SARAH GETTING FOXY – AT 5:37 P.M. ET:  Sarah Palin is joining Fox News.  From Andrew Malcolm at the L.A. Times's "Top of the Ticket":

One-time TV journalist Sarah Palin, who dabbled successfully in politics for a while, has decided to return to her media roots.

Fox News confirms this afternoon that the 45-year-old former mayor, city council member, state oil and gas regulator, unsuccessful lieutenant government candidate, Alaska reform governor, unsuccessful Republican vice presidential nominee and most recently successful book author, has signed a contract with the top-rated cable news channel, Fox News, as a commentator across a number of programs.

The mother of five, including a special needs infant, will also host a show on inspiring American stories. While other networks struggle over the unfunny scheduling of late-night comics, it's another commercial coup for Roger Ailes, who's turned the youngish network the Democratic White House loves to hate into a real moneymaker.

COMMENT:  This will be fascinating.  As Andrew Malcolm says, she will have to demonstrate intellectual heft and a knowledge of a number of issues.

I would not be shocked if she not only does well, but also devotes some of her time to interviewing, hauling in the big "gets," who would be delighted to share her audience.  Also, don't be surprised if she does some of her commentary from other countries, giving her a kind of instant international image and appeal.

But remember, she will also be a huge target.  Look for the first stories about disgruntled staff members, off-camera gaffes and Sarah, true or not, acting like a diva.  They're inevitable. 

I can't wait to see her ratings as compared with, say, those of Chris Matthews.  Well, maybe that's too easy.

January 11, 2010