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Television

Photos: Talk show hosts who didn’t make the cut

On air for: One month. Cause of cancellation: The actor faced a two-week suspension after he allegedly used a gay slur to confront a photographer on New York City streets. Baldwin's heady outburst following MSNBC's move resulted in a permanent shutdown. Most memorable moment: Unlike most show sets, adorned with couches and a large host's desk, Baldwin's stage was a dimly lit faux diner scene. Where he is now: The prolific actor most recently portrayed a wealthy businessman in Woody Allen's newest comedy, "Blue Jasmine."

“Up Late With Alec Baldwin” lasted one month. The actor’s heady outburst following his two-week suspension from the show (he allegedly used a gay slur while confronting a photographer in New York) resulted in a permanent shutdown.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Including actor Tony Danza and “Wheel of Fortune” frontman Pat Sajak, here are notable celebrities who fell short with their talk shows.

Emmy-winning "Survivor" host Jeff Probst seems to do much better in the wild than in an arm chair. His aim to feature non-celebrities on "The Jeff Probst Show" didn't snag a following — the show lasted for one season.

Emmy-winning “Survivor” host Jeff Probst seems to do much better in the wild than in an arm chair. His aim to feature non-celebrities on “The Jeff Probst Show” didn’t snag a following — the show lasted for one season.  (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

"The Ricki Lake Show," Lake's first return to talk TV since 2004, was nixed after one season due to flat ratings. "Always the underdog. From 'Hairspray' till now, I guess. I'll take it," she tweeted after the cancellation news broke.

“The Ricki Lake Show,” Lake’s first return to talk TV since 2004, was nixed after one season due to flat ratings. “Always the underdog. From ‘Hairspray’ till now, I guess. I’ll take it,” she tweeted after the cancellation news broke.   (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

O'Donnell exited with extreme gratitude to the OWN Network when her show got canceled after one season due to low ratings: "Oprah [Winfrey] gave me an amazing shot at doing this. ... She put me back on TV. She believed in me," she said.

O’Donnell exited with extreme gratitude to the OWN Network when her show got canceled after one season due to low ratings: “Oprah [Winfrey] gave me an amazing shot at doing this. ... She put me back on TV. She believed in me,” she said.  (Nam Y. Huh / Associated Press)

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Warner Bros. Television ceased production on the show due to struggling ratings. Hunt's focus on wholesome humor couldn't compete with shows more interested in the down-and-dirty.

Warner Bros. Television ceased production on the show due to struggling ratings. Hunt’s focus on wholesome humor couldn’t compete with shows more interested in the down-and-dirty.   (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

While the primary reason for "Tucker's" cancellation after three seasons was low ratings, Carlson stated that his network, MSNBC, had changed, and "they didn't have a role for me."

While the primary reason for “Tucker’s” cancellation after three seasons was low ratings, Carlson stated that his network, MSNBC, had changed, and “they didn’t have a role for me.”  (Jay Paul / For the Los Angeles Times)

Comedy Central canceled the show six months in after Hughley, who often drank wine and smoked cigars on air with his guests, failed to capture audiences.

Comedy Central canceled the show six months in after Hughley, who often drank wine and smoked cigars on air with his guests, failed to capture audiences.  (Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press)

The late-night talk show never reached a notable viewership level. Comedy Central pushed the show's time slot later and dropped its live audience before finally canceling it several months later. Carolla was on air for one season.

The late-night talk show never reached a notable viewership level. Comedy Central pushed the show’s time slot later and dropped its live audience before finally canceling it several months later. Carolla was on air for one season.  (Patrick Downs / Los Angeles Times)

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"The Morton Downey Jr. Show" expanded to national syndication in 1988, but distributors had trouble marketing the show to television stations because of its controversial nature. Viewership decline led to cancellation in 1989.

“The Morton Downey Jr. Show” expanded to national syndication in 1988, but distributors had trouble marketing the show to television stations because of its controversial nature. Viewership decline led to cancellation in 1989.  (Gaylon Wampler / Associated Press)

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