Across various television networks, talk shows are hosted by a range of different people. In honor of Black History Month and the fact that it’s awards season right now (anyone catch the Grammy’s last night?), I decided to analyze – with the help of fellow Campus Socialites – who in the talk show world would win awards for being the best of their race.
After the jump, I’ve nominated three black talk show hosts and three white talk show hosts with explanations as to why each was nominated.
The Black Nominees:
And their names are: Oprah Winfrey (duh), Wendy Williams, and Monique.
Oprah is the most well-known talk show host out there. Her show, “Oprah,” has been home to drama and controversy like no other. While her interactive audience feeds the drama, some may say Oprah comes off like a gossip queen high schooler, egging on these tiny (or larger) problems. Other than that complaint, however, everyone knows Oprah is the power house woman for lots of reasons, but her talk show may not be one of them.
Wendy Williams. I’ll have to be honest, I had to Google this one to see what she was all about. Wendy’s show, “The Wendy Williams Show” has celebrity interviews, demonstrations (like cooking), and eye candy. This last reason is my favorite and why she is nominated. I have to tune in now just to see this unique part of the show. Wendy’s Eye Candy of the Day. Right before the show ends, Wendy chooses an audience member who catches her eye due to their fashion, and awards them the “mini diva fan” honor. They get their picture taken and it goes up on her website under Eye Candy. YES.
Monique is a fairly new talk show host, and “The Mo’Nique Show” is everything a BET fan (as my roommate would know) is all about. With a house DJ, the audience at Mo’Nique is constantly moving. It’s an entertainment show featuring celebrities and comedy. Dubbed as “the late night party only the biggest queen in the comedy game could deliver,” who wouldn’t want to watch it?
The White Nominees:
We’ve got – or we had – David Letterman, Kelly Ripa and Jon Stewart.
“Late Night with David Letterman” was an ordinary talk show with entertainment guests located right in the heart of Manhattan. Even people who hardly watched it (ahem, me) knew what it was about. Classic talk show. Letterman had his late-night show until Piers Morgan took it over this year, but Piers is definitely not in the running yet for a talk show host award – not for being white or for having a cool English accent.
Kelly Ripa, co-host of “Regis and Kelly” with Regis Philban, has a morning show where they do typical talk show things like have giveaways, talk about recent issues, and try to save the world. Kelly is nominated because she’s pretty and because Regis not only hosted, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” for a little while (don’t know why, but when I think “Regis” that’s what pops into my head, so clearly he has not made a name for himself in MY head as a talk show host), and there are rumors of his retirement.
Lastly we have Jon Stewart. Everybody who likes The Campus Socialite probably goes to Jon Stewart for their news source. Stewart strips the news down to its bare core on his show, “The Daily Show,” and then proceeds to judge it and show how stupid everyone, particularly the government, is. For those of us who aren’t politically savvy, Stewart is the man to watch in order to get your daily dose of news. Of course, other hosts like Chelsea Handler also judge everyone with a hint of sarcasm and comedy, but she’s more on the entertainment side of the spectrum. I’d prefer Stewart.
And the winners are…
Best Black Talk Show Host:
Mo’Nique! I’m sorry Oprah, I would have picked you if this was a book club awards, but it’s not.
Best White Talk Show Host:
Jon Stewart! A. He featured the University of Delaware on one of his segments; B. He makes me understand politics…through jokes, but who cares?
So these are my winners…we’d love to hear your opinions and personal winners in the comments below.
