As if late-night television wasn't competitive enough, now Showtime wants into the late-night game.
The pay cable channel, which has found critical and ratings success over the past few years with original shows such as "Dexter," "Nurse Jackie" and "Weeds," is in serious talks with Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken sports commentator about hosting a late night talk show.
Smith who first rose to prominence as a sports columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer, is no stranger to anyone who watches ESPN or Fox Sports. Besides being a regular on ESPN's basketball show "NBA Shootaround," he also had his own show on ESPN2 called "Quite Frankly." Smith, who is known for his brash style, hosts a nationally syndicated radio show.
In an interview, Smith said there is are a "lot of things still to be ironed out." Executive producers for the project are Tracey Edmonds and Sheila Duckworth, who were executive producers of the Showtime drama "Soul Food." The search is on for a show runner.
Smith's show would be weekly and focus on more than sports, said a Showtime insider. Smith said there isn't much that he would "shy away from" with regard to topics.
-- Joe Flint
