Sarah Palin's fortunes have always turned on a dime.
The unexpected offer to be John McCain's running mate in '08. Her rousing speech at the Republican National Convention. The Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric interviews. The Saturday Night Live parodies. The vice presidential debates. Her own appearance on SNL. The loss on Election Night '08. Her resignation as Alaska governor. And soon, her much-anticipated memoir.
Today, Sarah Palin's appearance on Oprah offers her (and us) another handful of change.
Will she turn public opinion around? And is the Oprah show the best vehicle to further her political aspirations, especially since Oprah's political preferences are a matter of record? Oprah didn't want to talk to her before, but now, with Palin's book coming out, how can Oprah say no to what will be a ratings bonanza?
The interview will be a classic example of one hand washing the other. Both women will benefit.
Oprah's influence is significant. She brings eyeballs to the table, whether she's squiring presidential candidates or tackling the hard issues behind the headlines. And today's show is enjoying a huge blogosphere buzz.
In advance clips released by the Oprah show, we know Palin has extended an olive branch to Levi Johnston, the baby daddy of her grandchild Tripp, and said he's welcome to share Thanksgiving with them. She's also seemed a little sheepish when asked about the Katie Couric interview.
But how tough will Oprah get, and how skillfully will Palin handle the hard questions? She's had over a year of practice since her string of high-profile one-on-one interviews. And as smaller media outlets prove, she can give a good interview if she sticks to what she knows and loves.
But in difficult interviews in the past, Palin has relied on a certain type of female charm that doesn't always translate well in certain situations. Tina Fey's Palin impersonation latched onto this habit and played it to the hilt. The media used it to create a convenient shorthand for -- and specific narrative about -- her campaign. Even a couple of world leaders became giddy in her presence because of it.
It's Palin's tendency to 'go cute' when the going gets tough.
Her book may be entitled Going Rogue. But today on Oprah, going cute may be as fruitless in solidifying public support for her future political plans as going rogue was in the 2008 presidential campaign.
Will she do it? And will you watch?
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- Biography of Sarah Palin
- Negative Media Coverage of Sarah Palin
More on Palin on Oprah:
Sarah Palin Dishes to Oprah Today
Comments
I don’t think there’s a question — she’ll definitely go cute. If you don’t know what I mean, check out the SNL parody by Tina Fey. But I doubt it will change anyone’s mind. When it comes to a polarizing figure like Palin, people hear what they expect to hear.