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Next: The Best Damn Talk Show

Jul 25, 2004  •  Post A Comment

With a hit on cable in Fox Sports’ “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” Tom Arnold is now eyeballing broadcast in a talk show that could hit the airwaves as early as fall 2005.

Multiple sources said Mr. Arnold will team with Dick Clark Productions in a talk show being pitched for the 2005-06 syndication season. The series was described by one insider as “Tom’s version of `Jerry Springer.”‘ Mr. Arnold is expected to stay with the Fox Sports series even if the syndicated talk show moves forward.

Dick Clark Productions recently signed a deal with 19 Entertainment’s Simon Fuller to bring back “American Bandstand” and currently produces series such as NBC’s “American Dreams” as well as “The Golden Globe Awards” and “The American Music Awards.”

Most recently known for his role on “The Best Damn Sports Show Period,” Mr. Arnold is a veteran of the small screen. He produced and appeared in ABC’s hit television series “Roseanne” from 1989 to 1994, then played the title role in the 1992 series “The Jackie Thomas Show” and 1994’s “Tom.” In film, he recently starred in “Soul Plane” and “Cradle 2 the Grave.” In addition, he has appeared in movies such as “True Lies” and “Nine Months.”

In his personal life, he went through a messy divorce from Roseanne Barr in the mid-1990s and is now on his third marriage, with Shelby Roos.

Tom Arnold is represented by ICM, while Dick Clark Productions is represented by Endeavor. Agents at the two companies refused to comment on the potential project. Distribution sources, however, said that studios are intrigued by the series especially after Mr. Arnold’s success on “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” proved his gift of gab.

If the show is picked up, it could go up against a fleet of other celebrity names being mulled for 2005 series, including Vera Wang, Vanessa Williams, Mo’Nique and Isaac Mizrahi.