Up, down TV’s stellar escalator

NBC’s “TODAY” show has many viewers all over the world, the Philippines included (it’s seen on the new TalkTV channel). The morning show’s hosts, principally Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira, have been working together for several years, but reports have it that major changes may be made in the months or weeks to come.

Vieira is rumored to be leaving the show, perhaps to take care of her husband, who has a major medical problem. Who will take her place? The majority of the program’s viewers are plugging for news segment host Ann Curry, an American whose cool competence has been an asset of the show for years. Some people may feel that she’s too sweet and nice and lacks the dynamism and verve that an early-morning show needs, but she has our vote, too.

More changes

The changes don’t stop there. Word has it that Matt Lauer himself is thinking of moving out—unless the production ups his fee from $16 million to $20 million! That’s a hefty raise, but some viewers feel that Matt is worth it, because he’s nothing less than the “face” of the “Today” show.

What if the producers don’t bite? News has it that he could team up again on another show with former “Today” co-host, Katie Couric, CBS’ nightly news anchor for five years, who is being released due to her show’s dipping ratings.

Other hosting changes on US TV include the return of pioneer morning show host Regis Philbin, in a new program that could end up competing with the ongoing show of his former co-host, Kelly Ripa.

Reports also have it that Paula Abdul’s new show, “Live to Dance,” may not get picked up for a second season.

What about Piers Morgan, who has replaced Larry King as CNN’s main stellar interviewer? He had a great start, but some of his subsequent telecasts have been quite “underwhelming,” because they’ve been mere variations on his past interviews.

Larry King was no genius, either, but he did his work without flash or bombast, and has thus come off as the better interviewer.

On the other hand, Morgan has built his entire career on his persnickety penchant for getting under people’s skin. Now that he does an interview a day, his repertoire of flashy tricks has turned out to be predictable, thin and even threadbare, so the thrill is gone.

Of course, the biggest news on TV has been Charlie Sheen’s being fired from the hit sitcom “Two and a Half Men.” He’s stopped hitting back at his producers, and is even hinting that he wants to do the show again. Will they forgive and forget? TV is all about ratings. If his former bosses think that nobody else can get those blockbuster numbers, they could reconsider.