Queen Latifah recruits superstar friends for chat show return

Queen Latifah kicked off her new U.S. daytime talk show on Monday (16Sep13) with the help of her A-List friends John Travolta, Lenny Kravitz and Alicia Keys. The Oscar-nominated actress returned to the small screen 12 years after her short-lived chat show ended in 2001 and marked the occasion with a string of superstar guests.
Talking to her first-day audience, Latifah gushed about her new job, saying, “Thank you so much for being with me today, and really throughout my whole career. Everything that I have done has led me to this moment.
“This is my chance to do all of the things that I love. I get to introduce you to amazing people who are doing extraordinary things. I get to showcase the best entertainers, and of course I get to laugh my Spanx off.”
Grease actor Travolta was the very first guest to take the stage, where he discussed his kids and career.
Latifah also surprised a California high school band teacher and his students by sending Keys for a jamming session. The Fallin’ hitmaker even pitched in to help Latifah renovate their band room, complete with new instruments.
Will Smith’s 12-year-old daughter Willow Smith took the stage to close the show with a performance of her viral video hit Summer Fling.
Latifah also recruited her old friend MC Lyte as the house DJ, while Lenny Kravitz showed off a hidden talent for design by revealing he was the mastermind behind her modern set.