Bonnie Hunt eyes TV talk show for '08

By Kimberly Nordyke

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Bonnie Hunt is developing a syndicated TV talk show for fall 2008.

The show has already been cleared on all of the NBC owned-and-operated stations except WCAU Philadelphia.

The actress/comedian is no stranger to talk shows, having guest-hosted "Late Show With David Letterman" and "Live With Regis and Kelly." Hunt starred in the two "Cheaper by the Dozen" movies, and had her own TV shows, "Life with Bonnie" and "The Bonnie Hunt Show."

"Bonnie has an extremely relatable take on life, and the show will be wrapped around her personality," said Hilary Estey McLoughlin, the president of Telepictures, one of the entities producing the show.

"It will be a very topical, upbeat, entertaining show that's also going to have takeaway information, which is a sweet spot for women in daytime and fills a void in many ways."

Estey McLoughlin added that it's likely Hunt will draw on her past profession, working as an oncology nurse, to enlighten viewers on health and medical issues.

The show's syndicator, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution did not divulge details about where the show will be shot or the terms of the deal, but sources said it could originate from Los Angeles or Hunt's hometown of Chicago.

While the Hunt talker marks the first official announcement for fall 2008, it's been widely speculated that NBC Universal has a deal coming for a syndicated version of "Deal or No Deal," said to be with the NBC stations as well. A rep for NBC Universal declined comment.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter