Mar. 12, 2007

Showing Her Roots

She's back in stride again! Star Jones Reynolds is readying her return to daytime television with a forthcoming daily show on Court TV. "I am thrilled! I have to be honest with you. I think I shared with you probably first that I wanted to get back to my roots. I wanted to spend the next part and the next phase of my career as a legal analyst, commentator, host and anchor; putting the emphasis back on the law, back on community, back on things that are really important in the world," the enthusiastic former host of 'The View' told me from her home in New York City.

Reynolds, who now splits her time between The Big Apple and Miami, said her time away from the limelight allowed her to put a lot of things in perspective. "These last seven months have really shown me that there's a need for the mixture of the law and justice; crime and punishment; government and politics; and pop culture and entertainment. It exists all together and has converged. I am glad that Court TV recognized that I am the kind of talent that can bring it all to fruition," she shared.

A former assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, New York, then known by her full name, Starlet Jones, she actually began her career as a television personality on Court TV. "It's really like a coming home. I actually was on the very first weekend Court TV launched. It was July 1991. It's sort of appropriate that right now I come back as I re-launch. I am launching the third phase of my career. Now for me to come full circle ... I'm so proud that Court TV is partnering with me as I do it," said the 44-year-old former Payless spokeswoman.

Known for her designer duds and her ever-changing hair -- her Star Jones Collection line of wigs are still available online -- will Reynolds have to tame her sometimes flamboyant fashion sense for her new serious gig? "Its very interesting that you say that, because one of the things that people have commented on is the toned-down attire. In reality, that's also me! It's me now! I want to be known for the brain right now. This is Star Jones Reynolds the lawyer right now. She's smart, capable and she can still have fun. She can be hip, but she doesn't have to be flashy. So you won't see rotating hair, but you will see brilliant analysis," she offered.

Since her unceremonious and controversial departure from 'The View' last June, Reynolds hosted and executive produced a year-end review special for TV One. She also contributed to 'The Bible Experience,' subbed for syndicated radio host Michael Eric Dyson, and has been teaching a civics class at the East Harlem School at Exodus House since Sept. 2006, for grades seven and eight.

The one thing Reynolds has not done is watched one single episode of 'The View.' Naturally, she wasn't watching when Rosie O'Donnell, Joy Behar, Elizabeth Hasselbeck and guest host, singer Kimberly Locke, congratulated her on her new job. "We want to wish Star Jones congratulations. She just got a new job on Court TV. She looks beautiful," said O'Donnell, before Hasselbeck chimed in: "She looks great!"

"A couple of people sent me a text message saying that the ladies said, 'Congratulations,' and wished me well on the show. I was not surprised in the least bit. I would expect people would act mature and gracious. I would not expect anything less and I'm glad to know they wish me well, the same as I wish them well. I have turned the page. It's a whole new chapter. That chapter is closed. We're reading a whole new chapter and we're just at the beginning of it," said Reynolds.

Reynolds story of going from being "full-figured to morbidly obese" before a "medical intervention" helped her get a handle on her weight, was detailed in her bestselling book, 'Shine: A Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Journey to Finding Love.' Former co-host Behar even celebrated the shrinking star-pun intended-while the women of 'The View' celebrated her new deal. "Star Jones has finally become a skinny bitch like we always talk," Behar laughed.

"I've never heard the word 'skinny' and my name mentioned in the same sentence, which is sort of funny to me. I've heard the other word, [bitch], and my name, but I've never heard the word 'skinny' and my name," Reynolds laughed. "I don't think of myself in that way in the least bit. Healthy? You better believe it! I am eating right! I am exercising. I am getting the rest that we're supposed to have and doing the things I am supposed to do to take care of me. I went on this transition of getting healthy four years ago. It'll be four years ago in August."

Read Page 2 of the BV Buzz