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Dec 22, 2003  •  Post A Comment

Filling some legendary shoes is proving to be a daunting task as Nick at Nite tries to revive “Kids Say the Darndest Things.” It isn’t easy to replace hosts like Art Linkletter and Bill Cosby. “You need someone that is funny, but you also need someone that makes it about the kids. It can’t be about them,” said Sal Maniaci, VP of development and production for TV Land and Nick at Nite. “Improvisational skills are very important.” Mr. Maniaci added. He’s would like a talent in his or her 30s or 40s, to match the network’s mid-30-year-old core audience. Mr. Maniaci has been getting suggestions from a surprising source: the 91-year-old Mr. Linkletter himself. “Every couple of days I’ll get a list of names from Art. He’s got more energy than 80 2-year-olds,” Mr. Maniaci said. “He knows the contemporary names. He knows the hot shows. He knows what’s out there.”