As you know, talk shows predominately air during daytime hours and unless you are a brilliant self-employed entrepreneur, busy stay-at-home parent, or ambitious grad school student, you probably do not watch much daytime television.
About 9-5
While you are busy working at the office, daytime television is riddled with corporate sponsored soap-operas, classic TV shows, and the subject of the day, talk shows. Usually, producers are dedicated to one daypart or other, and very rarely do you see a prime-time producer (With the exception of Merv) cross over to daytime programming....Until now...
Enter "The Dragon"...I mean "The Donald"
Late last week, Donald Trump told us that he was interested in "Throwing his hat" into day time television with his own talk show.
Formal announcement has yet to be made, however the deal is expected to be between Twentieth Television (Divorce Court, Judge Alex), Reveille (Producer of The Biggest Loser and formerly headed by NBC's Ben Silverman) and Trump Productions (Yes, we all have our own production companies) to produce a syndicated show starring who else of course, Donald Trump.
Enough Talk...
First, let me say that officially - I have issues with most talk shows on television.
According to (me) there is just way too much talking on talk shows. Most of the talking is usually done by the host of the show and the featured experts can barely get in a word. When a significant answer is about to be given from the expert, the host will interrupt with a joke or non-related assumption that alters the direction of the conversation.
Second, talk shows never really get to the bottom of anything - it's minutes are filled with discussion of the problem, there is never any clear resolution. Let's just dump a ton of useless information on you and you decide what to do with it...If you care enough. Well, most people are too busy to play investigative reporter with an excessive deluge of opinions. I want answers not more questions!
Daytime + Trump = ?
According to inside sources, the new show (Slated for Fall 2008) is being described as Dr. Phil meets Judge Judy. The purpose (yes, there is one) is to feature Trump serving as a mediator and counselor for real people with financial disputes (Spouses arguing over money, prenuptial agreements or parents concerned about their kids' spending habits).
The resounding question: Is there an audience of daytime viewers that are interested in watching a daytime financial show? Can Donald appeal to an audience comprised dominantly of female viewers - he is not exactly the ideal man/husband that women want to see on daytime TV (One reader remarked).
Having said, one could easily jump to conclude (As usual daytime fair) that the format will be more 'tongue and cheek' with more over the top Jerry Springer like antics, than an organized, serious financial news program.
Financial Lesson - Leverage is a good thing...
Now, I had read Donald's first book (Art of the Deal) when I was just a young teenager and have practically grew up reading his books which are more borderline "Zig Ziglar" than "Peter Lynch". Most of Don's books are about mindset, more than about how to build a successful business or invest on Wall Street (I had discovered these strategies through other books).
Incidentally, here is what I learned: One cannot teach another how to spend their money, but can merely make suggestions as to how to effectively save it (-Yours Truly).
Further, no one can tell you how to make a million dollars (I hope your aspirations are higher), however they can tell you how they generally managed to accomplish the result.
Any Publicity Is Good Publicity
Great promoter P.T. Barnum once said, "I don't care what they write about me as long as they spell my name right".
The most important lesson I learned from Donald Trump, the bottom line is that it's not about running a business or what business you are in - it's about Marketing and Publicity. Donald may not be the wealthiest, smartest, or even most successful husband or business person in the world, but having studied the subject of marketing for a number years in high-school and college, Donald's strategy is undeniably brilliant.
You cannot sell anything in the world without marketing your brand and frankly, Trump would make an excellent professor on the subject - I have mentioned this to him and his people and now he has incorporated this into his Trump University course offerings.
Whether you love it or you hate it, Donald's style which to some may come across as arrogant, brash, overcompensates to hide failures, or deeply insecure (Depending upon whom you ask) has a certain relevance.
You can do anything with the right mindset...and of course, tons of marketing, a reality show, a couple of appearances on Deal or No Deal (NBC), and few good catfights with celebrities for good publicity...
The Random Daily is an extension of Val St. John's News Blog, StJohnDaily.com. 
