(CBS) Oprah Winfrey left a big gap in daytime programming when she ended “The Oprah Winfrey Show” earlier this year. She covered everything: Politics. Human emotion. Weight struggles. Spirituality. The Secret. And she did it in a way that drew in viewers from just about every socioeconomic group.

And who has the far-reaching appeal that Winfrey has? No one. Let’s be honest. But here are some of the options from which Americans can choose to have their daily gab needs met – and maybe some of these hosts will surprise us.

Anderson Cooper: The CNN anchor and reporter hit the airwaves Monday with “Anderson,” his new talk show. His first guests were Amy Winehouse’s family. The L.A. Times writes, “[D]espite the man’s famous Vanderbilt/Dalton School/Yale/CNN pedigree, [“Anderson”] appears to be eerily similar to every other daytime talk show host’s [show].” That’s just one opinion, but Anderson does appeal to lots of different groups. Perhaps he can build his show into something bigger than a traditional talk show over time. 

Dr. Oz: Winfrey first had Dr. Oz on in 2004. He got his own show in late 2009 after many appearances alongside Oprah. Oz’s show – “The Dr. Oz Show” – is primarily a medical and health show wrapped up in a talk show format. Tackling belly fat is one of the subjects of the show’s new season.

Dr. Drew: You know Dr. Drew Pinsky from “Loveline,” “Celebrity Rehab” and some other shows in which marginally famous people make total fools of themselves. His HLN show, “Dr. Drew,” covers everything from addiction (Dr. Drew’s specialty) to a teacher fired for having at one-time been a porn star to interviewing Chaz Bono’s dance partner about the brouhaha over Bono’s upcoming stint on “Dancing with the Stars.” This show airs at night, so technically Dr. Drew can’t be a daytime talk show phenomenon, 바카라 돈 따는 법 but you never know, Dr. Drew’s rating could go through the roof, prompting airings at all hours of the day. And night.

Katie Couric: The former “Today” co-host and anchor of the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” will launch a talk show on ABC in the fall of 2012. No word yet on how it will work. But you know Couric’s personality – it’s impossible not to after watching her on national television for 20 years – and you know she’ll probably do well in an informal chat setting.

Rachael Ray: Of the billion or so shows Rachael Ray has had in her career, “Rachael Ray” is a daytime talk show not focused exclusively on food like Ray’s cooking show, “30 Minute Meals.” Not unlike Winfrey’s show, Ray has guests and an audience. Recent topics include potty training and dealing with dry skin.

Ellen DeGeneres: “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” has been a big hit since its launch in 2003. Guests and audiences love the host’s easygoing attitude and approach-everyone-as-a-friend demeanor. Like “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” DeGeneres’ talk show has embraced causes DeGeneres champions, such as the “Be Kind to One Another” anti-bullying campaign.

Rosie O’Donnell: The so-called “queen of nice” is returning to the airwaves Oct. 10 on Winfrey’s OWN Network with a new talk show called “The Rosie Show.” It’s based in Chicago and uses Winfrey’s old studio space. The big difference? Kids are permitted in the audience. And it’s not hosted by Oprah. O’Donnell had a successful daytime talk show before. Can she do it again?

With all those choices, how can anyone decide? There is another possibility: Back in June, Time’s James Poniewozik wrote the following: “[M]y gut tells me that any “next Oprah” is more likely to be an unknown quantity.”

What do you think? Who will be the next big daytime talk show host?