commentary Telstra is reportedly looking for a new chief executive, with current commander-in-chief Sol Trujillo said to be on the way out after almost four years at the top.

With this in mind and a grain of salt, we've put together a list of candidates least likely to replace Trujillo, and why they nevertheless would be great for the role.

Dr Claw

Current occupation: Leader of MAD on the Inspector Gadget TV show
Why he would be great at Telstra: Dr Claw constantly mistakes the lovably bumbling Inspector Gadget as his real nemesis, when it's actually Gadget's sidekicks like his niece Penny and her dog Brain who do all the work. This reminds us of how Telstra sometimes appears to believe that the government is its number one enemy.

Stephen Conroy

Current occupation: Federal Communications Minister

Why he would be great at Telstra: In his current role, Conroy has demonstrated a knack for setting up labyrinthine initiatives that nobody, including the government itself, really seems to want (for example, the internet filter project). In addition, critics say his proposed National Broadband Network has the potential to roll back competition in the telecommunications industry by 20 years. Clearly, he should be working at Telstra.

Ricky Ponting

Current occupation: Captain of Australia's national cricket team

Why he would be great at Telstra: Ponting has appeared able to completely misuse the resources at his disposal and take a formerly great team down into the chasing pack, thus reinvigoration competition in his industry: not unlike Sol Trujillo's move to isolate Telstra from the National Broadband Network process.

Although Ponting has been able to destroy his own team on the one hand, he has also been able to surpass personal milestones on the other hand, making his sacking appear counter-productive to selectors (in Telstra's case, the board).

Baz Luhrmann

Current occupation: Film director

Why he would be great at Telstra: As a director, Luhrmann has demonstrated a commitment to overspending, under-delivering and keeping "Australia" in the past.

It's possible, with his passion for love stories, that Luhrmann could engineer a Moulin Rouge-style engagement of Deena Shiff's small business unit and David Thodey's enterprise and government division. There's got to be synergies there somewhere.

Mario

Current occupation: Plumber, Nintendo mascot

Why he would be great at Telstra: Mario's physical resemblance to Sol Trujillo is uncanny, and his appointment contains the potential to merge the CEO and chief operating officer roles; Trujillo often referred to former Telstra COO Greg Winn as the company's "chief plumber".

Mario's skills at jumping on people's heads could also come in useful, and who knows? Mario's working class origins could help Telstra placate those testy unions.

Eddie McGuire

Current occupation: TV host and former Nine Network CEO

Why he would be great at Telstra: In the Telstra hot-seat McGuire would be able to continue a tradition of "boning" troublesome underlings and making only a very select few millionaires.

We'd also like to see McGuire bring his signature Footy Show style (and Sam Newman) to Telstra board meetings, at which all those mysterious decisions are made. Perhaps some Collingwood paraphernalia draped on the plush chairs and a few cameramen to broadcast the intimate details via BigPond Movies.

George Bush

Current occupation: Former President of the United States
Why he would be great at Telstra: Bush would be able to label rival broadband consortium Terria the new "axis of evil". Like Trujillo, Bush sometimes finds it hard to make himself understood in plain English, as anyone who has sat through an 11-hour Telstra briefing can attest. Any survivors from Bush's attacks on Optus and others will be placed in a broadband blackspot outside Australian soil.

Sydney Lawrence

Current occupation: Retiree

Why he would be great at Telstra: In his frequent talkback postings on ZDNet.com.au, Lawrence has demonstrated his even-handed approach and strong understanding of both Telstra and Australia's telecommunications industry. Lawrence began his campaign to replace Trujillo in mid-2006, when he outlined his agenda if he were appointed on the Telstra site Now We Are Talking. "I'd ensure that all services to customers were of a high level," he wrote. He's got our vote.

Gordon Freeman

Current occupation: Theoretical physicist

Why he would be great at Telstra: Equipped with his Hazardous Environment Suit, Freeman would easily be able to deal with all the flak thrown his way as Telstra CEO. He was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and clearly has the scientific and technical nous to pull the job off, let alone deal with unexpected situations. And for when things really go haywire, there's always the crowbar...

Bernard Fanning

Current occupation: Lead singer of rock band Powderfinger

Why he would be great at Telstra: Who better to heal the rifts between Telstra, the government and the rest of the telecommunications industry than one of Australia's favourite sons? Fanning would move the company's head office to Brisbane and like Trujillo, become a true "Internationalist" by spending a large chunk of his time overseas.

What worthy candidate is least likely to succeed Sol Trujillo and why? Post your comments below.