Six Celebs Who Could Replace Oprah

By Mike Hess Posted Nov 19th 2009 09:30PM

With word that Oprah Winfrey will be taking her ridiculously popular daytime talk show elsewhere (see story here), there's a massive void in the broadcast television world to be filled. Winfrey was always the one to score huge exclusive interviews, landing everyone from Sarah Palin to Tom Cruise to Mackenzie Phillips. So, assuming television execs will want to keep the daytime landscape as similar as possible, who could possibly fill Oprah's shoes? PopEater has a few ideas of who might be up for the job, and why they would or wouldn't work. After the jump, our reasoning as to why these six candidates would or wouldn't work.

Who: Ellen DeGeneres
Since taking the plunge into daytime talk TV in 2003, DeGeneres has had nothing but success. She's racked up more Emmys than a normal trophy wall can hold, and stars are more than happy to go out of their way to appear on her show. And, perhaps more foreshadowing than initially thought, DeGeneres recently talked her way onto the cover of Winfrey's O Magazine ... coincidence or a symbolic passing of the torch? We'll see.

Is She a Good Fit?: Absolutely
DeGeneres has the confidence and ability to make everyone sitting in the guest chair feel right at home. As long as she can tone down the silliness when the interview necessitates such actions (see: Charla Nash, Lisa Niemi), DeGeneres could make the easiest transition into the Oprah slot.

Who: Sarah Palin
Once Sarah Palin's bid to become vice president didn't pan out, rumors swirled that her newfound fame and popularity might take her to the talk show circuit. Well, she was just on 'Oprah' to promote her new book 'Going Rogue,' and as long as she doesn't have another presidential run in her forecast, the timing could very well be right for Sarah.

Is She a Good Fit?: Not Really
Palin is entertaining and certainly has gripped the nation with her meteoric rise to fame, but given her polarizing personality and political views, we doubt ABC or other networks would want to risk alienating a massive portion of the population thanks to her history. Plus, how many times can an audience tolerate a "You betcha" response when a guest asks a question in return?

Who: Ryan Seacrest
Who ever would have thought that the frosty-haired 'American Idol' co-host (anyone remember Brian Dunkleman?) would slowly become the hardest working man in showbiz, racking up radio shows, New Years Eve broadcasts and more. 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.

Is He a Good Fit?: Not Really
Seacrest could certainly do a great job as the A-list interviewer, but personality-wise, he's a bit cold for daytime talk TV. We just don't see Midwest housewives cuddling up on the couch to watch Ryan talk on-set romances with Katherine Heigl or interview chimp victim Charla Nash.

Who: Whoopi Goldberg
If history has showed us anything, it's that there's only so much time that one can tolerate on 'The View.' The show's revolving door of co-hosts and moderators has spanned everyone from Rosie O'Donnell to current 'Today' host Meredith Vieira. We're thinking there's a good chance that Whoopi could use Oprah's departure as a launching pad for her to ditch Joy, Elisabeth and the rest of the always infighting 'View' crew.

Is She a Good Fit?: Indeed
Whoopi's calm demeanor and ability to wrangle everyone on the set of 'The View' is a skill set that few could possibly possess, and she's nailed it with honors. She's smart, concise and seasoned enough to be able to handle all kinds of interviews while also having the comedic punch to supplement the lighter parts of a daytime show.

Who: Rachael Ray
Perhaps the likeliest of all candidates on this list, Ray is a protege of Winfrey, as Oprah got the Food Network star her own daytime gig and took her under her wing.

Is She a Good Fit?: Nope
Rachael needs the food outlet of her show to keep things moving along, and unless they plan on blending serious interview with Mackenzie Phillips about incest with how to make pot pie out of Thanksgiving leftovers, we just don't see this happening. Also, could you imagine the foodie community's fervor should she make a leap like that?

Who: Paula Abdul
There's no more 'American Idol' in Paula Abdul's future, so why not give her a crack at daytime TV? She's famous, has a history of success, and may have picked up some pointers from fellow candidate Ryan Seacrest ... actually, on second thought ...

Is She a Good Fit?: Not at All
While 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 -- just because Miss Abdul is unemployed doesn't mean she's Oprah-worthy.

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Tags: elisabeth hasselbeck, ElisabethHasselbeck, ellen degeneres, ellen degeneres show, EllenDegeneres, EllenDegeneresShow, oprah winfrey, OprahWinfrey, OprahWinfreyShow, rachael ray, RachaelRay, ryan seacrest, RyanSeacrest, Sarah Palin, SarahPalin, the view, TheView, whoopi goldberg, WhoopiGoldberg

Comments

(107)

Friday 20 November

By zzcog

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Yeah, she really called that president thing well. Let's see, now we are losing a winnable war because a president Obama can't vote "present" like he did in the Senate, he proclaimed that "give me this stimulus and unemployment won't rise above 8% (uh oh 10.2), and now another trillion plus spent with money we don't have for an "insurance" bill that most people don't want. Yep, "O" really nailed that one.

By Victoria

Vote down Vote up Report this

I would choose either Ellen or Whoopi. Hands down. Nut Oprah is one of a kind:-) God Bless oprah in her future endeavors.

Thursday 19 November

By kay

Whoopi is great, she is the best the view has ever had. She needs to be on her own, like Oprah, she is very fair to all. I hve for the most part given up on the View. Whoopi would be a replaement,
I think she is very respected in the industry.

By brian conway

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Oprah was great, but if she leaves, replace her with E.D. Hill.

By Fran

Did you say Whoopi is Great and fair? Must be another whoopi out there. from were I sit she seems like a typical bigot, that has to have everything her way.

By Malik

Sarah Palin they feel this bi*ch, can be President, and now take Oprah place. A few months ago she was shooting Moose, and playing Governor of a State that only has 650,000 people in it. We have to thank Senator McCain for giving this Bi*ch the national spotlight that she refuses to stay out of. Take that book of yours and take your ass back home to the snow.

By ronnie

She would be better than what we got now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By ROBERTA

My my, aren't you the jealous one!!!!!!

Ummmm, wonder if you are a liberal dimocret; go Sara you scare the hell out of the liberals!

By mapslaura

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

No one is Oprah, but Ellen already has a huge following. I can see her stepping into the slot. Whoopi, with probably a smaller base, could do it too. They both have that warmth and curiosity needed for the part. Palin? Her ego is big enough for her to try it, but she too biased and doesn't think well on her feet. Rachel is too stupid for words. Paula not smart enough. Ryan? He's a man. Enough said.

By Linda Matherly

ellen would be great; but i need her beauty,character,joy & laughter to be able to get thru my day. I love her show just the way it is.

By jello

I think Whoopi would be great! She seems like such a kind & intelligent person. She tells it like it is in such an intelligent quiet manner. Ellen already has her show and I can't see Ellen sitting still & being serious long enough. She can't have everything. She has her show and has been given Paula's spot etc. It's time someone else gets a shot. She's great, nice, generous etc. but having a one hr. serious talk show with no games, music etc. is not for her. Oprah's show had alot of politics & other serious issues & that is not for Ellen. It's not that she isn't intelligent it's just not her style. I really think Whoopi would be able to step in and carry the show beautifully. Yes, I know there will never be another Oprah but it's she that wants to step down and move on and someone else will need to fill her shoes in their own way & hopefully be a success as well.

By cal

Uh??? Intelligent??? Uh This is the same moron who said the Gov blew up the levees in NO, to get rid of the blacks. Intelligent? You must be very easy entertain. Better get back to chewing your cud

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Should have left a long time ago!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Amy

Ellen? Whoopi? The best candidate is past host of "The View", Meredith Viera. She would be perfect!

By guy mucci

What a waste of an article. Other than Ellen, who I am personally sick of, there are no possible fits to replace Oprah. I hope they go with a new face altogether.

By RBJ

Two queers,A racist black women,a cook,a has been politician and a drug addict.Great choices don`t you think?

By Lee

How about a water buffalo?

By MIKE ZVIRBLIS

NEXT OPRAH: FOREST WHITEKER,PRECIOUS,ED GRIMELY, STEVEN HAWKINGS,ANGRY BOB, LINDA HUNT,STEWIE,MARIO CUOMO.

By Jan

No one could replace oprah. I am really glad that she is leaving. Anyone would be an improvement over her.

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