What is this, 2012 or 2000? As soap operas become a dying breed (though the renewals of "General Hospital" and "Days of our Lives" provide some solace, along with existing shows "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and the Beautiful"), it's evident that networks need to revamp their daytime lineups and bring in the big guns to compete with the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Anderson Cooper, and Katie Couric.
Enter Jeff Probst and Ricki Lake, both veterans in the TV hosting game.
Global is hoping Probst and Lake will be a big part of their daytime image overhaul. Probst hit it big when "Survivor" premiered in 2000, while Lake has been a familiar face in the afternoon TV circuit since 1993 with her titular talk show.
"The Ricki Lake Show" will be more of an "Oprah"-like take on the genre. According to a press release sent out by Global TV, "Ricki will cover topics that interest the modern-day woman. This is a new Ricki, reflecting where she and her audience are now in their lives."
The daytime game is kinda-sorta new for Probst, who's helming "The Jeff Probst Show." He's often filled in for Regis Philbin on "Live! With Regis and Kelly" (as well as Larry King on his former CNN show), but he's only helmed hundreds of "Survivor" Tribal Councils, so he's more than prepared for what's to come. "The Jeff Probst Show," which he will also executive-produce, "will cover topics ranging from relationships and family dynamics to newsmakers of the day, families and individuals facing challenges," reads the network release.
The airdates for the new shows, which debut in September, will likely be announced later this month when Shaw Media announces their Fall 2012 schedule. But Global's current daytime roster consists of "Days of Our Lives," "The Talk," "The Doctors," "'Til Debt Do Us Part," and "Y&R" -- which means something's gotta give.