Daytime TV
To Die For
By Geoff Bennett
Start your day off right with our picks of the hottest new and returning daytime talk shows. Check your local listings for times.
Rachael Ray (Premieres Mon., Sept. 18)
The 411: She’s been slicing and dicing ready-to-eat feasts on the Food Network for years, but a fateful appearance on ‘Oprah’ a few years back set the TV chef’s daytime gears in motion. Oprah helped Ray launch the program, but don't bother trying to make any comparisons. Ray has already declared "no crying allowed" on her show. Expect light-hearted fun, only a few celebrity interviews, and, of course, lots and lots of quality time spent in the kitchen.The View (Returns Tue., Sept. 5)
The 411: With Meredith Vieira moving on to greener pastures and Star Jones getting dumped like a bad habit, there’s more than enough space on the couch for new co-host Rosie O’Donnell. Barbara Walters asked the daytime TV pro to join the show earlier this spring. Expect a brand new set and, thankfully, some new blood in this estrogen-fueled chat fest. Jessica Simpson is the first guest of the season.
Today (Meredith Vieira Debuts Wed., Sept. 13)
The 411: The nation's top-rated morning show was dealt a blow earlier this year when Katie Couric announced she was heading to CBS. But NBC quickly rebounded, plucking Meredith Vieira from ABC's 'The View' as her successor. With a new host, the show is also moving into a newly refurbished Studio 1A. That dark woodgrain is giving way to digital video panels.
The Megan Mullally Show (Premieres Mon., Sept. 18)
The 411: Fresh off an Emmy win for her portrayal of the high-strung, pill-popping Karen on ‘Will & Grace,’ Megan Mullally tackles daytime with a program that will feature variety show elements, singing and dancing, celebrity interviews and chats with regular folks. She's already called in help from some friends. Mullally says Conan O'Brien, Jay Leno, and Ellen DeGeneres have all offered their best advice. Comedian Will Ferrell will be her first guest. Watch a preview.
The Ellen Degeneres Show (Returns Mon., Sept. 4)
The 411: She danced her way into our hearts ... and won a couple Emmys along the way. This season, expect more of the same floor-thumping fun. The week kicks off with special episodes taped in New York’s Central Park. A-listers like Justin Timberlake and Beyonce join her for the first few episodes. And tune in to find out which lucky DJ has replaced Tony Okungbowa.
LIVE! With Regis And Kelly (Weekdays, ABC)
The 411: This comical daytime duo kept us company during the summer, when the other talk shows went on extended hiatus. And even while Reeg was doing hosting duties on 'America’s Got Talent,' Kelly held down the fort with her infectious brand of mindless morning chat. The month kicks off with "The Relly Awards" and guests Michael Bolton, Brad Garrett, Daniel Powter and David Boreanaz.
Dr. Phil (Returns Mon., Aug. 28)
The 411: Life strategist Dr. Phil was the first of the daytime bunch back on the block. He launched season five to mark the one-year observance of Hurricane Katrina. The early slate of shows will cover over-possessive parents, mother-in-law battles, plastic surgery-obsessed teens, women who are gorgeous but were cheated on, daughters who wear sexy clothes and feuding fiancés.
The Tyra Banks Show (Returns Mon., Sept. 11)
The 411: Tyra's got two hit shows on the tube, and is surprisingly showing no signs of wear. During her inaugural season, she used her brand of down-to-earth supermodel charm to lure in viewers, beating fellow freshman talker "The Martha Stewart Show" in the ratings. Get a load of season two’s show topics: overweight toddlers, women who gain weight for their lovers, girls on the verge of running away, hair spray addicts and men who like big women. If that doesn’t make good TV, what does?! Watch a preview.
The Dr. Keith Ablow Show (Premieres Mon., Sept. 11)
The 411: Add another shrink to your schedule. On his new show, noted psychiatrist and author Dr. Keith Ablow will help couples and families cope with their personal challenges. He’ll also discuss the biggest news stories making headlines and make house calls to folks who need his insight. It’s like ‘Dr. Phil’ with less grandstanding. Watch a preview.
The Oprah Winfrey Show (Returns Mon., Sept. 18)
The 411: Daytime wouldn’t be the same without Oprah. Love her or hate her, she has the highest rated talk show in television history. The season kicks off with Oprah and best friend Gayle heading on a cross-country road trip. Plus, expect a recap of her summer break and maybe, if you’re lucky, a free Pontiac or two.
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