Ricki Fake

Speaking of talk shows (see previous post), I bet a lot of people do remember the Richard Bey Show. He was the pre-Jerry Springer sleazy talk show where anything went. And went it did.

Sometimes he'd bring previous guests back to comment on new guests. I remember one lady in particular named Nivea. My high school sweetheart and I agreed that we'd name our first baby girl after her.

Then there were times when he pay people to drink nasty concoctions. This was years before this was made popular by reality shows such as Fear Factor. Someone owes this man some money. Royalties or something. If that's possible.

I remember he was sponsored by 1-800-lawyer or was it 1-800-uslawyer. Does this still exist? Call it and let me know. I remember it because his audience would shout out the number in unison. So old school and low budget. But hey, Richard Bey was the man!

And another thing, why do talk show hosts feel the need to have their shows named after them. When is someone gonna come up with a creative name? And they always have to use their full name. Maury Povich, Ricki Lake, Richard Bey, Tempest Bledsoe (did you cringe?...I did), Johnny Carson (may he rest in peace), Jay Leno, need I go on?

Jenny Jones, Montel Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Geraldo Rivera, Jerry Springer, Wayne Brady, ok I will stop now.

WHY DO THEY DO THIS? IS THIS A REQUIREMENT?

Maybe Ellen will set a new trend and talk show hosts will deflate their egos and use only their first name... if they use it at all. Am I taking this too serious. Reading too much into this? Maybe I need my own talk show.

I would not use my full name though. I'd buy the rights to Martin's "Word on the Street" and carry the torch. That show was a classic. Remember the Christmas show with the midgets and Be Be and Ce Ce Winans?