I'll Be Right Back: Memories of TV's Greatest Talk Show

Nationally syndicated within two years of its debut in 1961, singer Mike Douglas's 90-minute daily talk show became an entertainment phenomenon by booking contrasting personalities on the same show, including such offbeat musical duos as Arlo Guthrie and Florence Henderson. In 1967, The Mike Douglas Show was the first syndicated talk show to win an Emmy, and Douglas became the first TV star to earn a million dollars a year. Unwittingly pinpointing this book's central flaw, Douglas comments, ""I could fill this chapter with just the names of quality musical talents who graced our stage and still not have room for half of them."" Since more than 30,000 guests were booked on his show over more than 20 years, including then-unknowns Jay Leno, Billy Crystal, Barbra Streisand and Bill Cosby, it's easy to see why. Marlon Brando and Red Skelton each receive three pages, while Milton Berle, Judy Garland, Jonathan Winters, Ted Kennedy and many others garner a page or less (for those squeezed out, each chapter opens with a lengthy list of names). Writing in a glib, showbiz style, Douglas shuffles memories like unruly cue cards, often without any transitions. One of the most insightful and substantive chapters dissects and critiques more than two dozen current talk shows. Oddly, this ""autobiography"" devotes no more than 12 pages to Douglas's childhood, his navy life and his pre-1961 radio, TV and recording careers. 3-city author tour; 25-city radio satellite tour. (Dec.)