Daytime may be getting a new face.
TV insiders are buzzing that Debmar-Mercury, the production company behind “Sherri” and Nick Cannon’s failed talk show, are working on a new project with Cannon’s “Masked Singer” castmate, Dr. Ken Jeong.
We hear Jeong and Debmar have been trying to keep the nationally syndicated project under wraps, but they are spending the weekend shooting the pilot in the same studio as Wendy Williams’ former set, which now belongs to Sherri Shepherd’s show.
“They’re mum about it, but they’re excited about putting him on daytime, even though they weren’t able to have success with Nick Cannon,” a source said.
Cannon’s daytime show was off the air after just six months.
He just so happens to be the host of “Masked Singer,” and Jeong is one of the panelists on the show.
Jeong will be an executive producer of his new talk show. Sources told us “everyone’s been whispering about it,” despite it being “very top secret.”
Jeong’s filming at Chelsea Studios may turn out to be a good luck charm for the comedian.
Williams’ show had a successful 13-season run filming there, 12 with her as host.
Shepherd took over in 2022, and the first season of her show was so successful it was renewed for two more.
Jon Stewart, Ricki Lake, Tyra Banks, Martha Stewart and Rachael Ray all shot their shows there for multiple seasons.
Meanwhile, if the show doesn’t work out, Jeong always has “Masked Singer,” and an upcoming Hollywood Walk of Fame star to his credit. It was announced earlier this year that he’ll be a part of Tinseltown’s historic landmark’s class of 2024.
The actor began his career as a real-life doctor.
When we reached out for comment, Debmar-Mercury co-presidents, Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, said in a statement, “Ken is one of a handful of people in the world who has what it takes to succeed as a talk show host and we are excited to be in business with him.”
The execs added: “Audiences connect with Ken on many levels – not only because is he so talented, entertaining and unapologetically hilarious but their sense that he is sincere, compassionate, fearless, friendly, just genuinely nice – all essential ingredients that make for long-term success as a talk show host. He is also a talent capable of conquering any time period with his mix of comedy, Hollywood celebrity friends and ability to bring viewers.”
