Headhunter and Author Stephen Viscusi Wonders: Will Barbara Walters Tap Sarah Palin to Replace Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "The View"?
This past Sunday, the political news shows and even the New York Times were all about Sarah Palin's next career move. Everyone seemed to be guessing as to what her next job was going to be and why she resigned the job she had.
That's where I come in. I'm Stephen Viscusi, a headhunter and author of two books on the workplace. My most recent book is called Bulletproof Your Job (HarperCollins), and I'm the founder of a company called www.BulletproofYourResume.com.
Let me be clear. Using no legitimate sources and acknowledging in advance that this is purely my own unsubstantiated conjecture, but speaking as a workplace expert, I'd like to scoop the rest of my fellow journalists by suggesting that Barbara Walters hire Sarah Palin to fill in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck, while she's on maternity leave, on ABC's The View.
Everyone else in the world has had their opinion, why not me? After all finding jobs for people and giving career advice is my business. So, I figured I should add my hypothetical two cents.
Barbara Walters is the grand dame, not only of interviewing, but she's also one of the smartest TV producers and ratings grabbers in the history of television. Barbara, not that you need me to tell you this, but Palin would be a great addition to your superstar show, The View.
The fact that Hasselbeck will be leaving soon anyway for maternity leave allows Barbara to slip Palin in without insulting Hasselbeck, the resident conservative.
Whoopi Goldberg, who is the moderator and always a consummate professional, may not agree with the politics of Palin, but she's no ratings dummy. She will politely transition in Palin, who will no doubt get a cold shoulder from the Joy Behar.
Doesn't this make perfect headhunting career advice?
Do you think it's a coincidence that Palin is resigning her office at the end of July and Hasselbeck is expected to give birth at the beginning of August?
I even have a "Plan B" for Palin if Walters passes up on my headhunting suggestion. Fox could grab Palin and give her her own morning show. Sort of a counter-programming to MSNBC's Morning Joe, which could be called Morning Sarah.
If Fox does a Morning Sarah, Palin could talk about being a mom and attract the majority of Americans who still consider themselves moderate while making moose burgers on the set with Martha Stewart as her guest. "Morning Joe" is sponsored by Starbucks while Palin's show is more middle America and could naturally be sponsored by Dunkin Donuts. After all, "America runs on Dunkin."
Well, that's my unsolicited career headhunting advice for the networks and Palin. Let me know what you think.
You're always welcome to write me with your career dilemmas, and I'll answer you on this column.
Disclaimer: The scenarios and events portrayed in this article are products of the author's imagination.
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Stephen Viscusi is the author of two books about jobs and the workplace. Charles Gibson from ABC's World News calls Viscusi, "America's Workplace Guru". Email Viscusi at: stephen@viscusi.com.
His disciples can be celebrities, politico, world leaders, heads of industry, and some are just ordinary people who write him for advice. It's like Tony Robbins advising Al Gore or Deepak Chopra advising Michael Jackson (wait, scratch that one).
Follow Stephen Viscusi on Twitter: www.twitter.com/workplaceguru
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It makes me sick to watch EH on the View, but the other ladies make up for it. If you add Palin - I will definitely not watch it. Even if the others remain. I don't even want to see her as a guest, EH saids alot of dumb things, then add Sarah to mix while EH isn't there and you've just traded one for another.
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I'm sure Barbara would hate to lose you as a viewer, but she's far moree interested in ratings, and remember lady, you're actually talking about stand-up comics here. That's what those 3 ladies are and one journalist, Barbara. You need a mixed-view to replace EH for everyone outside of NY and LA, so make room for Palin. If you're in NY, at least you can tune into Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda for the last hour on The Today Show.
This is interesting and may be true!
During the "Hot Topics" segment of the View, Palin would always be mentioned. Now you do not hear anything about her. I thought they would talk about all the stupid crap that Palin recently did, there is no mention of anything!
Barbara Walters wouldn't stand for it. She has a hard enough time getting a word in edgewise. Sarah Palin wouldn't lower herself to "The View", anyway. Those witches (excepting Elisabeth, of course) are part of the problem with feminist women today ~ anything a woman wants to do, any way she wants to live, is absolutely alright except for CONSERVATIVE women. We don't count.
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Barbara is a business woman who produces the show wiht ABC. She's already shown us that she cares less about her ego than her paycheck. High ratings = high paycheck. Their goal is to overcome Oprah. Barbara knows Palin is the way to do it.
Joy Behar is to smart and Sarah Palin would never try to keep up with Joy and the other ladies of the View.
That is true, but there may be an offer on the table. Have you noticed the View has stopped talking about Palin?
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Stay tuned. Mark my words -- we'll see Palin on the show!
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Yes, I agree. Behar is smart and fair and she knows good ratings = a bigger paycheck for her. She'll be happy to insult Palin all the way to the bank.
Please spare us the thought of Sarah Palin making us puke. The ratings would be good for 2 weeks and then would go down. Joy Behar would eat her alive.
Surely the View could find someone that does not whine.Be funny, the one area that Palin is afraid of is the media to join one of them.
What is Stephen Viscusi smoking? Please spare us the thought of Sarah Palin making us puke. The ratings would be good for 2 weeks and then would go down. Joy Behar would eat her alive.
Surely the View could find someone that does not whine.Be funny, the one area that Palin is afraid of is the media to join one of them. Get Real Stephen.
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Hey I don't smoke. Are you really puking over Palin? What were doing with Star Jones and Rosie were on the show. That's when I needed the bucket passed over to me.
Please Lord, save us from having this woman as a regular voice on daytime television. May she drop into a sinkhole on her way out of Alaska. She is not needed in the Lower 48.
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Welcome to the world of television.
Baba WaWa would probably be fearful that the queen of the dead moose party might take umbrage at the constant disagreements from the other hosts and either quit or offer to take them wolf hunting.
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That's the point of the show. One conservative, three comedians and one real journalist. We're talking about three ladies who started as stand-up comedians. Barbara Walters - the only real journalist and someone who got nominated for VP. Do you all spend the day watching The View and no one reads the newspaper?
News for ya: Palin ain't gonna pull in the majority of Americans who consider themselves moderate. Moderate, she ain't, and everybody knows it. We will continue to rely on sources like HuffPost to do the unpleasant work of watching, and tell us the highlights like they do with Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, etc., etc., etc. Personally, I don't even read Bonnie Fuller any more, beyond the headline, to see what drivel she is manufacturing for click volume. Palin would be the last person I'd watch to learn anything about mothering, too. Bad idea, friend. Sorry, but you did ask for feedback.
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"Ain't"? Look, we're talking television here and we're talking ratings. Remember, this is a show that featured Star Jones and Ronald McDonald..oopps. i mean Rosie O'donnell. Barbara knows best.
I don't see Ms Palin sharing a stage, but having her own show and giving Rush Limbaugh a run for his money. With the Alaskan oil money behind her she won't have to spend years in the Ohio-Indiana small radio circuit to get a fan base. She slings Enquirer-esque phrases as well as Rush and if she get's ahold of his recordings from the last year there will be no hilding her back. Sorry Rush- those man boobs are no contest for the cute smile, wide glasses, and a wink.. Gotcha
Ah, but as a not-so-private private citizen - she's looking at tons of slander, libel or other lawsuits because she ain't as privileged as Rsh to be able to yap without consequences. She wouldn't be able to take any heat at all, and she can't afford more lawsuits and legal bills. I detest the man, but i can't see her competing against that type of person - he will shred her to little itty bitty pieces as a competitor.
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Cable is an alternative, but watch Barbara go after her when Elisabeth gives birth if Barbara hasn't already.
With the word salad sentences, how can anyone enjoy "The View"? She would certainly become more SNL material. People would tune in just for the laughs and not because she can think or speak with any amount of intelligence. I doubt that Barbara, in all of her wisdom, would want it to become a comedy show..
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We're talking about a governor of a state and a woman who was nominated to be VP of the US sitting with 3 professional comedians + Barbara Walters. When Elisabeth gives birth, they need someone to contrast the 3 jokesters. She's a logical pick and Barbara is a smart cookie. Stay tuned.
I am not a Palin fan at all, but yes, it would be a ratings bonanza. With Palin, you never know what would happen next...The camera likes Palin, and for all of her idiocy she is very charming and glib.
I think the women on the view would probably not go after her like they would Mccain. They did not like him, but I think there is a wary, grudging respect for her; there would be commonalities as working women and mothers.
I can see why you are successful.
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Thank you for the compliment. I can even reinvent myself as a TV programmer. I got almost 3000 responses so far agreeing that Sarah would be a ratings coup and Barbara Walters is genius enough to pull it off. Stay tuned.
i love the fact that you responded to comments. A dialog is much more interesting than a diatribe.
Best,
Philip
It would stink if they added a second conservative to the mix. The current ladies have such a hard time rebutting the cute one already - they'll lose every argument if Palin joins up.
Why do you feel that way?..............I think they would eat her alive on substance alone
They're just so dumb. On the few occasions the facts support their beliefs they wouldn't know what to do.
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Oh Please. Joy Behar a comic -- no substance? Sherry another comic - no substance? These aren't journalists, they're comedians and one is a reality show star. Have you ever read these ladies bios? They're big on opinion and short on substance and education. "Substance" lol.
I envision that before much time has passed, whoopi and/or joy will have her wearing her ahss as a hat.
I can only hope that you are wrong!
Yes, it would be great political theatre, but not worth enduring for 2 months.
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Please if we can endure Rosie for two seasons, we can endure this lady for 2 months.
No during that time I stopped watching.
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