It’s been 20 years but Sally Jessy Raphael is still bitter.
Host of “Sally” for two decades, Raphael looked back on her days ruling daytime TV with another former talk show titan, Ricki Lake on her podcast “Raised by Ricki.”
Raphael went deep on her show’s abrupt cancellation in 2002.
"When it started, I talked to presidents of the United States [and did] interviews with celebrities," Raphael said of the early days of “Sally.” But ownership of the program changed hands several times and once NBC Universal "got a hold of it, [it became a] 'Who's your baby mama?' type of show. That's when it all went downhill."
Raphael explained she didn’t own the show so she went with what the powers that be said.
"I was living a lifestyle where I needed the money..." she said, explaining that she lived in Nice, France, during the show’s run, flying to NYC three days a week. "NBC Universal owned Jerry [Springer], Maury [Povich] and me — and I'm the one who wouldn't do the [exploitive topics] so they let me go."
Raphael was the first woman to host a syndicated talk show on TV. She’s still not over the show having an early curtain and how it messed with her life and those of her employees.
“I had 250 employees… and I told them, because I was told by the company… we were going to be renewed and everything was fine. Then they called me in one day.. and told me, ‘No, we’re not continuing the show. You’re off.’ I had to call the 250 people together… and say, ‘I’m terribly sorry. I don’t know if you’ll believe me but I was lied to.’”
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She also stated she hasn’t worked since the show’s cancellation.
“I haven’t worked since then. Haven’t earned a dime.”
However, she has stayed in contact with many of her old employees from the show, saying, “I still am in touch with almost everyone of the people I worked with.”
Listen to Sally Jessy Raphael's episode of "Raised by Ricki" right here, on Audacy.
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