George Lopez gearing up for chat show

ATLANTA, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- George Lopez's new U.S. late-night talk show, which is to start airing Nov. 9, will have a party atmosphere, TBS said.

"Lopez Tonight" is expected to feature live musical and comedy performances and celebrity appearances each evening from Monday through Thursday.

"(The show) will bring the excitement back to late night with a party atmosphere and a high-energy crowd," the network said in a news release. "(It) will include guests from the worlds of entertainment, sports, pop culture and politics. The show will feature a street-party feel, with pumped-up music, audience interaction and a format that is open to change each day."

Lopez cites "The Arsenio Hall Show" as one of his biggest influences.

"It's time to get back to the kind of show that is fun for everybody to watch," he said in a statement.

"There are enough heavy things going on every day that you should be able to sit down late at night, have a drink, relax and enjoy a party on television," he added. "This is also going to be a place that includes everyone. There's a natural energy with everybody being there."

Musical director, keyboardist and composer Michael Bearden will serve as band leader for "Lopez Tonight," TBS said. Bearden has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry and was most recently the musical director for Michael Jackson's planned concert tour "This Is It." He also worked on the upcoming Jackson documentary of the same name.