Telepictures Productions

The new syndicated daily series for fall 2015 will cover crime, mystery, intrigue and human drama with local reporters from across the U.S.

Plans to get the word out about the new Telepictures talker include the largest Warner Bros. digital media campaign ever for a syndicated talk show, including geo-targeting, as well as investments in national cable.

Veteran reality producer Stuart Krasnow will replace Lisa Hackner, who stepped down in March after a 22-year tenure to become a producer.

The current SVP, programming and development, David McGuire, becomes EVP of current programming overseeing Ellen DeGeneres,  TMZ, Judge Mathis, The People’s Court and Let’s Ask America.

The group is poised to pick up the daytime talk show from Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for fall 2013 based on its strong performance in its current six-market test run.

The new talk show that Warner Bros. and executive producer Ellen DeGeneres hopes to take into syndication next year is launching a six-week run on six Fox O&Os next week. Host Bethenny Frankel says the show won’t be Ellen 2.0: “I’m edgy and inappropriate — Ellen isn’t. I’m not trying to do what Ellen does. I’m doing what I do.” That includes talking about relationships, sex, marriage, money, how to get your kids to eat properly and balancing work and a stable home life.

With her 10-year-old talk show posting strong ratings this season, Ellen DeGeneres and her producers are hoping to do even better next season by mixing a little more pathos in with the comedy and paying attention to individual markets. In addition, she also has to contend with a wave of new competition, while launching a spinoff talker hosted by Bethenny Frankel.

John Cooke has been promoted to vice president, production finance, Telepictures Productions. In his new post, Cooke will continue to oversee all aspects of Telepictures’ production financing and accounting, managing more than 15 production accountants. He will continue to report to Richard Inouye, SVP, finance and administration. An 18-year veteran of Telepictures, Cooke has been […]