Joan Rivers, PBS Pioneers of Television Published January 2, 2013 at 600 × 600 in Pioneers of Television Timeline 1986: “The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers” premieres on Fox. It’s the first major late night talk show with a woman as the host. 1986: “The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers” premieres on Fox. It’s the first major late night talk show with a woman as the host.