BREAKING: Mike Douglas has died at age 81

[Jul]

Mike Douglas, who drew on his affable personality and singing talent during 21 years as a talk show host, died Friday on his 81st birthday, his wife said.

To read the rest: http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_223130535.html and http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060811/ap_en_tv/obit_douglas

 

[bpatrick]

As I said on the competing chat site, Mike (and Merv Griffin)
knew how to entertain without shocking. Compared to the
decibel level of most of daytime TV today, their shows were
actually classy and civilized.

And let us not forget that both managed to impart information.
Mike interviewed the likes of Woodward and Bernstein, antiwar
activist Jerry Rubin, and Presidents ranging from Harry Truman
to Gerald Ford to Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan. Many of
Merv's one-topic shows were devoted to serious issues, such
as one he did on street gangs, where an L.A. gang member
coolly described stabbing a rival gang member to death.

Only Regis and Ellen come anywhere close to what these
two legends used to do.

I miss Mike and Merv.

RIP, Mike.