Cash Cows! Talk Shows Hosts Rake in the Bucks

Forbes recently released its list of top 20 TV money makers, and who should sit atop the list than our very own Oprah Winfrey, whose $260 million paycheck knocked all others off the hill.

Oprah isn’t the only talk show host who made the list. Quite a few of our chatters are sitting on pots of gold.

David Letterman, host of the Late Show, took in $40 million in the No. 4 spot. His chief “rival,” Jay Leno, host of The Tonight Show, was just two notches down, at No. 6, with $32 million.

Right behind Jay, Dr. Phil McCraw, host of Dr. Phil, serving up $30 million dollars worth of sage – and ratings hungry – advice.

Positions No. 11 through 13 were filled by talk show hosts: Regis Philbin (Live with Regis and Kelly) making $21 million, Tyra Banks (The Tyra Banks Show) depositing $18 million in the bank, and Rachael Ray (The Rachael Ray Show) bringing home $16 million in bacon.

Sliding down to No. 15 is the afternoon’s most lovable host, Ellen DeGeneres, whose Ellen DeGeneres Show -- among other projects, no doubt – as her dancing to the tune of $15 million.

Three journalists with talk show chops make up the final three: No. 18’s Barbara Walters (The View) with $12 million, technically tied with Good Morning America’s Diane Sawyer (No. 19). Rounding out the list, The Today Show’s Meredith Vieira, making due with $10 million.

Hey, she’s not that far from No. 1. Vieira just needs to make 26 times as much as she does now!