on the rapid growth of The Mike Douglas Show

01:27

Mike Doulgas on a young Barbra Streisand performing and co-hosting on The Mike Douglas Show

05:48

Mike Doulgas on the concept of having co-hosts each week on The Mike Douglas Show including Joe E. Brown and Jerry Lester

02:50

Mike Doulgas on Zsa Zsa Gabor swearing on The Mike Douglas Show which turned it from a live to taped program, and on censorship issues with the show

04:38

Mike Doulgas on an incident between Milton Berle and Richard Pryor on The Mike Douglas Show

01:52

Mike Doulgas on how he worked with his co-hosts on The Mike Douglas Show

03:58

Mike Doulgas on Paul Anka cancelling at the last minute, and on having comedians like Michael Keaton and Billy Crystal co-host The Mike Douglas Show

02:54

Mike Douglas on some of his most challenging interviews on The Mike Douglas Show

01:56

Mike Douglas on getting the proper mix of guests on The Mike Douglas Show

02:44

Mike Douglas on moving The Mike Douglas Show from Cleveland to Philadelphia

02:01

Mike Douglas on providing question in advance for guests on The Mike Douglas Show and on topics that are off limits

03:24

Mike Douglas on the audience for The Mike Douglas Show and on his studio audiences

01:42

Mike Douglas on the demanding taping schedule for The Mike Douglas Show

01:21

Mike Douglas on a typical tape day for The Mike Douglas Show

02:06

Mike Douglas on interviewing Rose Kennedy on The Mike Douglas Show

01:32

Mike Douglas on interviewing Robert F. Kennedy on The Mike Douglas Show

01:04

Mike Douglas on producer Woody Fraser hiring staff for The Mike Douglas Show

01:10

Mike Douglas on learning of the assassination of President Kennedy while he was hosting a live broadcast of The Mike Douglas Show

05:16

Mike Douglas on researching guests for The Mike Douglas Show

03:39

Mike Douglas on Judy Garland and Peter Lawford appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

05:07

Mike Douglas on interviewing Aretha Franklin and Tiger Woods on The Mike Douglas Show

03:24

Mike Douglas on the musical segments and band of The Mike Douglas Show

04:01

Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show moving to Los Angeles

03:21

Mike Douglas on interviewing Lucille Ball and John Wayne on The Mike Douglas Show

04:07

Mike Douglas on having Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly on The Mike Douglas Show

03:24

Mike Douglas on comedian Jack Benny appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

03:05

Mike Douglas on Bill Cosby appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

02:01

Mike Douglas on the week John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show

04:19

Mike Douglas on having Tom and Dick Smothers on The Mike Douglas Show

02:52

Mike Douglas on having David Letterman on The Mike Douglas Show

00:58

Mike Douglas on interviewing Martin Luther King, Jr. on The Mike Douglas Show

01:28

Mike Douglas on having Malcom X on The Mike Douglas Show two days before his assassination

01:04

Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and The Mike Douglas Show sets

01:43

Mike Douglas on his favorite moments from The Mike Douglas Show

02:47

Mike Douglas on the end of The Mike Douglas Show

03:18

Mike Douglas on the tapes of The Mike Douglas Show

00:50

Mike Douglas on having Tiger Woods on The Mike Douglas Show when he was a child

03:18

Oprah Winfrey Show, The

Mike Douglas on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

03:00

Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The

Mike Douglas on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

03:00

Mike Douglas on The Tonight Show producer Fred De Cordova

00:42

Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

Mike Doulgas on the story Zsa Zsa Gabor told on The Mike Douglas Show that turned it from a live to taped program

01:28

Characters & Catchphrases

Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and The Mike Douglas Show sets

01:43

Civil Rights Movement

Mike Douglas on interviewing Martin Luther King, Jr. on The Mike Douglas Show

01:28

Mike Douglas on having Malcom X on The Mike Douglas Show two days before his assassination

01:04

Historic Events and Social Change

Mike Douglas on learning of the assassination of President Kennedy while he was hosting a live broadcast of The Mike Douglas Show

05:16

Mike Douglas on interviewing Martin Luther King, Jr. on The Mike Douglas Show

01:28

Mike Douglas on having Malcom X on The Mike Douglas Show two days before his assassination

01:04

JFK Assassination and Funeral

Mike Douglas on learning of the assassination of President Kennedy while he was hosting a live broadcast of The Mike Douglas Show

05:16

Pop Culture

Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and The Mike Douglas Show sets

01:43

Richard M. Nixon

Mike Doulgas on how Roger Ailes helped Richard Nixon with his television image he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show

02:11

Television Industry

Mike Doulgas on the story Zsa Zsa Gabor told on The Mike Douglas Show that turned it from a live to taped program

01:28

Mike Douglas on how the industry has changed since he started

01:30

Television and the Presidency

Mike Doulgas on how Roger Ailes helped Richard Nixon with his television image he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show

02:11

Underrepresented Voices

Mike Douglas on booking African-American acts for The Mike Douglas Show

03:03

Professions

Hosts

View Profession

Mike Douglas on what makes a good interview

01:36

Mike Douglas on advice to aspiring talk show hosts

07:09

Talk Show Host

View Profession

Mike Douglas on what makes a good interview

01:36

Mike Douglas on advice to aspiring talk show hosts

07:09

Genres

Talk Shows

Mike Douglas on The Mike Douglas Show

11:14

Mike Doulgas on the concept of, co-hosts, and guests on The Mike Douglas Show

28:52

Mike Douglas on memorable guests, the audience, and a typical day on The Mike Douglas Show

28:17

Mike Douglas on hosting The Mike Douglas Show

28:39

Mike Douglas on memorable guests on The Mike Douglas Show

28:07

Mike Douglas on his catchphrase "I'll be right back" and The Mike Douglas Show sets

01:44

People

Aretha Franklin

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Mike Douglas on interviewing Aretha Franklin and Tiger Woods on The Mike Douglas Show

03:24

Art Carney

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Mike Doulgas on how he worked with his co-hosts on The Mike Douglas Show and on working with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney

03:58

Barbara Walters

View Interview Page

Mike Douglas on watching Barbara Walters interview

01:01

Barbra Streisand

View Person Page

Mike Doulgas on a young Barbra Streisand performing and co-hosting on The Mike Douglas Show

05:48

Bill Cosby

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on Bill Cosby appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

02:00

Billy Crystal

View Interview Page

Mike Doulgas on Paul Anka cancelling at the last minute, and on having comedians like Michael Keaton and Billy Crystal co-host The Mike Douglas Show

02:54

Bob Hope

View Person Page

Mike Doulgas on how the concept for The Mike Douglas Show came about, and how Bob Hope helped promote it

01:58

Mike Douglas on his earliest television appearances, including KTLA's inaugural broadcast with Bob Hope

03:53

Carol Burnett

View Interview Page

Make Douglas appearing on The Carol Burnett Show with Tim Conway

06:51

Chuck Berry

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Chuck Berry

01:21

David Letterman

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Mike Douglas on having David Letterman on The Mike Douglas Show

01:03

Dick Smothers

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Mike Douglas on having Tom and Dick Smothers on The Mike Douglas Show

01:32

Ed Sullivan

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show

02:42

Ella Fitzgerald

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Mike Douglas on "the mix"

01:20

Frank Sinatra

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on never having Frank Sinatra on The Mike Douglas Show

02:06

Mike Douglas on his turbulent friendship Frank Sinatra

05:42

Fred Astaire

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on having Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly on The Mike Douglas Show

03:24

Fred de Cordova

View Interview Page

Mike Douglas on The Tonight Show producer Fred De Cordova

00:42

Gene Kelly

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on having Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly on The Mike Douglas Show

03:24

Jack Benny

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on comedian Jack Benny appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

03:05

Jackie Gleason

View Person Page

Mike Doulgas on how he worked with his co-hosts on The Mike Douglas Show and on working with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney

03:58

Jerry Lester

View Person Page

Mike Doulgas on the concept of having co-hosts each week on The Mike Douglas Show including Joe E. Brown and Jerry Lester

02:50

Joe E. Brown

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Mike Doulgas on the concept of having co-hosts each week on The Mike Douglas Show including Joe E. Brown and Jerry Lester

02:50

John Lennon

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on the week John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show

04:19

Judy Garland

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on Judy Garland and Peter Lawford appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

05:07

Mike Douglas on his favorite moments from The Mike Douglas Show: Judy Garland

01:46

Kay Kyser

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on how he got his name shortened by Kay Kyser on Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge

02:43

Liza Minnelli

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Mike Douglas on his favorite moments from The Mike Douglas Show: Liza Minnelli

00:40

Lucille Ball

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Mike Douglas on interviewing Lucille Ball and John Wayne on The Mike Douglas Show

04:07

Mike Douglas on Mary Tyler Moore and Lucille Ball on the Mary Tyler Moore Comedy Hour

02:02

Lyndon B. Johnson

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Mike Douglas on meeting several United States Presidents including Lyndon B. Johnson

04:56

Malcolm X

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on having Malcom X on The Mike Douglas Show two days before his assassination

01:04

Martin Luther King, Jr.

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on interviewing Martin Luther King, Jr. on The Mike Douglas Show

01:28

Mary Tyler Moore

View Interview Page

Mike Douglas on Mary Tyler Moore and Lucille Ball on the Mary Tyler Moore Comedy Hour

02:39

Michael Keaton

View Person Page

Mike Doulgas on Paul Anka cancelling at the last minute, and on having comedians like Michael Keaton and Billy Crystal co-host The Mike Douglas Show

02:54

Mike Douglas on discovering young comics Billy Crystal and Michael Keaton

Milton Berle

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Mike Doulgas on an incident between Milton Berle and Richard Pryor on The Mike Douglas Show

01:52

Oprah Winfrey

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

03:00

Paul Anka

View Person Page

Mike Doulgas on Paul Anka cancelling at the last minute, and on having comedians like Michael Keaton and Billy Crystal co-host The Mike Douglas Show

02:54

Phil Donahue

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Mike Douglas on appearing on Phil Donahue's local Dayton, OH talk show

01:19

Richard M. Nixon

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Mike Doulgas on how Roger Ailes helped Richard Nixon with his television image he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show

02:11

Richard Pryor

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Mike Doulgas on an incident between Milton Berle and Richard Pryor on The Mike Douglas Show

01:52

Robert F. Kennedy

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Mike Douglas on interviewing Robert F. Kennedy on The Mike Douglas Show

01:04

Roger Ailes

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on working with producers Woody Fraser and Roger Ailes on The Mike Douglas Show

01:23

Mike Douglas on working with producer Roger Ailes on The Mike Douglas Show

02:38

Mike Doulgas on how Roger Ailes helped Richard Nixon with his television image when he appeared on The Mike Douglas Show

02:11

Rose Kennedy

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on interviewing Rose Kennedy on The Mike Douglas Show

01:32

Sammy Davis, Jr.

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on Sammy Davis, Jr. appearing on The Mike Douglas Show

02:35

Mike Douglas on final say for booking guests

01:24

Tim Conway

View Interview Page

Make Douglas appearing on The Carol Burnett Show with Tim Conway

06:51

Tom Smothers

View Interview Page

Mike Douglas on having Tom and Dick Smothers on The Mike Douglas Show

01:32

Walt Disney

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on voicing "Prince Charming" in the Disney feature film Cinderella; on Walt Disney's legacy

03:09

Mike Douglas on voicing "Prince Charming" in the Disney feature film Cinderella; on Walt Disney's legacy

03:29

Walter Cronkite

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Mike Douglas on news anchor Walter Cronkite

01:52

Woody Fraser

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on working with producer Woody Fraser The Mike Douglas Show

03:18

Mike Douglas on producer Woody Fraser hiring staff for The Mike Douglas Show

01:10

Mike Douglas on final say for booking guests

01:24

Yoko Ono

View Person Page

Mike Douglas on the week John Lennon and Yoko Ono co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show

04:19

Zsa Zsa Gabor

View Person Page

Mike Doulgas on Zsa Zsa Gabor swearing on The Mike Douglas Show which turned it from a live to taped program, and on censorship issues with the show

04:38