In a rare move for a cable network, Lifetime is looking to launch a daytime talk show, handing out a pilot order for a program hosted by Carson Kressley.
It is part of an effort by the female-centered cable net to add original programming during the day, when it currently airs mostly sitcoms.
The untitled show, intended to air Monday-Friday, will feature the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy alum in both the studio and in the field interviewing real people and offering viewers insight into fashion and other topics.
Serving as executive producer will be daytime veteran Ray Giuliani, who recently produced the syndicated talker The Greg Behrendt Show.
Jessica Samet, Lifetime senior vice president of reality programming, said the format of the show still is being worked out but that it's not intended to be a celebrity-driven show, instead focusing on real people.
For example, instead of Mr. Kressley interviewing Tom Cruise, he might interview the actor's "fifth-grade math teacher."
Fashion also will be a big component, given Mr. Kressley's knowledge in that arena. But instead of traveling to Paris for fashion week, he might travel to Paris, Ky., and help women put together a couture look by shopping at Target.
The pilot is scheduled to shoot in September.
Lifetime airs several sitcoms throughout the day, including The Nanny and The Golden Girls. Both of those shows are moving off the schedule next year: Nanny is leaving at the end of January for MTV Networks, and Golden Girls is moving to Hallmark Channel and WE tv in March.
"We've always run sitcoms in the daytime, and some of those are starting to run out," Ms. Samet said. "We thought it would be a nice idea to try to replace those with reality programming."
The Hollywood Reporter
