Glut may quit talk of a Quivers show

Courtroom shows dominate the daytime scene.
By MARISA GUTHRIE
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
NEW YORK -- Robin Quivers' bid to come out from behind the radio mic is not a sure thing. Howard Stern's sidekick will go with him to Sirius Satellite Radio in January, but she has also been developing her own daytime talk show. The project has yet to be picked up for the fall 2006 season.
At issue, say analysts, is an already crowded daytime talk market that includes new shows from Rachael Ray and "Will & amp; Grace" star Megan Mullally. Quivers' show, which has been described by insiders as a relationship talk show with entertainment elements, faces competition from a slew of "Dr. Phil" clones, including a proposed show hosted by forensic psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow, Court TV guest and author of the best seller "Inside the Mind of Scott Peterson."
Quivers also faces a glut of courtroom shows, including one presided over by controversial Boston Judge Maria Lopez. The Cuban-born Lopez, a Massachusetts Superior Court judge, became the subject of intense scrutiny a few years ago when she gave a very light sentence to an admitted child molester. She is married to Boston media mogul Stephen Mindich, publisher of the Boston Phoenix and owner of a popular alternative rock radio station in the city.
Quotable
"Courtroom shows have been the most consistent performers, and they're relatively inexpensive to produce," said Bill Carroll, director of programming for Katz Television Group, a media-buying company.
Sony, which distributes "Judge Hatchett," is developing the Quivers show for Tribune-owned WB stations.
But sources familiar with the Quivers project did not offer a rosy prognosis.
"I wouldn't say [Quivers' show] is dead," said one source. "If it doesn't get picked up this year, it will be on the shelf for [2007]."
Sony spokesman Bryan Byrd confirmed that the Quivers and Lopez projects are still in development, but declined to comment further. Quivers' representatives did not return calls for comment Tuesday.
Daytime talkers have had trouble gaining traction lately. "The Tyra Banks Show" is struggling to attract a wide audience. Martha Stewart's first foray into daytime since her release from house arrest this summer is posting middling numbers, but has at least improved the ratings for the same time period a year ago when Jane Pauley's bid for daytime dominance was failing.