Looking Back on Talk Show Icon Phil Donahue’s Memorable Guests, Including His Most Challenging Visitors
A little show & tell from Phil
We recently lost Phil Donahue. He started his career in Ohio in 1967 and shared with me that “sponsors canceled me the first week on the air.” He also mentioned that “politicians are the worst guests.”
There was also a memorable moment when his unseen hand kept squeezing his wife Marlo Thomas’ behind at the opening of “The Front Page.” I witnessed this and found it more entertaining than the onstage performance.
Hideaway in the hills
The prime minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas, paid me a visit. I had to remind my pushy Yorkie to behave in his New York-style manner.
The prime minister, Tshering Tobgay, impressed me with his suave and youthful demeanor. He expressed his love for baseball, which he developed during his time in the U.S. He described Bhutan as a serene country with clean air, mountains, and valleys. Bhutan is the only carbon neutral country in the world, making it a peaceful destination for tourists.
He talked about the new city Gelephu, known as the City of Mindfulness, and the unique democracy in Bhutan where the king insisted on transitioning to democracy. Intrigued by his description, I added Bhutan to my travel bucket list.
Classic novel
If you’re looking for something to do over Labor Day weekend, check out TCM host Dave Karger’s new book “50 Oscar Nights.” The book features legends of the film industry and is a must-read for movie lovers.
Actors are particularly fond of the book as they hope to play themselves in a potential movie adaptation.
Cash goes cold
New Yorkers are relying on credit more than ever, with cash becoming a rarity even in busy restaurants. It seems that credit cards have become the preferred payment method among city dwellers.
In a world where the dollar’s value is dwindling, it’s no surprise that people are turning to credit to cover their expenses. Law enforcement is facing challenges with counterfeit bills and low currency value.
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.
