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
13 years ago
Scroll to Crew

Cast

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

Crew

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