Joe Franklin was a one-man time machine, whisking his audience back to the golden days of showbiz while simultaneously introducing them to up-and-coming stars. Born Joseph Fortgang in the Bronx in 1926, Joe had the kind of career that could only happen in New York—and maybe only to Joe. Widely credited with inventing the modern talk show, he kicked things off in 1951 with a TV series that outlasted some marriages, running until 1993. By the time I sat down with him for an interview in January 2011, he had become a walking encyclopedia of entertainment history, a maestro of nostalgia, and, let's be honest, the proud owner of an office so cluttered it could’ve doubled as a reality show set for Hoarders. Franklin's guests were a dizzying mix of icons and eccentrics, from Al Pacino to a guy with a trained parakeet. Talking to him was like opening a time capsule—you never knew what you’d find, but you knew it would be fascinating.
Writing for MarkRosenman.com gives me the chance to revisit some of the fun interviews I did over the 17 years of SportsTalkNY. Not all of them were sports-related, and that was the beauty of it. As the host, producer, and talent booker, I had the freedom to bring on whoever I felt was interesting. Joe was no exception. I booked him because, much like the rest of his guests, he was an unforgettable character—someone who had lived through it all and could tell a story like no one else.
If you grew up in the ‘60s, a New York Mets fan, and found yourself lying in bed after a win, unable to get the energy to turn off the TV after Kiner's Korner because—well, remote controls weren’t a thing yet—you were treated to something special.
Now, when I think of people who’ve truly shaped the world of entertainment, Joe Franklin is one of the first names that come to mind. You might recognize him as the King of Nostalgia, the man whose career spans decades of television and radio. Joe Franklin hosted what some claim was the first television talk show, back in 1951, on WJZ-TV (later known as WABC). He was practically the "must-see TV" long before we even had the term. Over the years, Joe’s guests included stars like Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, and, yes, even Elvis, while he amassed an impressive library of 23 books, including one on the enigmatic Marilyn Monroe.
And so, when I had the chance to connect with Joe, I jumped at it. In the following piece, I’ll share his memories, insights, and stories from a remarkable career that has spanned over half a century.
Joe Franklin was a man of many talents—TV and radio host, author, and even a silent film enthusiast. His journey to fame began when he was just 17, and he was recruited by WJZ-TV (later WABC-TV) to bring something new to daytime television. “They called me up and said, ‘Mr. Franklin, we like your speaking voice. We’re thinking of putting you on a daytime schedule. We’ll give you your own show.’” He didn’t follow the typical talk show format, though. Instead of flashy antics or comedic sketches, he kept it simple. He believed in conversation, one-on-one, with guests. “I did what I think was the first pure, organic, from the bones TV talk show,” he said, and it wasn’t long before he was raking in $28,000 a week, a far cry from his original 50-50 split with the station.
While some might’ve considered his approach unconventional, the ratings didn’t lie. He’d created something that wasn’t just a show—it was an institution, running for over 40 years. He even called it a “field of sincerity.” “Once you learn to fake that, then you’ve got it made,” Franklin quipped, his signature humor coming through. It wasn’t just about the glitz or the stars—he created a comfortable space where people could chat, as if you were having coffee with them at the local diner. He didn’t research his guests, he didn’t read the books before they arrived—he just spoke with them, and that sincerity was part of what kept his show going for so long.
Of course, it wasn’t just talk shows that made him a household name. Franklin was known for his encyclopedic knowledge of entertainment, from the classics to the forgotten gems. He wrote 23 books, including The Marilyn Monroe Story, which he co-wrote in 1953. “It was strictly business,” he explained of his “dalliance” with Monroe. “I spent two weeks with her writing the book, having coffee, breakfast—but I never got near her.” He had a similar approach with Jane Mansfield, with whom he was friends, and as for the “dalliances” that got mentioned in his autobiography? He was too polite to elaborate.
Franklin’s knack for bringing together show business legends was uncanny. He had guests like Cary Grant, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and even Ronald Reagan. “I had about a half a million guests over the years,” he said. And it wasn’t just any guests—some of the biggest names in Hollywood and beyond graced his show. “I had Elvis on my show together with Ann-Margaret on the same day. It was one of my favorites,” he recalled. These weren’t just interviews; they were moments in time that would go down in history.
What’s perhaps most remarkable about Franklin’s legacy is the quiet revolution he set in motion. He didn’t have a template to follow. He made it up as he went along, breaking ground for all the talk shows that followed. And while today’s talk shows are often criticized for being mean or ugly, Franklin remained proud of the tradition he started. “I think the talk shows today have gotten a little bit ugly, a little bit mean, but I give a lot of advice to young people who ask me how to break into the business. I tell them, ‘Don’t bump into the furniture.’”
But while he acknowledged the changing landscape of talk shows, Franklin’s love for what he did is palpable. “I’m still walking and talking,” he said, adding with a wink, “I’ve outlasted a lot of them.” Whether it was his wit, his charm, or his fascinating tales of Hollywood's golden age, Joe Franklin carved out a space for himself in entertainment history. And even though the medium had evolved, Franklin's roots in sincerity and conversation remained as strong as ever.
In his later years, Franklin became a beloved fixture in the world of silent film. The films of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Harold Lloyd were more than just history to him; they were part of his heart and soul. “I do a lot of college lectures. The kids are curious about Chaplin and Keaton,” he explained. Despite the changing tastes of modern audiences, Franklin was convinced that the genius of Chaplin will survive, though it might need some help getting there. “I think there’s still an audience for it if they’re in the mood,” he said, proving that while the world may change, some things—like good entertainment—never go out of style.
Joe Franklin might be best known for his talk show, but his contributions to the world of entertainment are immeasurable. From his work with legends to his passion for the past, Franklin created a lasting legacy that will never be forgotten. If you haven’t caught a show, well, you’ve missed a part of history. And as Franklin himself might say, "I may be older than the average guest on a talk show, but hey, I’m still walking and talking."
In closing, Joe Franklin’s legacy isn’t just about the celebrities he interviewed or the shows he hosted—though both were certainly monumental. It’s about his deep passion for the past, his genuine curiosity about the present, and his unique ability to make each guest feel like the star of the moment. Through his iconic show and his unwavering enthusiasm for entertainment history, Joe created a bridge between the golden age of Hollywood and the modern world of talk shows. He was an institution in his own right, proving that authenticity, warmth, and a love for storytelling are timeless qualities in an ever-changing industry. Joe Franklin may have been the King of Nostalgia, but even after his passing from prostate cancer at a Manhattan hospice on January 24, 2015, at the age of 88, his influence continues to resonate for generations to come.
I’ll forever regret not taking Joe up on his offer. After our interview, he said, “And I've enjoyed this chat and I hope you invite me back and you can come on my show with me someday too, okay?” I replied, “I would absolutely. That would be the highlight of my life, to sit on one of those chairs on the Joe Franklin show. You'll have to get one of those belly dancers maybe as well that night, though.” With a grin you could almost hear through the radio, he said, “Oh, we've got some good ones still. A couple good ones left. They're shaking their bellies and they're eager to be in touch with you and me, Mark. Sadly, I never got that chance, but I’ll always carry with me the memory of a man who knew how to turn every conversation into something unforgettable.
Here is the archived interview I had with the late, great Joe Franklin from January 2011:
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