The TV Zone

George Lopez is about to become a late night guy for TBS. Network just announced that he'll do a talk show that'll air on the network weeknights at 11, Monday to Thursday, starting next November.

From the press release: “George Lopez is a special talent, with an everyman appeal that makes him uniquely positioned to be the next great late-night host,” said Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM). “George and TBS are going to change the late-night television landscape and bring a brand-new energy to the talk-show genre by giving it a street-party atmosphere. We’re excited to see this show come to life.”

Certainly a very interesting guy to do this: Has a huge following and - famously - lost and regained a kidney (his wife, Ann Serrano, was the donor). He is also someone not exactly afraid to speak his mind, and has been (variously) critical of ABC, for canceling his show, and Erik Estrada (of all people) for whatever, and probably a few dozen others I'm forgetting. "Outspoken" is a sine qua non for late night TV.

And, of course, there was that famous roast of Jay Leno. Now, George is going to 11, just as Jay is going to ten.

A coincidence? I think SO.

(Pix: George at Sundance; AP)