Editing Morton Downey Jr. (section)

===Television===
Downey headed to [[Secaucus, New Jersey]], where his [[television program]] ''The Morton Downey Jr. Show'' was taped. Starting as a local program on [[New York (state)|New York]]–[[New Jersey]] [[superstation]] [[WWOR-TV]] in October 1987, it expanded into national [[Broadcast syndication|syndication]] in early 1988. The program featured screaming matches among Downey, his guests, and audience members. Using a large silver bowl for an [[ashtray]], he would [[chainsmoke]] during the show and blow smoke in his guests' faces. Downey's fans became known as "Loudmouths", patterned after the studio [[lectern]]s decorated with gaping cartoon mouths, from which Downey's guests would go head-to-head against each other on their respective issues.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/12/19/morton-downey-jr-is-in-game-form/|title=Morton Downey Jr. Is In Game Form|author= Rick Kogan|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date = December 19, 1988}}</ref>

On a few occasions, his attempts to provoke outbursts on his show resulted in physical confrontations.<ref name="CNNObit"/> One such incident occurred on a 1988 show taped at the [[Apollo Theater]], involving [[Al Sharpton]] and [[Congress of Racial Equality|CORE]] National Chairman [[Roy Innis]]. The exchange between the two men culminated in Innis shoving Sharpton and knocking him to the floor, and Downey intervening to separate the pair.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/24/morton-downey-jr-s-top-outbursts-ron-paul-al-sharpton-more-video.html|title= Morton Downey Jr.'s Top Outbursts: Ron Paul, Al Sharpton, More (VIDEO)|author= Marlow Stern |website=[[The Daily Beast]] |date = April 24, 2012}}</ref>

Because of the controversial format and content of the show, distributor [[MCA Television]] had problems selling the show to a number of stations and advertisers. Even Downey's [[affiliates]], many of which were low-rated [[independent television stations]] in small to medium markets, were so fearful of advertiser and viewer backlash that they would air one or even two local [[disclaimers]] during the broadcast.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoffman |first1=Ken |title=When it comes to garbage TV, Downey set the standard |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/columnists/hoffman/article/When-it-comes-to-garbage-TV-Downey-set-the-6404152.php |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=24 July 2015 |publisher=The Houston Chronicle |access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref>

During one controversial episode Downey introduced his [[gay]] brother, Tony Downey, to his studio audience and informed them Tony was [[HIV]] positive. During the episode Downey stated he was afraid his audience would abandon him if they knew he had a gay brother, but then said he did not care.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20099240,00.html|title=His Love for a Brother Brings Morton Downey's Compassion Out of the Closet|magazine=[[People (American magazine)|People]]|date=June 20, 1988|access-date=2009-10-01}}</ref>

''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote about him, "Suppose a maniac got hold of a talk show. Or need we suppose?" [[David Letterman]] said, "I'm always amazed at what people will fall for. We see this every ten or twelve years, an attempt at this, and I guess from that standpoint I don't quite understand why everybody's falling over backwards over the guy."<ref>"Shriek! Chic! It's Morton Downey!; Talk's Mr. Nasty, Coming On Strong With the Art of Abuse", ''The Washington Post'', July 6, 1988, Tom Shales</ref>{{VN|date=April 2025}}