When I was a little girl, I invented something called the plant shower.  It was a “machine” that would water your plants while you’re away. Don’t ask me to explain this now, but it was made up of a cardboard box and a soda can.

I’m not sure if the plant shower would have gotten me on the Ellen Show (or even a mention in the local Pennysaver), but maybe your child or a kid you know might have what it takes to be interviewed in an Ellen segment for kid inventors! The show’s website advertises:

Do you know a kid with an amazing invention? We’re looking for kid inventors to share their creations with Ellen. It could have been for a school project or just for fun!
If your child (10 and under) has an invention that Ellen should know about, write in and tell us.

Here’s the casting link if you know a young inventor who  has wowed others with a clever invention. Good luck!

Photo by Warner Brothers

From Tyra talking to more women with two vaginas to the Doctors discussing the crisis in Haiti, it’s going to be another week of fascinating daytime topics.  Meanwhile, the celebrities scheduled to talk with our favorite hosts include American Idol winner Fantasia and Project Runway host Heidi Klum.  Here are 50 talk show topics we’ll be talking about during the week of February 1:

The Tyra Show

• Monday: When Do You Talk to Your Children About Sex?
• Tuesday: Dating with Deal Breakers
• Wednesday: More Women With Two Vaginas
• Thursday: Taking Down the Typecast
• Friday: Ambush Stranger Makeovers

Oprah

• Monday: Bosses Go Undercover In Their Employees Jobs.
• Tuesday: The Children of Elizabeth Smart’s Kidnapper Speak Out
• Wednesday:  Stars of Reality TV — Fantasia’s Comeback and Ruby’s Revelation
• Thursday: Dr. Oz Talks About “America’s Silent Killer.”
• Friday:  Oprah’s Friday’s Live Read More – 50 Talk Show Topics Worth Talking About for the Week of February 1

Ok, I have to admit that I was disappointed by one of Oprah’s recent guests. A sit down with Denise Richards? Really?

But the queen of  talk has been reaching out to guests who are relevant to today’s headlines (Denise talked about her ex Charlie Sheen’s arrest, for example), so I guess we get it.

Speaking of headline making guests, Oprah’s most-talked about guest this month would have to be talk show host Jay Leno, who will sit down with O to discuss the Conan/NBC controversy tomorrow. Score one for Oprah!

We can’t wait to find out what Oprah will ask. After all, Jay’s popularity has been declining for the first time in years and Team Conan has been very vocal about the beloved host’s decision to take over “The Tonight Show” again.

I’ll keep you posted on what Jay tell Oprah tomorrow.

Photo by Bauer-Griffin.

Today’s episode of Oprah brought attention to a dangerous habit that is claiming the lives of drivers and pedestrian victims each year.  That deadly habit is texting while driving. Oprah’s guests included families who lost loved ones because of distracted drivers who were texting on the road.  At one point, Oprah said she doesn’t use the word stupid very often, but that’s the word she thinks of to describe anyone who thinks it’s OK to drive and text at the same time.

After the show, Oprah.com posted a No Phone Zone Pledge that reads:

I pledge to make my car a No Phone Zone. Beginning right now,  I will do my part to help put an end to distracted driving by not texting or using my phone while I am driving.  I will ask other drivers I know to do the same.  I pledge to make a difference.

The pledge can be signed here. Kudos to Oprah for putting out this important message.

Photo by Bauer Griffin

With all the hype surrounding  Larry “Pants on the Ground” Platt, it was only a matter of time before the American Idol sensation  made his first talk show appearance.

So, which talk show did “General” Platt visit first? Why, The View of course!  The 62-year-old Idol auditioner, who became one of hottest names in America last week, chatted with the ladies about his overnight success and performed his catchy tune “Pants on the Ground”  one more time.

See the video here.

With the song’s popularity still growing, we have a feeling it won’t be the last time we see General Larry Platt on daytime.

Photo by Fox

If you’ve been following the Bachelor cheating scandal,  you know a Bachelor contestant was kicked off the show for having an “inappropriate” relationship with a producer, who was also fired from the show because of the affair.  But the accused contestant  denies that anything physical happened between her and the now-jobless producer, and claims the show hyped things up for ratings.

Well, Ellen tried to get to the bottom of what really happened during an interview with the bachelor  that will air on Monday.  Jake Pavelka dished to Ellen that some of the female contestants “came up to me and had seen things going on,” which he considers to be proof that something went on.  He also said he “had strong feelings” for the woman who ended up being kicked off the show.

We’ll see what else Ellen got out of him when the interview airs on Monday.

Photo by Bauer Griffin

Now, here’s  a cute idea/publicity stunt by The View. The ladies announced today that cohost Elisabeth Hasselbeck will switch jobs with her husband Tim later this month, which means Tim will be cohosting The View with Whoopi, Joy, and Sherri!

Elisabeth will sit in for Tim as a commentator on ESPN’s NFL Live next Tuesday.  Tim will fill in for Elisabeth on The View on January 28.  The behind-the-scenes fun will be filmed by the show.

Tim will be one of only a few men to have ever cohosted The View.  The “I’m-a-guy-but-I-cohosted-The-View” club includes Ross Matthews,  Thorsten Kaye, and Perez Hilton.

Photo by Pacific Coast News

Wendy Williams got a bit of a scoop today,  served up by TV host Lala Vasquez.

Lala revealed on Wendy that she is planning to tie the knot with her NBA beau Carmelo Anthony this summer. Lala also dished to Wendy that she’ll be inviting a lot of people to the long-awaited affair. (Lala and Carmelo have been engaged for five years and have a son together.) No word yet on whether or not Wendy is on the guest list.

Photo by Pacific Coast News

So many talk shows, so little time. Here are today’s talk show topics and guests to help you decide what to watch.

Live With Regis and Kelly: Freddy Prinze Jr. and Tim Gunn

The View: Joan Rivers

The Doctors:  Top five emerging health threats and an oral HIV test

Dr. Oz:  Hypnosis for weight loss, child health secrets

Martha Stewart: Orange and yogurt tarts, tips for increasing energy

Bonnie Hunt: Carrie Ann Inaba

Tyra: Unmarried with children, dating when you have kids

Ellen: Josh Holloway and Matthew Goode

Oprah: Marriage around the world

Dr. Phil: A couple who don’t want children

Photo by Bauer Griffin

Jerry Springer may have been hosting his talk show for nineteen years, but that doesn’t mean he’d actually watch it.

The 66-year-old talk show host told The Providence Journal,  “It’s not a show I would ever watch because I’m 66. Would I have watched it when I was in college? I guess so. It’s a silly show.”

Jerry also acknowledged that having a young audience has kept the show going for nineteen years. “If you aim a show at young people, it continues,” he said.  (I guess I’m really getting old because I stopped watching  The Jerry Springer show years ago!)

Photo by Bauer Griffin