In Toronto

Anderson was in Toronto yesterday, but he said he will be here, in New York, today (to celebrate his birthday, I hope). Here is an article about his interview with Canada TV. There is a video with the article but they won't share it, so please click towards the end of this post to watch the video.

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Thu Jun. 02 2011 -- 1:16:08 PM | Web Staff, cp24.com

Anderson Cooper's new chat show a break from politics

Anderson Cooper is known for tackling politics and natural disasters on CNN, but he's looking to branch out and connect with people in new ways on his new daytime talk show.

During an interview with CP24's Stephen LeDrew on Thursday, Cooper said his one-hour chat show, "Anderson," will focus less on politics and more on social issues, celebrities, pop culture and people behind world headlines.

In a nutshell, it will be a more relaxed venue for Cooper, whose usual work environment is the pressure-cooker of a newsroom or the enormity of a disaster or conflict zone.

"We're really trying to focus much more on human topics and human issues and leave some of the politics (out)", Cooper said.

Above all, he hopes to deliver a show that informs and entertains people.

Taped in front of a live studio audience in New York City, "Anderson" debuts on CTV on Sept. 12 at 5 p.m.

The show means a new time slot and more face time for Cooper, one of the world's most popular and recognized journalists.

Cooper is keeping his usual nighttime gig on CNN and will continue to file reports for CBS' "60 Minutes."

"I really like doing a lot of different things," Cooper said. "I like juggling a bunch of different things at once, as long as they're different and I'm learning new things."

"Anderson" is one of 16 new shows coming to CTV and CTV Two, previously known as A Channel, this fall.

The additions include Simon Cowell's "X Factor," "Pan Am," a drama featuring Christina Ricci, and a comedy from celebrity roast queen Whitney Cummings.

Returning series include "The Big Bang Theory," "American Idol," "Flashpoint" and "Dancing With the Stars."

Several of the new shows' stars or hosts stopped by CP24's studio for a chat Thursday during CTV's fall lineup launch. To watch the videos, click here.

CP24, like CTV, is a division of Bell Media.