Syndicated swinger! Popular crooner Harry Connick Jr. signs deal for talk show, set to debut in fall

Published: 18:40 EST, 13 October 2015 | Updated: 19:11 EST, 13 October 2015

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Longtime pop crooner Harry Connick Jr. will soon swing his way onto TV screens, this time as host of his own syndicated talk show.

Deadline reported Tuesday that the 48-year-old Connick is set to launch Harry, a daytime talker, beginning in 2016.

In keeping with the singer's throwback style, producers plan to bring a retro sensibility to the offering, drawing inspiration from traditional variety fare of the past.

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Syndicated swinger: Longtime pop crooner Harry Connick Jr., 48 will soon swing his way onto TV screens as host of his own syndicated talk show

Connick is expected to bring a Merv Griffin-style element to his hosting duties, incorporating musical performance and comedy alongside traditional celebrity banter.

Initially cleared for debut on 17 Fox O&O's, Harry will launch via nationwide syndication in September of 2016.

NBCUniveral, set to produce, is now shopping the series to other leading station groups, well in advance of the program's debut. Connick is slated to receive an executive producer credit on the show, alongside co-execs Justin and Eric Stangel, Former Late Show With David Letterman head writers, and Anne Marie Wilkins.

A Merv for the modern era: Connick is expected to bring a throwback sensibility to the show, incorporating songs and comedy into his traditional hosting duties. Merv Griffin, seen here, was a pop singer and star of daytime talk for over a quarter century

Croon and chat: Longtime big band singer-turned-talk host Merv Griffin talks with comic icon George Burns. Not since Griffin has a crooner entered daytime talk

A top star in the field of traditional pop for over two decades, two-time Emmy winner Connick gained a new generation of fans in 2013, after joining American Idol as a judge, alongside music greats Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez.

The three stars will once again occupy the panel when Idol takes to the air for its final season, beginning in January.

Discerning judgement: Connick gained a new generation of fans in 2013, after joining American Idol as a judge

In addition to his pop music provenance, Connick's feature credits include Little Man Tate, Copycat, Independence Day, Hope Floats and the recent Dolphin Tale films. The star performed a lead role in ABC’s production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic South Pacific in 2001.

A Tony nominee for the musical Thou Shalt Not, Connick has also been seen in other classic musical fare, including starring roles on Broadway in revivals of The Pajama Game (2006) and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (2011).

The crooner is best remembered to a legion of TV fans for his work as a recurring character on the long-running sitcom Will & Grace.

Tony company: A tony nominee, Connick has also been seen in classic musical fare, including starring roles on Broadway in revivals of The Pajama Game (2006) and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (2011)