Ever wanted to have your own television talk show? Oprah Winfrey wants to help you make that dream a reality.
Winfrey's OWN Network is seeking a talented television host, someone billed as "the next big TV star."
The Queen of Talk has teamed up with reality TV producer extraordinaire Mark Burnett (the creator of '
The Apprentice' and
'Survivor') and is soliciting would-be stars for OWN.
Here are the details on how to
audition.
With the OWN Network slated to launch in early 2011, it's no surprise that Winfrey is seeking breakout talent. Her network will need a lot of programming to fill up all that airtime.
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Hot Shots May 17 2010
Media personalities Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey onstage at the completion of the "Live Your Best Life Walk" to celebrate O, The Oprah Magazine's 10th Anniversary in Times Square on May 9, 2010 in New York City.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images
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Hot Shots!!!
Media personalities Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey onstage at the completion of the "Live Your Best Life Walk" to celebrate O, The Oprah Magazine's 10th Anniversary in Times Square on May 9, 2010 in New York City.
Hot Shots!!!
Oprah Winfrey attends a charity walk to celebrate the 10th anniversary of "O, The Oprah Magazine" on May 9, 2010 in New York City.
Hot Shots!!!
US-American singer Whitney Houston performs live during a concert at the O2 World on May 12, 2010 in Berlin, Germany. The concert is part of the 2010 Nothing But Love tour to promote the album I Look To You.
Hot Shots!!!
(L-R) Akon, Kelly Rowland and David Guetta arrive at KIIS FM's Wango Tango 2010 at the Staples Center on May 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.
Hot Shots!!!
Jennifer Hudson poses for pictures at the Terrazza Martini of the Gray d'Albion Hotel during the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 16th.
Hot Shots!!!
Actor Cuba Gooding Jr attends the Opening Ceremony Dinner at the Majestic Hotel during the 63rd International Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2010 in Cannes, France.
Hot Shots!!!
Pharrell Williams, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony pose for photos at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit in Monaco on May 16th.
Hot Shots!!!
Singer Fergie of US hip hop band The Black Eyed Peas performs on stage during a concert at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday, May 11, 2010.
Hot Shots!!!
Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi of the 'Jersey Shore' is seen shopping on May 13th in Miami Beach, Florida.
Hot Shots!!!
Kelis wears big furry sleeves as she arrives at the Maida Vale Studios for a Radio One Live Lounge performance in London, England on May 12, 2010
Hot Shots!!!
If you think this might be your big break, a word to the wise: Keep it positive!
A lot of reality TV programming is based on the outrageous, the outlandish and the downright ugly.
But as someone who has appeared on
'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' as well as her former reality TV show, 'Oprah's Big Give,' I don't think that being nasty and mean-spirited to others, showing that you're willing do anything on camera, or demonstrating some risque, "shocking" behavior is going to land you this gig. In other words, forget the stuff you see on 99 percent of other "reality" TV shows.
Being energetic, fresh and original, and having a down-to-earth personality to which millions of people can identify are probably more likely to get you noticed.
For the lucky person who does nab this hosting role, I just have one word: Ka-ching! After all, TV hosts at the national level – even on cable – do earn a pretty penny.
Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, an award-winning financial news journalist and former Wall Street Journal reporter for CNBC, has been featured in the Washington Post, USA Today, and the New York Times, as well as magazines ranging from Essence and Redbook to Black Enterprise and Smart Money. Check out her New York Times best seller
'Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom.'
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By: gerta on 11/08/2010 1:27PM
I must say I have great admiration for Oprah for who she is and what she has achieved in this lifetime. However, there are days when I find it difficult to defend her skewed support for white "experts" on her show e.g Dr Oz, Dr Phil, Nate, Suzy who's careers she has elevated to another level. Let's not to mention the endless white authors that she promotes on her show. The number of black people that she promotes is very limited when you compare. SAD....
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