By Tina Steele
Back before we had Twitter feuds and TMZ to provide us with our requisite smut, we watched talk shows. And boy, were they conversation starters. How many sleazy 90s talk shows can you correctly identify?
Which talk show host had his nose broken by a flying chair when a fight broke out between white supremacists and black activists on an episode of his “trash TV” talk show?
![Maury Povich](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maury.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Jerry Springer](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JerrySpringer.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Phil Donahue](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Donahue.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Geraldo](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Geraldo.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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In 1995, Scott Amedure was killed by Jonathan Schmitz, an acquaintance he had a crush on, after revealing that crush for a taping of which talk show?
![The Oprah Winfrey Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Oprah.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Sally Jessy Raphael](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Sally.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Ricki Lake](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RickiLake.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Jenny Jones Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JennyJones.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Who’s your daddy? If you don’t know, you might want to go on this show, famous for its paternity test episodes, that’s been on the air since 1991.
![The Jerry Springer Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JerrySpringer.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Maury Povich Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maury.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Oprah Winfrey Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Oprah.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Montel Williams Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Montel.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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This former Cincinnati mayor went on to host a talk show infamous for the fighting between guests that invariably occurred.
![Charles Perez](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CharlesPerez.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Geraldo](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Geraldo.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Phil Donahue](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Donahue.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Jerry Springer](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JerrySpringer.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Which Generation-X’er hosted a talk show from 1993 to 2004 that was known for surprising its guests by bringing out another guest who had been listening to everything backstage?
![Montel Williams](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Montel.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Jenny Jones](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JennyJones.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Jane Pratt](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JanePratt.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Ricki Lake](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RickiLake.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Which talk show host would chain-smoke cigarettes during the show and sometimes blow smoke in guests’ faces?
![Ricki Lake](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RickiLake.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Phil Donahue](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Donahue.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Morton Downey Jr.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Downey.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Steve Wilkos](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Wilkos.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Which talk show aired from 1967 to 1996, making it the longest continuously running syndicated talk show in television history?
![Sally Jessy Raphael](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Sally.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Oprah Winfrey Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Oprah.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Donahue](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Donahue.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Jerry Springer Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JerrySpringer.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Which talk show, hosted by the founding editor of the teen magazine Sassy, ran for only 36 episodes on the Lifetime channel?
![The Jane Pratt Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JanePratt.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Leeza](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Leeza.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Richard Bey Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RichardBey.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Ricki Lake](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RickiLake.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Which talk show host, famous for wearing red glasses, won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show in 1990?
![Sally Jessy Raphael](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Sally.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Phil Donahue](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Donahue.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Oprah Winfrey](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Oprah.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Jenny Jones](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JennyJones.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Which short-lived talk show sparked controversy when it reportedly used an actor to portray a guest’s sister on one of its episodes?
![Leeza](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Leeza.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Richard Bey Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RichardBey.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Montel Williams Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Montel.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Charles Perez Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/CharlesPerez.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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This former security guard for The Jerry Springer Show went on to host his own talk show in 2007. He tends to cover criminal justice issues and is known for engaging in confrontations with guests accused of crimes.
![Steve Wilkos](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Wilkos.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Montel Williams](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Montel.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Morton Downey Jr.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Downey.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Maury Povich](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maury.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Which talk show featured ordinary people’s stories incorporated into competitive events such as “Miss Big Butt” and “Mr. Puniverse” contests?
![Sally Jessy Raphael](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Sally.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Richard Bey Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RichardBey.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Steve Wilkos Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Wilkos.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Geraldo](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Geraldo.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Which show originally started out in 1991 as a tabloid talk show similar to its peers, but focused more on inspirational stories toward the end of its run in 2008?
![Geraldo](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Geraldo.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Donahue](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Donahue.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Oprah Winfrey Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Oprah.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Montel Williams Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Montel.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Running from 1986 to 2011, this is the highest rated talk show in television history. After the show ended, its host went on to start a television network.
![The Oprah Winfrey Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Oprah.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![The Jerry Springer Show](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JerrySpringer.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Donahue](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Donahue.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Sally Jessy Raphael](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Sally.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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This talk show host originally cohosted a show focused on celebrity interviews and news with John Tesh, but transitioned into a traditional daytime talk show after he left.
![Leeza Gibbons](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Leeza.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Ricki Lake](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/RickiLake.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Geraldo](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Geraldo.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
![Morton Downey Jr.](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Downey.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
Correct!
Wrong!
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Can You Identify These Sleazy 90's Talk Shows?
I got %%score%% of %%total%% right
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.sammichespsychmeds.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-viral-quiz/views/img/big-loader.gif?w=800&ssl=1)
*****
About the Author
Tina Steele is a former business analyst turned freelance writer who lives in Atlanta with her eternally patient husband, Bryan. Growing up in Michigan, she was an awkward adolescent who was tormented just enough to give her a sense of humor but not enough to make her homicidal. She has a finely tuned bullshit detector and a love of swearing – both of which are on display at her blog, The Tina Situation. You can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter.