Tyra Banks exits “FAB Life”

Departure comes after only two months on air

Guess Tyra Banks wasn’t cut out for the “Fab Life”.

After just two months as lead host and executive producer, the former supermodel and host of America’s Next Top Model is bailing out of the sinking ship known as The FAB Life, to focus on her recently-launched cosmetics line.

In a statement, Banks said the following:

“This is a very difficult decision, but necessary. I will be devoting more time to my new, growing cosmetics company, TYRA Beauty, which is expanding faster than anticipated, as well as overseeing my company’s other entertainment ventures. I will, however, continue to support the growth and success of FABLife and greatly admire my fellow co-hosts and the talented production team behind the show.”

The decision to leave comes as ratings for the daytime syndicated talk show strip continue to be disappointing. Debuting on September 14, FABLife – which has a lineup of mostly ABC owned-and-operated stations and affiliates (including WLS-TV in Chicago), is trailing behind fellow freshman Warner Bros.’Crime Watch Daily and barely ahead of NBCUniversal’s cheap-to-produce Crazy Talk, in both households and women 25-54. Ratings for FAB have actually been decent in Chicago and in New York City, according to a report last month in the New York Post.

Reports surfaced in the same Post article on some backstage turmoil involving Banks as she often clashed with higher-ups at Disney-ABC Domestic Television Distribution, who produces and syndicates the show. Banks missed some tapings earlier this month, due to her hectic schedule.

Even though yours truly gave FAB Life a passing grade on Twitter, critics have been less generous. During an appearance at the TCA Press Tour last summer, Banks didn’t really seem to be upbeat about the show. Little wonder FAB Life received atrocious reviews.

With Banks’ departure, FAB is left with only four hosts: Chrissy Teigen, Joe Zee, Lauren Makk, and Leah Ashley. Banks plans to serve as executive producer until next month.

Banks’ exit also means her salary comes off the books with no one taking her place, making the show a little bit more cost-effective. But even though Teigen has a strong Twitter and Instagram following, Banks’ has stronger name recognition, and was sold to stations based on it. Making things more iffy, Teigen is expected to go maternity leave soon, as she is expecting her first child with her husband singer-songwriter, John Legend.

With FAB Life losing their number one attraction – and another due to maternity leave, a second season of this show may be in doubt. However, syndicators have been very slow to announce new programming for next fall (just Harry Connick Jr.’s daytime show so far), so if FAB Life gets renewed for a second season, it won’t be because of strong ratings, that’s for sure.