King World Hopeful ‘Oprah’ Will Continue

The syndication industry is holding its breath to see whether Oprah Winfrey will bring her top-rated talk show back after next year.

But some observers say her May sweeps road trip with Tina Turner sends a signal that she’s far from ready to hang up her microphone. As part of her “Oprah Runnin’ Wild With Tina” road trip, Winfrey will follow the rock singer’s national “Wildest Dreams” tour to several cities and do shows from Houston on May 2 and Los Angeles from May 12-16.

Winfrey’s May shows will feature footage from Turner’s concerts, special “Tina Turner” graphics and contests that relate to the singer’s tour. Winfrey may even appear on stage with Turner.

Winfrey, whose top-rated syndicated talk show is now in its 11th year, has until this fall to let distributor King World know whether she will ink a new contract that takes her through 2000. King World chairman Roger King said last week that he is “optimistic” Winfrey will continue the show.

Walters panel picked

ABC News correspondent Meredith Vieira, comedian Joy Behar, legal commentator Star Jones and MTV News host Debbie Matenopoulos have been tapped as panelists for Barbara Walters’ ABC Daytime pilot “The View From Here.”

Walters would appear on the daily hourlong talk and information program twice a week, sharing the panelist role with Behar. The pilot is being developed for the 11 a.m. time period now held by “Caryl & Marilyn: Real Friends.”

“The View From Here” will feature the panel, which aims to have four women of different age groups and backgrounds talking about the issues of the day. In addition, the program will feature taped pieces, celebrity interviews, viewer call-ins and experts.