KSL goes with 'Retro Show'

Ch. 5 is going retro on weekday afternoons — in more ways than one.

"Retro TV," which premieres this afternoon at 3, is sort of a combination of Nick at Nite and KSL's old "Big Money Movie" — old sitcoms introduced by a local host.

The sitcoms include shows like "The Addams Family," "Green Acres" and "Mr. Ed" — still fun stuff, if only for their kitsch value. And stuff that isn't full of salacious content that KSL has to worry about.

The twist comes with the addition of on-air host Teresa Richardson, who will conduct trivia contests and games for viewers, complete with prizes for the winners.

It's something that hasn't been done much in recent years. And it's certainly worth a try. But, again, it's much more retro than the "leap in a whole new direction," as KSL is proclaiming.

It is also an attempt to make lemonade out of lemons. In recent years, KSL has found itself at a decided disadvantage when it comes to finding daytime programming. For one thing, the LDS Church-owned station has to be sensitive to the content of syndicated programming — you're not going to see "Jerry Springer" on Ch. 5.

On the other hand, there was a time when you would never see a syndicated tabloid show on KSL's schedule. And, as of today, "Extra" moves to Ch. 5 at 4:30 p.m. — where it will lead into the station's 5 p.m. newscast. Hmmm . . .

Just to make it clear — KSL can choose what syndicated and local programming it airs, but as an NBC affiliate it must air the network's programs.

And Ch. 5 also finds itself at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to buying syndicated programming it actually wants. Take, for example, the "Donny & Marie" talk show that debuted in 1998. KSL would have loved to have that on its schedule, but it couldn't compete with Fox-owned KSTU-Ch. 13.

The Fox group bought the show for some big markets — including New York — and as part of the deal, the network-owned stations in some smaller markets (like Salt Lake City) were able to air the show as well. It's a situation Ch. 5 finds itself up against frequently, what with a Fox-owned station, a CBS-owned station (KUTV-Ch. 2) and a Clear Channel-owned station (KTVX-Ch. 4) in town.

"Retro TV" is an attempt to battle both of KSL's daytime demons.

NEW DAYTIME TALK SHOW: Ch. 5 is also adding a new daytime talk show to its weekday schedule. "Living it Up! With Ali & Jack" debuts this morning at 11.

From what critics have been shown, it's clear that this show really wants to be the next "Regis & Kelly." The jury is out on that one. But I will say that former network newsman Jack Ford, who co-hosts with Ali Wentworth, is a lot more of a natural in his new role than I would have thought.

SLIDING SOAPS: This item is hugely important news to those of you who watch NBC's daytime soaps. The rest of you can skip it.

Ch. 5 is swapping time slots as of today on the network's daytime serials. "Days of Our Lives" moves to 1 p.m.; "Passions" moves to 2 p.m.

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E-MAIL: pierce@desnews.com