The High Life with Ricki Lake

Throwback Episode: Sally Jessy, You ARE the Mother…of Talk Shows!

The High Life with Ricki Lake

Show Notes

This episode of 'Raised by Ricki' originally aired October 6, 2022. Before Ricki Lake, Oprah Winfrey and Rosie O’Donnell were talk show hosts, there was Sally Jessy Raphael. As the first woman in the U.S. to have her own major daytime talk show, she was one of Ricki’s role models. Ricki and Kalen catch up with Sally Jessy to talk about her trailblazing legacy. She shares the truth about how her talk show ended. Plus, at 87 years old, she’s still in the dating market. Hit her up if you know any eligible bachelors! Please note, Raised By Ricki contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Aug 25, 2026

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Jul 29, 2025

This episode of 'Raised by Ricki' originally aired March 2, 2023. Pop culture expert Danny Pellegrino knows what TV shows are worth watching and when it’s time to change the channel. Danny, a New York Times Bestselling author and host of the Everything Iconic podcast, has seen everything from early 90s talk shows to today’s popular reality TV and he’s here to spill the tea. He tells Ricki and Kalen about his memories watching The Ricki Lake Show after school, digs into all the drama that surrounds The Real Housewives franchise, and shares who he considers to be the Queen of Reality TV. Plus, Kalen divulges what reality shows he’d want to be on and Ricki asks Danny about the on-screen scandals we can't get enough of. Please note, Raised By Ricki contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 22, 2025

This episode of 'Raised by Ricki' originally aired December 8, 2022. Twenty years before Bob the Drag Queen won the eighth season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” he would run home after school to catch The Ricki Lake Show. And today, Bob joins Ricki and Kalen to talk about the show’s significance for queer people and people of color – especially drag queens. As a certified fan of The Ricki Lake Show, Bob introduces Kalen to the Ricktionary and talks about why the show was unlike any other on TV in the 90s. Bob also shares what he wishes he saw on the show, and Ricki talks honestly about what they could have done better. Please note, Raised By Ricki contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 15, 2025

This episode of 'Raised by Ricki' originally aired November 11, 2022. The Ricki Lake Show was one of the few spaces LGBTQ+ people could see themselves on TV in the 90s, and could hear their stories told. Have things gotten better? Ricki and Kalen dig into representation in front of and behind the camera with Pose co-creator Steven Canals and past The Ricki Lake Show producer Dominick Pupa. They talk about what it means to see yourself on TV, creating safe spaces to work, and the responsibilities of representation. Plus, what is giving them moments of joy in the queer community. Please note, Raised By Ricki contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 1, 2025

This episode of 'Raised by Ricki' originally aired October 20, 2022. Cameras, real people, and no script. Anything could happen. Sounds like The Ricki Lake Show – and reality TV! This week, Ricki and Kalen are joined by Andy Cohen, executive producer of “The Real Housewives” and “Watch What Happens Live!” Andy talks about his lifelong love of reality TV and talk shows, the inspiration behind “The Real Housewives,” and how he first became a host. Plus, Ricki dishes on her time as the headmistress of “Charm School.” Please note, Raised By Ricki contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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