Poster of Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television

Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television

Plot: Even though her program was only seen in four Midwestern cities, Ruth Lyons presided over America's highest-rated daytime TV talk show for nearly two decades! This documentary draws upon rare and previously undiscovered footage, along with comments from associates and admirers to create a portrait of an outspoken, multi-talented woman who became one of the most beloved and influential figures in TV history. Featuring the Recollections Of: Carol Channing, John Davidson, Phyllis Diller, Phil Donahue, David Letterman, Johnny Mathis, Peter Nero, Bonnie Lou, Nick Clooney, Oscar Robertson and many others, along with archival audio and video of Ruth Lyons' 50-50 Club
Release Date: Monday, December 12 2011
12 years ago
Scroll to Crew

Cast

Portrait of Ruth LyonsRuth Lyons
Ruth Lyons was
>> in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Herself (archive)'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of David LettermanDavid Letterman
David Letterman was
64 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Himself'.
Sat, Apr 12 1947
Portrait of Nick ClooneyNick Clooney
Nick Clooney was
76 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Himself'.
Sun, Jan 13 1935
Portrait of Carol ChanningCarol Channing
Carol Channing was
90 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Herself'.
Mon, Jan 31 1921 –
Tue, Jan 15 2019
Portrait of John DavidsonJohn Davidson
John Davidson was
69 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Himself'.
Sat, Dec 13 1941
Portrait of Phyllis DillerPhyllis Diller
Phyllis Diller was
94 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Herself'.
Tue, Jul 17 1917 –
Mon, Aug 20 2012
Portrait of Phil DonahuePhil Donahue
Phil Donahue was
75 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Himself'.
Sat, Dec 21 1935 –
Sun, Aug 18 2024
Portrait of Johnny MathisJohnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis was
76 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Himself'.
Mon, Sep 30 1935
Portrait of Peter NeroPeter Nero
Peter Nero was
77 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Himself'.
Tue, May 22 1934 –
Thu, Jul 06 2023
Portrait of Bonnie LouBonnie Lou
Bonnie Lou was
>> in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Herself'.
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Oscar RobertsonOscar Robertson
Oscar Robertson was
73 in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Himself'.
Thu, Nov 24 1938
Portrait of Nancy JamesNancy James
Nancy James was
>> in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Narrator'.
Unknown Birthday

Crew

Portrait of David AshbrockDavid Ashbrock
David Ashbrock was
>> in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Director'
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Ric HinesRic Hines
Ric Hines was
>> in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Director of Photography'
Unknown Birthday
Portrait of Mark MagistrelliMark Magistrelli
Mark Magistrelli was
>> in Ruth Lyons: First Lady of Television
as 'Writer'
Unknown Birthday