The spirit of creative journalism is still alive and well in the British tabloids. Yesterday London’s Express newspaper reported that Jennifer Aniston was going to host her own weekly talk show on Oprah’s new network. Why in the world would a reasonably successful film actress do something like that? Well because she absolutely wants to, was the creative natural response. I mean who wouldn’t want to take their career down several notches? Oh, and money wasn’t a factor, since she doesn’t need it.

Aniston has agreed to do a weekly show for Oprah’s new cable channel, OWN, when it finally launches sometime next year, according to a report over the weekend. While the idea of the former “Friends” star putting her career on hold to host a weekly cable show seems improbable at first glance, the report in London’s Express newspaper says that Aniston is taken with the idea of starring on her own talk show.

Salary would not be a factor for the actress, who earns $5-7 million a movie, says the report. “She is doing this for one reason only; she absolutely wants to do it,” the paper quotes a source “close to the deal.” It seems that Aniston, 40, wants to duplicate what she saw last month as a guest on the Chelsea Handler show, “Chelsea Lately,” on the E! channel.

[From Fox News]

One small glitch in the plan: it’s all bogus. I’ll wait while you pick your collective jaws off the floor. I cannot believe Jennifer Aniston would pass up such a lucrative embarrassing offer. How shortsighted. [Please note the heavy sarcasm].

Jennifer Aniston is not returning to TV, her rep tellsUsmagazine.com.

Reports claiming the star, 40, agreed to host a weekly talk show for Oprah Winfrey’s new cable channel are “absolutely false,” her rep tells Us.

A spokesperson for OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, also denied the report.

“OWN is not in discussions with Jennifer Aniston to host a weekly talk show,” the spokesperson tells Us.

[From Us Weekly]

Considering all reps do is issue denials (must be the cushiest job ever; you’re paid exorbitant fees to say “no”), I don’t normally put a lot of stock into anything they say. But since this was an entirely unbelievable – and slightly embarrassing – story from the get-go, I’m going to go with Jen’s rep. As much as I’m sure she aspires to be the next Bonnie Hunt, her dreams will have to wait.

Here’s Jennifer Aniston re-filming some scenes for her new film The ‘Baster’ in Los Angeles on October 8th. Images thanks to Fame Pictures .