To Become Daytime Queen, Katie Couric Must Topple ... Judge Judy?

By Rob Shuter Posted Jun 7th 2011 09:50AM

Minutes after it was announced Monday that Katie Couric had signed a multi-year deal with ABC to host and produce a nationally syndicated daytime talker, friends of the top-rated 'Judge Judy' Sheindlin warn the bubbly host that she has no intention of giving up her syndi-crown any time soon.

"What people don't know is that Judge Judy is the real powerhouse to beat," an insider tells me. "It's not about who will replace Oprah, Judge Judy has already done that, beating her week after week. Now with Oprah gone, Judy's numbers will only go higher."

'Judge Judy' has consistently bested all first-run syndication and even took out the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' in its second-to-last week of existence, according to figures on TV by the Numbers. 'Judy' attracted more than 2 million additional viewers than 'Oprah the week ending May 22, with 7.0 rating to O's 5.4.

Katie said she's "very happy" to return to ABC, where she began her career in 1979. Her untitled show will debut in September 2012 and be based in New York City. Until then, she'll anchor ABC News specials. Her former boss at NBC, Jeff Zucker, will produce the talker.

Judge Judy, distributed by CBS Television, is beginning its 16th season in September.

"There will be a lot of pressure on Katie's new show to deliver big numbers right away," a TV insider tells me.

There is little doubt that Katie will attract TONS of attention and ratings for her show, but higher-ups are looking to secure bragging rights and make the No. 1 syndicated offering in the nation a talk program, not a TV-judge one.

"The real show everyone wants to beat is Judy," the TV insider notes."All the press has been Oprah, Oprah, Oprah and Katie trying to replace her. However, everyone at ABC including Katie knows the show they need to target is Judy. Good luck with that."

Since leaving her anchor chair of the 'CBS Evening News' last month after five years, Katie has been eager to move on with the next phase of her life and while the format of the new show is still being finalized, friends who have worked with Katie tells me, "Katie is back. She wants this to succeed more than anything she has ever done!"

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Tags: Judge Judy, Katie Couric

Comments

(198)

Wednesday 22 June

By brenda

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Judge Judy is an idiot and a waste of tv time. fortunately, people who work dont have to waste that time watching her.

Tuesday 07 June

By LORENZO

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Couric will bomb just like the CBS NEWS

By Marie

Katie Couric beat Judge Judy?? Trust me, it will never happen!!!

By NAUGHTY BUT NICE ROB

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I THINK KATIE CAN DO IT...WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Wednesday 08 June

By DOG BREATH

Katie you can do it.Wish I didn't have to wait so long though.
For years I woke up and looked forward to spending time with you on the today show.What would you be sharing about and how you felt about it.Where would you be in the world.How you would interview.Even what you were wearing.Your amazing!

Judy who?

By ytyuyt

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Google in the input: = tntn.us ==you can find many brand names, even more surprising is that he will sell you the unexpected o(∩_∩)o

By Jan

Some of these talk shows are so lame, and so are some of the hosts. I will never watch Couric, don't and never have been a fan.

By Clyde

With all her money, why doesn't Katie C. have better teeth? That smile of hers is just plain goofy.

By frankerin

More dead television time. There really is nothing worth watching. Although the girlies will spend their time, eating and giggling.

By mike

Seriously..Judge Judy? Is that like Springer?

By Alex

Has anyone told this GUMMY MOUTH LITTLE TOAD THAT PEOPLE HATE HER? She's been a back stabbing troll since her days at CNN. I'll watch Judge Judy just to raise her ratings even more!!! ABC is STUPID....did they NOT learn from CBS that this gross old bit@# is a loser?????

By dj

Well said Alex! LMAO!!!

By Patty

I vote Judge Judy.

By dc walker

Another blowhard with no true life experience. What is with our networks, Joy Behar, Katie Couric? Please did these women ever serve this country as diplomats, military, law enforcement, no. Just blowhards who read the newspapers and form opinions based on others life experiences. That is why CNN tanked after Ted Turner left.

By lane

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Do not worry, Katie: eventually Judge Judy's innate meanness will cause her face to break out in huge zits.

By Mary

God bless and keep Judge Judy. She is the only thing meaningful on TV.

By Bill

Good luck with that one. She is going to need a miracle if she rates above Green Acres reruns. Will they never learn? Maybe someone there will let this fluff move on with her life and get a show on that is worth watching.

By pam

Katie will have to do more than topple Judge Judy. Cannot stand her. She should just pack up and go away with the rest of the has-beens. Ugh!

By mg

Cute ain't getting the job done, anymore on daytime TV ( or night, either.) This is not Barby & Ken time or "Let's pretend we're 10 years old in mommy's high heels. It's time for Truth with the consequences attached and not yippy, yappy pap. Somebody talk about
something serious, please. Young men & women are dying overseas, kids are in trouble and people in America are going without housing and food. Dear Heavens. Let's do something grown up for a change. Like a new daytime show entitled "KATIE GROW UP".

By D J

Cute????? I've never seen that - disheveled - yep that's it.

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