By Mi-Ling  Stone Poole –

Do you want your own talk show? I do, my big dream has always been to host my own talk show.  I actually did host a show called, “Consumer Update,” in Kansas City, right after I graduated from college. That was back in the day when cable television was two chairs and a table. But my passion now is to focus on design and help people create a comfort zone in their home.  And I currently produce and host a radio show entitled, MiLing’s Comfort Zone,  for KTOK 1000 in Oklahoma City

It all started when I was a young girl. I would watch Barbara Walters on the nightly news and then run to my room, and interview myself in the mirror, with my makeshift microphone (a hairbrush).

So when Oprah announced that she was searching for the Next TV Star to compete in her new reality show on the OWN network I was excited about the possibilities. The winner will get their OWN Talk Show, which will air on her network in January 2011. Thousands of people around the country have already submitted their videos and are traveling to cities like New Jersey, Dallas, Atlanta and California for a shot at their dream.

So, I packed my bags and headed for Texas with my 16 page application. On June 12, I arrived at the Kohl’s store in Plano, ready for the challenge.  After standing in line for an hour I received a wristband and proceeded to a group interview with eleven other hopefuls from around the country. Our task was to deliver a 30 second presentation that would show that we had charisma or the “it factor.”

Of course my show was all about the comfort zone. First and foremost it’s about solving decorating and lifestyle dilemmas with realistic solutions.  My passion has always been decorating and helping people to create a space in their home that brings them comfort. For the past seven years I’ve done this with my television segments, columns, book and radio show. But the key for me, especially in this economy is to provide cost-saving design tips, as well as exposing new and innovative products that make our life more comfortable and efficient. Pair that with celebrity interviews, health, fitness and cooking tips and of course great music and my DREAM Talk show would be complete.

The second part of the competition was to upload a video telling Oprah why you deserve your own show and what kind of show you’re proposing.

So I’m crossing my fingers and waiting for the call. But if by chance, I’m not selected I’ll continue to share my talent and passion for design until I find the next opportunity to share my gift with the world.

Update: I wasn’t selected to be a OWN contestant however, I was standing in line in front of Zach Anner who did win his OWN show along with Kristina Kuzmic. Her show is called Ambush Cook and Zach’s is called Rollin.

If you could have your own show what would it be?