Palin's rising star

Speaking of Halloween, horror stories, blood and gore -- can't imagine anything more spine-chilling than Sarah Palin as a TV star after this election is over.

Insert eardrum-piercing shrieks here.

A couple of THR's intrepid and masochistic reporters have asked the question to industry folks, who've suggested possible ways to use "the talent" in the months and years ahead. Since we're still trying to shake off something we heard on "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" last night -- that Palin seems to have her eye on 2012 -- we think this story's enough to give us nightmares indefinitely.

A veteran morning-show producer, Steve Friedman, can't help but look at the numbers:

"The passion she has on each side, love and hate, makes television people say, 'Wow, imagine the viewership.'"

A Fox News platform, a syndicated chat show, a Lifetime movie? All terrifying. A slightly more palatable idea? Reality, says a Hollywood producer, a la "The Osbournes" meets "Northern Exposure." Now that we might sample, for the same sick, train wreck reasons we sometimes tuned in to "I Love Money."

Multiple Emmy winner Tina Fey has already thrown down the gauntlet, saying she wants to retire her evil twin/Palin impersonation on Nov. 5. Now we're faced with the prospect of more of the original, and many nights of waking up in a cold sweat.

Go here for some clips from the Thursday "SNL" and here for the ratings.