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The daytime talk show Maury is coming to an end after 31 years on the air. The host, Maury Povich, has decided to retire from the business at the age of 83. Maury is the latest in a trend of talk shows that are coming to an end. Recently, The Wendy Williams Show was canceled due to Williams having serious health issues. And this past Wednesday, Ellen DeGeneres announced the final airdate for her talk show, which will be May 26, to be specific. Rumors have surfaced that The Real might be ending. However, host Loni Love has said that Fox has not made an official decision on that matter yet.
The Story of ‘Maury’ Talk Show
Maury started in 1991 as The Maury Povich Show. It was later rebranded as Maury in 1998. Entertainment Weekly has referred to the show as “the lone survivor of the silly-shock genre.” The show follows a format similar to Jerry Springer and Sally, having on regular people rather than celebrities and covering serious issues in a sensationalized manner. Such issues include phobias, domestic violence, unusual illnesses, rebellious teenagers, teenage pregnancy, infidelity, and more. One of his most commonly covered topics is disputed paternity tests. In a segment called “Who’s the Father?” Povich reveals the results of a DNA test delivering in a loud voice, “You ARE the father” or “You are NOT the father.” Maury has had a remarkably successful run, still bringing in 1.7 million viewers in 2020.
The Future of Talk Shows
While so many famous and long-running talk shows are coming to an end, new ones are starting to pop up in their place. Sherri Shepherd will be getting her own show in Wendy Williams’ place, and Oscar-winner and former American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson will start her own daytime talk show in the fall.
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