Sarah Palin's Next Career: Cable TV

MarketWatch Columnist Jon Friedman Says She's Lively, Charismatic And Provocative; A Natural Fit

(MarketWatch)  The drumbeat of the polls says Barack Obama will defeat John McCain on Nov. 4. Assuming that this outcome comes to pass, I predict that Sarah Palin will begin fielding offers - on Nov. 5 - for her next logical career move.

The pride of Alaska is a natural to reinvent herself on cable television. Yes, Gov. Palin probably wouldn't rule out CBS , NBC or ABC. But it might require too much explaining for a network news operation to recruit Palin because she might not appeal to a general audience. Cable affords someone a niche, which would seem to be an easier fit for Palin.

And what if McCain managed to confound the experts and win the presidential election? All would not be lost for the enterprising media. The cable networks could then enlist the services of the NEXT-biggest star of the campaign so far.

Obama? No, not even close.

I'm talking, of course, about Joe the Plumber.

The natural

The news networks are desperately looking for a gimmick that would give one an edge over the others.

Palin would be a natural as an anchor or commentator, and I write that respectfully.

Of course, I'm projecting that Palin will weigh options other than what appears to be her obvious game plan: remain as governor of Alaska and serve out the remainder of her term. Then, in two years, she can mount a run of her own for the White House in 2012. (But it's fun to consider her as a TV star!)

As they say in sports, she has all the tools. On the stump she has proven to be vivacious, lively and charismatic and, with a large group of Americans, wildly popular. Plus, she'll need a friendly outlet to plug her inevitable campaign memoir.

Sure, Palin has done her share of excoriating the "media," as if we're all the same and not thousands of individual operations spanning across all news spectrums.

But that's what happens under the stress of a high-pressure situation. Let bygones be bygones. It's like what happens after two lawyers yell at one another in a courtroom. As soon as the case is resolved, five will get you 10 that the former combatants will reach an understanding and adjourn to a friendly lunch.

Sarah superstar

Cable TV channels are always trying to find and capitalize on untapped markets. The Fox News Channel, a division of News Corp., has scored big by presenting programming that resonates with conservative American voters. (News Corp. also owns MarketWatch, the publisher of this column).

Likewise, MSNBC, a unit of General Electric, has made its mark by skewing its shows to appeal to an anti-Fox audience of liberal political junkies.

It wouldn't surprise me if Palin (or her new agent) got entreaties from every cable channel -- up to and including the Food Network. It could feature her hand-me-down family recipes for elk, caribou and deer (and just in time for the holiday season).

Here is how I envision the morning-line odds on Palin's prospects:

6-5, NBC: Then, we'd have the dream pairing of Palin and Tina Fey on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock."

7-5, The Fox News Channel: Palin already has a rapport with Fox. She has been interviewed by many of its stars along the campaign trail. She sat down with Sean Hannity (twice, including a joint interview with McCain), Greta Van Susteren and Carl Cameron.

2-1, The Lifetime Channel: Is there a more suitable platform for a loving, respected mother of five children, one of whom, a teenager, is about to have a child of her own?

3-1, The 700 Club: The flagship news of the is a household name throughout the U.S. Palin could find a very sympathetic audience for many of her conservative views right here.

5-1: Versus: If Palin decided to bolt from the political jungle altogether, she'd have no shortage of juicy opportunities. Who better to preside over the Iditarod broadcast, bull riding, and any hunting segments? Come on! The network's devotion to unusual sports could be a great fit for the former sportscaster.

8-1, ESPN2: The king of X-sports might also appeal to Palin, especially the hunting and fishing broadcasts.

12-1, ESPN: Who among us wouldn't want to glimpse Palin in one of those goofy "SportsCenter" commercials when on-air talent schmooze with sports stars?

13-1, ABC: I'd love to see ABC resurrect a gender twist on "The American Sportsman," starring The Unsinkable Sarah Palin.

15-1, Discovery: Palin would feel right at home talking about the exotic locales of Alaska and Russia.

20-1 VH1: Palin, a certified baby boomer, could be in her element here, too.

25-1 MTV: This network looks even more tired than McCain did at times on the stump. Like him, it needs a jolt.

50,000-1, MSNBC: At first blush, it would be a stretch for Palin to fit in with those card-carrying lefties at MSNBC. But as they say in the ads for the lottery, hey, you never know.

100,000-1:Time Warner's cable news network CNN has been pretty tough on Palin. Just the other day, Roland Martin wrote a commentary on its Web site, entitled, "Time for Palin to answer tough questions."

To the cable channel that emerges as the winner of the Sarah Sweepstakes, I say, Bravo (yet another cable channel in the running, come to think of it).

To the losers, good luck finding Joe the Plumber!

[tallyman2008]

100,000,000-1 PBS

They generally require the ability to speak in complete sentences.

You Betcha

[kansas1946]

I think a better place would be the whacko-right talk radio circut. She would fit right in with Rush and co.

[willcaine]

I wish posters would learn the difference between its and it''s.

[skysoldier75]

There''s no doubt about it: Palin belongs on TV, or somewhere else -- just not in politics.

[questionnews]

Why no offer to Hillary for a TV show??
She would be great hosting one of those reality TV programs.
Just gotta find the right subject or scenario..............Hummmmmm:

[achangenow]

Palin''s appearance on SNL proves she nothing but a JOKE and therefore, cannot be taken seriously. She should have appeared on Meet the Press instead!!

[saj210]

The only TV station that Sarah Palin belongs on is FAUX NEWS (FOXNEWS CABLE). She fits right in with the racist Sean Hannity and Bill O''Reilly.

Sarah Palin comes across as not particularly bright, so FAUX NEWS could be her next career move.

I would imagine Alaskans have finally seen what Palin is all about and will want to oust her! I wouldn''t blame them!

[stopkidding]

When she is a conservative cable new commentator, the other conservatives can discuss why she is unqualified for that job too.

[shockolit]

I am sure she will be given a book contract right away. She might already even have a provisional contract, and just the right ghostwriter already chosen to guide her. Do you all see her doing TV interviews herself? I''m wondering if she can even think on her feet enough for being on the side of the table that asks the questions. Why do people try to tell us she is smart and we are jealous? I guarantee she is not smarter than I am. I would guess I have at least twenty IQ points over her, and I think many of the posters that I read would also. When you have brains, you recognize brains, or the lack thereof. In addition, when you have brains, you really love being around people smarter than you are. When one has brains, one tries to learn more and more, especially by reading. I do think Fox could whip her into shape a lot faster and better than the RNC has managed to do so far. I hope she is reading all this advice.

[troutfisher4]

He is the joke of the year.

Posted by archibunker2


I feel sorry for you. You are in denial, because Obama is clearly going to win.

[zorar-2009]

I heard she''''ll be a moose hunter guide & international travel guide (specializing in Russia)for the Joe six packs who want to hunt & travel!
& the archie bunker crowd!

[zorar-2009]

I heard she''ll be a moose hunter guide & international travel guide (specializing in Russia)for the Joe six packs who want to hunt & travel!

[troutfisher4]

Sarah is smarter than Obama or Biden. You folks are jealous of her. Just read that she is still very popular after most of you trying to destroy her. Funny that when you try to hurt or destroy a person they often come back more popular and well liked than ever. Of course it is just a bunch of lying liberals trying to do that. Never knew a liberal that didn''''t lie and most of them will steal.

Posted by archibunker2



Sure. Is that why so many conservative pundits say she is unqualified?

[troutfisher4]

Yep, she would fit right in at FoxNews.

Babbling for hours about things she knows nothing about...

[excoachken]

She is a natural empty headed Faux News liar and could even be Bill Not-Really''s advisor on international geography, that is if she is willing to fully co-operate with his "interviewing" process.

[murrowseye]

"She''''ll be the new Anne Coulter! Except without any literary talent. Or any other kind of talent that can be detected.

Posted by johnbrown888 at 11:32 AM : Oct 20, 2008"

Except that she will put the knife in with a smile and a wink. At least there''s no pretense with Coulter.

[murrowseye]

She has Fox News written all over her. She can help lead the inveitible charge to undermine Obama''s presidency that the right wing media will institute the moment he is president. She will have to make one change. Fox News dress code stipulates that any female host must bring up the hemline at least four inches above what Sarah has been doing.

[questionnews]

As an Independent, I don''t rely on "Party Heads" to tell me how to think and to be lead around like a dog on a leash. I feel the American people are going to get screwed regardless of which party wins. Seems to be a pattern.
But I do try to listen to both sides objectively since I do have a choose in how I''m going to get screwed over.
I would like to point out that both parties are are full of people spew hatred no more or less than the other "Party" supporters. It''s laughable to see someone say that "your party is the party of hate". Just look at these posts and many more. Most have nothing to do with the article''s content. For most, issues mean nothing to them.

Time to start campaigning for "Neither Party 2012"

[sarah4pres]

Wow a lot of liberal democrats that I guarantee don''t live in Alaska lol. I love Sarah Palin, she had tougher questions than even the Presidential canidates in her first five weeks running for VP. I blame the GOP McCain Campain for not preparing her better. Sarah was awesome on SNL, but she''s brilliant at what she''s best at. Lowering taxes, energy efficeintcy, and working with the people. For the person saying she gave a "steller" performance. First the word is "Stellar" meaning GREAT, awesome, performance. So I''m not really sure what insider you are talking to, and they must be an idiot. Ratings were higher than they have been since 94 with at least 17 million the first half of the show, and 14 for the rest. This is at a time when SNL''s numbers don''t get close to what they did in 94 so when you compare it to other shows it came in at no 3 for the week which is the best showing in SNL history. Yea, I''m sure they wouldn''t have her back on (sarcasm flowing.) She will make her bid for 2012 and I''ll be supporting and voting for her. After all Obama''s brilliat tax plan (not) will leave our economy even more devistated than we already are.

[abman827]

Sarah Palin does not have to worry about searching for her next job...she will already have a job as our next Vice President. The American People are going to realize on November 4th that we need people in office that are in there for the American People and not for themselves. Obama is all about himself and what makes sense to him, his elite status does not fit in the white house. He is corrupt and has so many negative/immoral relationships with people that are not for American and what America stands for. We do not need socialism in this country and what he and his campaign are doing to "Joe the Plumber" is horrible. He has done to "Joe the Plumber'' as he will do to us "Middle Class" people....screw us royally.