When Jeff Probst invites his audience into the studio of his new daytime talk show, he won’t say “Come on in, guys.”
He’ll leave that “Survivor” catchphrase for the islands, and bring in the Los Angeles audience for his syndicated talk show into a luxurious greenroom where they can get messages, have snacks and get makeovers.
“Imagine a room where you have music pumping through it that’s equipped with massage chairs and makeover stations and social media and great snacks and a photo booth,” Probst said to reporters at the TV Critics press tour Sunday. “We want the audience to feel welcome, and we also want them to spread the word, that if you are looking for something fun to do in L.A., check out ‘The Jeff Probst Show.’”
How did a guy best known for interviewing “Survivor” contestants on their eviction votes find himself in the crowded daytime field, where Katie Couric, Ricki Lake and Steve Harvey will all be introducing new talk shows in the fall.
“I think my weakness as an interviewer will be a strength in daytime, which is: I share a lot, sometimes too much,” Propst says. :But in daytime, when you are asking people to share their life, on the kind of level that I’m going to go to, you have to be willing to share yours.”
It won’t be like some other shows on daytime, he pledges.
“If you’re looking for Jerry or Maury, this is not your show,” he says. “I’m not interested in people fighting onstage. I’m not interested in paternity tests. I’m looking for an audience that is ready for something new, and we believe they are out there and that, if we build this show correctly, they will come.
Naturally, his models for talk show host are Oprah Winfrey and Phil Donahoe, mostly for their interactive tendencies with the audience. But there is a more surprising influence as well.
“The interviewing style of Howard Stern is so under appreciated,” Propst says. “He keeps topics moving so quickly. He knows just when to interrupt, and while he may go a different route than you would go in daytime, his ability as an interviewer is something I’ve studied for years, and I think he’s one of the best that’s ever done it.”
Probst will continue to host “Survivor,” shooting two seasons each summer during the daytime show hiatus.
“The Jeff Probst Show” starts Sept. 10.