Starr Report exclusive:
TLC is launching a pilot as a potential spinoff of “Cake Boss,” its successful, long-running series starring Buddy Valastro.
The pilot, which has the working title “Bakery Go Time,” will feature Valastro visiting a struggling family-run bakery each week in an effort to help them revitalize their business. Think Gordon Ramsay and “Kitchen Nightmares,” with a much-nicer host (I’m pretty sure you won’t see the amiable Valastro dropping any f-bombs).
Here’s a description from TLC:
“Knowing first hand the challenges of running a business — and the complications of doing it with relatives at your side — Buddy will spend an intensive week helping a family in crisis, both personally and professionally, evaluating their every ingredient and technique — and challenging them to make big changes all in an effort to transform their crumbling dream into a dough-making enterprise.”
TLC will be putting out a casting notice today for the pilot, which will be produced by High Noon Productions with a summer premiere planned.
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ABC
News wasted no time yesterday in naming David Muir as Chris Cuomo’s replacement on “20/20” — and sending out an official photo of Muir and “20/20” co-anchor Elizabeth Vargas — once Cuomo’s departure to CNN was signed, sealed and delivered.
Muir, who currently anchors “World News” on weekends — and occasionally subs for “World News” anchor Diane Sawyer on weeknights — will continue in that role while joining Vargas on “20/20.”
Cuomo, meanwhile, will “have a major role in a new CNN morning show” while anchoring and reporting for the network, CNN said in a statement.
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My Post TV colleague Linda Stasi will be on the “Today” show tomorrow (Thursday) in the 9 a.m. hour to talk about her new novel, “The Sixth Station,” before stopping by “Good Day New York” on Friday to promote the book, which is scoring critical kudos.
More books: NY1 will launch a new segment, tonight, called “The Book Reader,” devoted to all-things-books (reviews, assessments of the classics, news/trends, etc.). It will air Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays throughout the day.
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They’re back: CBS has renewed its entire daytime lineup for next season: “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “The Talk,” “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal.”
(Fear not, soap fans: “The Young and the Restless” is also coming back; its return for the 2013-14 season was previously announced).
Meanwhile, BBC America has renewed “Ripper Street” for a second season after only two episodes, with the second, eight-episode season airing in 2014; Showtime has renewed “Shameless,” “House of Lies” and “Californication.” Wake me when this gets exciting . . .
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Chuck’s take: Charles Grodin and Art Garfunkel will discuss their controversial 1969 CBS special, “Songs of America,” in a screening/Q&A session at The Paley Center (West 52nd) next Wednesday (Feb. 6) at 6:30 p.m.
Then, on Sunday, March 3, Grodin returns to do an opening comedy act at The Metropolitan Room (West 22nd) to introduce his longtime pal, John Gabriel, who’ll perform a number of familiar standards.
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Last, but not least:
* Last Saturday’s episode of “48 Hours,” “Crazy Love” — about the murder of Fontainebleau Hotel heir Benji Novack — snared a winning 5.3 million viewers at 10 p.m. . . . Producers for NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” will be here Friday and Saturday at St. John’ Center Studios (570 Washington St., 8 a.m.-7 p.m. both days) casting for the show’s eighth season . . . “Being Mandela,” a new reality show featuring Nelson and Winnie Mandela’s granddaughters — Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway and Swati Dlamini — will premiere Feb. 10 on NBC’s COZI TV.