Ruth Lyons (broadcaster)
Encyclopedia
Ruth Lyons, was a pioneer radio
and television
broadcaster
in Cincinnati, Ohio
. It is said Ruth Lyons accidentally invented the daytime TV talk show. Like Arthur Godfrey
and others of the era, Ruth built a TV empire.
beginning in 1925. She went to work full-time at WKRC
in 1928; she worked as a radio show pianist/organist and as the station's music librarian. Ruth's first broadcast was accidental. She was pressed into service one morning when the station's only female show host called in sick. She needed only a couple of minutes to become familiar behind the microphone, and took over as host.
Lyons' prestige grew when she and other staffers broadcast non-stop during the Great Flood of 1937, calming listeners and asking for donations for the victims. Lyons praised the big-heartedness of Ohio Valley residents, but listeners said that their generosity flowed because they considered her a real friend and friends helped friends in need. While at WKRC, Lyons hosted a weekly radio show called Your Sunday Matinee; an amateur songwriter, she wrote a new song for each Sunday broadcast of the show. Bandleader Paul Whiteman
was a guest on the show in 1938 and was impressed by Lyons' songwriting abilities. He offered to buy some of Lyons' original compositions with one stipulation: the music would need to be published under his name. Lyons politely declined. In 1942, WKRC lost Lyons to WLW
over a ten dollar raise. Owner Hulbert "Hub" Taft (Taft Broadcasting
) later said that the ten-dollar raise had cost his company millions in advertising.
At WLW, she was the hostess of Petticoat Partyline and Consumer's Foundation. Lyons was then teamed with Frazier Thomas
, first on Collect Calls From Lowenthal and then on Your Morning Matinee, a popular morning radio show. After WLW parent company Crosley Broadcasting purchased New York City radio station WINS in 1946, the show was also heard over the station for two years. Lyons and Thomas co-hosted the show until he left to establish his own media production firm.
The 50/50 Club started on WLW Radio as The 50 Club. Fifty women were invited to a daily, one-hour lunch which was broadcast live. The program was renamed The 50/50 Club when the audience was expanded to 100 people in 1955. Lyons' trademarks were concealing her microphone in a bouquet of flowers and the white gloves she and her studio audience wore while singing "The Waving Song", as they waved to the viewers at home.
The program made its television debut in May 1949. It was later simulcast on radio (WLW
AM) and went to 90 minutes. It was picked up by NBC
for 11 months in 1951. Ruth bristled under the structured advertising, network time cues and loss of show control. The NBC idea died and The 50/50 Club returned to its local status, although it was seen on the other stations of the midwest Crosley Broadcasting network
in Dayton, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Lyons' television show was popular enough to have a three year waiting period for studio audience tickets. The show was also a powerful outlet for advertisers; potential sponsors had a one year waiting period before there were openings for their commercials to be able to be scheduled. The mention of a product name on the program meant stores would quickly be sold out of the item.
Guests included Bob Hope, Arthur Godfrey and pianist Peter Nero
, singer Arthur Lee Simpkins. During the 1950’s, when nightclub venues were numerous throughout the nation, two of the most prominent in the country were Beverly Hills and the Lookout House, in the Northern Kentucky area of “Greater Cincinnati.” Virtually every headliner, including Jack E. Leonard
, Nelson Eddy
, Ted Lewis
, Pearl Bailey
, Myron Cohen
, and many others, appeared on Ruth Lyons’ program. One of Ruth's favorites, the popular singer, Don Cornell
, regularly appeared in the area, and even served as substitute host for the show during her occasional absences. David Letterman
and Phil Donahue
, both appeared on her show. Letterman appeared when Lyons' sidekick, Bob Braun
, hosted the show in the 70s. In an audio biography of Ruth Lyons, called "Let Me Entertain You--A Ruth Lyons Memoir CD;" Letterman tells how his mother, who never turned on a TV during the daytime, was transfixed by it when The 50/50 Club was on.
She frequently mentioned her husband, Herman, on the show, in a warm, family, light (and often humorous) context. Herman Newman was an affable, popular professor of English at University of Cincinnati
, and maintained an identity separate from the program and his wife's celebrity. Adopted daughter Candy Newman became an integral part of The 50/50 Club. Candy died of breast cancer (her doctor was Dr. Charles Barrett, and she had undergone a radical mastectomy at Cincinnati's Holmes Hospital) in 1966. Ruth suffered a series of small strokes which took her off the air for some time. Those close to Miss Lyons say Candy's death took the life out of her as well. Ruth Lyons retired from broadcasting in 1967. She died on November 7, 1988.
The Ruth Lyons Christmas Fund began in 1939 and still provides Cincinnati-area hospitalized children with toys, Christmas decorations and even needed hospital equipment. Since its beginning, the fund has raised tens of millions of dollars.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
broadcaster
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. It is said Ruth Lyons accidentally invented the daytime TV talk show. Like Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Morton Godfrey was an American radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who was sometimes introduced by his nickname, The Old Redhead...
and others of the era, Ruth built a TV empire.
Early career
A little-known fact is that Ruth Lyons' radio career began with a one-shot appearance as an accompanist for a singer on WMH in 1925, and a regular post as pianist on WSAIWSAI
WSAI is an AM radio station broadcasting out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Its studios are in the Towers of Kenwood building next to I-71 in the Kenwood section of Sycamore Township and its transmitter is located in Mount Healthy.WSAI is known as "Fox Sports 1360," including The Dan Patrick Show and The...
beginning in 1925. She went to work full-time at WKRC
WKRC (AM)
WKRC is a radio station based in Cincinnati, Ohio that is owned by Clear Channel Communications and broadcasts at 550 kHz. Broadcasting under the branding of 55KRC, the station is a news/talk outlet featuring a local morning show and national hosts like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Sean...
in 1928; she worked as a radio show pianist/organist and as the station's music librarian. Ruth's first broadcast was accidental. She was pressed into service one morning when the station's only female show host called in sick. She needed only a couple of minutes to become familiar behind the microphone, and took over as host.
Lyons' prestige grew when she and other staffers broadcast non-stop during the Great Flood of 1937, calming listeners and asking for donations for the victims. Lyons praised the big-heartedness of Ohio Valley residents, but listeners said that their generosity flowed because they considered her a real friend and friends helped friends in need. While at WKRC, Lyons hosted a weekly radio show called Your Sunday Matinee; an amateur songwriter, she wrote a new song for each Sunday broadcast of the show. Bandleader Paul Whiteman
Paul Whiteman
Paul Samuel Whiteman was an American bandleader and orchestral director.Leader of the most popular dance bands in the United States during the 1920s, Whiteman's recordings were immensely successful, and press notices often referred to him as the "King of Jazz"...
was a guest on the show in 1938 and was impressed by Lyons' songwriting abilities. He offered to buy some of Lyons' original compositions with one stipulation: the music would need to be published under his name. Lyons politely declined. In 1942, WKRC lost Lyons to WLW
WLW
WLW is a clear channel talk radio station located in Cincinnati, Ohio, run by Clear Channel Communications. The station broadcasts locally on 700 kHz AM...
over a ten dollar raise. Owner Hulbert "Hub" Taft (Taft Broadcasting
Taft Broadcasting
The Taft Broadcasting Company, also known as Taft Television and Radio Company, Incorporated, was an American media conglomerate based in Cincinnati, Ohio....
) later said that the ten-dollar raise had cost his company millions in advertising.
At WLW, she was the hostess of Petticoat Partyline and Consumer's Foundation. Lyons was then teamed with Frazier Thomas
Frazier Thomas
William Frazier Thomas was a Chicago television personality. While Thomas became the author of nine children's books, he was best known for creating, hosting, writing and producing the long-running children's television program Garfield Goose and Friends on WGN-TV.-Magic and broadcasting:Thomas...
, first on Collect Calls From Lowenthal and then on Your Morning Matinee, a popular morning radio show. After WLW parent company Crosley Broadcasting purchased New York City radio station WINS in 1946, the show was also heard over the station for two years. Lyons and Thomas co-hosted the show until he left to establish his own media production firm.
The 50/50 Club started on WLW Radio as The 50 Club. Fifty women were invited to a daily, one-hour lunch which was broadcast live. The program was renamed The 50/50 Club when the audience was expanded to 100 people in 1955. Lyons' trademarks were concealing her microphone in a bouquet of flowers and the white gloves she and her studio audience wore while singing "The Waving Song", as they waved to the viewers at home.
The program made its television debut in May 1949. It was later simulcast on radio (WLW
WLW
WLW is a clear channel talk radio station located in Cincinnati, Ohio, run by Clear Channel Communications. The station broadcasts locally on 700 kHz AM...
AM) and went to 90 minutes. It was picked up by NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
for 11 months in 1951. Ruth bristled under the structured advertising, network time cues and loss of show control. The NBC idea died and The 50/50 Club returned to its local status, although it was seen on the other stations of the midwest Crosley Broadcasting network
Crosley Broadcasting Corporation
The Crosley Broadcasting Corporation was a radio and television broadcaster founded by radio manufacturing pioneer Powel Crosley, Jr.. The company was an early operator of radio stations in the United States. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Crosley's flagship station was WLW...
in Dayton, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Lyons' television show was popular enough to have a three year waiting period for studio audience tickets. The show was also a powerful outlet for advertisers; potential sponsors had a one year waiting period before there were openings for their commercials to be able to be scheduled. The mention of a product name on the program meant stores would quickly be sold out of the item.
Guests included Bob Hope, Arthur Godfrey and pianist Peter Nero
Peter Nero
Peter Nero is an American pianist and pops conductor.-Early life:Born in Brooklyn, New York, As Bernard Nierow, Nero started his formal music training at the age of seven. He studied piano under Frederick Bried...
, singer Arthur Lee Simpkins. During the 1950’s, when nightclub venues were numerous throughout the nation, two of the most prominent in the country were Beverly Hills and the Lookout House, in the Northern Kentucky area of “Greater Cincinnati.” Virtually every headliner, including Jack E. Leonard
Jack E. Leonard
Jack E. Leonard was an American comedian who made frequent appearances on television variety and game shows.-Biography:...
, Nelson Eddy
Nelson Eddy
Nelson Ackerman Eddy was an American singer and actor who appeared in 19 musical films during the 1930s and 1940s, as well as in opera and on the concert stage, radio, television, and in nightclubs. A classically trained baritone, he is best remembered for the eight films in which he costarred...
, Ted Lewis
Ted Lewis (musician)
Theodore Leopold Friedman, better known as Ted Lewis , was an American entertainer, bandleader, singer, and musician. He led a band presenting a combination of jazz, hokey comedy, and schmaltzy sentimentality that was a hit with the American public. He was known by the moniker "Mr...
, Pearl Bailey
Pearl Bailey
Pearl Mae Bailey was an American actress and singer. After appearing in vaudeville, she made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. She won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of Hello, Dolly! in 1968...
, Myron Cohen
Myron Cohen
Myron Cohen was an American comedian and raconteur.Cohen began as a salesman in the New York City garment industry. When calling on customers, before showing his samples, he would tell a joke in order to put everyone at ease and establish a friendly mood...
, and many others, appeared on Ruth Lyons’ program. One of Ruth's favorites, the popular singer, Don Cornell
Don Cornell
Don Cornell was an American singer prominent mainly in the 1940s and 1950s noted for his smooth but robust baritone voice....
, regularly appeared in the area, and even served as substitute host for the show during her occasional absences. David Letterman
David Letterman
David Michael Letterman is an American television host and comedian. He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC...
and Phil Donahue
Phil Donahue
Phillip John "Phil" Donahue is an American media personality, writer, and film producer best known as the creator and host of The Phil Donahue Show. The television program, also known as Donahue, was the first to use a talk show format. The show had a 26-year run on U.S...
, both appeared on her show. Letterman appeared when Lyons' sidekick, Bob Braun
Bob Braun
Bob Braun was a local television and radio personality in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born in Ludlow, Kentucky....
, hosted the show in the 70s. In an audio biography of Ruth Lyons, called "Let Me Entertain You--A Ruth Lyons Memoir CD;" Letterman tells how his mother, who never turned on a TV during the daytime, was transfixed by it when The 50/50 Club was on.
She frequently mentioned her husband, Herman, on the show, in a warm, family, light (and often humorous) context. Herman Newman was an affable, popular professor of English at University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, and maintained an identity separate from the program and his wife's celebrity. Adopted daughter Candy Newman became an integral part of The 50/50 Club. Candy died of breast cancer (her doctor was Dr. Charles Barrett, and she had undergone a radical mastectomy at Cincinnati's Holmes Hospital) in 1966. Ruth suffered a series of small strokes which took her off the air for some time. Those close to Miss Lyons say Candy's death took the life out of her as well. Ruth Lyons retired from broadcasting in 1967. She died on November 7, 1988.
The Ruth Lyons Christmas Fund began in 1939 and still provides Cincinnati-area hospitalized children with toys, Christmas decorations and even needed hospital equipment. Since its beginning, the fund has raised tens of millions of dollars.
External links
- Before Oprah: Ruth Lyons, the Woman Who Invented Talk TV, by Banks, Michael A. Orange Frazer Press, Wilmington, OH. 2009. ISBN 1-93-319749-8 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1933197498.