Ventura may enter the TV ring as host of show to settle conflicts

Last update: August 19, 2008 - 11:09 PM

Print this story

Can Jesse Ventura bring order to the court? The former Minnesota governor is reportedly in talks with Twentieth Television about hosting a daytime series in fall 2009, one in which Ventura would settle heated disputes during a mock trial.

If that's true, Ventura may be jumping into one of television's hottest trends. The genre is so hot right now that local station WUCW, Channel 23, will start programming judge shows from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every weekday starting next month.

"The numbers are pretty good and until we reach a point of saturation, they're not going to go away any time soon," said WUCW General Manager Joe Tracy.

Ventura might look perfect in a black robe, he said: "These are shows about right and wrong, with no gray area. Plus, the guy's a character. He'd fit right in."

Twentieth Television is a division of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., which owns the Fox networks and local station KMSP, Channel 9. If Ventura does enter the market, he will have heavy competition from other high-profile names. Dr. Oz, Leah Remini and Marie Osmond are all expected to have daytime shows starting in fall 2009.

NEAL JUSTIN