Goodbyes are always hard, especially when they’re coming from someone that we’ve known and loved for many years. This remains true even when the person saying goodbye is simply a television personality that has been a host of a popular program for a long, long time.
When Alex Trebek gave his heartfelt farewell in the final episode of Jeopardy that he hosted in 2020. We reminded of just how long these kinds of TV personalities have been a part of our lives. Seeing Trebek bid farewell to his fans after being on the air for decades also reminded us of just how big of a hole such hosts leave behind when they are gone.
Whether they are hosts of variety shows, game shows, or late-night talk programs. Many hosts have devoted decades of their lives to brightening up our lives. The final broadcast of one of our favorite television personality’s shows often leaves us feeling grief. Just as we would when losing a close friend, companion, or family member.
Join Facts verse as we take a look at the heartbreaking goodbyes of several iconic show TV host Final Goodbyes that left us in tears. Just a fair warning, you might want to grab a tissue because this video is sure to be an emotional one.
Dick Clark
If you’ve ever tuned in to watch the ball drop on News Year Eve, then you’ve probably seen the long-running annual television event Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. While the show is currently hosted by American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest. For many years, hosted by one of television’s most beloved personalities, Dick Clark.
Dick Clark hosted American Bandstand before becoming the face of New Year’s Eve on ABC’s yearly celebratory program in 1974. He continued to host the annual event until 2004. It’s when he had a massive stroke that forced him to take time off to recover. Two years later, in 2006, he returned as a co-host and continued his duties until 2011. When he hosted his final New Year’s Eve on December 31st of that year. During the countdown, Clark shared a heartwarming kiss with his beloved wife before sharing a few final words of encouragement to the audience. Sadly, just a few months later, he passed away. Join Facts verse as we take a look at the heartbreaking goodbyes of several iconic show TV host Final Goodbyes that left us in tears.
Bob Barker
Many of you probably have fond childhood memories of watching Plinko, showcase showdown. And other Price is Right staples whenever you were forced to stay home from school due to coming down with a cold. The Price is Right has been one of the most iconic daytime game shows on television since it debuted in 1972. And Bob Barker is the host that most folks consider to be the long-running shows best. No offense to Drew Carey, who took over as host of the show in 2007. But Barker had some seriously big shoes to fill.
For more than 50 years, Bob Barker reminded us daily of the importance of helping control the pet population by having our four-legged companions spayed and neutered. And while he took the opportunity to use his platform to promote his animal activism endeavors. He also did an incredible job of making The Price is Right one of the most iconic game shows to ever hit the airwaves.
He started his game show hosting career back in 1956 when he became the host of Truth of Consequences. In 1972, CBS offered him a job hosting The Price is Right. And for the next half-century he held that post while becoming one of the best-known television personalities in America. Join Facts verse as we take a look at the heartbreaking goodbyes of several iconic show TV host Final Goodbyes that left us in tears.
During his final goodbye in 2007, Barker thanked his audience for their decades of unwavering support before passing the torch over to Drew. Real quick, not to get totally derailed. If you’ve been enjoying this video so far, take a moment to show us a little support by giving this video a like and subscribing to the Facts Verse channel.
Mr. Rogers
Fred Rogers television career began in 1953. It is when he landed a job hosting a public access children’s show called The Children’s Corner. That show was eventually picked up by Canada’s CBC network in 1962 and was renamed Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood in 1968.
Fred Rogers hosted the show for the entirety of it’s run before ending in 2001. That’s when Rogers, after spending decades of his life entertaining, inspiring and educating children, decided to finally retire.
In the final episode of the show, Rogers directly addressed the audience by giving them advice about how to be a good neighbor and expressing oneself positively. Rogers gave one last final affirmation by telling the viewers how proud he was of them.
Sadly, Fred Rogers died of stomach cancer in 2003.
Alex Trebek
Many long-time Jeopardy fans might be surprised to learn that Alex Trebek wasn’t the original host of the classic game show. Even so, it’s nearly impossible to imagine what the show would have looked like without him.
Alex hosted Jeopardy from 1984 to shortly before his death in 2020. By the time of his death, he had hosted more than 8,000 episodes of the beloved show. And was still under contract to keep going as host until at least 2022. Unfortunately, he died of stage IV pancreatic cancer in November of 2020.
Trebek had first announced that he was battling the disease in March of 2019. But he continued to host the program while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments right up until the end. Viewers could clearly see that Trebek’s physical condition was quickly deteriorating. But Alex remained in high spirits and largely optimistic about the future. Join Facts verse as we take a look at the heartbreaking goodbyes of several iconic show TV host Final Goodbyes that left us in tears.
Even in his final taping, he was still in high spirits. In the closing moments of that final episode, Trebek told the audience that he was immensely grateful for all of their support before a montage of his highlights on the show began to play.
Walter Cronkite
Walter Cronkite was a journalist and news anchor with the CBS Evening News for the better part of two decades. He got his start delivering the news back in 1937. And over the course of his prolific career he covered some of the most significant historical events of the 20th century. Including the Second World War, the Vietnam War, the moon landing, JFK’s assassination, and the Watergate scandal.
It’s safe to say, Cronkite was a man who saw a lot in his lifetime. And he wasn’t afraid to tell it how it was.
Cronkite was famous for his departing catchphrase “And that’s the way it is”. He would utter this phrase nightly at the close of his segment on CBS Evening News. In time, he became known as ‘the most trusted man in America’. Join Facts verse as we take a look at the heartbreaking goodbyes of several iconic show TV host Final Goodbyes that left us in tears.
At the age of 65, Cronkite forced into retirement by a mandate that CBS had that time. On his final broadcast in 1961, Cronkite fittingly bid farewell to his audience with the words ‘. And that’s the way it is’ before signing off for the last time.
Johnny Carson
Carson was 36 when Jack Paar handed over the reins as host of the Tonight Show in 1962. He went on to host the late-night talk show for the next 30 years before NBC aired the final farewell episode of his incarnation of the program on May 22, 1992.
While there have several hosts that have helmed the show since then. Including it’s current host Jimmy Fallon and previous incumbents Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno, Carson will forever be remembered as the most beloved host of the long-running program.
The final episode of Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show was a gentle, nostalgic, and emotional affair. It began as usual, with Carson emerging from behind the curtain to sit on his stool and deliver his nightly monologue. But instead of taking witty jabs at politicians, making light of current events. And speculating about the entertainment world, Carson used this time to thank his fans for their continued support. And also the admiration over the previous three decades. He thanked his production crew for their years of hard work and dedication . He also took a moment to reflect on some of the most memorable moments of his tenure as host of the show.
What followed was a video montage beginning with a look back at his first show in 1962. We got to see Carson in perfect form, showing off his Midwestern tongue-in-cheek charm and signature humor.
After saying that he would ‘do it all over again’ if he could. We treated to clips featuring some of Carson’s most famous guests. Including Robert Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Bob Hope, Groucho Marx, and Judy Garland.
We also reminded of some of the most entertaining musical guests that had graced the Tonight Show’s stage in years past. Including Elton John, ZZ Top, Liberace, Ella Fitsgerald, Yo-Yo Ma, and Itzhak Perlman.
After running through a list of past guests that had passed away since the show’s start.. Including Jane Fonda, John Wayne, Charlton Heston, Natalie Wood, and Orson Welles. The credits began to roll as tears streamed down Carson’s face. Before it was all over, the credits froze briefly to show a beautiful sunset scene overlaid with the name of Carson’s late son Rick. And with that, the era of Johnny Carson ended.
Ed Sullivan
Aside from Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan is arguably one of the most iconic television host of all time. Sulivan’s hit variety show, Toast of the Town, aired every Sunday evening before rebranded as The Ed Sullivan Show in 1948.
At that point, it shifted away from the variety format to instead become more of a talk show. The program would become famous for making stars out of it’s guests. Perhaps most notably, The Beatles rose to top of the charts in the United States after making their historic appearance on the show in 1964.
Throughout the 50s and 60s, musical guests such as Elvis Presley, The Doors, and The Rolling Stones would also make appearances on the groundbreaking program. The Ed Sullivan show also developed a reputation for popularizing young up-and-coming comedians.
While the show was immensely popular with audiences. In 1971, CBS canceled a handful of shows without warning, including The Ed Sullivan Show. Because of this, Ed’s final episode which aired on March 28, 1971, wasn’t any different than any other installment.
Sullivan had not informed that his show canceled prior to the taping. nd because of this he wasn’t able to say goodbye to the audience. Tragically, Ed died of cancer just a couple years after his show given the ax.
We’re just about out of time, but we’d love to hear from you.
Which TV show host’s goodbye was the most emotional for you. And did you know that Ed Sullivan was never able to properly bid farewell to his fans despite spending decades of his life as host of his groundbreaking talk show? Let us know in the comments.
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