Pittsburgh Pop podcast: Talking KDKA’s new afternoon talk show, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, ‘Mandalorian, ‘Survivor,’ ‘Succession’
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In this episode of the “Pittsburgh Pop” podcast, host Tim Benz and TV Talk columnist Rob Owen discuss Pittsburgh pop culture news of the moment, including that KDKA-TV will launch a new afternoon talk show, “Talk Pittsburgh.” Think of it as a “Pittsburgh Today Live” spin-off.
In the podcast, Owen reports what he was told by a KDKA representative that “Pittsburgh Talk” is a news department production, but after recording the podcast, KDKA general manager Chris Cotugno said “Pittsburgh Talk” will be produced separately from the news department.
“Talk Pittsburgh” will air at 3 p.m. weekdays beginning March 20 (the canceled “Dr. Phil” replaces the also canceled “The People’s Court” at 5 p.m. weekdays on WPCW-TV for the remainder of “Dr. Phil’s” run) with former KDKA morning anchor Heather Abraham as the “Talk Pittsburgh” host (she’ll also continue to host “PTL”). KDKA describes “Talk Pittsburgh” as a lifestyle show though the broadcast will begin with “3 at 3,” the three biggest news stories of the day. The show will also feature interviews with early guests set to include Pennsylvania Chief Justice Debra Todd, Gisele Barreto Fetterman, University of Pittsburgh director of athletics Heather Lyke and “Next Level” contestant Chef Kamahlai Stewart.
Benz and Owen also discuss the latest in the AT&T SportsNet saga, including Comcast passing on taking over any failing RSNs and MLB hiring at least one executive from the AT&T SportsNet ranks earlier this year — perhaps in preparation for a post-AT&T SportsNet landscape.
They also get into season three of “The Mandalorian,” which returned last week, and the trailer for the final season of HBO’s “Succession.”
And Owen predicts Pittsburgh’s latest “Survivor” contestant, Heidi Lagares-Greenblatt, will be on the show for a while.
Listen to Pittsburgh Pop on the TRIBLive Podcast Network or on iTunes.