What Phil Donahue Meant to Me

Phil Donahue, the game-changing daytime television host, died last week at 88. Mr. Donahue turned “The Phil Donahue Show” into a participation event, soliciting questions and comments on topics as varied as human rights and orgies.

Michael Barbaro explains what Phil Donahue meant to him.

Background reading: 

• An obituary for Mr. Donahue, who died last week at 88.
• Here are 3 episodes that explain Mr. Donahue’s daytime dominance.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.