CBS Scoop: John Mayer's Variety Show Is a Go!

Planned for later this season, the show will initially be presented a special

By Kristin Dos Santos Jan 14, 2009 6:57 PMTags
John Mayer, Grammy ConcertJohn Shearer/ Getty Images

CBS prez Nina Tassler  told reporters that John Mayer's planned variety show is definitely a go. Per Tassler, "It'll be a music variety sketch show, and it's being developed now—it was his idea, we didn't reach out to him."

Planned for later this season, the show will initially be presented as a special, with possibility of a full-series pickup.

Why does John want to do a variety show when Rosie O'Donnell's was yanked off the air after the first airing? As John told E! at the Grammy noms, "I want to return talent to television...I want a show that rewards true talent."

So does Madam President have any ideas for truly talented stars who should stop by? "No, not yet." Um, hello: Jennifer Aniston! (She and Mayer can be a 21st-century Sonny and Cher!)

Speaking of Aniston, Tassler and her have something in common: They're both Mayer fangirls! Tassler says of the singer, "I love him, he is so multitalented, he has a great personality, really smart, loves television, and is very funny and has a great sense of humor about himself."

What else did CBS boss Tassler spill? The future of Sarah Chalke on How I Met Your Mother and where you'll be able to see Moonlight star Alex O'Loughlin on the Eye network in coming months...

Is Sarah Chalke done with HIMYM? According to Tassler, "Yeah, pretty much." Sniffle.

As for the general future of Mother, last season fans waited on pins and needles to find out if the show would return for another season, but luckily this year the ratings are sky-high, and we shouldn't have to worry about a pickup, though Nina adds, "Sometimes you just got to keep a tradition." So it's true! Network heads sometimes hold back pickups just to torture us! (Speaking of pickups, or the lack thereof, Tassler also confirmed that Swingtown will not be back for another go. Sorry guys.)

Last but not least, although Nina Tassler expressed how in love she is with Alex O'Loughlin—just like so many of you!—he has still not been cast on a new CBS series. Says Tassler, "Hopefully we will [place him on a show]. We do have an idea, so hopefully we will see that soon."

So what do you think of the John Mayer variety show idea? What about O'Loughlin still waiting in the wings? Hit the comments with your thoughts.

—Additional reporting by Natalie Abrams

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