Television
January 22, 2002
Eight ABC O&Os Buy “The Caroline Rhea Show” For Fall 2002
(January 22, 2002 – Las Vegas, NV) - Eight of the ABC Owned Television Stations have bought “The Caroline Rhea Show,” the continuation of the talk/variety franchise created and established by Rosie O’Donnell and Telepictures Productions, it was announced today by Dick Robertson, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution, and Jim Paratore, President, Telepictures Productions.
“The Caroline Rhea Show” will begin airing this fall after Rosie steps down as host. The eight ABC stations that have bought the series are: WABC-TV (New York), WPVI-TV (Philadelphia), KGO-TV (San Francisco), KTRK-TV (Houston), WTVD-TV (Raleigh-Durham), KFSN-TV (Fresno), WJRT-TV (Flint) and WTVG-TV (Toledo). The series also has been sold in numerous other markets, including Phoenix (KPNX-TV), Sacramento (KOVR-TV), San Diego (KUSI-TV), Kansas City (KSHB-TV), Albuquerque (KOB-TV), Las Vegas (KLAS-TV), Mobile (WPMI-TV), Green Bay (WLUK-TV), Springfield, MO (KOLR-TV), Ft. Meyers (WINK-TV), Chattanooga (WRCB-TV), South Bend (WNDU-TV), Colorado Springs (KOAA-TV) and Tri-Cities (WKPT-TV).
“With ‘The Caroline Rhea Show,’ stations are getting a show with a high CPM, advertiser-friendly format, a built-in following and a host that viewers are getting to know more and more through her appearances on ‘Rosie,’” said Robertson.
“With ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show,’ we have created a franchise format that doesn’t exist anywhere else in syndication,” said Paratore. “Just like Johnny Carson took over for Jack Paar and Jay Leno took the helm from Johnny, we think that Caroline Rhea will continue the advertiser-friendly franchise that Rosie started five successful years ago.”
“I’m unbelievably grateful for the years of doing the show,” said O’Donnell. “Now it’s time to pass the baton, as I think all good artists should. Caroline is very funny--she’s self deprecating, she’s intelligent, she’s smart, she’s sensitive, and she cares about people in a way that’s very relatable and accessible. Viewers feel comfortable with Caroline because they know her from sitcoms and they know her from ‘Hollywood Squares.’ They know her as Whoopi’s friend and my friend. I think this familiarity is really important in reaching the daytime audience.”
“The Caroline Rhea Show” is produced by Travail D’Amour Productions, Inc. in association with Telepictures Productions and is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. # # #