AnMaster.com

Alexkid

Goodbye, 'General Hospital'; Hello, Katie Couric Talk Show?
by Chris Harnick
(TV Squad)


Katie Couric

Could Katie Couric's potential new ABC talk show kill 'General Hospital'? That's the latest buzz.

07:47:09AM (DST) Friday,May 6,2011.

According to TMZ, Couric is close to signing a $20 million deal with ABC. The new deal would entail ABC News and '20/20' specials, fill-in anchoring gigs and a syndicated one-hour talk show. The show would debut September 2012. If that deal happens, ABC is considering giving the hour of programming space 'General Hospital' now occupies back to its affiliates.

'General Hospital' is the third-longest-running soap on the air, and after January 2012, it will be the only soap on ABC. In April, ABC canceled 'One Life to Live' and 'All My Children.' The two soaps will be replaced by lifestyle/talk shows 'The Chew' and 'The Revolution.'

However, audience reaction to the new shows has been mixed, even before the premieres. Should one show fail, Couric's show could just slip into that programming slot.

Once everything is set, Couric would most likely be at the 3PM time slot, vying for the viewers of the departed 'Oprah Winfrey Show.'

Couric's talks with CBS have reportedly fallen apart, with ABC offering her more of a presence across their network. The former 'Today' anchor will be leaving 'CBS Evening News' in June after five years on the job. She'll be replaced by Scott Pelley of '60 Minutes' fame.

The potential $20 million deal is for the first year of the talk show alone, Couric would be additionally compensated for her work on ABC News. Matt Lauer will reportedly not be part of Couric's potential talk show on ABC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

* Did not know Katie's talk show would be on a network instead of syndication.
Not surprised about CBS not picking up her talk show.
My sister is a fan of General Hospital.
She will be surprised and disappointed. *

__________________
Yeah...Do That.