‘Girlfriends’ May Rival ‘View’

Barbara Walters’ ABC daytime talk show, “The View,” could be in for some competition.

Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Tony Krantz’ Imagine Television is shopping a talk-show pilot called “Girlfriends” that is similar to Walters’ show, but with a twist - a predominantly black female cast.

The pilot, starring Robin Givens (“Head of the Class”) and Kym Whitley (“Sparks”), is getting attention from at least one network - CBS. A spokesman for CBS said the network is “looking at” the pilot for possible daytime play later this year.

Unlike “The View,” where the talk revolves around a coffee table inside the studio, “Girlfriends” will include segments shot outdoors as well as in-studio segments with guests. And like most topical talk shows, “Girlfriends” would be chatty about everything from politics to entertainment.

Industry sources familiar with the pilot say Imagine is trying to cast the role of a third female cast member if the pilot is launched as a show. That woman may be cast younger than Givens and Whitley, who are both in their early 30s, to provide a twentysomething opinion.

While industry analysts generally consider it a bit late to be peddling a series for a fall release, others disagree, saying that there is still time to get a show on the air by September in limited markets.

“Girlfriends” is at least the fourth project that the one-year-old Imagine Television has concocted and taken to the pilot stage.