A look back at the rise, fall and lasting impact of the most sensational era in TV talk show history. By exploring the psychological forces that shaped the talk TV genre, the series reveals how these shows transformed from trusted confessional spaces into lightning rods of controversy, leaving a lasting impact on culture, media and the people caught in the chaos.
E1
Soap operas and game shows set the stage for the rise of the explosive daytime format of the '90s: the talk show.
E2
By the mid-'90s, daytime talk shows had earned the name "Trash TV," with many guests willing to air their dirty laundry on national TV; with ratings spiking, the shows began pushing the envelope -- and its guests -- to extremes.
E3
By the late '90s, talk TV had not only survived a murder trial but was now reaching new levels of sensationalism; driven by viewers' insatiable appetite for sex, violence and conflict, many shows lowered the bar.