A Journey Through the Years: How James Lipton Redefined Celebrity Interviews
For almost two and a half decades, Bravo’s Inside the Actors Studio has been more than just a talk show; it’s been a platform where stars transform into something deeper—artists and teachers. Hosted by the iconic James Lipton, these in-depth conversations peeled back the layers of fame, allowing us to truly understand the craft behind the celebrity. As The New York Times once aptly put it, “In Mr. Lipton’s guest chair, actors cease being stars for a while and become artists and teachers.” That’s the magic James brought to the table. Now, at the remarkable age of 92, James has announced he'll be stepping down as the show’s host. It’s hard to imagine anyone else who could have done it better.
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What’s Next for 'Inside the Actors Studio'?
When the series makes its return for the upcoming season in fall 2019, it’s shifting gears—moving from Bravo to Ovation TV. This move signals a fresh chapter with a rotating lineup of guest hosts, yet the heart and soul of the show remain untouched. As James expressed in an official statement, “It’s deeply satisfying to see the legacy of Inside the Actors Studio carried forward for a new generation to cherish and enjoy. From day one, I vowed that our show wouldn’t dwell on gossip but would focus solely on the craft, and Ovation, as a network dedicated to the arts, will uphold this tradition in future seasons. I’m thrilled to see how the new hosts will connect with the guests and students, continuing to captivate audiences across the U.S. and beyond.”
A Look Back: The Birth of a Beloved Series
Inside the Actors Studio began as a televised craft seminar for students of the Actors Studio Drama School, initially a joint venture between the Actors Studio and New School University back in 1994. Paul Newman, a former president of the Actors Studio, was the very first guest. The show quickly became a staple for Bravo, with episodes originally taped at New York’s Greenwich Village’s New School’s Tishman Auditorium. Over time, it moved to the Michael Schimel Center for the Arts at Pace University’s New York City campus. Today, it’s presented as a seminar to students of the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University.
