Katie or Rosie? Maury Povich, New King of Daytime, Predicts Who Will Succeed

By Rob Shuter Posted Jul 6th 2011 09:00AM

Maury Povich knows a lot about hosting a successful syndicated daytime talk show, and after 13 seasons is finally at the top of the rankings, based on number of viewers, and tied for No. 1 based on number of households. Now Maury is telling me who he thinks has the best shot of all the new talkers to have a n Oprah-sized influence. Anderson Cooper, Rosie, Katie Couric or Jeff Probst?

"In terms of Oprah's audience, I think Katie probably has the best chance to capture it because she's proved she has a very good following amongst women and is a good story teller," Maury says. "She has the best chance to deliver a show that will appeal to Oprah's audience."

And if she's smart Maury thinks Katie will take a good look at Fox New Channel and its Svengali of a boss, Roger Ailes.

"He helped me find my voice," Maury tells me. "He decided having a show was like a campaign. You have to be able to show a personality that people not only open the door but invite you to sit down on their couch. That's what a talk show host has to do. Forget our politics, we have remained friends for many years and I'm in lock step with Roger about how to create a successful talk show."

As for his own show, Maury doesn't like to toot his own horn but is still thrilled that he's atop the ratings after all these years. Ever humble, the talker gives credit to his hard-working staff.

"I'm more excited for the staff. We have worked very long and very hard," Maury tells me. "We have been No. 1 in certain demos for years now ... now we finally are No. 1 with total viewers."

Creating his remarkable success on themes that attract young viewers, Maury is proud that his show invented televised paternity tests over 12 years ago.

"Others have tried since and not been successful because we are talking about human behavior and tragedy and we have honesty we bring to it," the hands-on boss says. "I think very long and hard about each of our guests and stories we do. I go back to the basic fundamentals of talk -- storytelling, we tell stories with big endings."

Maury admits that even he doesn't know the results before he opens the envelope at the end of his show and has no concerns that his show can sometimes go too far.

"We have had women on the show looking at, sometimes, 14 different guys trying to find the father," Maury explains. "I give her all the credit trying to find a father to be in her baby's life. She's looking for the father of her child. I have to give her points for that."

But what about the critics?

"I don't care about critics," he says. "This is part of the American fabric and I would only hope the politicians that are thumbing their nose at this issue get involved and take care of these young people who are out of control and too promiscuous."

Promiscuity aside ... congrats to you, Maury!

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Tags: Katie Couric, Maury Povich

Comments

(124)

Wednesday 06 July

By Ben

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Yeah, but Katie's just not likeable.

By ebicious

I absolutely agree with you, Katie isn't likable at all.

Monday 11 July

By JMark

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According to whom? I bet you're a huge Sarah Palin supporter and vote straight Republican. When Katie was the CBS Evening News anchor, the newscast won best newscast awards three years in a row. Take off your poltical blinders and you will see how likeable Katie Couric is.

By J.R. Crutchfield

I couldn't agree LESS. I think Katie is extraordinarily likable. Anyone who thinks otherwise has probably never seen her on The Today Show or in an interview, asking or answering. I find her much more likable than Oprah.

By jim

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LOL!! Palin would DESTROY ole lib hag katie!

By cbs102642

Only one I watch is the Maury Show. White trash and low lifes at their best.

By yesrgtu

ebibiz
c o m

A F,E D HAR DY , B I K I N I -17

A I R M A X SHOX-36

L A C O S T E ,G U C C I ,T - S H I R T S -12

ebibiz
c o m

r6utr

By lisa

IT IS TERRIFYING TO ME THAT MAURY COULD BE NUMBER 1! The kind of people that can spend an hour to watch that crap are white trash red necks. His being #1 would mean that there are a lot more of them then I thought.

By KenWellington

I like Katie Couric. She is a good journalist. Sarah Palin is a joke! JIM YOU ARE DELUSIONAL. She is nothing but white trash in a fancy suit.

By Patti

Never liked Katie and NO she is not Likeable. I would never watch her.

Was that before or after Sarah Palin's interview? You must love Sarah Palin.

By fuzz

I wouldn't waste the time watching Katie Couric ... IMHO Katie's got an "air" about her ... not relating to the general audience.

By Donna

Katie will not be TOP DAWG...I know she thinks she is but not going to happen...nobody likes her!!!

I didn't know you were a psychic. Did you work for Dionne Warwick?

By Pam

Go away DONNA and don't speak for EVERYBODY. That is quite arrogant, don't you think?

By motherbird2

Palin is outof it. just a cheap x governor. rosie neverstood a chance so guess it is Katie but not interested in any of them. All cat callers who should be home with their kids. The kids need them more than we do.

By Enough Already

Too many talk shows and none stands out! Daytime TV is nothing by a vast wasteland of talk and court shows.

By maxiesmom067

Is there some unwritten law that all daytime talking heads MUST be ultra left wing-progressives with a virulent liberal bent?

Sunday 10 July

By Jane

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Huh? What on earth are you talking about?

By Leo V.

what does he know. His claim to fame is: WHO'S YOUR BABY DADDY? please!

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