20 Famous Black Talk Show Hosts
Talk shows have long been a staple of American television, offering a platform for entertainment, discussion, and cultural exchange. Over the years, numerous Black hosts have made indelible marks on the industry, bringing unique perspectives and voices to the forefront. From groundbreaking daytime programs to late-night innovations, these hosts have not only entertained but also educated and inspired audiences worldwide with their groundbreaking talent, opening doors for future generations. Meet Hazel Scott, the first Black woman to host a TV show.
Hazel Scott, a trailblazing jazz pianist and vocalist, is widely recognized by historians as the first Black woman to host her own national television program in the United States. According to Women's History, more than just a performer, Scott was a fearless advocate for civil rights, standing up against the Hollywood studio system and testifying before the House Un-American Activities Committee during a time when doing so posed grave personal and professional risks. Her signature fusion of classical music with jazz rhythms captivated audiences across America and around the world.
Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1920, Scott moved to New York City in 1924 with her mother and grandmother following her parents' separation. She was the only child of R. Thomas Scott, a West African scholar, and Alma Long Scott, a classically trained pianist and accomplished saxophonist. Hazel's musical aptitude emerged early—by age three, she could play piano by ear, and she was known to vocally protest when her mother's students hit incorrect notes.
Thanks to her mother's deep ties to the music world, Hazel was given a rare opportunity to audition for the prestigious Juilliard School of Music. She was accepted on a special waiver at the age of eight—a testament to her extraordinary talent.
By her teenage years, Scott was already a fixture in New York's music scene. At 13, she joined her mother's band, Alma Long Scott's American Creolians. Two years later, she made her solo debut performing alongside Count Basie's orchestra at the Roseland Ballroom. Around the same time, she won a contest that earned her a spot on local radio and soon after made her Broadway debut in the 1938 revue ' Sing Out the News .' Despite her growing fame, Scott graduated from high school with honors.
Her breakthrough came in 1939 during a residency at Café Society, a groundbreaking integrated nightclub in Greenwich Village known for showcasing progressive talent. When Billie Holiday abruptly ended her engagement there, she personally recommended Scott as her successor. Scott quickly became the club's star attraction and was affectionately dubbed the 'Darling of Café Society.'
In 1950, Scott broke new ground once again with ' The Hazel Scott Show,' a 15-minute television program aired three times a week. It initially broadcast in New York and later expanded nationally. On the show, Scott performed her unique blend of jazz, blues, and classical music, earning critical acclaim and strong viewership. However, her rising stardom was cut short when she was named in ' Red Channels ,' a publication that accused entertainers of Communist affiliations. The show was swiftly canceled, despite her refusal to back down under pressure.
Scott's legacy is not only defined by her musical genius but also by her incredible commitment to justice and artistic integrity in the face of adversity. She walked so many of our favorite Black talk and TV show hosts could run and thrive.
Here's a look at 20 influential Black talk show hosts who have shaped the landscape of television.
20 Famous Black Talk Show Hosts was originally published on newsone.com Source:Getty
Tyra Banks revolutionized the modeling industry with 'America's Next Top Model' from 2003 to 2015, and later hosted 'The Tyra Banks Show' (2006-2010), where she delved into personal stories and social issues with guests. Her candid approach and charisma made her a household name. Source:Getty
Queen Latifah brought her multifaceted talents to 'The Queen Latifah Show,' from 1999 to 2001, blending music, comedy, and interviews with a focus on positivity and empowerment. Her warmth and authenticity resonated with audiences. Source:Getty
Former NFL star Michael Strahan transitioned to television, co-hosting 'Live with Kelly and Michael' from 2012 to 2013 and later hosting 'The $100,000 Pyramid ,' and 'GMA3,' showcasing his versatility and charm. His engaging personality made him a favorite among viewers. Source:Getty
Oprah Winfrey's 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' became a cultural phenomenon when it premiered in 1986, touching on topics from self-help to politics, and making her one of the most influential media figures in history. Her empathetic interviewing style set a new standard for talk shows and made her a beloved figure around the world until the show's end in 2011. Source:Getty
Known for her candid and often controversial opinions, Wendy Williams hosted 'The Wendy Williams Show,' from 2008 to 2022, where she discussed celebrity gossip and current events with unapologetic flair. Her bold approach garnered a dedicated following.
Williams took a step back from the spotlight in 2022 to tend to several health issues including her ongoing battle with lymphedema, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Source:Getty
RuPaul had a brief stint with his talk show, 'The RuPaul Show,' between 1997 and 1998. However, his big break would come in 2009, when 'RuPaul's Drag Race' premiered. It brought drag culture into the mainstream, celebrating self-expression and diversity. RuPaul's charisma and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights made him a trailblazer. Source:Getty
Sherri Shepherd co-hosted 'The View' from 2007 to 2014 and later launched her own daytime talk show, 'Sherri,' in 2022, where she now combines humor with heartfelt discussions on various topics. Fans love her funny and authentic delivery on air. Source:Getty
Steve Harvey parlayed his funny humor as a comic into his full-time hosting role with 'Family Feud' in 2010. He showcases his comedic timing and ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Source:Getty
Star Jones gained prominence as a co-host on 'The View,' between 1997 and 2006, known for her legal expertise and candid opinions. Jones is the current host of 'Divorce Court,' a show that revolves around settling the disputes of couples going through messy divorces. Source:Getty
An EGOT winner, Whoopi Goldberg has been a co-host of 'The View,' since 2006, bringing her sharp wit and diverse perspectives to discussions on politics, culture, and current events. Her contributions have been pivotal in shaping the show's strong dynamic. Source:Getty
Comedian Wanda Sykes hosted 'The Wanda Sykes Show,' offering a unique blend of humor and political commentary. Her fearless approach to addressing social issues resonated with many viewers. The show aired on Fox and ran for one season between 2009 and 2010. Source:Getty
Ananda Lewis hosted 'The Ananda Lewis Show,' from 2001 to 2022, a place where she engaged with young audiences on topics ranging from relationships to social issues, providing a relatable voice for her generation. Her approachable demeanor made her a trusted figure thanks to her early days as an MTV veejay. Source:Getty
Oscar-winning actress Mo'Nique hosted 'The Mo'Nique Show,' where she combined celebrity interviews with discussions on real-life issues, all while showcasing her comedic talents. Her authenticity and boldness set her apart. The show ran for 7 seasons between 2009 and 2012. Source:Getty
From 1989 to 1994, Arsenio Hall's late-night talk show, 'The Arsenio Hall Show,' brought a fresh perspective to the genre, featuring musical performances and interviews with a diverse range of guests. His show became a platform for emerging artists and cultural discussions. Source:Getty
Tavis Smiley began his broadcasting career as a radio commentator in 1991. In 1996, he became the host of 'BET Talk'—a show that was later rebranded as 'BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley'—on Black Entertainment Television (BET).
His tenure at BET came to an end in 2001 after he sold an exclusive interview with Sara Jane Olson to ABC News, prompting the network not to renew his contract. Following his departure from BET, Smiley transitioned to public radio and launched 'The Tavis Smiley Show' on National Public Radio (NPR), which he hosted from 2002 to 2004.
He then expanded his platform with the launch of 'Tavis Smiley' on PBS, a weekday television talk show, and a revived version of 'The Tavis Smiley Show' on Public Radio International (PRI), both of which he hosted from 2004 until 2017. Source:Getty
Montel Williams hosted 'The Montel Williams Show,' from 1991 to 2009, addressing a wide array of topics, including health, relationships, and social issues, often featuring emotional and inspiring stories. His military background and advocacy for veterans added depth to his platform. Source:Getty
Comedian Chris Rock hosted 'The Chris Rock Show,' blending stand-up comedy with satirical commentary on politics and culture, offering a sharp and insightful perspective on societal issues. His fearless approach to comedy made the show a standout. The show ran for 5 seasons between 1997 and 2000. Source:Getty
Lasting for two seasons (2002-2004), Wayne Brady hosted 'The Wayne Brady Show,' where he showcased his improvisational skills and musical talents, providing a blend of entertainment and humor. His versatility as a performer made him a beloved figure in television. Source:Getty
TV and radio personality Bevy Smith has been the host of 'Bevelations,' since 2015, on SiriusXM. The show combines celebrity interviews with discussions on fashion, culture, and lifestyle, offering a chic and insightful perspective on the entertainment industry. Her vibrant personality and style make her a standout host. Source:Getty
Comedian Sheryl Underwood was a regular contributor on the nationally syndicated ' Tom Joyner Morning Show' until June 2010. She also briefly hosted her own radio program, 'Sheryl Underwood and Company,' which aired on Radio One's Syndication One News/Talk network and on XM Satellite Radio's Channel 169, known as The Power.
Additionally, Underwood hosts 'The Sheryl Underwood Show' on Tuesday nights on Jamie Foxx's SiriusXM channel, The Foxxhole (Sirius 106).
In 2011, she joined the CBS daytime talk show 'The Talk' as a co-host during its second season, stepping in as a replacement for Leah Remini.
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Associated Press
a few seconds ago
- Associated Press
Bob Odenkirk isn't an action newbie anymore
NEW YORK (AP) — Bob Odenkirk ducks into a West Village coffee shop wearing sunglasses and a Chicago Cubs cap. Some degree of subterfuge might have been necessary for Odenkirk years ago. Surely fans of 'Mr. Show' or 'The Larry Sanders Show' might have recognized him. But with time, Odenkirk has traveled from the fringes of pop culture to the mainstream. He's well-known now, but for what is a moving target. At 62, Odenkirk is not only a comic icon, he's a six-time Emmy-nominated actor, for 'Better Call Saul,' a Tony-nominated Broadway star, for 'Glengarry Glen Ross,' and, most surprisingly, an action star. He's not even a newbie, either. With 'Nobody 2,' the sequel to the 2021 pandemic hit original, Odenkirk's butt-kicking bona fides are more or less established. In the sequel, which opened in theaters Thursday, he returns as Hutch Mansell, the suburban dad with latent powers of destruction. This time, he and his family go on vacation to Wisconsin Dells, where they run into trouble. 'My goal is Jackie Chan's 'Police Story,'' Odenkirk says, sipping an iced tea before a day of promotion obligations. 'It exists to be funny. The disconnect is the lack of irony. Hutch has to mean it.' Odenkirk's unlikely but sincere turn into Keanu Reeves territory has, in a way, only illuminated the rage that bubbled throughout his comedy. Chatting casually but intensely, Odenkirk explained how all of these iterations of him make sense — and how 'Nobody' might have even saved his life. AP: Your friends in comedy, have they been funny about you as an action hero? ODENKIRK: The whole time I was training I was thinking: They're not going to make this movie, and I'm getting free exercise training. The second thing I was thinking: If they make this movie, David Cross, Conan O'Brien, Adam Sandler, David Spade, these people are going to see me do this thing and go, 'Really?' It's just so fundamentally discordant. I could have asked for more comedy in the first one. And I didn't want that. I wanted to either make a real action movie — which would blow my friends' minds — or don't do it at all. If you're just going to ridicule the form, don't do it. Or just do 'Naked Gun,' which is super fun, too. I thought the funnier thing — what I did — was to do it. That's a joke on a cosmic scale. I'm literally pranking the universe. I am, right? That's the big joke. Now, what do I do with it? That's the question. AP: With the 'Nobody' movies and your recent Broadway experience, you've set a high bar for surprising people with what you're capable of. ODENKIRK: I thought about the character of Saul. He never quits. He gets pushed around. He's clever. He's in a spot and he has to think of a way out. That's an action character. While it's true that it feels like, 'Oh, boy, you went so far away.' I didn't really go that far away. It's one step. It's a big step. Everything else is in Saul. I did think that for people who know my comedy, this is going to be a hard sell. But that's not that many people. That's a cult group. AP: And it might not be that hard of a sell to your comedy fans, either. The lie detector 'Mr. Show' sketch, in which you calmly confess to outlandish things, has a similar what's-under-the-surface quality like the 'Nobody' movies. ODENKIRK: (Laughs) Yeah, yes. AP: Maybe the most relevant sketch, though, is the one where you and David Cross playtough guys who bump into each other in a bar and then remained locked in mutual animosity through their lives, even through marriage. 'Nobody 2' kicks off with a similar encounter. ODENKIRK: It's a tap on the shoulder that sets this whole thing off. He agrees to leave. Then this little tap happens. Then he leaves. He's outside. He can keep walking, which is what you would do. You'd get home and tell your wife, 'That guy tapped her on the back of the head.' It would just sit with you forever. The whole thing could have been avoided if it wasn't for who Hutch is, which is a person who allows himself to go crazy. AP: Allowing yourself to go crazy isn't a radically different impulse in comedy. Did you always feel like rage or anger was fueling some of the funniest things you did? ODENKIRK: For sure. I remember sitting with David Cross in the morning. We would start our time at 'Mr. Show' trying to generate ideas, sitting around with the paper. Oftentimes, it was: 'This really pisses me off,' or 'Look at this stupid thing.' So, yeah, frustration, anger, those are the very raw materials of comedy. AP: You're just funneling that rage into a different place. ODENKIRK: Life conjures up this rage in you, but there is no place that deserves it. In the first film, the first place he goes to exact revenge, he realizes all these people have nothing, they don't deserve it. In the second film, he goes after this guy and he's like, 'I'm under her thumb.' It's really not something you're supposed to do in an action movie, and I love that. You don't just get to find a bad guy around the corner. You've got to go looking. AP: You've said you'd like to do a third one that ends with Hutch having nothing. ODENKIRK: Yeah, the moral would be that everything he loves is gone. He burned everything he loved. We let him get away with it because the movie is an entertainment and it's meant to tell you: Yes, you can let go of your rage in this magical world. But in the end, I would think that it's an addiction. And he does want to do it. He does want to have a go, and so does every guy. That's why we have movies. And that's why we have boxing matches. AP: How much credit do you give these movies for saving your life? After you had a heart attack in 2021 on the set of 'Better Call Saul,' you attributed your narrow survival to your 'Nobody' training. ODENKIRK: When I had my EKG, where you can see the heart, the doctor explained that I had almost no scarring from that incident. And that's kind of weird because of how long that incident went on and how drastic it was. They were like: 'This should all be scar tissue, and there's none.' They said that's because these other veins are bigger than we're used to seeing, and that's from all the exercise you've been doing. And, dude, I did a lot. I went from a comedy writer who exercised just by riding a bike three or four times a week to the action I did in those movies. AP: You told Marc Maron you saw no white light and tongue-in-cheek advised him to 'go for the money.' ODENKIRK: Well, I got nothing. Nothing. I did talk to my family the next day. I woke up the next day around 1:30 and talked to my wife and kids. I was talking to people for the next week, and I don't remember any of it, or the day that it happened. AP: But did the experience change you? ODENKIRK: (Long pause) It's a big component of my thinking about who I am and what I want to do with myself and my time. The thing that's driven me the most in my life is a sense of responsibility. Not just like, 'Oh, I have kids. I have to make money and take care of them.' But, like, responsibility to the universe. 'Oh, they'll let you do this action movie.' Well, then you better do a f------ great job. 'They want you do 'Better Call Saul.'' Well, let's go. The universe is saying: You can do this. And you owe that opportunity that's so unjustified and magical. I just feel responsibility almost too readily. But the heart attack, however you want to feel about everybody's expectations of you, I mean, you're going to be gone. The world's going to go on without you, just fine. So I don't know, man. Yeah, you've got to come through for people. But you've also got a lot of freedom to invite who you want to be.
Washington Post
a few seconds ago
- Washington Post
Bob Odenkirk isn't an action newbie anymore
NEW YORK — Bob Odenkirk ducks into a West Village coffee shop wearing sunglasses and a Chicago Cubs cap. Some degree of subterfuge might have been necessary for Odenkirk years ago. Surely fans of 'Mr. Show' or 'The Larry Sanders Show' might have recognized him. But with time, Odenkirk has traveled from the fringes of pop culture to the mainstream. He's well-known now, but for what is a moving target. At 62, Odenkirk is not only a comic icon, he's a six-time Emmy-nominated actor, for 'Better Call Saul,' a Tony-nominated Broadway star, for 'Glengarry Glen Ross,' and, most surprisingly, an action star. He's not even a newbie, either. With 'Nobody 2,' the sequel to the 2021 pandemic hit original , Odenkirk's butt-kicking bona fides are more or less established. In the sequel, which opened in theaters Thursday, he returns as Hutch Mansell, the suburban dad with latent powers of destruction. This time, he and his family go on vacation to Wisconsin Dells, where they run into trouble. 'My goal is Jackie Chan's 'Police Story,'' Odenkirk says, sipping an iced tea before a day of promotion obligations. 'It exists to be funny. The disconnect is the lack of irony. Hutch has to mean it.' Odenkirk's unlikely but sincere turn into Keanu Reeves territory has, in a way, only illuminated the rage that bubbled throughout his comedy. Chatting casually but intensely, Odenkirk explained how all of these iterations of him make sense — and how 'Nobody' might have even saved his life. ODENKIRK: The whole time I was training I was thinking: They're not going to make this movie, and I'm getting free exercise training. The second thing I was thinking: If they make this movie, David Cross, Conan O'Brien, Adam Sandler, David Spade, these people are going to see me do this thing and go, 'Really?' It's just so fundamentally discordant. I could have asked for more comedy in the first one. And I didn't want that. I wanted to either make a real action movie — which would blow my friends' minds — or don't do it at all. If you're just going to ridicule the form, don't do it. Or just do 'Naked Gun,' which is super fun, too. I thought the funnier thing — what I did — was to do it. That's a joke on a cosmic scale. I'm literally pranking the universe. I am, right? That's the big joke. Now, what do I do with it? That's the question. ODENKIRK: I thought about the character of Saul. He never quits. He gets pushed around. He's clever. He's in a spot and he has to think of a way out. That's an action character. While it's true that it feels like, 'Oh, boy, you went so far away.' I didn't really go that far away. It's one step. It's a big step. Everything else is in Saul. I did think that for people who know my comedy, this is going to be a hard sell. But that's not that many people. That's a cult group. ODENKIRK: (Laughs) Yeah, yes. ODENKIRK: It's a tap on the shoulder that sets this whole thing off. He agrees to leave. Then this little tap happens. Then he leaves. He's outside. He can keep walking, which is what you would do. You'd get home and tell your wife, 'That guy tapped her on the back of the head.' It would just sit with you forever. The whole thing could have been avoided if it wasn't for who Hutch is, which is a person who allows himself to go crazy. ODENKIRK: For sure. I remember sitting with David Cross in the morning. We would start our time at 'Mr. Show' trying to generate ideas, sitting around with the paper. Oftentimes, it was: 'This really pisses me off,' or 'Look at this stupid thing.' So, yeah, frustration, anger, those are the very raw materials of comedy. ODENKIRK: Life conjures up this rage in you, but there is no place that deserves it. In the first film, the first place he goes to exact revenge, he realizes all these people have nothing, they don't deserve it. In the second film, he goes after this guy and he's like, 'I'm under her thumb.' It's really not something you're supposed to do in an action movie, and I love that. You don't just get to find a bad guy around the corner. You've got to go looking. ODENKIRK: Yeah, the moral would be that everything he loves is gone. He burned everything he loved. We let him get away with it because the movie is an entertainment and it's meant to tell you: Yes, you can let go of your rage in this magical world. But in the end, I would think that it's an addiction. And he does want to do it. He does want to have a go, and so does every guy. That's why we have movies. And that's why we have boxing matches. ODENKIRK: When I had my EKG, where you can see the heart, the doctor explained that I had almost no scarring from that incident. And that's kind of weird because of how long that incident went on and how drastic it was. They were like: 'This should all be scar tissue, and there's none.' They said that's because these other veins are bigger than we're used to seeing, and that's from all the exercise you've been doing. And, dude, I did a lot. I went from a comedy writer who exercised just by riding a bike three or four times a week to the action I did in those movies. ODENKIRK: Well, I got nothing. Nothing. I did talk to my family the next day. I woke up the next day around 1:30 and talked to my wife and kids. I was talking to people for the next week, and I don't remember any of it, or the day that it happened. ODENKIRK: (Long pause) It's a big component of my thinking about who I am and what I want to do with myself and my time. The thing that's driven me the most in my life is a sense of responsibility. Not just like, 'Oh, I have kids. I have to make money and take care of them.' But, like, responsibility to the universe. 'Oh, they'll let you do this action movie.' Well, then you better do a f------ great job. 'They want you do 'Better Call Saul.'' Well, let's go. The universe is saying: You can do this. And you owe that opportunity that's so unjustified and magical. I just feel responsibility almost too readily. But the heart attack, however you want to feel about everybody's expectations of you, I mean, you're going to be gone. The world's going to go on without you, just fine. So I don't know, man. Yeah, you've got to come through for people. But you've also got a lot of freedom to invite who you want to be.
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