[12] For more than 30 years in Chicago, The Lee Phillip Show tackled rarely considered social problems.

She investigated the lives of prisoners, the struggles of runaways and the dangers of breast cancer (one of the first televised self-exams was demonstrated on her show).

She interviewed Presidents Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter (and his entire extended family) as well as actors John Wayne, Lucille Ball, and Judy Garland.

[8] The Lee Phillip Show was also shown in other cities in the early 1960s by CBS network affiliates[13] and received 16 local Emmy Awards.

[15] Lee Bell would learn about important issues via her television show, and pass them along to her husband, who in turn would weave them into his storylines.

She also received the Salvation Army's William Booth Award for her distinguished career in communications and social service.

[21] While working at the talk show, Lee Phillip met advertising agent William Joseph Bell, later marrying him in 1954.

[25] Bell died of natural causes at her home, according to Eva Basler, a spokeswoman for the family and their company Bell-Phillip Television Productions.