
O no: Ellen’s no Winfrey
Scratch Ellen DeGeneres off the list of possible “Oprah” replacements.
DeGeneres’ talk show, “Ellen,” has been renewed on NBC-owned stations for another three seasons, taking it through 2014.
That kills any talk of “Ellen” replacing “Oprah” on ABC-owned stations when Winfrey’s talk show completes its historic 25-year run in September 2011.
DeGeneres’ daytime show has never approached “Oprah” in terms of total viewers.
But “Ellen” had been considered one possible “Oprah” replacement, mostly due to DeGeneres’ popularity andname recognition — given a boost now that she’s replaced Paula Abdul on “American Idol” and can publicize that show on her daytime series.
Word leaked yesterday that Winfrey had tried recruiting DeGeneres to take her show to OWN, Winfrey’s new cable network set to premiere next January.
Freshman hit “Dr. Oz” and “The View” have also been mentioned as possible “Oprah” replacements.
“The View” is owned by ABC, which could produce a syndicated model to fill the “Oprah” slot.
That way, ABC would be paid by local stations to air “The View” — generating big bucks.

