Virginia Graham
Encyclopedia
Virginia Graham born Virginia Komiss, was a daytime television talk show
host from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s. On television, Graham hosted the syndicated programs Food for Thought (1953–1957), Girl Talk (1962–1969) and The Virginia Graham Show (1970–1972), and appeared on many other programs.
She was described as "a bright, alert, talkative woman of ripe, tart-edged candor." Another writer said she looked like "Sophie Tucker
doing a Carol Channing
performance."
She attended the University of Chicago
, where she majored in anthropology
, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She then studied journalism at Northwestern University
, and received a master's degree
. After World War II, she wrote scripts for such radio soap opera
s as Stella Dallas
, Our Gal Sunday, and Backstage Wife
. She hosted her first radio talk show in 1951. She succeeded Margaret Truman
in 1956 as co-host of the NBC
radio show Weekday, teamed with Mike Wallace
.
In 1982, Graham played fictional talk show host Stella Stanton in the final episodes of the soap opera Texas
. Her book about her husband's death, Life After Harry: My Adventures in Widowhood, became a bestseller
in 1988. Harry Guttenberg, who died in 1980, had owned and run a theatrical costume company.
Graham, a cancer survivor, was a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society
. A former smoker, she denounced smoking whenever the opportunity arose. Still, when asked on her program what she would do if she knew the world would end tomorrow, she confessed she would smoke.
Talk show
A talk show or chat show is a television program or radio program where one person discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host....
host from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s. On television, Graham hosted the syndicated programs Food for Thought (1953–1957), Girl Talk (1962–1969) and The Virginia Graham Show (1970–1972), and appeared on many other programs.
She was described as "a bright, alert, talkative woman of ripe, tart-edged candor." Another writer said she looked like "Sophie Tucker
Sophie Tucker
Sophie Tucker was a Russian/Ukrainian-born American singer and actress. Known for her stentorian delivery of comical and risqué songs, she was one of the most popular entertainers in America during the first half of the 20th century...
doing a Carol Channing
Carol Channing
Carol Elaine Channing is an American singer, actress, and comedienne. She is the recipient of three Tony Awards , a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination...
performance."
She attended the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, where she majored in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She then studied journalism at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
, and received a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
. After World War II, she wrote scripts for such radio soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
s as Stella Dallas
Stella Dallas (radio series)
Stella Dallas was an America radio soap opera that ran from 1937 to 1955. The title character was the beautiful daughter of an impoverished farmhand who had married above her station in life. She was played for the entire run of the series by Anne Elstner .Her husband Stephen Dallas was portrayed...
, Our Gal Sunday, and Backstage Wife
Backstage Wife
Backstage Wife is an American soap opera radio program that details the travails of Mary Noble, a girl from a small town in Iowa who came to New York seeking her future....
. She hosted her first radio talk show in 1951. She succeeded Margaret Truman
Margaret Truman
Mary Margaret Truman Daniel , also known as Margaret Truman or Margaret Daniel, was an American singer who later became a successful writer. The only child of US President Harry S...
in 1956 as co-host of the 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...
radio show Weekday, teamed with Mike Wallace
Mike Wallace (journalist)
Myron Leon "Mike" Wallace is an American journalist, former game show host, actor and media personality. During his 60+ year career, he has interviewed a wide range of prominent newsmakers....
.
In 1982, Graham played fictional talk show host Stella Stanton in the final episodes of the soap opera Texas
Texas (TV series)
Texas is an American daytime soap opera which aired on NBC from August 4, 1980 until December 31, 1982. Created by John William Corrington, Joyce Hooper Corrington, and Paul Rauch, the show was a spinoff of Another World...
. Her book about her husband's death, Life After Harry: My Adventures in Widowhood, became a bestseller
Bestseller
A bestseller is a book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade figures and published by newspapers, magazines, or bookstore chains. Some lists are broken down into classifications and...
in 1988. Harry Guttenberg, who died in 1980, had owned and run a theatrical costume company.
Graham, a cancer survivor, was a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
. A former smoker, she denounced smoking whenever the opportunity arose. Still, when asked on her program what she would do if she knew the world would end tomorrow, she confessed she would smoke.
Books
- There Goes What's Her Name: The Continuing Saga of Virginia Graham (with Jean Libman Block), 1965.
- Don't Blame the Mirror (with Jean Libman Block), 1967. Self-improvement, beauty advice.
- Life After Harry: My Adventures in Widowhood, 1988.
- Look Who's Sleeping in My Bed!, 1993. Memoir.
External links
- "Cackleklatsch", Time, June 7, 1968.
- Clips from final Texas episodes