Talk Show Hopeful: Supporting the Dream

Guess who's visiting the set of one successful celebrity's upcoming talk show right now? No, not me. (Sigh.) The lucky winner of that all-access pass is my husband, Hollywood Super Agent Jim Ornstein. And I'm living vicariously through him today, imagining that I'm there, too. As a pregnant lady, I do a lot of things vicariously through him these days, from wine consumption to roller coaster riding to white water rafting.*
Mr. Super Agent just sent me an email from the set. He could've talked about how glamorous the celebrity is close-up, or described the behind-the-scenes craziness. But his email was actually about me, of all things. It stated, in full, "I was just thinking of you onstage with your own talk show." 
He supports the dream! How great is he?!  

Jill Dobson's Emmy Dream Dress
(As modeled by Emmy winner Claire Danes)

My dream, as fans of The Jill Dobson Show know, is to be a talk show host. I've worked toward it during my decade as a reporter, covering hard news, then entertainment. (My resume includes hosting a daily live talk show on the web, Strategy Room, and appearing on some shows you might've heard of... The Today Show, CBS Early Show, Vh1 All Access, E News!, Access Hollywood, Showbiz Tonight, etc.)

"Creative Visualization" author Shakti Gawain says that if you have a dream, you should "Imagine that it has already happened. Picture it as clearly as possible in your mind."  

On her advice, I can close my eyes and see my future talk show set, the audience, the different segments we'll do, the inevitable Emmy nominations, even my Emmy dress... which looks a lot like the dress Claire Danes wore to the 2010 awards. Except mine has spaghetti straps. Because you know who isn't brave enough to risk a wardrobe malfunction on Emmy night? Me! 
Sturdy strap support, along with the longterm support of my spouse (and the Jill Dobson Show audience)... it seems I've got everything I need to make it to the top, wouldn't you say? So, move over, Oprah! (Oh, right. She already stepped down from her talk show. Well, then, move over, Ellen!)

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*OK, he hasn't exactly been on any roller coasters this summer, and I don't think he's ever been white water rafting. But it sounds lame to say that I've just been watching, staring, dreaming, and, I admit, drooling a bit, every time he takes a sip of wine. Right? There should be other things I'm missing out on, due to pregnancy. I had other hobbies before becoming a Mom-to-Be, didn't I? Didn't I?!

Talk Show Hopeful: Jill Dobson

Welcome to another edition of Talk Show Hopeful: Jill Dobson, where I share the latest ups and downs in my lifelong quest to become a Talk Show Host.

Serving as guest host on Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld.

Check out my next Red Eye appearance, early Friday morning!

In a decade of working in front of the camera, I've covered murders, riots, literal trainwrecks, figurative trainwrecks, the Academy Awards and much, much more.  Along the way, as fans of The Jill Dobson Show will tell you, I've determined that my ultimate dream career would be to someday host (or, better yet, co-host) a talk show. 

Here and there, I've gotten a taste of what it would feel like to be the next Oprah, or Ellen or Rachael.  I've thoroughly enjoyed being a guest on several talk shows that are now, sadly, defunct, including The Montel Williams Show.*  I once co-hosted a talk show pilot, which, sadly, never made it on the air.**  The closest I've come to my dream is serving as fill-in host of Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld, which I absolutely loved doing.  (Other than having to work with my nemesis, Bill Schulz, of course!)  

While others get their adrenaline rush from skydiving and skiing, I get mine from that little red light that indicates, "We're LIVE!"  I've especially loved interacting with a live studio audience, or the next-best thing, the fans at home who emailed in to the web-based talk show I hosted for a couple years, Strategy Room.

If I had my own talk show today, I'd be chatting with my co-host about the Roger Clemens trial, my efforts (and failures) to get jury duty while everyone else in America seems to be trying to avoid it, the reported cancellation of Eliot Spitzer's show, and which Oscar winner just named her baby boy Alex Alef Aleph.  There's so much to discuss... and so little airtime!

The good news for me?  I'm returning to the talk show format later this week, at least for an hour.  Catch me on Red Eye this Friday morning (3-4am Eastern) on FNC with Greg Gutfeld and the gang!  It's sure to be a scandalously good time.  And who knows, maybe a network exec or two will tune in and think, "This girl should have her own show!"  Hey, if Eliot Spitzer can get a show....

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*You don't think it's my fault that Montel, Keith Ablow and Mike & Juliet all went off the air shortly after my guest appearances, do you?  You do?!!  Oh, no!  I hope ABC President Ben Sherwood and his counterparts at NBC and CBS don't think that!

**One of my fellow hosts: Supermodel Carol Alt.  Guess which one of us ate mayo-filled tuna sandwiches during our lunch breaks, and which one had raw vegetables?

An Open Letter to Katie Couric

Couric on The View.  Please make room on your couch for me!

In my open letter to Katie Couric (below), I ask her to make room for me on her upcoming talk show. After all, we have plenty in common:

• I've been on the Today Show (sharing entertainment scoop)
• I've worked for CBS News (as an Early Show Entertainment Contributor, and as a news reporter at CBS affiliates)
• I believe "there are a lot of smart people... craving smart conversation" who would watch a thoughtful, yet fun, talk show

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Dear Katie, I once interviewed you on the red pink carpet at the premiere of the Sex and the City movie.  I was the one with a FOX mic, a fuchsia dress and a big smile.  Remember me?  I looked just like this:

Our interview was brief, but upbeat, as you told cameraman Tommy Chiu and me that you loved the Sex and the City series, and couldn't wait to see the movie.  You and I hit it off, and I'm sure our great rapport would continue on the set of your upcoming talk show. Perhaps you're considering a The View-like panel for your talk show?  If so, maybe this soon-to-be Mom... from the Midwest... would appeal to the viewers at home. 
Or maybe you want someone to spearhead occasional makeover segments, like Lawrence Zarian does on Live with Regis and Kelly -- I could do that!  I lovvvve a good makeover, and I know just the experts to round up for the job!  (Off the top of my head, these pals come to mind... Makeup: Kristofer Buckle, Hair: Oscar Blandi, Wardrobe: Hitha Prabhakar). 
If you want to include fun celebrity scoop, I could dish with you, like my friend Dawn Yanek does on The Wendy Williams Show.  I know, I know, you want to talk about intelligent topics, but there's nothing wrong with a fun Hollywood roundup on the occasional Friday, is there? Ask your partner-in-talk Jeff Zucker.  I'll bet he'll agree with me.  As you've said, Zucker "knows the sweet spot of when people are talking about a particular subject."  And sometimes that subject is Angelina Jolie.  I'm just sayin'. * 
I've been working toward this dream for a very long time, and I'd play any role on your show.  I'll be the Lisa Ling to your Oprah, the Gretta to your Rachael, or, if comes down to it, I'll make fool of myself for you, on TV and at the local Starbucks, just like Dennis Quaid on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.  If you haven't seen this video yet, Katie, you must watch it now!  As you watch, remember, I'm happy to be the Quaid to your DeGeneres.  And if that isn't dedication, I don't know what is!
Thanks for your consideration... my agent awaits your call!
Sincerely,
Jill Dobson a.k.a. The Dobson to your Couric


Don't forget, Jolie was your co-star in the 2004 film Shark Tale.  You're not going to forget the "little people," like Angelina, now that you're a big talk show host... right?

Memorial Day/Welcome to The Jill Dobson Show!

The Jill Dobson Show is on a Memorial Day hiatus.  Please enjoy this previously aired episode, and remember to honor our troops today.

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Welcome to The Jill Dobson Show!  As I wait for the network executives to someday greenlight my very own talk show on TV... I'll do a little blog version of my dream show right here.  Stay tuned for the following segments, and much, much more!

Talk Show Hopeful: The ups and downs in my lifelong quest to become a talk-show host, from guest-host gigs on Red Eye to high-level meetings (OK, one 5-minute audition) with the folks at E!

The Host Chat: While Regis shares funny stories about hanging with Don Rickles, I'll share my latest tales of hobnobbing, hijinks and, more often than not, humiliation!

Jill Dobson Guest-Hosts Red Eye

Favorite Things: As I reveal the coolest tech, beauty and home products, your favorite Oprah segment lives on... except without Oprah, without any TV airtime, and without the free giveaways.  Hey, I'm doing the best I can here!

Ask Jill: An unapologetic rip-off of the "Ask Wendy" segment on The Wendy Williams Show.  Ask my advice on friendship, dating and work... and I'll give you a solution to all your problems, in one 15-second soundbite!

Casting Call: While I applaud Ellen, Oprah, Rachael and Chelsea for going it alone, I'd prefer to work with a co-host.  As I write about my favorite funny guys (and gals!) from the New York comedy scene, the Chicago improv world, and beyond... YOU can help me pick my dream co-host!

Fashion Fix: The ladies of The View share their wardrobe secrets on their website each day.  I'll share my TV-worthy fashions too (but only on the days I manage to get out of my pj's).  

Dances with DeGeneres

My friend Lisa was in the audience at today's The Ellen DeGeneres Show. When Ellen started off her show with her daily dance, she danced right up to Lisa.  I even saw Ellen look directly into Lisa's eyes and impart some talk show host magic on her!  I was so jealous excited, I almost dropped my Oreo cookies carrot sticks.  

Ellen dancing with Gaga (not my friend Lisa)

Years before Ellen's talk show hit the airwaves, I had a great idea.*  Someday I would have a show, perhaps titled The Jill Dobson Show, and I would start it each day with one of my enthusiastic (if not terribly coordinated) dances.  It would be a fun and kind of silly way to engage the audience.  

Lisa Gilbar in the audience at Ellen

I also decided that after I started my own talk show, I would then start my own magazine with fashion and beauty tips along with uplifting articles about reaching one's dreams. Clearly, Oprah beat me to the punch on that one.  (As did Rosie.)  

And I planned an awesome segment called the Six-Month Makeover.  In it, viewers would get the usual new look from hairstylists, makeup artists and fashion stylists, BUT they'd also have six months to get toned, visit the dentist and do some other long-term improvements.  As you can imagine, I'll be watching Monday's premiere of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition with both interest and a sense of urgency... I've got to get my own talk show STAT -- before all my ideas end up on TV!

Listen up, dear viewers of The Jill Dobson Show: If you see a TV host going around trying the newest Hollywood workout alongside Chelsea Handler one week and Elisabeth Hasselbeck the next (and aforementioned host is hilariously out of breath because she's struggling to keep up, while also simultaneously trying to interview Chelsea/Elisabeth)... you'll know I've been beaten the the punch... again!  

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*You'll have to take my word on this, since I don't have legal documentation to prove it.  But I'm a very honest gal.  I'll even admit that, despite my best intention, my afternoon snack was much more chocolately and carb-filled than it should have been.  I'll also admit that my abs look nothing like Elisabeth Hasselbeck's.  (Hmmm, I wonder if those two things are related?)

The Jill Dobson Show

Welcome to The Jill Dobson Show!  As I wait for the network executives to someday greenlight my very own talk show on TV... I'll do a little blog version of my dream show right here.  Stay tuned for the following segments, and much, much more!


Talk Show Hopeful: The ups and downs in my lifelong quest to become a talk-show host, from guest-host gigs on Red Eye to high-level meetings (OK, one 5-minute audition) with the folks at E!
The Host Chat: While Regis shares funny stories about hanging with Don Rickles, I'll share my latest tales of hobnobbing, hijinks and, more often than not, humiliation!

Jill Dobson Guest-Hosts Red Eye

Favorite Things: As I reveal the coolest tech, beauty and home products, your favorite Oprah segment lives on... except without Oprah, without any TV airtime, and without the free giveaways.  Hey, I'm doing the best I can here!

Ask Jill: An unapologetic rip-off of the "Ask Wendy" segment on The Wendy Williams Show.  Ask my advice on friendship, dating and work... and I'll give you a solution to all your problems, in one 15-second soundbite!

Casting Call: While I applaud Ellen, Oprah, Rachael and Chelsea for going it alone, I'd prefer to work with a co-host.  As I write about my favorite funny guys (and gals!) from the New York comedy scene, the Chicago improv world, and beyond... YOU can help me pick my dream co-host!

Fashion Fix: The ladies of The View share their wardrobe secrets on their website each day.  I'll share my TV-worthy fashions too (but only on the days I manage to get out of my pj's).