Top > Entertainment > 2006 > August > 2006-08-14

Entertainment Show Host Mike Douglas Dies

Mike Douglas, who was a great entertainment show host for 21 years, has died in Palm Beach on his 81st birthday. His death came as a real shock to his family as well as to the entertainment fans. He became dehydrated on the golf course a few weeks ago and had been treated on and off since, so the real reason of death is not clear yet.

Douglas` entertainment show, which aired from 1961 to 1982, featured his ballad and big-band singing style, other comedians, musicians, sports figures and political personalities. The fantastic host did about 6,000 syndicated shows, most 90 minutes long, and estimated that at its peak the show was seen in about 230 cities. Tom Kelly, co-author of Douglas` memoir, said he had about 30,000 guests appear on his show over the years.

Kelly said: "One big key to his great success was he had his ego in check. He always let the guest have the limelight. He was a fine performer. He could sing, he could do comedy, he did it all, but he always gave the guest the spotlight. "Douglas also had a number of hit singles, first with Kay Kyser`s big band and later on his own. "The Men in My Little Girl`s Life" hit the top 10 in 1966. So we can surely say Mike Douglas had a real entertainment world success.