Host Chat: My Morning Mix-Up

Storing two yellow plastic tubs full of powdery substances side-by-side in your pantry is a terrible idea. 

I learned that today, when instead of grabbing my Nestle Quik, I grabbed my baby's formula*... and nearly whipped up a post-workout drink that, rather than being chocolatey, was chalkolatey. Ew.

In other news, my pantry is always nearly as neat as in this picture. I'm like the villian in Sleeping with the Enemy! 
Also, yes, that is the Rachael Ray 30 Minute Meals for Kids cookbook pictured in the bottom right corner. Yup, I really do use it. I'm quite the celebrity chef! Plus, every other cookbook is beyond my capabilities. Sad but true.


*Yes, yes, I agree with you... breastmilk is best for baby. But I like to keep some formula on hand, too, for the insatiable Mr. Shane. Stop judging me, Judgy McJudgerson! I'm doing the best I can!

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).  

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).