‘Iyanla,’ the Reluctant Talk Show Host and Other Daily Features

NEW YORK —  Iyanla Vanzant has been a frequent and popular guest on “Oprah,” but that didn’t mean she had any interest in having her own show. In fact, executive producers Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie, of ABC’s “The View,” had to talk the busy self-help author into taking the plunge with “Iyanla.”

Ultimately, Vanzant said, “I just made a choice that it was something I wanted to do and I could do it. It wasn’t something I had to be afraid of.”

Walters--who anchors “20/20,” in addition to her duties on “The View”--said she had no desire to do another show either, but was taken by the host, who moved on from a troubled childhood and early years on welfare to become a lawyer and sought-after speaker. Vanzant was persuaded by Walters and Geddie that “this would be a program about normal people, that it would be done with humor, with a variety of subjects, so she wouldn’t lose her integrity,” Walters said. “We’re not going to do a screamer show.”

Topics such as women and money, aging and how to get a bargain might make it harder, however, to attract an audience in this already crowded field. But Walters insists that the most important thing for talk show success is “the personality of the person. People think you could do ‘The View’ with any four women, and you can’t.” Vanzant, Walters said, “brings herself into it; she’s funny, she dances around, she has great warmth and she has the wisdom.” Vanzant herself doesn’t want to talk about the odds of success. “If it works, it works,” she said. “My goal is to further the work, to support people and find ways to make this a kinder, gentler world. If we only do that for one week, why call that a failure?”

“Iyanla” airs weekdays at 10 a.m. on KNBC.

Other new daily syndicated shows:

“The Ananda Lewis Show”: The former MTV music VJ and BET host says her talk show will cover a broad range of issues, including cultural trends and current newsmakers. Weekdays at 9 a.m. on KTLA . Already premiered.

“Crossing Over With John Edward”: A spinoff of the Sci Fi Channel show, whose host claims to be able to contact the dead, bringing audience members messages from the beyond. Weekdays at 4 and 4:30 p.m. on KCAL. Already premiered.

“The Other Half”: A male version of “The View,” hosted by Dick Clark and former “Partridge Family” member Danny Bonaduce, Dr. Jan Adams and Mario Lopez, from NBC’s “Saved by the Bell.” The guys promise “the world of women through the eyes of men,” with discussion of relationships, finance, health, sex and parenting. Weekdays at noon on KNBC. Already premiered.

“Talk or Walk”: Features couples, family members, co-workers and friends whose relationships are at a turning point. After hearing both sides, host Michael Baisden will offer an opinion on whether reconciliation seems possible and guests will decide whether to “talk or walk.” Weekdays at 8 a.m. on WGN and 11 a.m. on KTLA. Premieres Monday. “Shipmates”: Two strangers spend three days and two nights on a no-escape date aboard a Carnival Cruise Lines ship. Comedian Chris Hardwick, from MTV’s “Singled Out,” hosts. Weekdays at 3 p.m. on KCBS. Already premiered.

“Card Sharks”: A revival of the classic game show, based on the card game “High-Low.” Contestants guess whether the next card turned will be higher or lower than the previous one. Hosted by stand-up comedian Pat Bullard. Weekdays at 8:30 a.m. on KCAL. Premieres Monday.

“elimidate”: This competitive comedy dating series pits four suitors against one another on a group date, vying for one single, who eliminates them one by one. A “deluxe” edition airs Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on the WB. Weekdays at 5:30 p.m. on KCAL. Premieres Monday. “Rendez-View”: A dating show hosted by Greg Proops, from “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?,” and featuring author Ellen Ladowsky. Two celebrity panelists help analyze and rate a date. Weekdays at 6:30 p.m. on KCAL. Premieres Monday.