Back on the Treadmill!

When I was six months pregnant, I vowed I'd get back on the horse treadmill soon after I had my baby. Today, I proved to my each of my millions of five readers that I'm an honest woman. 

Jill Dobson wishes her waist were this small.
Perhaps her 5K training will help make it happen!

This morning I started the Couch to 5K training program. Couch to 5K is designed to help people like me (and you!) get off the sectional and train for a 3.1 mile race. Sure, I'm only one day into it, but I already believe it's perfect for just about anyone. It's great for a former college athlete like me,* and also ideal for my training partner, Alicia, who is famous for statements like this one:

I'm not familiar with this thing called exercise. People do it?

Whether you're a running rookie, or you're formerly fit and want to get back into shape, you're invited to join us. Hey, don't you want to get a jump on your upcoming New Year's resolution? (Then, come January, you can scoff at all the people who suddenly show up at the gym, since you were there ages ahead of them. Well, three weeks. But still.)

The full program is here, but in a nutshell, today's workout was: Run 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds, repeat. If I can feed my newborn son Shane, then bathe him, dress him, get him into his stroller, get out the door to the gym, and hit the treadmill while watching him (and occasionally stopping briefly to calm his crying jags), then I bet you can go out and pound the pavement. And if I can't inspire you, maybe my talk-show hero (and 2007 marathon finisher), Ms. Oprah Winfrey can. As she has said, "Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it." What do I want to get out of it, you ask? I'm hoping to get my pre-pregnancy waist back. 

I see you shaking your head at me. Should I have said something loftier? How's this: I want to improve my cardiovascular health, so I can be a healthy parent to my son for many years to come. Is that better? Sheesh.

*Troy State, y'all!

Talk Show Turmoil: I'm caught between Ripa and Rosie

Should I tune into Rosie O'Donnell's talk show premiere tonight? I try to be a loyal gal... and I've spent some time personally with 3 people who've been publicly blasted by Rosie: Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Donald Trump, and Kelly Ripa. Elisabeth has always been completely genuine and wonderful to me; Donald has given me several interviews, plus I've had some great opportunities in life as a result of competing in his Miss USA pageant; and Kelly once gave me a front-row ticket to see Madonna perform at Madison Square Garden. And I love Madonna. 

Jill Dobson and Kelly Ripa front row at a Madonna concert

In fact, during one song, Madonna looked me right in the eye and gave a little nod that I interpreted to mean, "Yeah, I know you. You interviewed me once, right? You're from Michigan, too, aren't you?" We shared a moment, I tell you. But I digress...
So, my question for you, dear viewer of The Jill Dobson Show, is this: Is it disloyal to tune in to Rosie's big premiere tonight? Because I'm intrigued. One thing about Rosie, she's never boring. And I love a talk show more than anything. Getting a talk show of my OWN* is my life goal, you know. So yeah, I'm reaching for the remote right now. You should do the same. Let's watch together!

Rosie O'Donnell on the set of "The Rosie Show"

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*See how I slyly referenced OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network? That's where Rosie's show airs, starting tonight at 7pm. And also where perhaps the fledging Jill Dobson Show will someday get some airtime. A girl can dream, right Oprah? 

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?

Host Chat: The Last 10 Years

Welcome to another edition of Host Chat.  Just as Regis shares exciting stories from his life each morning, I share my latest tales of hobnobbing, hijinks, and more often than not, humiliation!
I've recently enjoyed catching up on classic literature, from Lord of the Flies to 1984.  With that said, maybe you'll be slightly less judgmental when I tell you that I'm currently reading What Alice Forgot, a fun beach read (hey, it's July, people!) about a woman who wakes up from an accident to find she's forgotten the past 10 years of her life.  And she's changed so much during those forgotten years that now she barely knows herself. 
Which begs the question: If you jumped back to July 2001, what would you be most surprised to know about the July 2011 version of yourself?
I've had some career milestones and huge changes in my personal life in the past 10 years, but the absolute most shocking change for me?  
I've become a neat freak.  

These days, even my bath products are organized--
and color-coordinated.  Who am I anymore???

From birth until early 2009, I was incredibly disorganized.  As a kid, every Saturday morning, my brothers got to watch cartoons, and I was stuck upstairs cleaning my bedroom, because it was a disaster.  I often tell people (only half-jokingly) that, for my mom, the most traumatic part of our 1988 house fire was that the firefighters saw my bedroom in full Pound-Puppy tornado mode.  
I've always been partial to what I called the Mixed Media Mess.  Any available floorspace, closet or tabletop was always piled with clothes and bills and beauty products and books.  
All that changed when my husband and I bought our first home together, two years ago.  I promised myself that our new home would be a restful retreat from our stressful careers... and that I would keep it neat from Day One.  About 5 months before moving in, I read a book by a man I'd seen -- and loved -- several times on Oprah, Peter Walsh.  His book, It's All Too Much, literally changed my life.  Walsh explains something that had somehow escaped me for years and years:  The key isn't to organize the tons and tons of stuff you have, it's to declutter.  Get rid of the clothes that don't fit, the magazines from 6 years ago, the shoes you wore for Halloween once and will never wear again.  So simple.  So liberating.  
Another key Walsh piece of advice, "Imagine the life you want to live." Envision your home as a restful retreat (or whatever you're going for), then declutter accordingly.  That way, instead of thinking, "But I might fix this lamp and actually use it someday," you keep your eyes on the prize, give stuff like that away, and just keep the most meaningful, important items.
So while the old "Jill of July 2001" would be overjoyed to see that "Jill of July 2011" has a great family, and a career that has included interviews with Angelina, Gwyneth and Madonna, the biggest surprise to her would be this new wave of neatness.
What about YOU?  What would the old "You of July 2001" be surprised to learn about the new "You of July 2011?"  Anything as fantastically shocking as "I now have a hamper and I use it?"  If so, I'd love to hear it!

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What's been the biggest change in your life in the past decade?  Share it in the "comments" section below, or at:

www.Twitter.com/JillDobson

www.Facebook.com/JillDobson 

Favorite Things: Fun, Fearless Blogs

Welcome to Favorite Things!  Here at The Jill Dobson Show, your favorite Oprah segment lives on, as I reveal the coolest tech, beauty and home products... except without Oprah, without any TV airtime, and without the free giveaways.  Hey, I'm doing the best I can here!

This week, I've discovered some fun, fearless females (to borrow the term from Cosmopolitan magazine) out there in the blogosphere.  (Hey, wait a minute-- Mr. Spellcheck gives me attitude every time I type "Dobson," but he lets "blogosphere" slides by no problem?!?!  Hmph.)  Anyway, here are a few of my new favorite blogs:

The Sneaker Experiment, because people write in and share the little steps they took to overcome big fears.  I especially identify with "Sneaker Story #4:  Drive on the Freeway."  Remind me someday to tell you why I was pushed into getting a driver's permit at the tender age of 14, and how incredibly terrified I was -- at just 13 -- when I took my road test.  And how many times I had to take it before I passed.  And about the instructor's screams emanating from the passenger seat during the first test.  Shudder. Bonus: The Sneaker Experiment was created by my dear friend Lisa Gilbar.

Stephanie Klein's Greek Tragedy, because her blog categories include "Drunken Blogging," "Food Porn," and "Judy Blume Moments."  

Bonus: Her June 27th post titled "Quick, Help Me Choose," actually helped me choose some themes for our soon-to-be-baby room.  Commenter LolaD recommended website Serena & Lily, with which I promptly became obsessed.  Thanks Stephanie and LolaD!

Average Moms Wear Capes, because self-described "average mom" Christie O. inspires me with her before-and-after from "large, unhappy, hot mess" to triathlete and half-marathoner.  I do love a good makeover story! Bonus: Christie O. attends movie junkets (something I've done many times in my years as an entertainment journalist).  Just as I was starting to get a bit blasé about the whole thing, she reminds me what a fascinating world I work in, with her delighted reports of celebrity encounters and behind-the-scenes peeks at the making of Winnie the Pooh and Cars 2.  That's right, this is fun!  I'm ready to jump back on the junket bandwagon!  Hey, Disney folks, please call my people and let's do this!

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).  

Talk Show Hopeful: Jill Dobson

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

Jill Dobson plays "Madison Daly" on Onion News Network

As you know, Sherri Shepherd was best known as a comedic actress, before landing her job as a host on The View.  I'm hoping my recurring role as "Madison Daly" on the always-hilarious Onion News Network will likewise help me make the transition into the world of talk.  This week on the ONN, my character shares Harry Potter scoop you certainly won't hear anywhere else!  Watch the brand-new video here!

Anyway, I'm sure hoping the Sherri Shepherd Method works for me.  If not, I'm left with these options:  

--Elisabeth Hasselbeck Method: Compete on Survivor, then eventually host a talk show.  For me, the reality ship has sailed. True story: I once worked for a company where some of the employees were going to be featured on a reality show.  My boss asked me to meet with the reality casting directors.  When I told this to my husband, Hollywood Super Agent Jim Ornstein, he pointed out to me that nearly every couple on reality TV has split up.  Think about it: Nick & Jessica; Carmen & Dave; Liza & David; Ronnie & Sammi... the list goes on and on.  [Update: Adrienne Curry & Christopher Knight recently separated, too.]  Since my marriage is infinitely more important to me than a shot at reality stardom, I decided I didn't want to participate. But my boss insisted I meet with the casting directors.  So, I had no choice but to purposely bomb the audition.  The casting directors were looking for a dynamic New Yorker who knew how to work hard, play hard. Here's how our conversation went:

CASTING TEAM: What do you like to do in your spare time?

JILL: (in a monotone) Read.

CASTING TEAM: What else?

JILL: Play Scrabble.

CASTING TEAM: What's your average workday like?  Hectic? Lots of celebrity encounters?

JILL: I spend a lot of time at my computer.

CASTING TEAM: I'm sure you have some interesting interactions with people here in the office.

JILL: Um, I'm on the phone a lot, so I'm not really involved in the office gossip or anything.

CASTING TEAM: Are you single? Dating?  Hitting the club scene?

JILL: I'm married.  And in case it impacts your shoot, you should know, my husband refuses to be on camera.

CASTING TEAM: Well, thanks for coming in.

--Oprah Winfrey Method: Work as a local news reporter, then land a talk show gig.  I loved this idea, so I tried this idea.  I've worked for more than a decade as a reporter.  I've covered hard news at the local level and entertainment news at the national level.  And where am I today?  Blogging about my hopes of becoming a talk show host.  Hmph.

--Kelly Ripa Method: Become a soap star, then host a talk show.  One of my few talents is my ability to cry on command. With said talent, I'm seriously considering this route.  I actually once had one line on As The World Turns, and I clearly nailed it. (It's a mystery why the producers never gave Flight Attendant #2 a 5-episode arc.)

--Whoopi Goldberg Method: Win an Oscar, then host a talk show.  I think my chances of this are similar to Jim Carrey's odds of getting the girl in one of my all-time favorite non-Oscar-winning films, Dumb & Dumber.  Here's a discussion between Jim Carrey's character, Lloyd, and Lauren Holly's character, Mary:

Lloyd: What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me... ending up together? 

Mary: Well, Lloyd, that's difficult to say. I mean, we don't really... 

Lloyd: Hit me with it! Just give it to me straight! I came a long way just to see you, Mary. The least you can do is level with me. What are my chances? 

Mary: Not good. 

Lloyd: You mean, not good like one out of a hundred? 

Mary: I'd say more like one out of a million.
[pause] 

Lloyd: So you're telling me there's a chance.

Here's hoping I have a better chance at my dream than poor Lloyd Christmas did in Dumb & Dumber!  

Host Chat: Spectacular Oprah

Oprah Winfrey's Farewell Spectacular continues today.  And my friend Alicia is in the audience.  (My friends are having a really great week!)

Tom Hanks emcees Oprah's Farewell Spectacular

Part One of the Oprah Farewell Spectacular aired Monday and included appearances from Madonna, Tom Cruise, Beyonce, Halle Berry, and Tom Hanks.  Alicia live-tweeted the event (she's @AliciaR for those of you on Twitter).  In one Tweet, she quoted an Oprah fan, who said, "It's like going to the Grammys or the Oscars."
Sure, the superstars are showing up in droves, but they make up just a small percentage of Oprah's fan base.  The rest of us are regular folks who are inspired, entertained and challenged by her.  In today's New York Daily News, columnist David Hinckley writes, "Lots of people with drive, personality and talent get TV shows.*  No one else has become America's counselor, cheerleader and comforter." 
Since Oprah won't be on her talk show anymore, maybe we should pick up the slack.  In fact, I just had an Aha! Moment.  Let's each choose one person and serve as his or her "counselor, cheerleader and comforter."  As much as I'd love a talk show, I don't think I -- or anyone else -- needs one to make a difference in this world.  So let's get it started!

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*Yes, the network execs are handing out talk shows gigs like candy.  Just not to me -- yet.  But maybe, with your support, it will happen someday soon!

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).