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CNN Live At Daybreak

Clinton's Office Confirms He's Been Talking With NBC Executives About His Own TV Show

Aired May 03, 2002 - 05:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: So what do you think about Bill Clinton hosting a talk show? We've asked you this question before. His office does confirm, he's been talking with NBC executives about his own TV show. Our National Correspondent Bruce Morton looks at the possibility.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRUCE MORTON, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Maybe it is just that simple. The ex-President wants to have some fun and thinks a daytime talkshow would be a way to do it. He knows how to work an audience. This was an Arkansas town meeting.

WILLIAM CLINTON, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: And I want you to be blunt and brief.

MORTON: He can work a crowd with the best of them. Here's Regis interviewing a politician. We know the ex-Pres knows how to do that. He's been a big hit on MTV, and advertisers covet those younger viewers. You have to be careful who you hug, of course.

OPRAH WINFREY, TV TALKSHOW HOST: Are there days when you ...

MORTON: He hasn't been on Oprah, but his wife the Senator has, and probably picked up some expertise.

And hey, he can play tenor sax. None of these other daytime talkshow hosts can do that. There is one caution, Mr. President. You may want to stay away from those Jerry Springer-style roll-in-the- trash-pile confrontations.

UNKNOWN FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)

(APPLAUSE)

MORTON: That stuff makes the (INAUDIBLE) look like a church picnic. So, is he serious? Well he did meet with people at NBC. His spokesman said he didn't demand the show, denying reports he was insisting on $50 million a year. He went, his statement says, to listen. He is, quote, "gratified by the range of opportunities presented to him." Which is about eight and a half miles from saying, no way. Can't you see it; crowd buzzing, the hush of the announcer. Hereee's Bill. (APPLAUSE)

Bruce Morton, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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