Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Who Will Be the Next Oprah?

Rachael Ray, Sarah Palin, and other potential replacements

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 20, 2009 1:49 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – Who will fill the Oprah vacuum on daytime TV when the Queen of All Media leaves for her cable network in 2011? Mike Hess weighs the pros and cons of six candidates on PopEater.

  • Ellen DeGeneres: "Talked her way onto the cover of Winfrey's O Magazine ... coincidence or a symbolic passing of the torch? We'll see.” In any case, she’s likely the best fit.
  • Ryan Seacrest: "Like Ellen, has a rapport with celebs that few other interviewers do, and he's not afraid to ask a tough question here and there.” But “a bit cold for daytime talk TV.”

  • Sarah Palin: Intriguing, but it's unlikely that “ABC or other networks would want to risk alienating a massive portion of the population thanks to her history."
  • Rachael Ray: Oprah’s protégé would make a terrible replacement, Hess writes, “unless they plan on blending serious interview with Mackenzie Phillips about incest with how to make pot pie."
  • Whoopi Goldberg: Might do anything to escape her current gig. And her "calm demeanor and ability to wrangle everyone on the set of The View is a skill set that few could possibly possess."
  • Paula Abdul: “There would certainly be a good chunk of people tuning in to see which Paula shows up each day—the charming and funny one, or the erratic and wobbly one.”

Oprah Winfrey announces during a live broadcast of The Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago that her daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire, will end its run in 2011.
Oprah Winfrey announces during a live broadcast of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in Chicago that her daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire, will end its run in 2011.   (AP Photo)
Ellen Degeneres talked her way onto the cover of Winfrey's O Magazine ... coincidence or a symbolic passing of the torch? We'll see.” In any case, she’s likely the best fit.
Ellen Degeneres "talked her way onto the cover of Winfrey's O Magazine ... coincidence or a symbolic passing of the torch? We'll see.” In any case, she’s likely the best fit.   (AP Photo)
Ryan Seacrest, like Ellen, has a rapport with celebs that few other interviewers do, and he's not afraid to ask a tough question here and there.” But “a bit cold for daytime talk TV.” Ouch.
Ryan Seacrest, "like Ellen, has a rapport with celebs that few other interviewers do, and he's not afraid to ask a tough question here and there.” But “a bit cold for daytime talk TV.” Ouch.   (AP Photo)
Sarah Palin. Intriguing…but unlikely that “ABC or other networks would want to risk alienating a massive portion of the population thanks to her history.
Sarah Palin. Intriguing…but unlikely that “ABC or other networks would want to risk alienating a massive portion of the population thanks to her history."   (AP Photo)
Rachael Ray is Oprah’s prot?g?, and would make a _terrible_ replacement, Hess writes, “unless they plan on blending serious interview with Mackenzie Phillips about incest with how to make pot pie.
Rachael Ray is Oprah’s prot?g?, and would make a _terrible_ replacement, Hess writes, “unless they plan on blending serious interview with Mackenzie Phillips about incest with how to make pot pie."   (AP Photo)
Whoopi Goldberg might do anything to escape The View, Hess writes. And her calm demeanor and ability to wrangle everyone on the set of 'The View' is a skill set that few could possibly possess.
Whoopi Goldberg might do anything to escape "The View," Hess writes. And her "calm demeanor and ability to wrangle everyone on the set of 'The View' is a skill set that few could possibly possess."   (AP Photo)
Paula Abdul: “There would certainly be a good chunk of people tuning in to see which Paula shows up each day -- the charming and funny one, or the erratic and wobbly one,” but come on.
Paula Abdul: “There would certainly be a good chunk of people tuning in to see which Paula shows up each day -- the charming and funny one, or the erratic and wobbly one,” but come on.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
JoeQ
Nov 21, 2009 10:22 AM CST
"Oprah Viewers Patiently Awaiting Instructions": http://www.theonion.com/conten...
Mr_Joshua
Nov 21, 2009 7:35 AM CST
Please no, do we really need another Oprah. RIP Oprah
diltsduo
Nov 21, 2009 5:51 AM CST
Wow. I'm surprised Tyra isn't on this list.

 
entertainment • Oprah Winfrey • Whoopi Goldberg • daytime talk show • Ellen DeGeneres • Rachael Ray • Sarah Palin • Ryan Seacrest • Paula Abdul • daytime television • Oprah Winfrey replacement

More Newser Stories

The Race to Be the Next Oprah

Top 9 Oprah Moments

Sesame Street , View Among Daytime Emmy Winners

Ellen, Rachael Score Emmys

Michelle Obama: World's Most Powerful Woman
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne