I'd actually forgotten all about this, which was announced last October – Will Smith, his Overbrook Entertainment cohorts, and Queen Latifah are teaming up with Sony Pictures TV to produce a syndicated daytime talk show for the Queen to host.
Details have been scarce, except that the program is scheduled to debut in 2013.
This is one of a handful of TV projects the Queen has on tap, including teaming up with The Biggest Loser creator/executive producer Dave Broome to produce a music competition series for The CW network, a female-lead police procedural pilot sold to CBS, the Lifetime all-black cast remake of Steel Magnolias, and of course the second season of VH1's Single Ladies, which begins this in a week or so.
Flavor Unit also produces scripted series for BET and VH1.
Recall the Queen once hosted a talkshow, titled The Queen Latifah Show, which had a rather short run, from 1999 to 2001.
CULVER CITY, Calif., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Five-time Emmy® Award-winning producer Corin Nelson has been named executive producer of Queen Latifah's new syndicated talk show from Flavor Unit Entertainment, Overbrook Entertainment and Sony Pictures Television. The multi-topic daytime series, covering everything under the umbrella of entertainment, is expected to launch in the fall of 2013.
"Given Queen Latifah's profile, stature and accomplishments, it was vital for us to find someone who complemented such a tremendous talent to helm this show," said Holly Jacobs, executive vice president, U.S. reality and syndicated programming, Sony Pictures Television. "We knew the diversity of Corin's experience in daytime and late night, her collaborative spirit, tremendous creative chops and passion for the medium made her a perfect match.
"After Latifah and Shakim said yes to doing the show the single most important hire was that of a great, seasoned Executive Producer, which we found in Corin," said Overbrook's Miguel Melendez. "She is the perfect choice to lead our production team with her unique brand of style, creativity and drive for success."
"Queen Latifah is that rare combination of a multi-talented performer and one of the warmest, most genuine women I've ever met. This show is the perfect platform to showcase her tremendous range of talents and unique ability to connect with and entertain people," said Corin Nelson, executive producer. "I'm thrilled to be working with the powerhouses of Flavor Unit, Overbrook and Sony Pictures Television, whose combined creative vision will truly help fuel the show."
Five-time Emmy® Award winning producer, Corin Nelson recently served as executive producer on the second season of "The Nate Berkus Show." Prior to that, Nelson had an overall development deal as an executive producer with MTV Networks where she also served as a Development Executive in their Series Development Department. Before joining MTV, Nelson created, developed, launched, and served as executive producer and show runner for the first three seasons of E!'s wildly successful late night talk show, "Chelsea Lately." Nelson served as show runner of the hit daytime talk show, "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," and during her five seasons at the show, "Rosie" won five Daytime Emmy® Awards for "Best Talk Show." After "Rosie," Nelson moved to Los Angeles under an overall development and producing deal with Telepictures Productions, where she developed and produced a number series and pilots including "The Tyra Banks Show" pilot.