Over the past few years the new shows getting the big buzz in syndication were all talk shows. Programs launched with high-profile personalities like Sharon Osbourne, Jane Pauley, Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray stole nearly all the attention heading into September over the past four seasons. But this year, with nary a big-name talk show launch slated following the high-profile cancellation of Osbourne, Pauley and several other talkers, a trio of off-network launches are getting much of the buzz. The comedies “Family Guy” and “Two and a Half Men” have the potential to become the most successful new syndicated shows in years. And there’s loads of interest in the performance of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” which becomes the first hour drama weeknight strip show in years. Syndicated dramas usually air on weekends, with comedies filling weeknights. With top-rated shows like “Seinfeld,” “Friends” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” strong but now fading years after they left broadcast, off-network syndication could use the added attention. Bill Carroll, Katz Television’s vice president and director of programming and a syndication specialist, talks to Media Life about the upcoming season and also speculates on where Rosie O’Donnell will land next.

What's getting the best buzz for new syndicated shows?
 
In the off-network area, probably the shows that have the most buzz are “Two and a Half Men” and “Family Guy,” both of which have pretty substantial clearances. I think the other show that has a lot of interest is something we haven’t had for a while, a dramatic hour, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”

So two sitcoms and “Law & Order: CI” are certainly at the top of most lists and stations are looking forward to it. There is definitely buzz for those shows.
 

This year there doesn't seem to be a big-name talk show launching like we've seen in the past, like Rachael Ray, Martha Stewart or Sharon Osbourne. Why is that, and will we see a change next year?
 
I think this year we’ve seen a slow rollout of the morning show from Fox, but other than that you’re really looking at some game shows, a magazine, some court shows, but no high-profile names [for talk shows] for fall 2007.

Probably in the first-run area, the two that are getting the most interest are “TMZ,” coming from Warner Bros., and the television spinoff of the web site, and there’s “Let’s Play Crosswords,” the Merv Griffin crossword game.

And then you have “Judge David Young,” and among games you have “Temptation.” There’s a talk show in what I’ll call a spinoff from “Jerry Springer” called “Steve 911.”

So there’s a little bit of everything. I think it’s certainly possible [that big names will launch talk shows in coming years]. The shows that are being talked about are Rosie O’Donnell, and a development deal with Bonnie Hunt that I’m aware of, and there may be more than that.
 

This was not a great year for new syndicated talkers, with only one new hit (Ray) and a couple big misses (Greg Behrendt, Megan Mullally). What can media people learn from this season?
 
It’s always tough to launch a new show.

If you look at the track record, there were four launched. “Rachel Ray” was a success, so that’s probably about one in four, one in five--about the normal ratio. Given the success of "Rachel Ray," that’s probably a long-term franchise.

But I don’t think anyone going into this season thought it would be a uniquely successful year, although they’re always hopeful. It’s tough to launch, and if you’re successful, it’s more the exception than the rule.
 

What types of new ideas should syndication be exploring, be it new shows, new formats or new ways to promote?
 
I think one of the tests this year will be the success of “Criminal Intent.” If that’s a success, we’re likely to see the return of dramatic hours on Monday-Friday on broadcast, which we haven’t’ seen for a while. That’s something I’ll be keeping my eye on.

Are there any new sitcoms coming into syndication the next few years that could rise to the top, or will "Friends," "Seinfeld" and "Raymond" continue to prosper for years?

I think the perennially successful shows, and I throw “The Simpsons” in that group as well, will continue to be successful, but the longer they’re on they won’t hit the peaks they did before.

I think “Curb Your Enthusiasm” from HBO might be an arena, and I think [new TBS sitcom] “House of Payne” is coming down in 2008, that’s a different approach. Past that we’ll start to see some of the shows that are successful now, like “Earl” and “The Office,” shows of that nature.

Is there an un-ending pipeline? Probably not. Will there be another hugely successful show? I think time will tell.

Are there any on the horizon that are showing potential? Sure, there are a number that are, but are they breakouts, at this point? No.

What's the least-noticed story in syndication these days that deserves more buzz?
 
I think sort of under the radar is the return of the folks at MGM. Now they’re going to be back in the game. They have “Reno 911” as a strip and “Chappelle” for a weekend play, that’s a good indication. In the same way that the smaller operations, boutique operations, have had an impact, it’s good to see. It’s good for the industry, especially at a time when there’s been so much consolidation. There are a handful of companies that are having an impact.
 

We can’t talk about daytime these days without talking about “The View.” Though it had a somewhat disastrous ending, Rosie O'Donnell's stint on "The View" boosted ratings and the show's profile. Would you say it was ultimately a success?
 
Oh, that we’re even talking about “The View” indicates it was a success. Prior to her being on the show, there was a little bit of conversation when Meredith and Star Jones left, but it was when people were leaving not when they were on the show.

I think Rosie, for all her controversy, brought attention and viewers to “The View.” If that’s what you’re hoping for, and I think they were, then it was a success.
 

There's been lots of speculation over O'Donnell's next move. Where do you see her next year?
 
At this point, it’s unclear exactly what she’s going to do. There’s been a lot of speculation.

Talk show? Cable show? Likely it’s going to be an issue-oriented show, but I think it will really depend upon where she goes, what kind of a show she does.

There’s speculation that it could be a daytime show, but also something along the lines of what Bill Maher does on HBO right now.

It appeared a number of syndicators were seriously considering a project with her, and that was happening at a time when controversy on “The View” had already happened, so it’s not like that would lessen the interest for a project.

What she faces is a high-profile personality that will anticipate a pretty substantial paycheck. That makes the situation that much more difficult, because then you’re saying that based on the cost of the show, you’ll likely have to go on in the afternoon.

That said, there are X number of slots of consequence available out there, and that makes it more difficult. In the end, if there’s interest, stations and syndicators seem to find a way to make it work.