When Tyra Banks’ daytime talk show ‘Tyra’ ended in 2010, the host had no intention of returning to daytime.
“Having a show that you are the only person on is very, very difficult,” Banks said Tuesday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Beverly Hills. Joined onstage by the co-hosts and producers of her new syndicated daytime talk show “FABLife,” Banks said that the lifestyle she was leading while hosting her old show “wasn’t a healthy thing for me, I don’t think. At that time in my career, I was the most successful in my life.” But when she left, she said, “I was done with talk,” and planning to go to business school.
“My show was conflict oriented, so I had to take that home a lot,” she said. “You can’t be the dirty Oprah.”
Banks opened up to the idea of returning to talk after meeting with ABC executive vice president of daytime Lisa Hacker, who sold the host on a panel format Banks said will differ from what exists in the daypart now.
Other shows, Banks said, “Just add another new person, just add another person,” rather than shake up formats.
“FABLife” hails from Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution. ABC News’ “The View” has made headlines in recent months with the jettisoning of co-hosts Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace, and the additions of Raven-Symone, Michelle Collins, Candace Cameron Bure and Paula Farris to the cast.
Banks’ “FABLife co-hosts will be Leah Ashley, Joe Zee, Chrissy Teigen and Lauren Makk. The panel, Banks said, was chosen after a series of chemistry tests. “It felt like ‘Gladiator,’ she said of the process.
“FABLife” will premiere Sept. 14.