Ancier pares 'Ricki' duties

By JENNY HONTZ

Garth Ancier no longer will be involved in the day-to-day production of Columbia TriStar TV Distribution's talkshow "Ricki Lake," as part of a settlement with the studio, sources said.

For the past couple of years, Ancier has worked double duty as exec producer of "Ricki Lake" and entertainment prez at the WB Network. Because his original deal with Col held that "Ricki Lake" would be his first priority, Ancier has been commuting between New York and L.A.

With the WB netlet expanding every year, sources say Ancier "couldn't keep up the balancing act."

As of Thursday though, Ancier is now an executive consultant to "Ricki Lake," which still will be produced under his company banner.

The new hands-off role comes after Ancier settled a lawsuit against Sony concerning his cut of the show's profits. Columbia and Ancier had no comment.