Universal is looking to a Latina with the last name of Lopez as the latest in a string of new faces intended to shake up the daytime talk world.
Lynda Lopez, sister of Hollywood superstar Jennifer Lopez, is developing a talk show for the 2004-05 season with Universal Domestic Television.
The former radio DJ has found fame in front of the small screen as host of the Style Channel’s “Glow” as well as VH1’s “The Daily One,” a live show that mixed interviews and music news, videos, Internet chats and gossip. She also anchored and reported on New York’s WPIX-TV morning show.
Organizers of the potential hour-long strip are hoping J.Lo will take an “active part” in the talk show and make numerous cameos.
Universal spokespeople would not comment on the development.
Should the series move forward on Universal’s development slate, it would continue a recent trend by many syndicators of shifting away from more expensive, higher-profile talent in favor of fresh daytime faces who are experienced in the art of talk.
With new formats being explored by the distributors, the studios appear to be banking on breakouts for the season with the mostly untapped daytime personalities.
Some talent joining Ms. Lopez in talk show development for the 2004 season are former E! anchor Jules Asner with Sony; Los Angeles radio personality Jamie White for Tribune Entertainment; former “Moral Court” host Larry Elder with Telepictures; and incoming “Entertainment Tonight” correspondent Steven Cojocaru at Paramount. The sole distributor to bank on an established face so far has been NBC Enterprises, which is distributing and clearing former “Dateline NBC” host Jane Pauley for the season.