Ricki Lake (talk show)
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| Ricki (Lake) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Talk show |
| Creator(s) | Garth Ancier; Gail Steinberg |
| Starring | General public |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Production | |
| Running time | 45 to 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Syndicated |
| Original run | September 13, 1993 – May 25, 2004(First-run production); August 27, 2004(reruns) |
Ricki Lake is a daytime talk show hosted by U.S. actress Ricki Lake. The show specialized in sensationalistic topics involving invited guests and incorporated questions and comments from a studio audience.
The show debuted in syndication on September 13, 1993 and ended first-run episodes on May 25, 2004 (although its final airing in syndication was on August 27, 2004, a rerun episode). The show was renewed for the 2004-2005 TV season, but Lake decided not to continue with the show, opting to spend more time with her family. Sony did not issue any comments when the show was cancelled.
In October 2005 Broadcasting & Cable magazine reported that Lake might return to do a 'new' version of her show. A source said it would be a surprise if there wasn't a deal struck by October, 2005. If it were to have happened, it would have likely debuted in September 2006. Ricki did not appear at the 2006 NATPE convention to pitch the proposed program to television stations in the United States in January, 2006, only furthering speculation that there wouldn't be a show.
In 1994, the show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host, but Oprah won the award. Other awards the show has garnered includes the Gracie Allen Award, PRISM Certificates & Commendations, and many more.
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[edit] Behind the scenes on "Ricki"
The methodology for securing guests on the show, common to many shows similar to it, was as such:
- Producers would brainstorm and come up with a show title or theme, such as "Sexy Secrets Revealed."
- During an aired episode of the program spots would run for shows in pre-production. The goal was to recruit persons who may have a situation in their life that fits with the proposed topic and get them to appear on the show. An example "Do you have a sexy secret that you're keeping from someone in your life? Is there a friend, lover or family member who needs to know your sexy secret? Call 1-800-GO-RICKI (467-4254) and you could be on the show!"
- Messages left on the voicemail for the hotline would be screened and the most promising prospects would be contacted by a production assistant. The potential guest would be interviewed about their situation and urged to go into detail about how their situation relates to the proposed topic.
- Potential guests are whittled down to the selected few. The show is then altered in theme (if necessary) according to the guests that are chosen. The guests, and any other people associated with their story who are scheduled to appear on the program, were confirmed.
- Guests appearing on the show are booked airfare to New York City. They are provided with sedan and/or limousine service to and from the airport and their home, the airport and their hotel (also paid for by the show,) and the hotel and the television studio. They are given a fifty dollar per diem for their time in New York. They are flown in early on the day before taping is to occur to give them "a day in the city" (on their own).
- Guests are brought to the television studio on the morning of their second day in New York. They are divided into green rooms where they are explained in more detail how the show will be taped. A producer sits down to reiterate the story the guest will tell, including emphasis on various phrases or statements that may have been made during pre-interviews which the producer feels will get a good response on television.
- Guests are told that if it is discovered that they are lying, they will be sued for the full amount of the production of one episode of the show (about $80,000). They are further told that if they attempt to back out at any time their plane ticket home will be revoked and they will have to get home on their own. One example of this incident happened in 2000, when three guests were exposed on air as phonies after the producers discovered that they fabricated their story and were escorted out by security. That episode aired in syndication as Lake warned viewers what would happen if they (the guests) lied to the producers just to get 15 minutes of fame. (Interestingly, the show was about "Freeloaders").
- Guests are given an appearance and confidentiality contract to sign. It specifies, among other things, that the program being taped has a tentative title and theme which could change at any minute; and that they agree to this regardless of the outcome.
- The show is recorded in real-time, taking approximately 80 minutes to complete. The hostess comes into the audience for taped segments, and during the paused portion (where a commercial break will be inserted) she leaves the audience to consult with producers. The final show is aired approximately one month later.
(Depending on the theme of the show and the type of taping needed to satisfy the outline of the topic, certain variables in this pattern can change.)
[edit] Its popularity overseas
The show was also popular in other countries, especially in the United Kingdom where it aired on Channel 4, and is now on ITV2, in Australia where she was seen on both the Seven and Ten Networks, and in The Netherlands where it aired on SBS6. Even though it has been out of production, the show is still seen in various global places like Sweden (TV3), South Africa and the Middle East. It is still currently aired in Ireland on TV3, weekdays at 12.55pm.
[edit] Production/distribution
Garth Ancier and Gail Steinberg were the original executive producers. Michael Rourke moved into the executive producer role in 2003.
The theme was written by Jellybean Benítez.
The show was produced by The Garth Ancier Company in association with Columbia Pictures Television (later Columbia TriStar Television and currently Sony Pictures Television).
[edit] External links
Categories: 1993 television program debuts | 1990s American television series | 2000s American television series | 2004 television program cancellations | Television talk shows | Eponymous television series | First-run syndicated television programs | Television series by Sony Pictures Television | Seven Network shows
