About Talk Shows

Alleged Letterman Blackmailer Says He was Just Trying to Sell a Script

2009-11-11T00:17:07Z

Robert J. "Joe" Halderman, the TV producer who allegedly attempted to blackmail Late Show host David Letterman, has asked the court to drop his case because, he claims, he was only trying to sell Letterman a screenplay.

Now screenwriters have gone to great lengths to get their work in front of the right people, but this might take the cake.

Halderman's lawyer claims there now extortion, only a screenplay for sale, and that the $2 million Halderman requested - in taped conversations between Halderman and Letterman's lawyer - was nothing more than a "commercial transaction."

Letterman's lawyer called the case "classic blackmail."

For more info check out the Letterman Extortion Plot Timeline.

Alleged Letterman Blackmailer Says He was Just Trying to Sell a Script originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 00:17:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Dr. Phil Soldiers On Through 2014

2009-11-11T00:16:01Z

Dr. Phil has renewed his contract through the 2013-2014 season. That'll give the advice talk show 12 years on the air.

The show regularly ranks No. 2 behind The Oprah Winfrey Show.

More 'Dr. Phil':

Dr. Phil Soldiers On Through 2014 originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 00:16:01.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

GMA�s Robin Roberts to Interview Janet Jackson

2009-11-11T00:15:26Z

Good Morning America co-host Robin Roberts will interview Janet Jackson on Nov. 18 during a primetime special. Jackson is the superstar sister of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

The interview will take place at Jackson's home in Malibu, Calif. Jackson will discuss both her brother's death, her stellar career, and an upcoming greatest hits album. How much of the interview will be dedicated to those points remains unclear.

Roberts will soon lose co-host Diane Sawyer. Sawyer is leaving to become anchor of ABC's Evening News. The short list of contenders for Sawyer's job include Chris Cuomo and George Stephanolpoulos, host of ABC's This Week.

GMA�s Robin Roberts to Interview Janet Jackson originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 00:15:26.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Rachel Ray Gives Back

2009-11-11T00:14:51Z

Rachel Ray is donating appliances, shelves, furniture and a year's supply of food for a Wilmington, Ohio, soup kitchen. She also hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for the town, still suffering from 15 percent unemployment.

The unemployment stems from the closure of a DHL Express and various Wilmington Air Park operations.

The donation and feast will appear on the Nov. 25 Rachel Ray show, just in time for Thanksgiving.

Rachel Ray Gives Back originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 00:14:51.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Oprah Headed to Cable?

2009-11-11T00:14:29Z

We first reported that Oprah might be headed to OWN, Oprah's basic cable channel, a year ago, almost to the day.

And the news this time around isn't much different. No decision has been made from Oprah's camp as to whether the show is headed to OWN once Oprah's contract comes up in 2011.

But at least we know when she'll make that announcement: the end of the year.

Deadline: Hollywood reporter Nikki Finke writes: "the daytime diva has decided to give up her syndicated talk show and move it to her namesake cable network OWN in 2011, amid Discovery Communications' demands that she 'move it or lose it', caught CBS by surprise."

If at all true, CBS Television Distribution and ABC TV would feel the greatest pinch. CBS syndicates the show and ABC broadcasts it. The move might be seen as similar to radio talk show host Howard Stern's move from broadcast radio to satellite radio.

OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, was set to launch this year, but has been delayed until sometime in 2010.

Oprah Headed to Cable? originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 00:14:29.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Catch Lopez Tonight!

2009-11-08T23:56:14Z

The first of two new talk shows debuted on Saturday (The Wanda Sykes Show) and one of the most anticipated new talk shows is unveiled tonight: Lopez Tonight starring George Lopez!

I'd be interested in knowing what you think of both. If you watched Wanda this weekend or plan to watch Lopez tonight, let me know what you think!

Catch Lopez Tonight! originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 23:56:14.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Colbert Nation Sponsoring U.S. Speedskating Team

2009-11-04T00:07:33Z

If you caught The Colbert Report Monday night, you may have wondered, "Is Stephen Colbert and his fans really sponsoring the U.S. Olympic Speedskating Team?"

The answer: Yes. Yes they are.

The odd move comes after the speedskating team lost a major sponsor in DSB Bank, a Dutch company that recently went bankrupt.

Colbert announced his intention - along with his fans - to pick up the slack on Monday night's program. Olympic medalist Dan Jansen was there, along with Bob Crowley, executive director of the U.S. Speedskating program.

"US Speedskating is thrilled to be able to create a unique partnership between one of the greatest entertainers in the industry and one of the great sports in the Olympic movement," said Crowley in a statement. "Embracing the team will provide immeasurable excitement for our sport and very talented athletes."

"We must ensure that it is America's 38-inch thighs on that medal platform," Colbert said during the show.

Fans interested in donating to the team can do so via the Colbert Nation website.

Colbert Nation Sponsoring U.S. Speedskating Team originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 00:07:33.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Letterman Scribe Calls Work �Hostile�

2009-10-27T23:16:36Z

Nell Scovell, a former writer on Late Night with David Letterman, David Letterman's NBC talk show, left the show in 1990 because of alleged sexual favoritism and a hostile work environment, reports the Associated Press.

Scovell told her tale in an online article for Vanity Fair. She added that she wasn't seeking retribution of any sort, but wants to "shine a light on gender equality in that particular workplace" and to call attention to the disparity in female writers on late night talk shows like the Late Show, The Jay Leno Show and The Tonight Show.

"Did he pay me enough extra attention that it was noted by another writer? Yes. Was I aware of rumors that Dave was having sexual relationships with female staffers? Yes," Scovell writes in her article.

Scovell adds that "professional benefits" were rewarded to female staffers who engaged in sexual relationships with Late Night male employees.

Scovell spent five months on the Late Night staff. She's known as one of the creators of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

More info: Letterman Extortion Plot Timeline

Letterman Scribe Calls Work �Hostile� originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 at 23:16:36.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Reports: Jennifer Aniston to Host Talk Show on OWN

2009-10-25T22:38:36Z

There are a number of reports that claim Friends star Jennifer Aniston is close to signing a deal to host a new talk show on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Her co-host? Oprah Winfrey

Two online outlets report that Aniston is friends with talk show host Chelsea Handler, and discussed the possibility of hosting her own talk show one day.

When Jennifer mentioned her idea and passion for it in from of Oprah, the queen of daytime television snatched up the idea and suggested that Oprah and Aniston co-host the show.

The series is said to be a late night entry. We'll see if it happens (then we'll let you know).

Reports: Jennifer Aniston to Host Talk Show on OWN originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 22:38:36.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

What to Watch & Music Monday

2009-10-19T09:31:12Z

A lot of shows are on break this week, so expect a bunch of reruns of your favorite talk shows. But The View is live today and the ladies are talkin' Hot Topics. And Bonnie Hunt is entertaining Dancing with the Stars' Mark Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer.

Today, though, we unveil a new feature on What to Watch: Music Mondays. Each Monday I'll try to give you a rundown of some of the musical acts you'll have a chance to catch on daytime and late night talk shows during the week.

This week, catch:

Paul McCartney on Late Show with David Letterman Wedneday. It's a repeat - but how can you miss one of rock and roll's living legends?
Rod Stewart on Monday's The Jay Leno Show. Another living legend who will no doubt chat and sing. Rapper Ludacris joins Jay on Tuesday.
Try something new with Cobra Starship featuring Estelle on Tuesday's Tonight Show. Dave Matthews Band shows up on Thursday.
More legends when Lynyrd Skynyrd visits the Late Late Show Tuesday.
Jimmy Kimmel serves up new acts all week, with The Used (Monday), The Sounds (Tuesday), Dead by Sunrise (Wednesday), The Temper Trap (Thursday), and the incredible Echo and the Bunnymen (Friday).

What to Watch & Music Monday originally appeared on About.com Talk Shows on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 09:31:12.

Permalink | Comment | Email this