The Early Show was a popular news and entertainment television program that aired on CBS from 1999 until 2012. The program was hosted by a variety of personalities over its run, including Dave Price, Bryant Gumbel, Gretchen Carlson, Hannah Storm, Harry Smith, Jane Clayson Johnson, Julie Chen, Jun Song, Mark McEwen, Martha Stewart, and Russ Mitchell.
The show was geared towards a broad audience, featuring a mix of news, lifestyle segments, and interviews with celebrities and newsmakers. Each weekday morning, the show's hosts would provide viewers with a digest of the day's news headlines, along with weather reports and traffic updates. The show was known for its light and breezy tone, with hosts often engaging in banter with each other and guests.
One of the hallmarks of The Early Show was its dedication to bringing viewers breaking news stories as they unfolded. The show was often the first to report on significant news events, such as the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina. The show's hosts would break into regular programming to bring viewers live updates from the scene of major news events. The show's coverage of breaking news was one of the factors that made it such a popular program among viewers.
In addition to news coverage, The Early Show also featured a wide range of lifestyle segments aimed at helping viewers improve their lives. Topics covered on the show ranged from health and wellness to personal finance and relationships. The show's hosts interviewed experts in these fields and offered practical advice that viewers could apply to their own lives.
The Early Show was also known for its celebrity interviews. The program was one of the most popular destinations for actors, musicians, and other celebrities promoting their latest projects. The show's hosts would chat with the stars on the couch, giving viewers an up-close and personal look at their favorite celebrities. The show's hosts were known for their easy rapport with celebrities, making for entertaining and engaging interviews.
Throughout its run, The Early Show underwent several format changes and lineup adjustments. At times, the show was focused more heavily on news and current events, while at other times it leaned more towards lifestyle and entertainment segments. The program's hosts also changed over time, with some leaving the show to pursue other projects while others were brought on to fill their spots.
Despite these changes, The Early Show remained one of the most popular morning programs on television. Its commitment to providing viewers with the latest news, practical advice, and engaging interviews endeared it to millions of viewers across the country. The show's hosts became beloved personalities in their own right, with viewers tuning in every morning to see what they would say or do next.
In the end, the changing landscape of morning television led to the cancellation of The Early Show in 2012. The program was replaced by CBS This Morning, which took a more serious and news-oriented approach to morning television. Still, The Early Show remains a fondly remembered program by those who watched it over its thirteen-year run. Its hosts, segments, and interviews provided viewers with a daily dose of entertainment, information, and inspiration that endeared it to millions of viewers.