A V-P candidate and a career in Hollywood?

But as more and more polls cast doubt on the McCain-Palin ticket, producers and agents across the entertainment world are discussing possibilities for capitalising on her fame, ranging from an Oprah-style syndicated talk show to a Sean Hannity-like perch in cable news or on radio.

“Any television person who sees the numbers when she appears on anything would say Palin would be great,” said veteran morning-show producer Steve Friedman, citing the double-digit ratings gains her appearances on Saturday Night Live and CBS Evening News generated.

The candidate has undeniable onscreen charisma as her SNL performance proved last weekend. And though the Palin Express sometimes veers off the tracks, Americans enjoy celebrities as much for their contretemps as their talent.

Most industry insiders believe a talk show is the probable route for Palin.

One producer said he has held internal staff meetings about how to best parlay Palin’s appeal, with a daytime talk show the likely vehicle. “I see her less as a variety-show host like Ellen DeGeneres and more of a single-topic host like Tyra Banks, or maybe what Jenny Jones used to be,” said Chris Coelen, CEO of RDF USA, producer of Wife Swap. However, one syndie veteran believes Palin would not make an ideal candidate for talk show host or even court show judge.

Cable news is another possibility if Palin wants to keep her conservative bona fides intact. There’s a well-worn path between the Beltway and TV, from Pat Buchanan to recent presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, who just began his own weekly series on Fox News.

A weekly cable news berth also could be a less demanding side gig to occupy while still in office in Alaska. Some combination of talk and news could even be in the cards. And then there are those who are thinking outside the box, as in reality television.

Some sceptics point out that Palin will run into a major obstacle in trying to win over the kind of widespread support one needs to become a national television figure. She is, after all, a polarising personality. Even if Palin opts to remain in politics, Hollywood likely will find some way to sink its claws into her.