Bonnie Hunt’s new syndicated talk show has been on the air for a week, so we decided it was time for a Spot Inspection. Some thoughts, besides the obvious (Cloris Leachman needs to be her guest every day, see video below), after the jump:
• The zipped sweater hoodie look fits Bonnie — and Ellen.
• In general, I like storytime with Bonnie: She opens the showdiscussing the latest news in her life and the world at large. Today,we heard about how the electricity went off at her house last night andshe woke up at 5:33 a.m. PT, three minutes after she was supposed tohave started a radio interview. Her BlackBerry wasn’t charged, so sheused her key to her ex-husband’s house to sneak in and borrow hischarger. "He had no idea I was there… which was the problem with ourmarriage." Funny!
• Her staff, however, isn’t as funny as she thinks it is: After Bonnieshowed footage of a 13-pound newborn, she said they had the baby in thestudio. Ten days after his birth, they wheeled the kid out and helooked like… her producer Larry in a baby costume. Easy joke. No onelaughed who didn’t know Larry. Also painfully obvious: Her interviewwith Hulk Hogan’s attorney — a man dressed in a sleeveless suit and abandana who likes to shout. Again, crickets.
• Eight-year-old blues guitarist Tallan Latz is a littlecocky: But in his defense, the kid can play. I know it’s cute tointerview children, but Bonnie’s chat with Tallan would’ve made mechange the channel if I didn’t have the promise of Cloris Leachman.Don’t be afraid to bring out a parent next time.
• Cloris Leachman is crazy, in the best possible way: Bonnie handledher beautifully, meaning she just let her go. Cloris walked out,climbed over a chair, headed into the audience to greet a woman in awheelchair, found out that they were both 82 years old and said, "I’mstill dancing" (presumably not to offend the woman in a wheelchair).Following some bra jokes, some flirting with Bonnie’s announcer, andthe pulling of a piece of string off of her shirt and flossing with it,Cloris learned that Bonnie had been singing in a night club in Chicago,across the street from where she was performing years ago. Cloris madeBonnie sing. Bonnie sang "Summertime" and Cloris joined in. Amazing TV.Things only got crazier from there: Cloris apparently didn’t realizethat cameras can zoom, so she walked to the edge of the stage with anold black & white photo of her as Miss Chicago. She eventually satdown on the edge of said stage, then lay downas they went to commercial. After the break, Cloris insisted thatBonnie was wearing her hair wrong and kept trying to comb it. Finally,Bonnie brought out Cloris’ Dancing With the Stars partner,Corky Ballas, father of last season’s champion Mark, and Cloris madehim share her seat with her. We got a little preview of their chemistry— Cloris thinks he’s boring when he’s being serious and/or talkingabout how their combined age is 130 — and, of course, their dancing.The Cloris segment went so long, Bonnie barely had time to makebutternut squash lasagna with Work Out’s Jesse Brune. Of course, even Jesse knew Cloris was worth it.
So, were I someone who was home during the day (it airs at 2 p.m. ET in NYC), I would tune into The Bonnie Hunt Show again. But since I’m someone who works, I will only be tuning in again on Wednesday, when David Boreanaz is a guest.
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crickets
Anything Bonnie Hunt does is worth viewing. I just hope her program airs in the Central Virginia area…
Didn’t she already have a failed daytime talk show? Is it 1995 already?
I love Bonnie…and her show. Both are very endearing.
I’ve been watching since Day One and look forward to laughing for an hour at the end of each day. She’s warm, sentimental and very very funny.
And her mom is even funnier.
I love her set and hope the show sticks around for a long time.
I saw this show yesterday–barely controlled chaos. Interviewing Cloris Leachman must have been like controlling a 4 year old with ADD. I can’t wait until I’m in my 80s too–apparently it’s license to say *whatever* is on your mind with all of the honesty of a very small child. I love Cloris and can’t wait to see her on “Dancing,” but geez… complete a thought now and again.
I absolutely love Bonnie Hunt and will watch anything she does. I love how she goes off on tangents from time to time, just because she’s really having a conversation and sometimes conversations do that, but it’s always spontaneous, unlike Ellen’s scripted tangents. There are still a few kinks for them to work out, but I think it’s coming along well. I hope her show is a success! I know I’ve set the season pass on Tivo.
Being from Chicago, I had o give our hometown gal a chance. I’m glad I did, and I plan to watch Bonnie instead of Ellen during my workouts. I just got tired of the Ellen playbook. Bonnie seems genuine and seems to really care about her show and guests. And she’s funny without being crude or mean, which means it’s ok if my kids are in the room when the show is on.
I love bonnie hunt. She seems so funny and normal and cool. I do like how she just talks about anything and then goes off on tangents. It’s great. It makes some of the obviously scripted stuff come out worse though. I agree. sometimes the stuff with the producers, etc. isn’t so funny, but i think she makes up for it.
and also, her set is awesome. If I had a talk show, I’d love that set.
Awesome new show. It’s amazing how good and comfortable it is only after 1 week. It feels like it’s been on for years. I love how laid-back it is. And yes, it’s very very funny.
If you appreciated this article, you’ll definitely like this new blog about The Bonnie Hunt Show.
http://huntbonnie.blogspot.com/
I absolutely Love the new Bonnie Hunt show…I have been wathching Regis and Kelly for years.. The premier of the Bonnie Hunt show surely changed that… I spend my mornings now ,. Laughing and smiling and very much enjoying The Bonnie Hunt Show.,, She is so sweet and so down to earth.. hysterical and fun to watch..
I Just love this show.She makes me laugh. Best thing to come in along time. Keep up the good work.
Dee
Am LOVING the Bonnie Hunt show! And I agree with another blogger – I’ll watch her in anything. And I disagree with the article, I think Bonnie’s crew IS hilarious – sure, some bits aren’t all that funny – but most are. And that’s the charm of the show – not a cookie cutter talk show for sure.
And I disagree again – Cloris Leachman was so NOT funny and highly annoying. But Bonnie did handle her like a pro.
Bonnie is one big heart and I just adore her!
I LOVE THE BONNIE HUNT SHOW,BUT THEN, I’M A BIG BONNIE HUNT FAN. SHE IS FUNNY AND SO DOWN TO EARTH AND HAS A WARM AND LOVING HEART. BEST OF LUCK BONNIE. PS. CLORIS WAS A HOOT. BRING HER BACK. LOVE, HARRIETTE AND FAMILY.
Why does Bonnie always wear long-sleeved blouses or sweaters? Is there something wrong with her arms? A birthmark? Has anyone actually seen a photo of her with bare arms?
I love Bonnie Hunt, but why does she wear black so much, she should add a little color, sometimes.
Bonnie’s blouse is awesome, she looks great in it. I love your show, it is a breath of fresh air, after watching Regis and Kelly’ show, If Regis would only retire, and let Kelly take over, then there would be three mornign shows in a row that are worth watching. Kelly and whoever , Bonnie Hunt show, and then the View, minus Hasselback.
i love bonnies show.my 46 year old daughter has ms and is confined to a wheel chair.she loves the show and bonnie. especially the segment with bonnies mom. she makes sure she watches daily or her day is isnt complet. thanks for making her day a little better.
This Jason thing is just “wrong” He can cry at the drop of a hat…sure he’s divorced…he probably told his poor wife when she was on the delivery table for their son…”that he made a mistake” who know’s what he did to mess with his first wife’s head…When are women going to get it…As soon as you tell the male that you love them, it fans their egos and they go on their way. This is all his mothers fault…she should have slapped him up side the head and told him to be a man…just kidding…I had to say that, because I get blamed for all the mistakes my kids (Blessings) make. (~_~)
Bonnie love your show. I think you’re funny,sweet,sincere and very attractive … love your hair!
That said: I think you need a new stylist … or a pay increase! Honestly, you should be able to dress better than the rest of us … stop with the sweaters and matronly tops!
Not only do I watch to see the guests, but since I’m over 40 too I watch to see what you wear. You need to dress more GIRLICIOUS!
Bonnie, I want to tell you that you bring so many smiles to lonely faces. I am a Eucharistic Minister who goes every week to see patients in the hospital. Your show is on in many of their rooms. I believe you to be a very loving woman. With a Mom like yours, how else would you be? You bring so much to hospital patients as well as myself. We all agree, seeing dogs, animals and children, will bring a smile to many patients faces. You are a very positive distraction to those who are not well. Keep being you and you will be more successful than you can imagine. You are a delight and bring joy to so many.I tune in to see you whenever time allows me to do so. God Bless you
Fondly, Ann
I have always liked bonnie in anything she has done My favourite movie was Return to Me. I have watched it many times and she was so good in it. Love your new show Bonnie.
I love bonnie hunt. EXCEPT when she interview children. MY GOD she has zero, zip, nada and even NO ability to relate to them. Its so painful.
Please… Bonnie’s producers. STOP with the children PLEASE!!!!!