Cute former talkshow host Ricki Lake has been stepping out recently with a hot new guy. You may have seen this already, but it’s new to me and In Touch has some scant details about the guy as well as the times he was seen out with Ricki.

[Ricki Lake] has been canoodling all over NYC with a scruffy blue-eyed mystery man named Ernani. The couple spent a night out at the Then She Found Me premiere party on April 21, and the supported the Michael J. Fox Foundation at the Play 4 Parkinson’s Casino Gala the next day. The former talk-show host, 39, introduced Ernani as her “new friend” as they mingled with pals and held hands all night.

[From In Touch, print edition, May 12, 2008]

OK! Magazine says that Lake was overheard saying “He’s my latest man” and “All I can say is, I’m having fun in New York.” He certainly is a good looking guy and I hope he treats her well too.

Ricki divorced her husband Rob Sussman in 2004 after 9 years of marriage. They have sons Milo, 11, and Owen, 6, together. It must be a lot more complicated to date when you have children and some women say it makes them more careful about bringing men into their lives. Ricki jumped into marrying her first husband shortly after meeting him, but they had a relatively long marriage. Maybe she’s more cautious now or maybe she still has the same tendency to fall head over heels. Either way, you hope it works out for her.

[Ok details via The Bosh]

Photos are from 4/21/08 and 4/24/08 thanks to WENN.