Soul Train aired for 35 seasons
Soul Train became the longest-running syndicated television show in TV history, airing from 1971 to 2006.
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Don Cornelius Steps Down, the Show Carries On
At 49:35 · chapter starts 49:25
By the early '90s, after more than two decades at the helm, Don Cornelius stepped back. His last episode aired May 10th, 1993. The show he handed over would continue for another thirteen years, with a rotating cast of younger hosts that included Jamie Foxx, Tyra Banks, and Shemar Moore. Soul Train ran all the way to 2006, accumulating 35 seasons and the title of longest-running syndicated television show in American history. Josh and Chuck briefly reflect on the scale of that achievement: a show that started as a $400 pilot by a cop-turned-DJ in Chicago ran for 35 years, launched careers, defined fashion, introduced Black culture to white America, and changed what television was allowed to be.
Soul Train ended in 2006
Soul Train ran continuously from 1971 to 2006, with the show eventually being handed to younger hosts including Jamie Foxx, Tyra Banks, and Shemar Moore.
Don Cornelius's Legacy and Tragic End
Don Cornelius sold the rights to Soul Train around 2008 and his health declined steadily from there. Suffering from Alzheimer's and seizures, he took his own life — a shock to everyone who knew him. His son said the physical suffering drove the decision. His legacy: 35 seasons, the longest-running syndicated show ever, and a cornerstone of Black cultural identity in America.
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