Talk Show

ELLEN DEGENERES IS STANDING UP FOR GAYS

Even though she’s gay herself, Ellen DeGeneres is trying to polish up her image with the gay community. Ellen’s career has been in the toilet ever since her talk show ended, and as we previously reported, she’s returning to stand-up to launch her comeback. Ellen fears her reputation is tarnished, so she’s hoping her fellow gays can help polish it up. Although most of her charity work involves protecting endangered species, Ellen is now forming a charity to benefit gay and lesbian youths. My source says Ellen is planning an upcoming comedy tour at predominantly gay clubs across the nation, and will donate all profits to the charity.

JENNIFER LOPEZ: WHY SHE DID IT

Jennifer Lopez shocked the world when she abruptly canceled her soon-to-start summer tour to promote her new album. According to my source, although ticket sales were tepid, the real reason she nixed the tour is to save her marriage to Ben Affleck. Workhorse Jen isn’t about to give up her career however, so she’s looking for something that can keep her firmly planted in LA. (making movies and touring doesn’t accommodate that) But she DOES have an idea: My source revealed that J.Lo is now contemplating joining the talk show circuit, most likely with a syndicated daytime show. That way she can film a few days a week, and still have plenty of time to spend with Ben.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA Jen and Ben on their way to Jack in the Box after Samuel Affleck’s basketball game

A JENNIFER COOLIDGE TALK SHOW?

Although her future on White Lotus is unknown (as we told you, we hear she’s coming back in one form or another) we might be getting a daily dose of fan favorite Jennifer Coolidge in the future. Experiencing a well deserved career resurgence, Jennifer is a hot commodity in Hollywood right now, and she’s been tapped to host a daily talk show. This is very inside info, so the details are vague, but our source says a pilot has been greenlit to be filmed in Jennifer’s beloved New Orleans. We will share more details as we hear them!

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA Jennifer at Star Ceremony for Garrett Morris

MIKE PENCE IS GIVING HOLLYWOOD A SECOND GLANCE

Could Mike Pence go Hollywood? According to an insider, now that he’s suspended his presidential campaign, the former VP is focused on the next chapter of his career and has hired an agent to get him jobs. Before he announced his bid for the White House, Mike was quietly approached about appearing on Dancing With The Stars, and while flattered, his religious beliefs wouldn’t allow him to dance with anyone other than his wife. While that show is off the table, Mike is open to most anything else – including hosting a conservative talk show or even a reality show based on his family.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

KELLY RIPA AND MARK CONSUELOS’ SEXY TALK APPALLS THEIR KIDS

It seems like Kelly Ripa can’t stop talking about her sex life now that her husband Mark Consuelos is her cohost on Live!. While the raunchy talk is bringing home the ratings, it’s making her sons, Michael and Joaquin, beyond embarrassed. While Kelly and Mark’s daughter Lola thinks it’s funny that her parents are blabbing about their bedroom shenanigans, their boys are mortified, especially when their mom spills her intimate secrets. A friend says that the boys have begged their parents to zip it when it comes to the sex talk on TV, but so far Kelly and Mark are refusing to heed the request. It doesn’t help the boys’ cause that the ratings seem to go UP when their still-in-love parents get down and dirty. For now, fans can expect more sex talk and Kelly and Mark can expect at least two unhappy kids.

Photo: Instagram

WILL LISA RINNA LEAP FROM REALITY SHOW TO TALK SHOW?

If Lisa Rinna gets her way, she will go from the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to INTERVIEWING the Real Housewives and other reality celebrities. Lisa is quietly shopping a 30 minute daytime show where she will interview the seemingly never-ending stream of reality stars of past and present. Lisa thinks she’s the perfect person to interview reality stars since SHE spent 8 seasons on RHOBH. Lisa’s now working on a pilot and hopes to get it greenlit in time to air in the fall.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

OPRAH HAS PLANS FOR MEGHAN MARKLE

They are neighbors and friends, and Oprah Winfrey has big plans for Meghan Markle – she’s mentoring her to become a talk show host. Before retiring, Oprah was the undisputed queen of daytime talk TV and she thinks Meghan has what it takes to fill her shoes. The women hit it off when Oprah interviewed Meg and Prince Harry for that top rated TV special, and they became closer living minutes away from one another in Montecito, California. As their friendship blossomed, so did Oprah’s admiration and she’s planning to anoint Meghan as the “future of daytime talk TV.” As we already told you, Meghan is eager to resume her acting career, but she’s also quite intrigued by Oprah’s idea. Oprah’s been quietly giving her lessons on what it takes to be a great interviewer and Meghan is all ears.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

AWKWAFINA: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

CBS is mulling over its options now that The Late Late Show host James Corden is leaving at the end of this season. While we’ve heard a lot about possible replacements, including a multi-host format, nothing has been decided. The powers that be are quietly meeting with potential replacements and the latest on their wish list is comedian Awkwafina. (a welcome surprise!) A network insider reveals that CBS hosted numerous focus groups and one general consensus is that the gig should go to a younger minority female. The feeling was that there are ENOUGH shows hosted by middle-aged men  (yay!)  and the network needs to appeal to a different demographic, especially at that late hour.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

IS BETHENNY FRANKEL’S INCREDIBLE STREAK OF LUCK RUNNING OUT?

Bethenny Frankel, a wannabe actress turned chef, who debuted on “The Real Housewives of New York” built up a huge fan base and everything she touched turned to gold. Viewers liked her relationship with her husband Jason and were fascinated when she had her first baby. Bravo gave her several reality shows of her own and she started Skinnygirl Cocktails. She wrote several successful books including self-help books. Her dream of having her own talk show came true this fall but it’s not living up to expectations. Fans were turned off by her harsh divorce. To some viewers (us) her voice is too annoying for an hour long show. If the show is not picked up, will her empire topple? We shall see…

KRIS JENNER IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO FAILURE

Much to Kris Jenner’s disappointment, her son in law Lamar Odom’s timely drug adventures did nothing to keep her talk show on the air. So many things have gone RIGHT for Kris for SO long, that she can hardly believe her show was not picked up. According to Radaronline, the bad news will be announced in a few days. Apparently Kris is just not the Kardashian that people want to look at every day. This is a horrible jolt for Kris, who demanded that Fox build her that fancy set duplicating her own home. We predict she will attempt to get a talk show on cable if all else fails.