As the juggernaut of talk show hosts, endowed with the gift of gab.
He showcased life changing moments, all breaking news he would grab.
A round table was his prop, paced the audience with a mic in hand.
He’d asked startling questions, the responses were never planned.
Off script his signature posture to his audience of devoted fans.
On the show he courted “That Girl.”
They exited hand in hand.
44 years together a life well lived would unfold.

Marlo found her dream of a man- Donahue his pot of gold.
When flat screens were called T.V.s.
And cheerleading was our afternoon sport.

At the 4:00 hr. we’d make our way home and watch Phil Donahue hold court.
Referenced as king of daytime talk shows, he trail-blazed his way to the top.
Oprah and Maury and Rosie and Ellen on and on it just didn’t stop.
Phil’s folksy and eye to eye style made for easy listening to what he had to say.
The bottom line to all this is that pretense stayed out of the way.
RIP Mr.Donahue you had us under a spell.