Povich to Leave ‘Current Affair’ in 1991

Maury Povich, who since 1986 has anchored the syndicated “A Current Affair,” said he’s leaving the weeknight TV series in June next year to co-produce and star in his own one-hour talk show.

The as-yet untitled show, to premiere in the fall of 1991, will appear five nights a week from New York and be co-produced and syndicated by Paramount Domestic Television, Povich said.

He said his “Current Affair” contract with Fox Broadcasting, which distributes the show, expires June 1 next year.

The craggy-faced anchorman, whose show was criticized as tabloid television during the program’s early days, said he’ll continue doing the show until his contract expires. He said “A Current Affair” is seen in 190 cities.

In an interview, Povich, who is married to TV newswoman Connie Chung, said he hadn’t been restless. “It’s just that over the last week or so, I began to think that it’ll soon be five years here. That’s 1,300 shows. I was here when it was a baby.

“It has grown into an institution and will be a hit long after I’m gone. And so I thought maybe it’s time for the kid to leave the house--even though the kid is 51.”

Although the afternoon show for Paramount will put him against Oprah around the country in about 18 months, Povich said the new show offers him “a new horizon, a fresh challenge, with new people.”

He said the program will probably include a “mix of the good elements of ‘Current Affair.’ ”

No word yet on who will replace Povich as host of “A Current Affair.”