Revisit Phil Donahue's Final Sign-Off from His Namesake Talk Show in 1996

Mar. 15, 2025

In 1996, the television personality — who died on Aug. 18 at age 88 — signed off from his namesake talk show with a champagne-soaked celebration. After thanking the crew of his long-running show (later renamedDonahue) as well as the media for their interest in the farewell episode, a staffer asked if he would be “mad” if they poured champagne over his head and he replied, “Not at all.”

The group then proceeded to pour several bottles of champagne on him as he lamented that he had “a great speech ready” for the farewell episode.

Phil Donahue attends the Build Series to discuss his Makers Men video at Build Studio on April 24, 2017 in New York City.Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage

Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage

Finally, he told his staffers, “I need a towel. I can’t see.” After drying off slightly, he had a sweet moment with his daughter, Mary Rose Donahoe, whom he shared with ex-wife Margaret Cooney.

Earlier in the episode, Donahue and executive producer Patricia McMillen looked back at some of the show’s biggest — and most controversial — moments.

The pair discussed showing an anatomically correct boy doll on the show and polled the at-home audience asking if it was good for kids. The response caused the phone system in Dayton, Ohio to go out. Donahoe noted, “It wasn’t funny. People couldn’t call an ambulance…totally jammed. Emergency calls are being made. Please stop this right now…I guess this is a long way of saying. We entered streaming.”

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The statement noted he “passed away peacefully following a long illness.”

source: people.com