Unless you've been living under a rock --or hiding one in your back pocket -- you should know that Oprah Winfrey is looking for the next biggest star.
I got word of this "contest" last Friday from my friend, Marcus Jones -- a public access talk show host, author, and motivational speaker. Just a few weeks before, we had joked about him becoming the next Oprah and now this opportunity has arisen. However, I've been thinking about the established local talent that could definitely "grow their brand" next year once the Queen of Talk shuts down her Chi-Town operations.
CANDIDATE 1: Garrard McClendon, PhD; Host of CLTV's "Garrard McClendon Live" since 2008
Garrard McClendon is a brand. He's inquisitive like Oprah, but also energetic and loud like Mo'Nique. But could he become a good replacement for Oprah? People forget that even though Oprah is syndicated, her show brings a live studio audience full of Chicago residents and tourists alike. As of now, Garrard's show is taped in a small corner of a TV newsroom. But he's definitely on the list for at least a local alternative.
CANDIDATE 2: Monique Caradine Kitchens; Host of "Perspective" on WPWR-TV since 2008
Just like Garrard McClendon, Monique Caradine Kitchens is another public affairs favorite. She and McClendon have been hosts on Chicago's premier black radio station, WVON, and have grown to become well known in the city. Mrs. Kitchens is also another public access alum who has maintained a strong fan base for 2 years.
Kitchens has good stage presence and energy. She's a little more adept with a multiple guest format for an individual segment than McClendon is. But the two must work to become appealing to a broader audience- not just in the multicultural sense, but demographically speaking.
CANDIDATE 3: Marcus Leshock; Host of "Metromix" on CLTV/ reporter for WGN-TV
Marcus is the man who tells Chicagoans where to party. He's the complete opposite of Oprah, but he brings that same lifestyle appeal. He does more on-site interviews than studio setups, but maybe Chicago is looking for something a little more informal. It is 2010, folks.
These are my preliminary choices. Do you all have any picks of local TV personalities that could pick up where Oprah will leave off?