Dirty Talk: When Daytime Talk Shows Ruled TV

Dirty Talk: When Daytime Talk Shows Ruled TV

Ended First aired 14/Jan/2026 United States English 1 season(s) 3 episode(s)
Documentary
A look back at the rise, fall and lasting impact of the most sensational era in TV talk show history. By exploring the psychological forces that shaped the talk TV genre, the series reveals how these shows transformed from trusted confessional spaces into lightning rods of controversy, leaving a lasting impact on culture, media and the people caught in the chaos.
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TimeScore 33% Skip It
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Season 1 · Season 1
3 episode(s) · Air date: 14/Jan/2026
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S1E3
Part 3: Adapt or Die
Air date: 28/Jan/2026 · Time: 21:02 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

By the late '90s, talk TV had not only survived a murder trial but was now reaching new levels of sensationalism; driven by viewers' insatiable appetite for sex, violence and conflict, many shows lowered the bar.

Summary

By the late '90s, talk TV had not only survived a murder trial but was now reaching new levels of sensationalism; driven by viewers' insatiable appetite for sex, violence and conflict, many shows lowered the bar.

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S1E2
Part 2: Talked to Death
Air date: 21/Jan/2026 · Time: 21:02 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

By the mid-'90s, daytime talk shows had earned the name "Trash TV," with many guests willing to air their dirty laundry on national TV; with ratings spiking, the shows began pushing the envelope -- and its guests -- to extremes.

Summary

By the mid-'90s, daytime talk shows had earned the name "Trash TV," with many guests willing to air their dirty laundry on national TV; with ratings spiking, the shows began pushing the envelope -- and its guests -- to extremes.

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S1E1
Part 1: Origin of the Species
Air date: 14/Jan/2026 · Time: 21:02 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

In the 90s, talk TV takes over daytime, but what starts as an earnest forum quickly devolves into a cutthroat ratings war to out-shock the competition with increasingly salacious topics.

Summary

In the 90s, talk TV takes over daytime, but what starts as an earnest forum quickly devolves into a cutthroat ratings war to out-shock the competition with increasingly salacious topics.

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Cast

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John Henson
John Henson
Self
Montel Williams
Montel Williams
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Leeza Gibbons
Leeza Gibbons
Self
Sally Jessy Raphael
Sally Jessy Raphael
Self
Maury Povich
Maury Povich
Self

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