Earlier this week, CBS' The Talk began its 9th season without co-hostess Julie Chen (Big Brother), who has taken a leave of absence from the show in the wake of her husband, Leslie Moonves' resignation last weekend as head of the network, the latest high profile figure caught in the web of sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Talk was launched as the CBS answer to ABC's long running The View, which, locally, anyway, gets a three hour headstart on its competitor. Sharon Osbourne (ex-The Osbournes, America's Got Talent), no stranger to talk shows, having done one herself a few years back, appears to be the de facto moderator, and a succession of guests have filled Chen's chair this week, including shampoo salesperson Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) and Jodie Sweetin (Fuller House). The revolving door isn't new to The Talk any more than it has to The View, which is in its 22nd season.
Both shows however, owe their existence to earlier gab-fests such as Not For Women Only, which was the first talk show for View creator Barbara Walters, and Virginia Graham's Girl Talk, both of which date back to the 60's. Same goes for the syndicated The Real, which copies the format of its network contemporaries.
Actress-co-host Sara Gilbert (Roseanne and its forthcoming follow-up, The Conners) was elevated to executive producer status not long ago, and will probably have an even bigger voice in the proceedings going forward.
Edit, 5/24/23: Had to change the video. Here, Julie sets up an interview with Craig Ferguson:
Seems CBS is unwilling to disclose any information that would actually strengthen Moonves' case, as he has denied many of the allegations brought before him. I would think network sponsors and shareholders might have something to say in that regard, too, in due course.
Rating: B.
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