OPRAH WINFREY, shaken by near-failing “D” ratings for new network OWN (aka DOWN!), is deep in hush-hush huddles with financial backers and TV staff to consider a Hail Mary move – launching her OWN daily talk show!
Said a network insider: “Oprah’s happy some programs on her fledgling network have generated buzz – notably the reality shows about SHANIA TWAIN, THE JUDDS and royal outcast FERGIE – but backers are telling her that the only road to long-term stability and profitability is anchoring a daily show herself.
"She already appears occasionally, but that’s not enough to lure steady viewers.”
O’s tired of the daily grind after 25 years, conceded the source, but her competitive juices are suddenly flowing now that KATIE COURIC’s jumped into the daily talk-show fray!
“Launching a show opposite Katie’s and getting even respectable ratings would be a major coup – like, ‘I’m still the master, you guys!’ ” Stay tuned.
