‘Lamar’s good, thank you’: Khloe Kardashian moves quickly from personal talk to her new talk show

It was the first question: “How’s Lamar doing?�

Khloe Kardashian took the stage Wednesday at the Television Critics Assn. press tour in Pasadena to promote her new FYI network talker “Kocktails With Khloe.� And as expected, there was no shortage of curiosity on the health status of her estranged husband Lamar Odom.

“Lamar’s good, thank you,� Kardashian responded cordially before jumping quickly into the reporter’s second question that centered on what lessons Kardashian may have learned from her mother Kris Jenner’s short-lived talk show. (Her answer to that: how to be authentic.)

But Kardashian, whose new talk show is the byproduct of the profile she’s amassed in the years since “Keeping Up With the Kardashians� transformed her family into a reality TV dynasty, wasn’t yet done addressing the Odom situation. In a more roundabout way, she was asked about the pitfalls of being famous for being so open.

“There’s definitely a double-edged sword,� she said. “When things are great, I think we naturally want to scream it from the rooftop. … Seeing how much love and support — and genuine support — it’s such a blessing and I do feel so grateful for everybody’s prayers and positive wishes. But there are some areas that I wish people would respect why, if I am being a little more private, that there’s reason for that, especially if we have been so open in many areas of our life. That if I am pulling away a little bit, there’s probably a good reason why I’m choosing to do so.�

Journalists still prodded Kardashian about her ex, asking about his progress since being found unconscious in a Las Vegas brothel in October.

Kardashian, visibly ready to move on to another topic (like, say, her talk show) but politely answering, was a little more verbose this time. Though she maintained her stance at revealing little.

“Because it’s not my story to tell, I try to respect that,� Kardashian said. “And I want him to be able to tell that story. I’m just there to support and care for him. He’s doing amazing and I’m so proud of the strength that he has to fight this battle. And I’m so grateful for everybody’s love and concern because I do think it comes from a good place.�

There was also curiosity over Kardashian’s thoughts about the upcoming FX miniseries “American Crime Story: The People V OJ Simpson.� Her late father Robert Kardashian, who was part of Simpson’s defense team, is a prominent character in the series. He’s portrayed by David Schwimmer. But portrayals of Kris Jenner by Selma Blair, and young versions of the Kardashian siblings are also featured throughout the series.

“I would definitely like to see it,� she said. My mom and Selma Blair became really good friends. She was at our Christmas Eve party so my mom — My mom has way more investment into that [miniseries]… she helped out. So, I would like to see it.�

Despite the few non-talk show questions, attention was paid to what viewers can expect from her new gabfest that has her branching out of E! network.

Kardashian, dressed in a form-fitting black ensemble, said the set of “Kocktails With Khloe� replicates the look of her home. The L.A.-based show, which will not have a studio audience, will feature celebrity guests and was conceived as a spin on the dinner parties she throws at home. There will be cooking, games and even some risque talk — all things viewers have come to expect from the Kardashian sibling widely considered the fun one of the bunch.

“I want the conversations to be raw and gritty and honest and natural,� she said. “Maybe a little naughty and risque because we’re doing it in late night. I want it to be as authentic as we can.�

The guest list has not yet been announced.

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