The TV Zone

(Getty)

That is the question now, inevitable as the sunrise, as insistent as a jackhammer.

Now that she's about to be unencumbered by political office, will she cash in?

On Fox? That's the immediate knee-jerk reaction, certainly. "A natural for the Fox News Channel..." You'll see some analyst using those words, in generally the same order, over and over again.

Or her own syndicated show? The next Oprah! "Poprah!"

(Right! Forget the show - let's jump straight to the name: "Sarah, Plain and Tall;" Straightalk;" "Sarah!" "Palin!" "Momma Bear". )

And as usual, everyone's asking the wrong question. It's not WILL she jump to TV, but CAN she jump to TV? Plus, these subsidiary questions: What would the show be about? Would it service her political future, or end it - for it is said, the person who undertakes a daytime syndicated talk show will never reach the White House, except as a tourist.

In fact, Palin might have better luck reaching the White House if she goes into acting - scores a couple big-name movies (sensitive subjects, though ones letting her "breathe," while revealing the tough, compassionate, David Letterman-baiting side...) And then, like run for president. (Reagan did plan a slightly different approach, but it worked.)

Again, CAN she do it? Ask questions, listen to answers, undergo the daily nonsense involved in pulling together a show, be comfortable with producers, and story meetings, and the necessity for soft and hard interviews, and so on.

Or, if a syndicated talk show: Be prepared to joust with fashion experts, talk intelligently about weight loss programs, and maybe (like Ellen) do a standup and then dance before an enthusiastic and well-prepped studio audience?

Here's my point (and like Ellen, I do have one): Whenever a major political figure leaves public office, one of the first and most obvious reactions in the media-ocracy is to ask "when does the show begin?" Rarely, is that second one asked. It's the more important one.

There's another question: Does she even want to do TV? Best I can tell, that's almost never asked either.