The two shows closest to Winfrey’s in the ratings are hosted by her proteges, Phil McGraw and Dr. Mehmet Oz. Yet “Dr. Phil’’ has been around a while and the ratings indicate viewers are starting to tire of his form of tough love.
“Dr. Oz’’ was a breakout hit as a newcomer this fall, but its appeal as a health-oriented show is limited.
Both, however, will have restrictions removed from their contracts that prevented their shows from airing at 4 p.m. each day - Winfrey’s preferred time slot and generally considered the key time in daytime TV because there are more people available to watch, said Bill Carroll, an expert in the syndication market for Katz Television.
Winfrey has given signals that appear to be anointing DeGeneres as her chosen successor at the top of the heap. They’ve traded appearances on each other’s shows recently. And guess who’s posing next to Winfrey on the latest cover of O, the Oprah magazine?
“Ellen is probably in the best position to move into that role,’’ said daytime TV host Jerry Springer.
DeGeneres’s breezy show is primarily entertainment-oriented and less varied in topic than Winfrey’s. But it has a greater potential to be broader than many of its rivals.
“Guests won’t be afraid to go on Ellen,’’ Springer said. “Any edge she might have is neutralized by her humor. She can be light yet she’s obviously very bright. If you’re looking to sell something, like a book or a political idea, you’re not going to get beaten up by going on her show.’’
For all the promising signs for DeGeneres, her show doesn’t have as large an audience as “Dr. Phil’’ and “Dr. Oz.’’
Other competitors are Rachael Ray, whose show takes a lot of morning slots, and Tyra Banks, who appeals to younger viewers. Makeover artist and Winfrey protege Nate Berkus is readying his own show, but there are questions about how limited his appeal would be.
One thing that seems certain is that none of these existing shows or not-yet-conceived programs will have the audience, or cultural impact, of “The Oprah Winfrey Show’’ - certainly not at first and perhaps never.
Winfrey goes to the new OWN cable network upon leaving her show. While “The Oprah Winfrey Show’’ on broadcast TV will be no more, it’s not clear whether Winfrey will be appearing on the network in some fashion or not.
And if that’s what she wants, is anyone ready to bet that the next Oprah Winfrey won’t be . . . Oprah Winfrey?
