TV Insiders tell me that “Oprah would love to take all the hit shows she has produced and created to her new network, particularly everyone’s favorite cook, Rachael Ray.” Also on the to-go menu is the huge new hit ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ and good old boy ‘Dr. Phil.’ Apparently Oprah’s office has enough room for two doctors.
A friend of the boisterous Ray informs me that “Rachael adores Oprah and would do whatever she tells her. She thinks Oprah is the best boss in the entire world.” How could a boss with pockets that deep not be great?
Rachael’s rep Lauren Nowell tells me: “Rachael Ray has been renewed through 2012 and there’s nothing to comment on beyond that.” That would be precisely one year after Oprah is set to leave, which would give O plenty of time to get the kitchen ready for the ’30 Minute’ chef. There’s only one thing that Rachael cooks up better than a burger, and that’s ratings.
“Oprah surrounds herself by the best and these three shows are just that,” one source said. Additionally, the TV queen is said to be looking for the right show for her regular guests — funny lady Ali Wentworth and cute-as-curtains decorator Nate Berkus — to air on a network. Guess which one, yet? Yep, The Oprah Network.
