# The 16 Greatest TV Interviewers of All Time

> Presidents, rock stars and con men all sat across from these people. Some asked the hard question, others let the silence do the work.

*By YPB Team · Published September 25, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-16-greatest-tv-interviewers-of-all-time*

---

## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Barbara Walters**
   Pioneering ABC anchor and 20/20 interviewer who created The View.
2. **Oprah Winfrey**
   Host of The Oprah Winfrey Show for 25 years and the defining daytime interviewer.
3. **David Frost**
   British broadcaster whose 1977 interviews with Richard Nixon became a play and a film.
4. **Larry King**
   Suspenders-wearing host of CNN's Larry King Live for 25 years.
5. **Mike Wallace**
   60 Minutes correspondent famous for relentless, confrontational interviews.
6. **Dick Cavett**
   Talk show host known for long, literate conversations with writers and rock stars.
7. **David Letterman**
   Late-night host turned Netflix interviewer on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.
8. **Johnny Carson**
   Host of The Tonight Show for 30 years and the model of the late-night conversation.
9. **Michael Parkinson**
   British talk show host who interviewed Muhammad Ali, John Lennon and thousands more.
10. **Diane Sawyer**
   ABC and 60 Minutes journalist known for major newsmaker interviews.
11. **Tim Russert**
   Moderator of NBC's Meet the Press, famous for tough political questioning.
12. **Ted Koppel**
   Anchor of ABC's Nightline for 25 years.
13. **Ed Bradley**
   60 Minutes correspondent admired for calm, probing interviews.
14. **Anderson Cooper**
   CNN anchor and 60 Minutes correspondent.
15. **Jon Stewart**
   Daily Show host whose interviews became appointment viewing.
16. **Katie Couric**
   Today co-host and the first solo female anchor of a US evening newscast.

Tags: usa, celebrities, tv shows, journalism