AIRS: Weeknights 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT

In the Crossfire

Is TV talk show in the wings for Bill Clinton?

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Bill Clinton met with NBC executives in Los Angeles on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of becoming the host of his own daytime TV talk show, according to a television industry source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"President Clinton did not demand a talk show. He went to listen," said Julia Payne, a Clinton spokeswoman, in a written statement to CNN.

The Los Angeles Times, which first reported the discussions, quoted a source as saying Clinton was asking for a fee of $50 million a year.

"Crossfire" hosts Tucker Carlson and James Carville went one-on-one on the issue.

TUCKER CARLSON: According to The L.A. Times, the former president (Bill Clinton) is talking to NBC about his own daytime talk show and asking for $50 million a year. Troubled teens, unfaithful marriages, 10 tips to shed those extra holiday pounds... Is America ready for the Bill Clinton show? Should Oprah be worried?

You know what, James? This is not that different from his presidency, which from my point of view is an extended episode of "The Sally Jesse Rafael Show." And this is... you know, I predicted this five years ago as a joke. You know... become a talk show host. But like most pictures you make about Clinton as a joke, they tend to be true. You cannot go lower than the reality basically.

JAMES CARVILLE: Well, you're right. In some ways, it (doesn't have) a lot to do with this president because you got the same mullets in the media. I read this out of The Los Angeles Times. What it doesn't have is a quote from (former) President Clinton or a quote from any of President Clinton's spokesperson because it is the duty of the media -- as opposed to reporting what happened -- to entertain people on cable TV. Now I talked to...

CARLSON: Actually, there was a quote.

CARVILLE: I talked to -- let me finish. After the story, I talked... to four United States networks (that) have talked to President Clinton about doing something -- as have just about literally every major international network. President Clinton has no intention of doing this. He sits down -- he's a courteous man; he talks to people. And if The Los Angeles Times and these people in journalism understood (that) before you write something, you would be a lot better off (if) you called people for comment -- as opposed to trying to get yourself quoted and on cable TV -- you'd be a lot better.

CARLSON: Let me ask you a question then. My -- look, I don't think Clinton's going to get a talk show, although like Al Sharpton's candidacy, I hope it happens. But let me just put it this way. When he left office, he made a number of grandiose promises about curing AIDS in Africa, solving world hunger, solving poverty, all these high-minded things he was going strive for. And yet now undeniably, he is in talks, I don't think he's going to (do) it, but you agree, he is in talks for a daytime television.

CARVILLE: He works tirelessly. I know Sandy Thurman, who's very involved in this. President Clinton does...

CARLSON: Raising money for himself.

CARVILLE: But AIDS, you don't know what you're talking about. He was in India. I know how much money he raised for AIDS. I know the things that he does. The problem...

CARLSON: James, he's talking about doing a daytime talk show. That's undeniable.

CARVILLE: They're talking to him about it. They called him.

CARLSON: Yes, he wanted $50 million as a number.