Loveline's Dr. Drew Signs TV Deal
Cynthia Littleton, Loveline's Dr. Drew Signs TV Deal, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sept 1998
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HOLLYWOOD--Dr. Drew Pinsky, the droll co-host of the "Loveline" advice franchise, is poised to qualify as one of the hardest-working men in TV, now that he's signed a syndicated talk show development deal.
Producer Columbia TriStar TV Distribution is shooting for a fall 1999 bow of an hourlong Pinsky-hosted show that will cover a broader range of topics than the sex and relationship fare dealt with on "Loveline."
Originally an advice show on Los Angeles' KROQ-FM, "Loveline" has spawned a latenight MTV call-in version, which just received a third-year, 100-episode pickup from the music cable network.
Even with his new show on the horizon, the father of young triplets plans to continue co-hosting "Loveline" alongside comic foil Adam Carolla. The pair have written a non-fiction tome to be released later this month, "The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide to Life and Love."
Pinsky, a licensed physician, also aims to maintain his private practice and his post as medical director of the chemical dependency program at Las Encinas Hospital in Pasadena.
Pinsky's drive was just one of the reasons why he stood out to Columbia TriStar as a potential heir to the Phil Donahue throne of smart, reasoned talk show discourse. As demonstrated on "Loveline," the good doctor's forte is dispensing practical advice and analyzing the impact of health and lifestyle choices.
"We want to build a talk show around his (wide-ranging) appeal and all that Drew has to offer," said Melanie Chilek, vice-president of reality programming for Col TriStar's syndication arm. "We've found that he's a man who can really present a woman's point of view on issues. He appeals to women of all ages."
