‘Pickler & Ben’ Hope To Spread Happiness and Love Through New Talk Show

“We get to be a part of people’s lives and help dreams become a reality," Pickler tells SLN. 

Written by Kelly Brickey
‘Pickler & Ben’ Hope To Spread Happiness and Love Through New Talk Show
Kellie Pickler & Ben Aaron; Photo by George Burns, Jr.

When Kellie Pickler and Ben Aaron signed up to co-host their very own talk show, they only had one mission on their mind: to make their viewers smile.

Pickler & Ben was created as an alternative daytime talk show to showcase the local stories that inspire a nation. From covering the chaos of spontaneous antics to chatting with everyday heroes, Pickler and Aaron knew their television project would strike well with viewers who just wanted to find the peaks of every day within an hour-long program.

“Ben and I were approached a little over a year ago to host the show together. When they approached us with the idea and the format of the show, we fell in love with it. Like Ben was saying earlier, we keep it positive, fun, uplifting. It’s an escape for people to go to get away from everything else that you see going on in the world for an hour. It shines a light,” Pickler explained exclusively to Sounds Like Nashville during a phone interview.

Although Pickler and Aaron joked that their pairing came together through swiping on Tinder, the co-hosts actually went through a number of ‘chemistry tests’ in the pre-production of the show to ensure they were the perfect match. Noting the notion of opposites attracting, the country girl and city boy decided to give the gig a run for its money and their professional relationship developed into a strong friendship on and off set.

“I think the thing that works so well is the fact that Ben and I, we do come from different worlds, and we are very different, especially on the outside looking in, but the core is very much the same,” Pickler explained. “The type of show that we wanted to be a part of is very much the same. We are blessed to work with such amazing people and be a part of something that matters. We both keep saying it’s positive and whatnot, and it is. Everyone in front of the curtain and everyone behind the curtain is wonderful to work with. The guests that we have coming on the show, they do amazing things in their communities. They give back.”

Kellie Pickler & Ben Aaron; Photo by George Burns Photography

Kellie Pickler & Ben Aaron; Photo by George Burns Photography

What matters most for Pickler and Aaron, though, is the opportunity to reach their guests and fans on a greater level and establishing that sense of positivity throughout each segment. Whether they talk to a family who gives back to their community or get a giggle out of the high jinks going on around set, the hosts always hope for that optimistic outlook to shine through the show.

“We get to be a part of people’s lives and help dreams become a reality. It’s so beautiful to see somebody’s face light up when you see that pivotal moments in their lives when their dreams become a reality. That’s a really precious, beautiful moment to have a front row seat and witness. It’s not about us. We do laugh and have fun and get in our silly little shenanigans, but we get to be a something that’s so much greater. It’s people’s dreams, people’s lives. We’re in people’s living rooms every day, waking up with them and helping them start their day, being part of their world,” Pickler said.

Aaron seconded the motion of finding that light at the end of the tunnel as the main theme of Pickler and Ben, hoping that their small contribution to the entertainment world can one day make a big difference in the lives of others.

“I personally want them to escape. That’s probably what Kellie is going to say, but I usually cheat off her in every way. I want them to escape the madness of everything and just enjoy themselves for an hour. It’s our job. It’s what we can do. Bartenders serve beers, doctors cure diseases, our job is to entertain. If we can entertain people in the time that we’re given, that’s pretty much all we want,” Aaron told SLN.

Pickler & Ben airs in 38 separate television markets, as well as on CMT. Fans can check their local listings for show times.