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EXCLUSIVE: Layoffs are always tough, especially when they come just before the holidays. That is what’s happening on struggling freshman syndicated talk show Jeff Probst where several staffers, including producers received pink slips today. I hear some or all of the layoffs came with a week notice, with Dec. 21 as the last day of work. “As with most new shows, we had beefed up our production team for launch, and are now settling into a more appropriate staffing level for a daily talk show,” a spokesperson for the show said.
CBS TV Distribution’s Jeff Probst got to a slow start, averaging a 0.8 household rating during premiere week. It never gained momentum, finishing the recent November sweep tied with Ricki Lake as the lowest rated freshman talk shows with a 0.7 HH rating.
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He would have been a better fit on Live with Kelly.
I agree. I love Probst and I think he’s an excellent interviewer. But I think he needs a female co-host to soften his sometimes “too earnest” edges.
Shame. I really like his show. In my market he’s up against Ricki Lake, Anderson Cooper and Wendy Williams and I find those three either boring or annoying. I expected him to be smarmy and fake but he is very engaging, has a good connection with his guests, and seems to do his research on all the topics he covers.
I totally agree. I love this show — everything else is boring, irrelevent drivel. Lisa is good–but I like Jeff by himself. I love the topics and the choices the show has made. Why does it surprise me that something new and fresh would fail in this homogenized media age.
Totally agrte with you. I love the show at the beginning–hate that he added Lisa; much preferred him alone sitting on the couch with his guests. In fact, I wrote the show yesterday–something I have never done. Now I am recording the show and fast forwarding to the part where it is Jeff alone on the couch with his guest. Think the game is totally stupid–can watch Kelly Ripa and Michael or Price is Right if you want to watch tat kind of drivel!
Totally Agree! I rarely post on a blog, write to a show, etc BUT I have been watching JP since it premiered and have very much enjoyed the show, cannot stand it now with Lisa. While i have absolutely nothing against her personally, i am getting really bored listening to them talk about nothing. I so enjoyed all his human interest stories and the fascinating everyday people he had on along with the occasional celebrity. I work from home and always keep in on while i work but i have started to turn it off and resorted to my ipod instead. It has become very dull day after day!
Not surprising.I don’t know anyone who watches this show. I agree layoffs are tough anytime,but,especially so close to Christmas. Hopefully they’ll be able to find work elsewhere.
Jeff the viewing tribe has voted and spoken with their remote controls and I’m sorry to inform you that they’ve voted you off the schedule. No million dollar prize for you at least not in daytime TV it’s a very difficult environment. Your show is too similar to all the others.
Outwit. Outlast. Outplay. Outofajob.
OK folks stop with the mamby pamby, “oh it is Christmas” stuff. It is called competition for a reason, if you can’t compete you go away.Those working on the show were “working” what about all those who are not? There are no guarantees in this business, but far to many bleeding hearts who want to “feel bad” to be politically correct. The show flopped get over it.
I really like the show. Because it is different from the others that are available on network TV, I like the difference. It seems all the others have the same stars on each show when they are promoting their recent book or movie or other deals.
What she said. Classy, intelligent daytime talk, which may be the problem.
I certainly hope Jeff’s show stays around at least long enough for everyone to experience James’ story.
Probst (and Anderson) should have stayed out of the syndication market and waited out for Regis to leave. Either one would have been more successful with Kelly Ripa then by themselves. I am not too fond on Strahan w/Ripa.
Hey Jeff!! Love your show its intelligent and real….be prepared NOT to make it though, theres not near enough negativity!!! Sadly enough i guess thats what most people want to watch…..baby mama drama with chairs flyin!!! I wish you all the best!!!
This week on the Jeff Probst Show has been tortuous…the Lisa Welchel co-host week. Her squeaky voice is fingernails on the proverbial blackboard to me…and her dippy attitude DETRACTS from a show trying to find its niche. Get rid of her or the show is over in my book. If Jeff loves her so much and wants her to have a renewed career in TV, produce a sitcom for her or simply invite her over to your house for a barbecue…please don’t subject us to her every day.
I SECOND THAT MOTION……
I have loved the Jeff Probst Show this week!! I could take it or leave it….but this week I have actually stayed and watch the show with LisaWhelchel. I love their chemistry on camera. What an awesome fit!! If she stay…I’ll be watching more often and regular!!!
get rid of Lisa. Jeff is great at bringing people out. We already have a kelly and Michael we don’t need another show like that. Jeff is so refreshing but adding Lisa turned it into a talk show. Had enough of Lisa on surviror put out her torch. Maybe I’m not one of the young crowd that sponsors like but us old ladies do
like our shows and enjoyed Jeff so much but not sure I will continue watching if Lisa stays
Jeff is great with interviews.. Liked only the shows with people and/or subjects that interest me.. Had enough of Lisa’s verbal daily journal on how, why and what she feels today while watching survivor.. Probst co-host should be his beautiful intelligent wife…She asks good questions.. lisa pehaps could contribute with a current events spot. And liked the guys and gals debate part of the shows..
I Like your show but not with Lisa.I find her hard to get into .She talks about things that dont even seem to be related.I always made sure I watched you everyday. WITH lisa I am turning the channel.Oh I do want to say let the surviver thing go.Never watched it.
I THINK YOU HAVE A GREAT SHOW….. AND AM SORRY IT IS HAVING HARD TIMES….. BUT, LISA IS NOT THE ANSWER. REALLY! SHE IS VERY BOREING. ALSO, HAVE BEEN A LOYAL VIEWER VIEWER OF BOTH YOUR SHOWS SINCE THE GET GO! MAYBE THEY SHOULD TRY YOUR WIFE AS A CO-HOST????? REGIS USED HIS WHEN CATHY OR KELLY WERE GONE. COME ON TRY SOMEONE ELSE, PLEEEEEEEZE?
I really like Jeff as a talk show host. He has energy and passion. Taking on Lisa as a co-host though is just another bad choice. She was just another washed up has-been on a reality show to open her career up again. And it worked. But I am sorry, she is far from stimulating, she isn’t funny and I find her boring. I stopped watching the show as of today. Another one bites the dust. I think she will make the ratings go down even further. A co-host could work, but they made a bad choice. They based on the fact that Lisa was a fan favorite on Survivor. It doesn’t mean she is a good talk show host. Next, she will show up on Dancing With the Stars.
I think he is very good host I hope the show stays on really a good show
I thought it was only me until I just read comments from others. I used to watch the show instead of The Talk but I agree with others who say that Lisa is boring and annoying. I have gone back to watching The Talk. I loved Jeff alone!
I am so sad that this show has gone down this road with “Welchel”. I too, find myself bored with the meaningless banter between the two of them. Bring back “Guys on the Couch”!! And what is with the whole desk issue?? Please!! Sorry Jeff, but my coffee cup just crossed that line. You are out!
I have watched the show from the beginning and really appreciate having been given an intelligent alternative to Kelly and Michael. Jeff’s show is going through a lot of changes right now in their attempt to draw a larger audience. I happen to be one who enjoys the interaction between Lisa and Jeff, the personal stories are a nice addition to the show. The “talent” game is fun as well. They deserve success, I would hate to see it come to an early end.
I have been a huge Survivor fan and have loved Jeff on that show – he is the glue that holds it all together. Then one day I happened to see his new show and was immediately hooked! He is the most sincere, genuine, honest host on TV today. He is actually interested in his guests and that is so obvious. His discussions are interesting and he spends devotes than the 3 minutes with his guests that is so common on other shows. I have enjoyed the interaction with Lisa because I like her as well, but Jeff, his outlook on life in general, his almost boyish interest in everything, and, most of all, his sincerity, are the aspects that will keep me watching the show. All of those other talk shows are just blather compared to Jeff’s show. I hope ABC realizes what a gem they have in Jeff.
I have watched this show since the start , I am in Yarmouth NS, Canada and wonder what happened to it this week. I have looked for it everyday. I dont think Lisa adds anything to the show but she isnt bad. I like Jeff by himself better.
Love Jeff and like it better with Lisa. I think the two of them are great together. You get an aspect from each of them. Best show of that time slot. Hope they don’t get rid of you Jeff or Lisa.
I am surprised that no one has mentioned what a critic mentioned at the beginning of the season and that is that he talks too much. I find it annoying when he either repeats to the audience what the guest just said or goes into too much detail about the subject just covered. He uses too much time with all of this. Sort of like the audience won’t understand things unless he outlines it for us.