David Letterman returns to television with Netflix talk show

August 8, 2017

David Letterman (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
David Letterman (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

The following is a press release from Netflix:

David Letterman, the longest-serving host in U.S. late night television – the original host of” Late Night”(NBC) and “The Late Show” (CBS) –  is returning to television for a new series for Netflix.

The yet-to-be-named, six-episode series has Letterman combining two interests for which he is renowned: in-depth conversations with extraordinary people, and in-the-field segments expressing his curiosity and humor. In each hour-long episode, Letterman will conduct a long-form conversation with a singular guest – and will also explore topics on his own, away from the studio. The series is set to premiere in 2018.

Said Letterman, “I feel excited and lucky to be working on this project for Netflix. Here’s what I have learned, if you retire to spend more time with your family, check with your family first. Thanks for watching, drive safely.”

“Just meeting David Letterman was a thrill; imagine how exciting it is for me to announce that we will be working together,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer, Netflix. “David Letterman is a true television icon, and I can’t wait to see him out in the wild, out from behind the desk and interviewing the people he finds most interesting. We’ll have to see if he keeps the beard.”

The project is being produced by RadicalMedia, the Academy Award® and Emmy-winning company behind Netflix’s What Happened, Miss Simone?, Oh Hello on Broadway and Abstract: The Art of Design, and Letterman’s Worldwide Pants.

In 33 years on late-night television, David Letterman hosted 6,028 episodes of “Late Night” (NBC) and “The Late Show” (CBS), and is the longest-running late-night broadcaster in American history.

As a writer, performer and producer, Letterman is one of the most-nominated individuals in Emmy Award history, with 52 nominations, resulting in 10 wins.  Letterman is also a two-time Peabody-Award winner, a Kennedy Center Honoree, and will receive the Mark Twain Prize in October.

From his roots in comedy, Letterman also became renowned as an interviewer, sharing the stage with U.S. presidents, cabinet officials, Medal of Honor recipients, and virtually every presidential candidate for more than 20 years.  Through his guest interviews, Letterman also brought to light important global issues such as world hunger and climate change.

Letterman announced his departure from The Late Show in 2014, and aired his final episode on May 20, 2015 to an audience of 13.76 million people.

David Letterman resides in New York with his wife Regina and son Harry.

Ryan Seacrest named permanent co-host of ‘Live’ with Kelly Ripa

May 1, 2017

Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, co-hosts of "Live with Kelly and Ryan"
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest, co-hosts of “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”(Photo by Pawel Kaminski/Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution)

Ryan Seacrest has joined “Live” to co-host the talk show with Kelly Ripa. He replaces Michael Strahan, who exited the show in 2016 to co-host ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

The following is a press release from Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution:

A new era in daytime television began today when Kelly Ripa introduced the permanent co-host joining her on the top-rated, Emmy-winning “Live” franchise: veteran broadcaster Ryan Seacrest is the new co-host of the newly-rechristened “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”

Beginning with today’s inaugural broadcast, Seacrest joins Daytime Emmy Award-winner Ripa as co-host and a fellow executive producer on daytime’s longest-running, #1 entertainment talk show.  A staple of modern American pop culture and media, and a household name from his decades on the radio, on television and as an Emmy-winning producer, Seacrest also has been a longtime friend of “Live,” with many guest appearances and multiple co-hosting stints.

“Ryan is a quintessential broadcaster and at the top of his game,” said Ripa. “I am thrilled to start my mornings with him every day, and we are so fortunate at ‘Live’ to have him join the family.” She added, “Ryan is a close friend and his star shines as brightly off camera as it does on. His tremendous success is only matched by his impeccable reputation. Plainly said, everyone loves him, and so will our daily viewers.”

“Not only is Kelly Ripa one of the most talented live hosts in broadcast TV; she’s also become a very dear friend to me over the years. It’s consistently been my privilege and pleasure to work alongside Kelly with all her incredible talents, charm and humor – whether hosting the Disney Christmas Day Parade special with her a decade ago or guest co-hosting alongside her on ‘Live,’ it’s always just been easy and fun to share a set with her, and we have a blast,” said Seacrest. “I’ve been so fortunate in my career to be a part of some incredible TV programs, and I’m excited to join daytime’s top entertainment talk show, and most important, I couldn’t think of anyone I’d rather share this new chapter with than Kelly Ripa – she’s a dream broadcast partner, and I can’t wait to start.”

He added: “I also want to genuinely thank Bob Iger, Ben Sherwood, Rebecca Campbell, Dave Davis, Janice Marinelli, and of course Michael Gelman, who all have been incredibly supportive in making this new chapter happen for me.”

Seacrest will make the move to New York immediately to begin his co-hosting duties, and will continue hosting and executive producing “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” his market-topping #1 nationally syndicated LA morning drive-time radio show for iHeartMedia’s 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as a nationally-syndicated Top 40 radio show. New York’s ABC7, home of “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” will house a brand-new iHeartRadio studio for Seacrest’s New York City location.

Seacrest will also continue as host and executive producer of two large live franchises, E!’s Live from the Red Carpet award shows, as well as ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.”

“With Ryan, ‘Live’ has a new co-host who is a master of live TV, as well as a terrific interviewer with tens of thousands of hours of live broadcasting experience,” said Michael Gelman, Executive Producer, “Live.”  “When you combine those attributes with the talents and experience of the incomparable Kelly Ripa, you have two skilled and entertaining broadcasters, with great chemistry. Add in an experienced production team and a successful 30-year franchise and you have the perfect combination.”

“One of the secrets to ‘Live’s’ decades of success in daytime is the relatability of our hosts and their ability to deeply connect with the audience.  Ryan has a charm and charisma that resonate with his devoted TV and radio audiences, and together, he and the remarkable Kelly Ripa will take ‘Live’ to a whole new level.  We’re delighted to introduce this extraordinary new team of Kelly and Ryan to our family of ‘Live’ station partners and millions of viewers,” said Janice Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution.

“For four decades, WABC has been the proud home of ‘Live.’ With this announcement, the show begins another amazing era, and we couldn’t be more excited to have a true broadcaster like Ryan Seacrest join the legendary Kelly Ripa as co-host.  Our viewers are in for a real treat,” said Rebecca Campbell, President, ABC Owned Stations & ABC Daytime.

“Live with Kelly and Ryan” is distributed in national syndication by Disney|ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution. The show is produced by WABC-TV in New York and executive produced by Michael Gelman, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest. Visit “Live” on Facebook and Instagram (@LiveKellyandRyan), and Twitter and SnapChat (@LiveKellyRyan).

Kellie Pickler set to co-host talk show series produced by Faith Hill

April 25, 2017

Country singer Kellie Pickler will co-host a nationally syndicated talk show with New York TV personality Ben Aaron. Grammy-winning singer Faith Hill is one of the show’s executive producers. The as-yet-untitled original program is set to debut on September 18, 2017.  Other executive producers of the show include Lisa Erspamer, co-founder of Happy Street Entertainment and former executive producer of “The Oprah Winfrey Show, as well as  Sandbox Entertainment president and CEO Jason Owen, in partnership with The E.W. Scripps Company.

According to a Scripps press release: “This interactive and shop-able show will cover everything from cooking, gardening, entertaining and home design to beauty and fashion … Scripps will debut the show in 20 of its 24 television markets, and Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution will distribute the show in national syndication. ”

Hill commented in a statement:”We will bring a little bit of southern charm and inspiration to our viewers, alongside insights from top tastemakers and experts in many areas. Kellie is very much southern while Ben is everything New York – complete opposites but together their chemistry is magic and our viewers are going to love them.”

Pickler rose to fame as a semi-finalist on “American idol” in 2005. She has had several hit albums and singles on the country charts. Pickler also stars in the CMT reality show “I Love Kellie Pickler,” which has been on the air since 2015.

Aaron has numerous TV credits, including co-hosting the Oxygen talk show “Crazy Talk” and being a features reporter for WNBC for “New York Live.” He also is teaming up with his wife, Ginger Zee, chief meteorologist for “Good Morning America,” on a new home renovation show on the DIY Network that is set to air in May 2017.

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