Jeez, will the proliferation of unnecessary talk shows never cease? Isn’t Ricki Lake so 1990s? (Her last talker debuted in syndication on September 13, 1993 and ended first-run episodes on May 25, 2004.) Isn’t she in the witness protection program? So I gotta ask, why????

NEW YORK — Twentieth Television announced today a development deal with Ricki Lake; for a possible fall 2012 launch of a new syndicated talk show. The deal will focus on developing an hour-long program, which would mark Ricki’s return to syndicated television. The program will be based in Los Angeles, CA and will present topical conversation reflecting Ricki’s own personal journey and recent life experiences. As her fans have grown up with Ricki, a combination of relevant themes personal to the host and her audience including family, marriage, parenting, divorce, weight loss and overall well-being are being explored for the program.

In regards to the announcement, Stephen Brown, SVP of Programming & Development, 20th Television stated:  “Ricki is a pop culture icon who has built a career on her candid, straight talk sensibility and her authentic, relatable nature. With an enormous fan base, that represents all ages and ethnicities, we are thrilled to develop a daytime talk show emphasizing Ricki’s fresh and enhanced perspective.”

Lake added: “It has been very fulfilling for the past seven years to focus my energy on advocacy work on behalf families and children. Now, I am excited to return to my roots and work with Twentieth Television to develop a talk show that will give me an opportunity to share my experiences and reconnect with audiences.”

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