{alltv} 'Survivor' host tries talk show gig

Now that the Queen of Talk has abdicated her daytime throne, it seems like everybody and their brother is lining up to be the next Oprah.

We already knew about Katie Couric and Anderson Cooper taking new daytime jobs, and now Jeff Probst has announced his plans to join the fray, hosting his own one-hour talk show for CBS starting in fall 2012.

There is no doubt Probst, 48, is well qualified to front a show that will, in his words, "connect with real people and explore their stories on a personal level."

After 22 seasons of Survivor, he certainly knows a thing or two about triumphs over adversity.

But the news means Probst is no longer in the running to take over co-hosting duties from Regis Philbin, who made the surprise announcement of his departure from Live with Regis and Kelly last January and is expected to leave Live by the end of November.

Probst had been a frequent stand-in for Philbin over the years and had been regarded as one of the top contenders to keep Kelly company.

At least one online sportsbook site had placed Probst high in the Regis replacement rankings, although he trailed behind Ryan Seacrest (with odds of 7:1), Andy Cohen (3:2) and Kelly's hubby, Mark Consuelos (even odds).

One name that isn't atop those online betting lists but should be is that of Extra anchor Mario Lopez, who has had several meetings with Live's producers regarding the job opening.

Should it not pan out for Lopez, he could always start up a daytime talker of his own, but he'd have to get in line behind Anderson and Katie and Rosie O'Donnell (heading for the Oprah Winfrey Network) and Bethenny Frankel (she just shot a pilot) and Ricki Lake (she's coming baaa-ack) and ...

FILLING DOOGIE'S SHOES

Although he's proven himself to be host extraordinaire on both the Tony and Emmy Awards telecasts and has also filled in for Regis in the past, Neil Patrick Harris has no plans to throw his hat into the daytime ring.

He already seems to be everywhere these days, what with How I Met Your Mother, the upcoming Smurfs movie and, more to the point, reprising the role of Neil Patrick Harris for the 3D A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, pulling into theatres Nov. 11.

He has also committed to doing a promo for Petpet Park, a virtual pet website on Nickelodeon, the network that airs The Penguins of Madagascar, where Harris provides the voice of the nefarious Dr. Blowhole.

But because his time is at an understandable premium, the spot's producers sent out a call for a body double who fit into his wardrobe, which, for the record, means a 38 to 40 regular jacket, 15.5" neck with a 34" sleeve, 32/32 pants and a size 10 shoe.

Despite his best intentions, even NPH can't be everywhere all the time.