Jeff Probst launches talk show without celebrities

Kelly Pozzoli and Jeff Probst on "The Jeff Probst Show."

/ The Jeff Probst Show

(CBS News) Jeff Probst of "Survivor" fame made his debut as a talk-show host Monday with an upbeat hour featuring non-celebrity guests who exemplify a "can-do" attitude.

Thirty-one-year old cancer victim Kelly Pozzoli, who has been told she may mot live to see her 33rd birthday, told Probst and the audience about how her diagnosis led her to a "seize the day" mentality. Because she aims to make her life as full as possible, she says with a brilliant smile, she has no time to waste on self pity.

Probst promises to check in on her journey throughout the season.

Joining her in the hour was 8-year-old Vivienne Har, and newlyweds Eileen 91, and Bob, 92. The girl has earned $50,000 for the charity Not for Sale by selling lemonade. Not for Sale is an organization fighting against human trafficking.

The nonagenarians fell in love at first sight in a nursing home and were married after a whirlwind two-week courtship.

"Survivor" fans will recognize the affable, laid-back interview style that has earned Probst four Emmys over the years. As he does in those shows, Probst relates to guests on a personal level. He asks guests to comment on one another's stories and looks to the audience for an occasional aside.

The show, produced for syndication by CBS Television, joins a season crowded with new and returning talk-shows. Steve Harvey's new talk show started last week and shows with Ricki Lake and Katie Couric also debuted today. New seasons also began today for veterans Anderson Cooper and Ellen DeGeneres.

Tell us: What did you think of Jeff Probst's new show?

[bartonsmail]

HI JEFF:

LOVED YOUR SHOW THE WAY IT WAS WITH ONLY YOU HOSTING, LOVED THE ON THE COUCH SESSION, LOVED THE AMBUSHES. LISA IS NICE TO LOOK AT BUT NOT WHAT YOUR SHOW USED TO BE. YOU WERE ORIGINAL AND MADE ME AND THE WIFE LOOK FORWARD TO THE SHOW, WE STILL WATCH.

[nabisi]

Vicky Says:
Hey Jeff l miss the most important part of the show today the, 31st of December 2012. Coming from work this morning. Please Jeff can l have the bachelor,s name and his email? l have couple of questions to ask him. l live in Minneapolis.l am an African woman.Stay blessed and Happy New Year. This is my contact [e-mail].

[SurvivorVal]

Jeff, I love your new show. And Kelly is a inspiration to me. I have Stage 1 Breast cancer. I was diagnose the day before my birthday of turning 49. It was truly a rude awaking. But I am a fighter and I will NOT let this cancer take me down. I have been doing Chemo treatments every 3 weeks, in fact my last treatment is tomorrow the 20th of Sept. Then I will start radiation, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. I feel just like Kelly, I am going to live my life. In fact I am still working as the best I can. Thank you so much for airing this episode. It makes me even stronger!!! Good Luck to you Kelly:) God Bless You!!! My name is Val and I am a SURVIVOR!!!!!

[WarmedOver]

Jeff, Kelly Pozzolli is a TRUE inspiration. My sister has stage 4 lung cancer. She has undergone radiation and chemo treatments for this cancer. She has recently completed the chemo which was very hard on her. I WISH she had the wonderful attitude that Kelly possesses. This may sound harsh, but I believe my sister has given up. She "can't" stop smoking. Her recent check up shows the cancer in her lung has grown and is an undetermined cell type. My sister says she will refuse any further chemo treatments because they left her feeling so unwell for days afterward. It seems to me my sister has given up! She refuses to see any happiness. She has been single for many years, even though she is a lovely woman, she hasn't been able to find happiness with a man. This depresses her. Her son, my nephew, is a source of constant concern. Right now, I think she feels very alone and is extremely depressed because of her health. HOW I WISH my sister could find/adopt Kelly's outlook on life!!!! It seems she thinks she is the only one suffering from her illness. I am also suffering. I have been with her through her radiation treatment, through most of her chemo, and through many tears. It is very painful for me to watch her continue to smoke cigarettes and expect that the cancer will not continue to grow. She says she can't stop smoking, but, it seems to me (as a non-smoker) that she has given up on her life. Jeff, my sister needs a Kelly infusion. Thanks for listening.

[annruth2]

LOVE this show!! I look forward to it everyday. It is nice to NOT have celebrities on the show. Jeff is so genuine and caring. Keep up the good work!

[johnmcche]

Great show! Uplifting!! They say people don't buy "what" you do but rather "why" you do it. I love the WHY! Great format!!

[truth5]

This was an outstanding program and will pass the word...nice to have every day folks involved and see their stories so many can relate to...great work! Kelly you remind me of my friend, Melanie...so strong!

[erasmus111]

I don't usually watch talk shows, but I had to see this one. And I thought it was great! It's different. I like Jeff's "style".

[sharigp]

kelly you are beautiful. i made the decsion to shave my head bald in may 2011 i am with you 100 percent. very courages woman you are. stay blessed.
my name is Shari, i live in tucson.