Trisha Goddard heads stateside for NBC show

Former ITV and Channel 5 debate show hostess Trisha Goddard is switching to America to front an NBC produced talk show.

“Over the past several seasons of appearing as a guest host and conflict expert on ‘Maury,’ Trisha has shown that her brand of talk resonates with viewers,” – Barry Wallach, President, NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution.

The show entitled Trisha – like her former British versions – will be produced at the same studios as The Jerry Springer Show, Maury and The Steve Wilkos Show, most which can be seen in the UK currently on satellite television.

Goddard has already been a regular at the Stamford Media Studios, Connecticut, working as a “Conflict Resolution Expert” on Maury which is hosted by Maury Povich and launched in 1998.

American talk show veteran Paul Faulhaber has been named Executive Producer of the new one-hour format. Faulhaber will also continue to serve as executive producer of Maury, a position he has held for the past 7 years.

As a conflict-resolution expert, Trisha will help everyday people and their families navigate the tough issues they are struggling to overcome. Her show will cover topics important to women everywhere with a unique approach–straight talk with a no-excuses mentality. On each episode, Trisha uses honesty and common sense to teach people how to move forward and push through life’s obstacles.

“We were looking for the next successful talk show host and Trisha stood out from day one.  Trisha is already a proven success in this genre, and her work on ‘Maury’ has shown that the viewers have welcomed her into their homes,” says producer Faulhaber. “Trisha has the perfect combination of training and life experiences mixed with compassion, intuition and charm.”

54-year-old Goddard took over from Vanessa Feltz as host of ITV’s weekday morning debate show in 1998 when Feltz defected to the BBC. In 1999 Trisha and Vanessa were hit by newspaper ‘scandal stories’ which said both programmes used fake guests, often actors, to enhance the ‘drama’ of the debate show. Goddard’s show, produced by Anglia TV in Norwich, survived the controversy, while Feltz was axed. A spin-off show which looked behind the scenes and dramas of the main show aired on ITV2. Goddard would briefly appear on Trisha Extra to discuss the events that had featured in that days main ITV show with presenter Karl Newton. (Pictured below)

In 2005 Trisha defected herself from ITV over to Channel 5 where she spent four years hosting a revamped, more dumbed down, version of her debate show. It was axed due to financial cut-backs at the broadcaster in 2009. Before joining ITV Trisha lived and worked in Australia becoming the first black anchorwoman on Australian TV, and while there, Trisha also served as a government advisor on mental health.

The mother of two was also recently awarded the British College of Psychiatrist’s President’s International Medal of Service to Mental Health. In 2008 Goddard revealed she was battling breast cancer – of which she has now been given the all-clear. The American debate shows aim at the lowest form of intelligence and often feature what is described as ‘trailer trash guests’, who shout, kick and scream their way through paternity issues.

“I am looking forward to sharing my unique female perspective as a wife and a mother, my life-experiences and professional training to connect with the daytime viewers. I am fortunate to have the support and expertise of the stellar and extremely-successful production team at the Stamford Media Center. This show has so much to offer people and I am thrilled to get to work.” – Trisha Goddard