"I don't have any focus groups on talent and programming. If I need five people in a mall to be paid $40 to tell me how to do my job, I shouldn't do my job"

This quote by Roger Ailes is a commentary on the worth of focus groups in decision making. He is implying that counting on focus groups to make choices about talent and programming is not a reliable method to make choices. He is suggesting that relying on the opinions of a few individuals in a mall who are paid to offer their opinion is not a reliable method to make decisions. He is suggesting that if he needs to rely on the opinions of a few people in a shopping mall to make decisions, then he is not qualified to do his job. He is suggesting that he ought to not depend on focus groups to make choices about talent and programs, and that he must rather count on his own expertise and experience. This quote is a tip that relying on focus groups to make decisions can be undependable and that it is necessary to rely on one's own judgement and know-how.