DANA ELAINE OWENS (a.k.a. Queen Latifah)
Queen Latifah says her new daytime talk show is calling on A-list friends for support, including musicians Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz.
Keys has already participated in test runs of "The Queen Latifah Show." And Kravitz's design firm created the set.
There are more pals at the show's highest levels. Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, are among its producers.
Producer Corin Nelson said "The Queen Latifah Show" will be light on politics. But Latifah already has two big Washington guests in mind: During a White House visit, the actress and rapper extended an invitation to President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
Latifah spoke to members of the Television Critics Association visiting her Los Angeles-area Sony Studios set Wednesday.
Her syndicated show debuts Sept. 16.