Maury Povich | Dumb Blonde Podcast

[music]. >> Is this thing on? Hi guys, welcome back to another episode. of Dumb Blonde. Today we welcome a man. whose name doesn't just live in pop. culture, it defines it. From the. newsroom to daytime TV, from serious. journalism to unforgettable you are not. the father moments, Maury Povich has. been making America laugh, cry, and.

sometimes sprint off the stage for. decades. Wow. Was that a good Was that a. good intro? >> Bonnie. Terrific. Mr. Maury Povich is on. Dumb Blonde. >> my honor to be with you. >> Ah, you don't understand. Like you are. the godfather. >> [laughter]. >> You're like you have no idea like it. just. >> I Everybody says something like that and. I just. I mean, I'm amazed at how penetrating. it's been over all these years. Six. decades. >> I know, a long time. But I mean,

especially the talk show, you know, everybody it's like. it's part of the culture. And I. I never expected it. I did And and still. I'm amazed. And that's why you're a. freaking legend. I'm telling you because. you're so humble about it and because. you didn't you didn't seek it out, it. kind of found you in a way which we'll. talk about. >> Sure. And you literally made history for. Well, you're very kind. >> decades. It's just been insane. Can we.

bring daytime TV back? You know, it's. interesting. I'm doing. Believe it or not, I'm doing a. documentary Yeah. on. the golden age of daytime talk, which. was the 1990s. So that's when 12 of us were on the air. You had 12 daytime talk shows. I mean, we're talking Oprah, Phil Donahue, Geraldo, me, Jenny Jones, Ricki Lake, I. mean, Montel Williams. I could go on and.

on. >> Yes. And it was this decade. An. unforgettable decade. >> Yeah. I feel like the world, especially. right now, and this isn't to get like. too into that subject, but like. we need something to give us an escape. Like yes, we have reality TV and stuff. like that, but it was nothing like what. daytime TV did for us. And it was like, you know, if you were ever having a bad. day, you just turn the TV on and guess. what? You're going to watch Maury, you're going to I loved Jenny Jones. You.

know, there was Ricki Lake, there was. everybody that was an outlet. And. because right now everybody's just so. focused on religion and politics, it's. like I truly feel like if we brought. daytime TV back, it would help heal. America. >> You know, you you said something that. that. one of the big things I said to my staff. about my show. No politics, no religion. Yes. We don't. want to do that. Be glad to do, you. know, individual stories that have a lot. of emotion, a lot of drama because.

that's why people want to watch. But I want to stay away from religion. and I want to stay away from politics. >> You can't win. Absolutely. And I do the. same thing on my podcast. What is it. like having a podcast now because you're. coming from Yeah. like real journalism. that you went to school for, that you. actually graduated and got a degree in. and now everybody has a podcast. I would. love to hear your opinion on this. >> It's It's interesting. I I think because. most people for the last 31 years I was.

doing this talk show and they know about. that part of my life and the fact that. I've. done that. But not many people knew. that, you know, I had 25 years in the. business before that as a journalist and. worked in. I I grew up in raised in Washington, D.C. I worked there. I worked in. Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia. I was In fact, one guy, a. friend of mine, was writing for Esquire. magazine. He said.

"My friend, the anchorman Maury Povich, I have seen him anchor newscasts in four. different cities on four successive St. Paddy's Days. He's trying to go. nationwide city by city." Because. [laughter] that was kind of like my. you know, my odyssey years. I was just out there. trying to make it make it and make it. And and I had to move around and I had. disagreements with management and all. this kind of stuff. And then I finally went back to my.

hometown of Washington and then this. wild Australian Rupert Murdoch Yeah. buys the station and brings me to New. York to start this crazy show called A. Current Affair and the rest is history. Do you feel like you defined pop culture. or do you feel like pop culture defined. you? You know, I think it's a chicken. and the egg. I really do. I believe that. uh. we came up with this idea, these ideas. of. three huge themes that made it. The.

out-of-control teenagers. who would come on the show because they. wanted to run the streets because they. hated being home and they wanted. unconditional love, they wanted to get. pregnant at 14. We had that kind of. theme. We had the lie detector theme. where significant others would bring. they would bring on their spouse or a. significant other and and and accuse. them of cheating. And so we had the lie detector test and. then of course the DNA which was the. most popular. But the reason it was successful.

is because. we had an answer. We had a result and we. did it within 15 minutes. Not like. daytime soap operas which would take 6. months to get [laughter] through these. things. Right. Absolutely. Doing those shows because you Maury ran. for 31 seasons, so that's 5,545. episodes. That's a lot of episodes. One. of the longest running talk show host. How did you keep your empathy alive when. you saw like so many stories that could.

have just made you jaded? Well, I I. think more than anything else it goes. back to my uh. to my beginnings as a journalist. We're storytellers. Mhm. And and I. always found it didn't matter if the. theme was the same. I believed that every story had a unique. quality about it. And so. if you can buy into that that every. story has a unique quality, then your. curiosity is there. Once you're curious, that means that you're doing your job.

the best. And so therefore I just found. out that. if I could just find a unique aspect in. every single story, it was new to me. I. love that outlook because you know, I. was just telling them before you came, it's like how do you interview people. that have had thousands of interviews. and it to me it's like I just always. want to learn something new. I want to. find out something new about them. So. you saying that is complete. confirmation.

>> That I mean, to me, you know, the best. interviewers. are those who are curious. those uh. who are able to listen. and be able to bounce off what the. interviewee is saying. Not necessarily, you know, be. Let's go to the next question. Let's go. to the next question. You just go with the flow. Yeah, you. make it a conversation. Yeah. I love. that. >> that's and that's the best inter- I. mean, I've. found that whether it be in news or.

whether it be in talk, it doesn't. matter. It doesn't matter what the platform is. The object is the same. Is there an. interview that you've done in your life. that has like stuck with you? Like that. you think about often? Well, I. Like any particular. >> some interviews. Well, I'll give you an example. Years and years ago, my father was the. sports editor sports [clears throat]. writer for the Washington Post for 75. years. So I kind of grew up in sports. I used to do a local talk show in.

Washington. And I was lucky enough to have Muhammad. Ali on the show. Oh my goodness. >> And so. and he was great. And so because of Ali. being on the show and my father who. covered Ali in a lot of his fights, I. had the two of them on on my show. And I'll never forget it it was one of. the great faux pas that I've ever had in. my life. So I'm there and I'm looking at. Ali as bright and smart as he is. I.

mean, he he was the quickest. He was the. Not only was he articulate, but he was. quick and just so fast to be able to get. his thought out. So I said to him, cuz he was fighting. still fighting at the time. I said, "Champ, I said. you know, I I know stories about other. fighters.". And I was referencing a an old fighter. named Bo Jack who was a middleweight. champion. And I said, "Bo Jack, you're. not going to end up like Bo Jack. because, you know, he ended up shining.

shoes on the streets of Miami.". And he looked at me and said. "You just stereotyped me. What are you. kidding me?" And he went off on me like. he says, "You're not as smart as your. daddy. Your daddy would never say. anything like that." [laughter]. And I went, "Oh my gosh, you're right. I. just stereotyped the champion of the. world. I can't believe it." So there are. things you want to take back, but at the. same time. okay, live TV, it happened. And you.

know, I I was able to say I was sorry, but at the same time I went, "Wow, Maury, you really made a big bad one. there." But you learned a lesson. >> Sure. So I mean, like he taught you. >> I was like 31, 32 years old. He taught you literally probably one of. the greatest lessons where you. Take the question out before you speak. >> [laughter]. >> Absolutely. That'll definitely set you. straight. So let's go back to your dad. because you did just touch base on your.

dad and you are one of three parents I'm. sorry, you are one of three children and. you guys all have like a you guys grew. up in a journalism family. >> Yeah. Yeah, it's really crazy. Uh. My brother, my late brother, he he he. died at 87, but he was my dear older. brother. He. he was the lawyer for the law firm that. represented the the Washington Post. >> Wow. You know, and all of its stuff with. the.

you remember the. when the Pentagon Papers went to the. Supreme Court and everything else. He he. represented the post in many issues. So, my sister. became the first. women's senior first senior women's. senior editor at Newsweek magazine. And her husband was the editor-in-chief. of Business Week magazine and my father. was the was the sports writer at the. post for 75 years and I am who I am. So, it's kind of a delicate House of Cards.

media family. What an odd. >> You never know what was going to happen, but you know, we just we just ended up. loving this business so much. What an awesome legacy. >> Yeah, I mean and it was great and you. know, I. you know, it's very interesting. You on the other hand. you've done it all by yourself. No, I. appreciate it. Yes, I am. You ran away at the age of 14. Aw, you've done your research, Mr. Moore.

>> about you, Bunny. >> Aw. Can't handle your stepmother. Aw, yeah. >> Your mother dies when you're. what, an infant almost? She would left the house yes at she left. me at 3 months, but yes. Yes. Um but here's the thing. So, let's talk. about your dad again just for a split. second because you know, he was a legend. at the Washington Post. So, did that. inspire you or did you always did you. feel like you always had to like live in. his shadow? Well, it's interesting about.

living in the shadow. I I I wanted to be. a print journalist like him. Yeah. But. there were only two papers in town. The. post where he worked. had a nepotism policy. You couldn't if you were of the same. family, you couldn't work at the paper. Why is that? I've never heard of that. >> think maybe because there's a the Graham. family owned the paper and they didn't. want, you know, more more of this. relative stuff on the on the paper, I.

guess. >> Okay. And then the only other paper, the. Washington Star at the time, they. wouldn't hire me because my name was. Povich and my father was the big star of. the competing paper. So, I kind of gravitated to TV because I got. the. at the age of like 16, I got this job as. the assistant. to the baseball broadcaster for the. Washington Senators baseball team and as. soon as. I started hanging around TV,

I mean, I was addicted. Aw. >> I I I just knew. I mean, I didn't want. to do anything else. But I think what was cool about you. getting into TV is most people want to. be the story, but you were interested in. the stories. >> Yeah, I wanted to be I wanted to find. the stories. >> Mhm. You wanted to tell other people's. stories. >> to be there. Yeah. >> I wanted to observe the stories. >> Mhm. And I was very fortunate because. growing up in Washington, the nation's capital,

my first job once I got out of school. was being a radio reporter. So, if you're a radio reporter in. Washington, you might cover a bank robbery one hour. and you might be in the United States. Senate covering a story the next hour. You might be at the White House or you. might be at a fatal car accident. In. other words, local and national, it was. the same thing if you were if you were. working in Washington, D.C. So, therefore, I was. I was exposed to so much at such an.

early age. Yeah. I mean, I mean. I mean, I can one of the first big. stories I ever did in 1963 was go to. Andrews then then Andrews Air Force Base. and watch Jacqueline Kennedy come off. that plane in that bloodied pink suit. >> okay. With her husband's body. in the in the back of the plane. Oh my. goodness.

>> I mean. How did that make you feel in that. moment? >> I still I I can just I. I mean. talking about it right now, I can I can. remember the night, I can remember the. plane Air Force One, I can remember. everything about it. >> Mhm. And that was 37 that was almost 60. years ago. Wow. That moment in time is just to have you. have been there is. >> And and. you know, and and then to be in. Washington. for. the aftermath of the Martin Luther King.

assassination and the riots to be there. for the anti Vietnam War demonstrations. throughout the town for many many years. to be there for Watergate, the biggest. political. event that we've that I've ever covered. and uh. you know, it it. you grew up real fast. Wow. Do you ever. take a moment to reflect on all of these. experiences that you've had and just.

kind of tell yourself like pat yourself. on the back like. I lived that I I was there for all of. that. >> Yeah, I mean, yeah, I mean. I mean, it's it's interesting. So, if. for the last 30 years I've been doing a. talk show, okay? And people ask me all. the time. what do you regret not covering? I only. regret. not being at really big events. Really big stories. >> What is considered a really big story. for you though cuz you've been at a ton. of big stories. >> For instance well, uh.

I would have. I I I think I would have liked to have. been around uh. the presidential Got you. election stories. I certainly would like to have been. around January 6th. I would have loved. to have been there. to see that for myself instead of. witnessing it on television. Right. Uh I. uh. I I would like to have done that, but. for the most part, I can tell you this,

Bunny. I wouldn't want to be in that end of the. business today. No. >> want to be in the news business. No. >> Too tough. No. >> You can't. you can't practice it the way I used to. practice it the way my wife Connie Chung. practiced it. You just we you can't do. it anymore and quite frankly, uh. it. those days have passed us by. Do you. think that the world ever have a chance. of bringing it back? >> so. I I I have a feeling there's a I do.

have a feeling. as to where we have a chance and that is. uh. the viewers. haven't given up on local news. Mhm. So, local television stations, local. newspapers, wherever you get your local. news, most people think. it's honest, it's fair, it's true, it's. it's what happened. And so, therefore, if we can start to expand that feeling.

out again to a national effort. because it exists locally. I mean, you. turn on your local news, you believe. what you're hearing. Right. I also believe that the difference. between the way that the news was back. then and how it is now is we didn't have. the internet. Of course not. >> like the internet has ruined so much. It's blessed us with so much, but again, it's also ruined so much. >> you and I wouldn't be around without the. internet. >> Right, exactly.

>> [laughter]. >> I definitely wouldn't. You would. No, but You were around long before that. I. mean, I see your numbers on Instagram. and YouTube and Tik Tok and and the. Maury show still has huge numbers on. those platforms. But you at the same time. a lot of bad things happen on the. internet. Yeah. And and. you know, I walk through the park. I. walk through Central Park all the time. And I walk in my dog. I'm walking my dog. and everybody in the park is on their.

phone and I'm telling you if I don't. bump into them, they're going to bump. into me. They don't even look they don't. even look around. >> Mhm. They don't even smell the roses. Mhm. A lot of people don't look up from. their phones anymore and I I and you. know, I just feel like the world if we just. came together and were able to sort of. try to heal together instead of being at. each other other's throats like. everybody is, I think it would just make. life so much better and I I just feel.

like the internet creates that divide. though because everybody can have a. freaking opinion. Right. You know? So, how are you how are you and your husband. getting along? Oh, we're getting along. great. >> Sure. Yeah. >> If I had the show, you wouldn't be on. it. No, >> [laughter]. >> heck no. I mean, listen, there were a couple. times where we had to do a. >> Oh, really? There was a couple times in. the beginning we had to do DNA tests. because you know, my husband liked to. spread his seed around before we got. together. So, we didn't know. >> Well, he but. >> So, we might have in the beginning, but. not now. But but he [laughter] did admit.

to you that when you first were seeing. each other that he had a woman who was. pregnant at the time, right? Um oh yes, when we So, when we first got together, he was in and out of a relationship and. that is his son. Our beautiful little Noah buddy. was she was pregnant with him, but they. were already broken up and I think. that's where a lot of people get the. confusion and that, you know, he had. cheated on me or something like that. But no, they were together for 10 years. before him and I were together and then.

that's where Noah, his son, came from. and I love the mother of his child and I. think she's a great mom. >> Yeah, and not only that, I mean, you've. taken in his daughter. I have. Murray, is this your interview or my interview? >> more interested [laughter] in you than. me. You see? Well, then I need to come. on your podcast. Please. >> I would love to. Let's talk about your. podcast. >> Yes, can we talk about your podcast? >> So, this podcast. it came about because, you know, some. people came to me, Holly Mirabella, my.

producer, had come to me and some others. and said, you know, if you're interviewing, people know of. you interviewing these people, you you. you can spread your seed. I mean, come. on. I mean, you had all [laughter] these. years. interviewing people in in the news and. and and. people who made news. I mean, so it's. kind of an eclectic. uh podcast where, I mean, I interview rappers. That's amazing.

>> writers. >> that. >> I I mean, I I interviewed uh a great rapper named. Dave East recently, okay? And now. >> Hayley loves him. You're kidding. [laughter] Really? Yeah. >> So, I interviewed Dave East and all of a. sudden, you know, the comments on. Instagram when we put out the clips. "Hey, Murray still alive? I thought he. died. I thought he died with Jerry. Springer." I mean, all this kind of. stuff is going on. >> That is terrible.

I mean, you know, and then and then all. these great compliments about uh. you know, "Murray Murray is one of us.". And you know, secretly, Murray is really. one of us. The young the younger. generation, they're just always. >> know, I mean, I've. and rapper and and. I'd love to have your husband. Oh, Jay. will come on anytime. He loves you. Yes, absolutely. >> I first started doing talk and this is. like 1991 when I first started,

we went to Nashville for a week. Aw. And. let me tell you, we. we had this we used to have these young. young artists on. Guess who was the. young artist we had on? Alan Jackson. Wow. [laughter]. >> like, this is just 35 years ago. >> Wow. >> a group called Diamond Rio, which was a. big deal there. >> Diamond Rio. So, all of the and so, I got very attached to country early on. And yet, at the same time, I'm trying to.

get Jay-Z on the talk show. Aw. >> I love that. Yeah. That's amazing. I. love that you have always just um you've. never been judgmental and you have. always accepted all walks of life. >> Absolutely. I took a page from your book. with my podcast um where I do exactly. that, too. I have rappers on, I have. writers journalists on, I have, you. know, just an eclectic group of humans. because I really feel like in order to. be good at being a talk show host, you.

have to have an open mind. And do you. think that that's what's gotten you so. far in this industry? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. I I I don't. understand judgmental people. I really. don't. I don't get it. Why do you judge. people like that? I mean, I mean, I want to think that. there's good there's some good in. everybody and things like that. But but. you know, I there's there's so much. negativity. >> Mhm. And I just. I just can't go there. I know I'll tell. you a story. Mhm.

In my career, there were some station managers and. executives. that. did me wrong. I thought did me wrong. And I had a list of about five of them. And I said, "Boy, if the time ever comes, [clears throat]. I'm going to get revenge.". >> Aw. One by one over the years, they all got. fired. And instead of applauding, I felt. sorry for them. Aw.

>> I and I mean, you know, that's just me, I guess. You have a sweet soul. You. think so? >> I do. I can tell. I'm going to tell my. wife that. Please, I love Connie. Let's talk about. Connie. Can we, please? >> Yeah, I love. >> and and we went through. the same stuff that that you and and. Jelly Roll have gone through. Really? And. we tried to get pregnant. Aw. And this. is I'm telling you, this is over 30.

years ago. Mhm. And so, Connie. uh. had to take time off from CBS and it. became a big story Mhm. that we were. trying to get pregnant. And late show. guys, you know, Jay Leno and everybody. was kind of making fun of, "I wonder if. Murray and Connie are doing it tonight?". You know, doing all this kind of stuff. to the point where. Fox had this great show called In Living. Color years Amazing show. Okay? Mhm.

They did a skit on Connie and I in bed. trying to get pregnant and Jim Carrey. played me. Oh my gosh, I have to see. that. It's. >> [laughter]. >> I mean, it's it was the only part. So, we had, you know, and there was all. kinds of press and all kinds of stuff. and and so, we finally adopted because. it couldn't we couldn't do it. But. still, adopting is just amazing. >> take it back now. >> Yeah. >> Wouldn't I wouldn't take it back. That's. amazing. >> And and uh.

so, anyhow, I I know what you and and. Jelly Roll have gone through. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> and it's tough. It is tough but at the. same time, it's like you just put it in. God's hands and if it's meant to be, it's meant to be and if not, we can. always adopt. So, I'm totally open to. adoption, too. So is my husband. >> I'm a big fan of adoption. Are you? Can. you take me on that adoption journey a. little bit? Sure. I mean, it's. uh.

you know, it it's it's interesting. We. we have this son. He's now 30 years old. Connie is trying First of all, Connie. says, when we're starting to adopt, Connie says to the the lawyer that we. had hired, "So, we want uh. we want a child who is half Chinese and. half Jewish.". >> [laughter]. >> And the lawyer says, "You won't live. long enough.". >> [laughter]. >> Nobody comes up like that.

>> Right, right. >> Adoption. It's not going to happen. So, uh. we have this guy. and he's. he's just spectacular and and. uh. he's now 30. Uh he. uh is engaged. Uh he's he and his. girlfriend have been together for like 9. or 10 years. And uh. Did Did you guys go public back then. with adopting? Did you let everybody.

know you were adopting? Did you keep it private? You know what. happens? Mhm. The tabloids find out. The National Enquirer found out. >> That's such an invasion of privacy. >> Unbelievable. I couldn't believe it. Everything was closed. It was a closed. adoption and everything else. Nobody. knew anything and all of a sudden, the. National Enquirer finds out everything. Mhm. And the only way. we could.

keep it quiet was I had to we had to. give the Enquirer an interview. after the fact. >> They did that to Roseanne, too. >> They did? >> Yes, I feel like they bullied people. into like, "We have this information. about you. If you don't give us an. interview, we're going to out you.". >> Right. That's so wrong. That's terrible. journalism. >> Yeah, well, that was way back. This is, you know, 30 years ago. >> They could never do that now. No. No, it. would never fly. No. But. uh. I mean, it it's a blessing. Adoption is.

a blessing. >> Absolutely is a blessing. >> And you have two kids of your own, too, also from a previous marriage. >> They're much older. I have four. grandchildren of them and you know, they're they're doing great. My. daughters, Susan and Amy, and they're. terrific and and so, we're we're. a blended family. Yeah. Yeah. [laughter]. We're a blended family. I think I think that says it all. I. [laughter] love that, though. That is so. awesome. So, take me back to the first.

time that you met Mrs. My my wife, Connie? Yes, Mrs. Connie. >> Well, here's the thing. She. >> [sighs]. >> How can I explain this? Uh I'm working. I'm working in Washington. It's my first. TV job and I'm getting to be pretty big. I'm doing uh sports, I'm doing news and. I'm doing a local talk show and. I'm okay. And so, uh the news director. hires this person. as his assistant.

Fine. Her name is Connie Chung. We don't. spend much time about it, you know, how. copy girl around the office again. And then we what we what happens is. when we really knew Connie was going to. be. important was. the first job that comes up is a. writer's job on the desk to write the. newscasts. She wants the job. The news. director says, "No, you're my. secretary." No, "No, I want the job.". And then the second the news director.

says, "You have to If you want the job, you have to replace yourself.". Connie walks out of the newsroom, across. the street, into the bank, looks at the. first woman teller, says, "You want to. be in TV? Come with me." Walks her down, gets to the news director, gets this. teller the job that she had, and she. becomes. the first time first job she had in the. business. That's amazing. >> And within a year or two, uh she's off. to work at CBS News. Let's talk about.

when you was that what attracted you to. her? >> yeah, no. I mean, no. I mean, I was. married at the time. I mean, you know, she went on to to a big career at CBS. News in Washington, and then she went to. Los Angeles to become a big star anchor. for CBS out there. And then I, in my, as I said, odyssey years. traveling around the country, >> Mhm. I end up as her second banana in. Los [laughter] Angeles.

It was destiny. And and. I. uh. And then at at one point, uh 6 months. after I get there, I had a general. manager who hired me, then he was fired, then the new general manager fired me. You know, last hired, first fired. And. so. I'm fired. The only person I know is. Connie. And so a bit later on, I mean, the first. in order I always say this, in order for. her to love me, she had to pity me.

first. >> Oh, >> [laughter]. >> stop it. So we started to date. We never. We dated for 7 and 1/2 years. >> That is a long time. >> before we got married. What? >> And never lived together. Wow. And and. did not date exclusively. Okay. You know about that, right? >> yes. Mhm. And so. years later, we're we're dating off and. on, and I ask her to marry me, she. doesn't want to. She asked me to marry,

I don't want to. And then she calls me. up one day in 1984. and says, "Uh we can get married now.". And I said, "How come?" She says, "Cuz I. found a dress." You guys, I'm so excited. to see My Chemical Romance live. They. are one of my faves, which is why I want. to give the sponsor of today's video, SeatGeek, a huge shout-out. With over 35. million downloads, SeatGeek is the. number one-rated ticketing app. There. are more than 70,000 events listed on. SeatGeek, including concerts, sports,

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is amazing. >> almost 41 years ago. One thing I love. about your podcast with her, too, is. that you are always Okay, so Connie is. like. from what I perceive, she's so like. she's kind of bottled up. She's not. going to just She's very poised. And. you, on the other hand, say the craziest. stuff and like get her to react while. she's on the podcast, and it is the. funniest thing to watch. But you guys. ended up having a viral moment. Can we.

talk about Well, you've had a couple. >> yeah. So we we did this thing on the. podcast where uh she was going to I was. going to ask her a question she doesn't. know. She was going to ask me. So uh she. picks up this thing. in the in the pod, these various. questions, and one is I mean, it's like a, you know, it's it's like a. Chinese cookie or something. You pull it. out, and it says, "Maury, when are you the most. sexiest?". And.

the only thing I said is on Sundays. And. she says, "What do you mean?" I said, "What do you mean? You know what I mean. I mean, it's Sundays with Connie.". >> [laughter]. >> And she goes She goes like this. >> [gasps]. >> I saw it. And so it went viral, you. know. There was also another clip that. went viral where you guys were talking. about cheating. Oh, yeah. And I mean, I. understood where you were coming from. because I I could read between the. lines, but I think the internet kind of. ran with it, and they were they just.

turned it into something it wasn't. Can. we elaborate on that conversation? >> just, you know, I always used to say. when we were seeing each other not not. exclusively, I said, "You were dating. these Hollywood stars." Does she talk. about this in her book? Yeah. Okay. I I. can't wait. >> She does. And so you you're dating these. stars, and and then she says, "Yeah, and. you're dating people you can't even. remember the first names.". And so I mean, I said, "Okay, we're not going there, Connie. We're just not going there." I.

mean, she comes up with some outlandish. stuff. I mean, it's kind of. I mean, What do you What do you think Connie has. taught you? Being married to Connie for. as long as you have, you said 41 years. What is the biggest lesson that you. think Connie has taught you in marriage? Because obviously something's working. 41 years. >> I know exactly what it is. I mean, I. know exactly how to play it. For the. last 41 years in our life, I am Mr.

Chung. Aw. >> I am not Maury Povich, I am Mr. Chung. The first time. we we when we got married, I was living. in Washington, she was living in New. York, she was working at NBC. And so she was living in this apartment, and I would come up on the weekends. It's kind of like you, too. Mhm. You. know? Mhm. You don't see each other for. a while. >> in the same city as me right now. And you're still not seeing each other. >> Well, we we try to, but it's just, you. know, when you're working, [clears throat] you know how it is. >> So I I come I and I'm working in. Washington, and I come up, and and.

there's the doorman at her building, and. I said, "Uh my name's Maury Povich. I'm. Connie Chung's husband. Uh. "Oh, you are?" And he calls up and said, "Miss Chung, Mr. Chung is downstairs.". >> [laughter]. >> So that's the way it's been for 41. years, >> [gasps]. >> and that's the way I want it to. continue. But to be so secure, most men. would hate that. You know what I'm. saying? And you are just like so in awe. of your wife. >> to tell you, I mean,

our paths cross. in another way, okay? I know what you did for Jelly Roll. Aw, thank you. >> And I know what you did in terms of. getting him his daughter, getting him on the off the street, >> Mhm. getting him in an apartment, uh and. and setting him up for success. Mhm. My wife made a lot more money when we. got married than I did. Wow. >> And uh. and and I was the full support of my. girls, and she helped me in that in that.

area when they were going to college. >> Aw. >> So I can relate a lot. to what Jelly Roll went through with you. and how much he. how much he thanked you for what you did. for him. Aw. >> And I said, "Do the same thing with my. wife." I mean, you know, there are times. everybody thinks because you've been. successful so long, it was always that. way. It wasn't. >> I mean, I was fired, I was this. I mean, I. bummed around. I.

I mean, I I had a lot of. I had a lot of uh. failures. along with the success. But I think. that's what made you the man that you. are today, and shout-out to Connie Chung. for being a real one. Let's just We'll. give her props on that story that you. just told us. So let's let's bounce off. the fact that you were just talking. about how you were, you know, broke in. certain aspects and that you weren't as. big as you had wanted to be. Um. What is the most humbling moment for. you, um.

in life before you hit it big? I'll tell. I'll tell you what it was. Uh You were mentioning my father. My. father was. probably the most read. uh writer in all of Washington, D.C., whether it be a political writer or. sports writer. Everybody read my father. He He was a big name. And so after in Los Angeles, when I got. fired from this station, I was also getting a divorce. Mhm. And I. had to uh call my parents.

and tell them because I knew when I. I was getting fired, so it was going to. end up in the paper. And so they were going to see it. So I called up. >> [snorts]. >> called up my father, and I said, "Dad, uh. I I got some bad news and some bad. news." And I told him I was getting. fired and that I was getting divorced. And I was scared to death. what his reaction would be. And there. was this long pause,

and he said, "Get all the sharp instruments out of. the house and come home and give your. mother a hug.". Oh my goodness. >> never expected that out of him. I mean, this was a, you know, a dominating. dominant guy. I mean, our our family was. always from the top down. I mean, it was. like, you know, you did what your. parents said or or else. I mean, it. And. I couldn't believe that he had that kind. of sensitivity in that moment. Mhm. And.

that was exactly what what you needed. That like made me tear up a little bit. That's a really a beautiful story. Can. we talk about your mom for a second? Cuz. I feel like we're always talking about. dad and his Achilles heel. >> You know, and my mother had a great line. about that What did she say? >> because with my brother and my sister. and me and we were always attached to my. father and every time it was when we. were mentioned it was always about my. father and my mother used to say, "You. poor motherless children.". >> [laughter]. >> That's the how she looked on it because.

she was a housewife and she was a mom. and. and a wife and that's she raised us. because. back then my father because he was a. sports writer he would travel you know. maybe. a third to a half the year following the. baseball team or following this event or. that sporting event and so therefore he. wasn't around that much. and so my mother. my mother had to be the mother and the. father. >> Mhm. She kept it grounded. >> Yeah. What's something [clears throat].

about your mom that the world doesn't. know that sticks with you every day? I'll tell you I still remember I still. remember something when I was I was kind. of a mischievous kid. Among the three I was kind of the middle. child. mischievous. and I'll never forget I did something. wrong at around 10 or 11 years old and. she was so mad at me she came up with a. broomstick Oh. [laughter]. to my room and she said, "I'm going to. hit the hell out of you.".

And she did. >> [laughter]. >> Maury, what did you do? >> I can't remember what I can't remember. it could have been anything. I don't. know. I mean you know I was I was kind. of a pissy kid. Oh. You know and but. I'll never forget my mother my mother. not my father my mother I mean. >> [laughter]. >> I had my mother my father used to. wash my mouth out with soap because the. first time I I used the F word at the. dinner table. Not the dinner table Maury. >> Well. I told you I was a mischievous kid. [laughter] I love that though. I think I.

think your your mis- your. mischievousness is what has. and and your wit also in your interviews. like you can that mischievousness still. carries with you now. >> I think it I think it. Yeah I think it's part of me. It's your. charm. It's part of your charm. Yeah I'm. a I'm a little bit that way. Yeah. I. love that. So here let's talk about how. I discovered you. I didn't discover you. from the Maury Povich show I discovered. you on a current affair. You did? >> obsessed. I watched it Wow.

>> all the time. A current affair was my. jam. It was the reason why I. I became a success. Mhm. If it wasn't. for that show. Murdoch brings me I'm I'm anchoring the. local news in Washington in 1986. and I get a call to go see Mr. Murdoch. in New York. I don't know the guy. He. owns the station. He comes up he. introduces me to these. Australians. all of these wild crazy Australian.

producers. that he had brought over from Australia. and he says, "I have a I have this idea. for a show." I said, "Yeah." He says, "We're going to call it current affair.". And I said, "So what is it?" He says, "Well you'll figure it out with these. guys.". And I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "And not only that knowing that you're. commuting with your wife you now you're. going to be living with you find out. whether you can stay together or not.". And [laughter] so that's how it all. happened. We had these crazy wild. stories that we were doing that were so.

different than everybody else was doing. I mean we. the stories we would do the network news. divisions would have those stories in. the trash can. They wouldn't even touch. them but as soon as we got successful. all of a sudden all the network news. shows were doing the same stories we. were doing. Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. all the scandals that were going on this. I mean it all led to of course OJ and. the Bronco and everything else. I mean. it was Joey Buttafuoco it was uh What a.

time to be alive. You like all that. stuff? I love it all because I grew up. in the in that era so that's my. childhood you know. But I mean I believe. that a current affair. walked so TMZ could run. It's all an. extension. >> Wow. And that's an. >> TMZ would not exist without a current. affair. >> Without you. Without Maury the godfather. >> it's I still see these clips you know. Charlie Sheen has a a documentary out? >> I'm excited. I haven't watched it yet. have you? I watched the first part guess what?

There I am anchoring a current affair. >> [laughter]. >> on the Charlie Sheen a documentary. >> I love that. >> about him and Kelly Preston. Have you. have you ran into Charlie? >> No I don't know Charlie. Do you know. [clears throat] him? No mhm no. Well why not? Well how why would I? I don't know. >> [laughter]. >> You would have more of a reason to run. into him. You look I I look I know I know your. back I mean I have been in tight but I. don't think I've I know your background. Oh. Shh don't tell anybody nobody knows. No. I'm just kidding I'm kidding. And I know.

and I know Charlie's rep. >> [laughter]. >> Are you stereotyping me. >> anything but Are you stereotyping me. >> say anything like that. >> [laughter]. >> Totally playing with you. That's. amazing. All right so let's switch gears because. you have you've retired now in 2022. What does a day for Maury look like in. retirement? Okay I. I don't know if I've read this about. you. I'm a I'm a morning person. I get. up very early. >> Mhm. And what is very early for you?

>> 6 Wow that is early. It's very I get up around 6. I uh. I walk I take the dog out to Central. Park or in Montana I take the dog out. and on Montana you don't take the dog. out you let the dog out. Uh. and then I make my own I've made my own. breakfast for 60 years. Oh. What do you. eat for breakfast? >> Eggs every morning. Like what how do you. like them cuz I'm an egg connoisseur. I. like them scrambled I like them over I. don't like them up. I like them poached. when I can find the right poacher.

>> [laughter]. >> So you don't like runny. >> teach me how to poach them perfectly? I. I just get them poached for me I can't. do it. I poaching is an art. It is. >> It really is an art you cannot. >> Connie can do it I can't. I Connie can. do everything I love her. I know. I love. how much you love her though. >> Yeah well she. she doesn't poach eggs for me because. she's not [laughter] a morning person. and she gets up you know at a crack of. 10 you know something like that. [laughter]. And so Girl after my own heart. So then. I take the dog out then I come back and. then I start reading. You know whether.

it be on the phone and we still. old old farts that we are we still have. newspapers coming in the print version. Aw. That's a dying art too. >> Yeah. I mean you don't you don't read. the paper anymore you read on your. phone. Everybody does. And so and then. I play a lot of golf. Yes. My husband. plays golf. Does he like it? >> He loves it. You guys should play golf. together. >> want to I want I want you to know. something. Did he love golf before you.

got married? Uh no he found it after his. father passed. >> problem. This is a problem. [laughter]. In my first marriage Oh no. I got the. golf addiction after I got married. Really? >> And because I spent so much time on the. course. it could have been one of the reasons. why Aw. [laughter]. the marriage ended. So if you're if it's. okay with you. >> I love that he loves golf and I I go. with him sometimes or like like I. totally Just ride in the cart and.

something like that? >> We're lit- no I'll play with him. >> Oh good. We literally are like a lot. like how you and um. Connie are we. just support each other in everything. that we do and I truly feel like that is. a testament of long standing. relationships is you let the other. person just be who they need to be. Long. leash is important. Yes absolutely. >> sir. >> trust them long leash is very important. And I think that's how you build trust. is having a long leash. If you have a. short leash you're controlling. everything that person's doing. They're.

they're going to human nature is to. rebel. You know what I'm saying? So it's. like I think the longer the leash the. longer the relationship. >> time I really get upset at her. is when I go into the bathroom. and things aren't where they were. yesterday. Oh no. Are you are you a. perfectionist? She no she is the. perfectionist. Me I just want the I just. want to know where the things are that. were there yesterday [laughter] in that. spot and not somewhere else in another. cabinet and all that and she's.

moving things around. >> you put the toilet seat down? Of course. Okay good. Yay then you're a good one. >> all about that. I love that. >> an early on lesson. How did you guys end. up in Montana? Well it's it. I said to Connie one time this is almost. 30 years ago I said. we ought to go to Montana. And she said, "What do you mean?" I. said, "It's the only contiguous state. that I'd never been to. I'd been to. Hawaii I've never been to Alaska but I.

hadn't I've been to 49 47 states I. hadn't been. to Montana. I said, "Let's let's go let's go buy a home in. Montana." She said, "Don't you think we. ought to go there first?" I said, "Well. okay so. in 1998 we went to Montana we found a. house to rent. I we loved it so much we looked around. and. uh. my friend said the best house is this. house.

I went to the guy I said. I want to buy your house. He said, "I. didn't want to rent you my house. I. didn't want to rent you my house and now. you want to buy my house?" I said, "Not. only do I want to buy it I want you to. leave all the furniture. I want you to. leave leave the cars leave the furniture. leave the boat leave everything." And he. did. Aw. That's amazing. >> 28 years. Wow. And we found we created. after 17 years ago. sometimes you're really nuts and Connie.

and I created a weekly newspaper in. Montana. I read about that. >> Flathead Beacon it's won every award in. the state and it's a great local. newspaper. Uh it you started out as print, now it's. online. Everybody loves it. Doesn't. matter what the political stripe is in. the in the whole Flathead Valley in. Montana, everybody loves the paper. Aw. And even the politicians. Doesn't matter. whether you're Republican or Democrat, everybody loves the paper. I love that.

>> of course it's not making any money, but. that's okay. >> passion project. >> Yes. So I think it makes you guys feel. good. >> to my father and yes, what Connie says. So. Absolutely and those things are. priceless. You can't put monetary value. on something like that, especially, you. know, from your background and where you. come from. So do you like Nashville? I love. Nashville now. I didn't like it at. first. It you know, being a Vegas girl, moving to Nashville, it was like this. was a culture shock. >> you're up all night an all night town,

you're. pretty much. Access to anything 24/7 to, you know, people being a lot more modest. and So how did you grow to like it? I. fell in love with um. the slow life, you know, it's kind of. like how you how do you go from. Washington D.C. to Montana? It's like you have to fall in love with. you have to really get to know yourself. in uh slow places and I think I had to. discover who I was outside of my Vegas. persona and um you know, I just I don't.

remember. >> there because of Jelly Roll? Because. >> I moved there for him, which I don't. recommend to anybody. I I feel like if. you're in a relationship and you've been. with somebody for a long time, then make. that move, but my husband and I got. married a month after meeting and I made. that jump and. >> In a month? and happened to work out. We. got married a month after meeting. And that was what? 7, 8 years ago? >> Nine. Nine? >> Nine, yep. We've known each other 10. years, married nine. A month after? >> and we made it work, Maury. But that's.

why I was so amazed when you told me. that you and Connie dated for seven. years because I was like, "Wow, that is. amazing. Like how did you do that, you. know?". Well, I had come out of a marriage and didn't. want to get married and Connie was so. involved in her business. I mean, she always says, "I forgot to. get married and then I forgot to have a. child.". She's great. I I would love to meet her. one day. I was you know what? My husband. and I are actually thinking about going. to Montana for Thanksgiving to bring our. family out there. So if we do come out.

there, we would love to have you and. Connie come over for dinner. That would. be amazing. >> All right, so I'm going to ask you a. closing question. >> Yes. And and thank you so much for your. time today. Like it's been. >> It's been amazing just getting to. >> easy to talk to. Thank you. I appreciate. that. You've interviewed politicians, celebrities, everyday people. Right. Who. taught you the most? Who taught me the most? >> you the most out of everybody that. you've interviewed? That's really. Guess what? That's a good question.

>> [laughter]. >> Never had. >> Yes. Never had it. Really? >> I've I've had, you know, who would you. like to interview and stuff like that. Believe it or not, I think all the. people on the talk show. Wow. Uh it it. you know, after doing news for all those. years and then getting into this very. intimate talk show, Mhm. I think uh. those guests brought more out of me than.

I thought I had. Mhm. And so therefore, I think that whole experience, that. 30-year experience, uh. because of the guests, Mhm. because of. the individual stories, because of the. fact with DNA testing that it's possible. that I could have gotten uh another. parent into the lives of those kids. because we all know that a child has a. better shot with two parents than one. Uh and and those stories, I think.

uh. gave me a great feeling of satisfaction. You're such a special human. Oh, no. I. don't know about that. >> No, I hope you know that and I. appreciate you being here and making. time to come on my podcast. >> and now you and your husband come on On. Par with Maury Povich. We're coming. Anytime you want. Maybe when we're in. Montana, we can do it. That would be. great. >> you, dear. Tell people where they can. find your podcast and listen to it. >> On Par Pod uh on all of Instagram,

whatever, whatever. This the the podcast is on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, wherever you get your. podcast. >> All of it. >> Yeah. Maury, thank you so much. I can't. wait to hug you. >> too. >> All right. Thank you guys for listening. to another podcast. I'll talk to you. guys next week. Bye. >> [music].