<p>The cable news channel MSNBC is close to signing Gov. Jesse Ventura as a talk-show host after he leaves office early next year, the Wall Street Journal has reported.</p>
<p>Citing people familiar with the situation, the Journal said NBC News President Neal Shapiro and MSNBC President Erik Sorenson have been wooing Ventura and his agents at the William Morris Agency. Already a regular on MSNBC's political program "Hardball," Ventura would probably be scheduled for prime time, maybe the 7 p.m. slot occupied by Phil Donahue, the Journal reported. Donahue's comeback effort hasn't gotten big ratings.</p>