On Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 2-3:30pm on Zoom and streamed to our Kingsley Room, join us for a virtual program and learn more about the history of the TV talk show.
From its start in the early 1950s, the talk show has been one of television’s most versatile and durable formats. Pioneering programs like Today, Person-to-Person, and Tonight established the basic features that have guided the format ever since, particularly the importance of the host in guiding the proceedings. This presentation will look at the fascinating history of the television talk show, and examine its changing appeal from decade to decade.
Brian Rose is a professor emeritus at Fordham University. He’s written several books on television history and cultural programming, and conducted more than a hundred Q&A’s with leading directors, actors, and writers for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Screen Actors Guild, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and the Directors Guild of America.
Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this program is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library. Registration is required. Zoom invitation links will be sent via email on the day of the program. Please visit the link below for more information and to register.
Registration Link:
Zoom https://www.southburylibrary.org/event/zoom-history-tv-talk-show
In Person https://www.southburylibrary.org/event/person-history-tv-talk-show