With the talk-show returns of Arsenio Hall and Queen Latifah, I was intrigued to hear about a new talk show headlined by Montel Williams, who ended his eponymous long-running (17 years) daytime show back in 2008.
Well, Williams has now announced his new show — but it’s not quite what you might think, at least in terms of daytime TV. In fact, “Living Well with Montel” is not TV in the traditional sense, but streams on Williams’ Web site, livingwellwithmontel.com. In the segments, Williams — who’s battled multiple sclerosis for years — will deal with a variety of health-related issues and “will feature and interview guests with a focus on ways to better people’s lives,” according to a show description.
Bob & Ray booked in bio
Books: Bob Elliott and Ray Goulding, better known as legendary radio comedians Bob & Ray, are getting the biography treatment in David Pollock’s new book, “Bob and Ray — Keener Than Most Persons” (Applause Books). The bio includes a foreword by “Late Show” host David Letterman — a lifeong fan of the comedy duo.
Pollock, a longtime comedy scribe who’s written for Steve Allen, Don Rickles, Joey Bishop, Carol Burnett, “All in the Family,” “M*A*S*H” and “Frasier,” among others — so he obviously knows his stuff — worked with Elliott and Ray Goulding’s widow, Liz, on the book, which traces Bob & Ray’s history and their monumental impact on both radio and TV. Pollock and Bob Elliott narrate a trailer for the book at bobandray.halleonardbooks.com. Oh yeah — and Elliott’s son is actor/comedian Chris Elliott.
Speaking of books (in a roundabout way), Patty Neger, who’s been booking authors for “Good Morning America” for years, “discovered” animal guy Jack Hanna — and has also produced his segments, notable since Hanna is celebrating 30 years on “GMA” this Monday. I was hoping he could claim some affiliation with Montana — so I could write a “Hanna Montana” headline. No such luck.
Last, but not least . . .
Empire City Casino staffer Clare Galterio has reason to be proud of her cousins — who happen to be actresses Rooney Mara (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) and Kate Mara (who starred opposite Kevin Spacey in “House of Cards”). Clare’s an on-site hostess, a candidate to host Music Choice Channel’s new show, “You and A” and already hosts “Lucky Break” Sundays on Ch. 55 . . . Ed Weeks (“The Mindy Project”) chowing down at Rockit Bar & Grill in Chicago . . . Last weekend’s “Saturday Night Live,” hosted by Tina Fey, snared 6.5 million viewers — its biggest viewership in over two years . . . Energetic publicist Susan Hellman wants you to know that “The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg” starts Saturday on Ch. 13 (7 a.m.) and Ch. 21 (6 p.m.). . . Gridiron: Alabama takes on Georgia State Saturday at noon on MSG in a battle of titans.