Top 5 Talk Show Hosts of 2009

As another year comes to an end (let alone a decade), I give to you my list of the top 5 talk show hosts of 2009. Gone are the days of Oprah ruling the airwaves, well she never really did for me anyway. Almost every person on my list of talk show hosts are new to the game. Let's get to the list!

#5 Best Talk Show Host of 2009 - David Letterman "Late Night With David Letterman"

The old dog still has it, though David Letterman has really mellowed in his old age. Yeah, I said it. David Letterman is old (I bet he already knew that). The fun part of the show is seeing the stars that have 'grown up' with Dave get their pay-back for what he put them through over the years. David Letterman used to be pretty harsh at times (or teasing to a point of annoying). Now, as the lion has been tamed, older stars like Madonna and Robin Williams push the TV late night host to the limits of his embarrassment. All in good fun. Letterman even managed to subvert a sex scandal this year. By announcing/apologizing for, um, having sex while single... wow, that wild man! Tiger Woods managed to beat the Letterman scandal like it was the Masters title.
The Late Show

#4 Best Talk Show Host of 2009 - Wanda Sykes "The Wanda Sykes Show"

As soon as FOX announced this late night addition to its Saturday night schedule, I knew I would be watching. The late night weekend slot combined with FOX's loose standards for censoring give Wanda Sykes the perfect stage to jump into a talk show. Really more of a comedy round table. The supporting star of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" does a great stand-up monologue (far better than Leno). The show is broken into segments after the monologue, ending with Wanda Sykes giving us her wrap up views. The late night talk show is surprisingly politically based and very funny, always.
The Wanda Sykes Show

#3 Best Talk Show Host of 2009 - Bonnie Hunt "The Bonnie Hunt Show"

Climbing in from the ranks of the afternoon talk shows is Bonnie Hunt. I was hoping this show would find it's audience after what looked to be a weak start. Bonnie Hunt is just that likable. Maybe it's the Chicago accent that she hides so well in movies. On "The Bonnie Hunt Show" the star is as down home as it gets. Bonnie Hunt started out in the pretty traditional afternoon talk show theme (set decorated to the taste of the Rat Pack). Soon we went all the way back to Bonnie's roots and background as an oncology nurse via healthy segments for eating and survival guests. Heck, we even get a weekly visit from Bonnie's mom (the awesome Alice). So what's not to like?
The Bonnie Hunt Show

#2 Best Talk Show Host of 2009 - Craig Ferguson "The Late Late Show"

Funniest show on late night TV, hands down. Craig Ferguson never fails to crack me up. Furgeson is the lone gunman on this show, no sidekick or band. He even sings the theme song (catchy little tune too). Craig Ferguson often opens the show with hand puppets in front of the single camera. I have a secret crush on the New Orleans alligator. I hope this show stays on for many years. Don't know for sure if the time slot could ever change, I enjoy a less censored Furgeson anyway. The show is still in a sort of write-it-as-you-go stage and it fits it well. And every night we are reminded that "It's a great day for America"!
Late Late Show

#1 Best Talk Show Host of 2009 - Ellen Degeneres "Ellen"

Alright, I admit this is getting a little boring. Ellen is now reaching Elvis-like status for talk show hosts. This is just about as much fun as you should be allowed to have on daytime TV. Ellen finds the kid in all of us and tickles it till we beg for mercy.  I love the games the most. Anything involving the sumo wrestling suits cracks me up. Just getting up to dance truly changes your whole day. Give it a try!

This season Ellen Degeneres teamed up with Oprah, in a sense. Getting the first shared cover of "O" magazine. It appears the retiring Oprah Winfrey is ready to give up her following to the new (not really) queen of daytime, Ellen.
Ellen

Well there you have one of my lists, I have a few more to go (with the whole 'end of the decade' thing). How does your list of favorite talk show hosts in 2009 stack up? Let me know, leave a comment! Oh, and Happy New Year, thanks for reading.