Soledad’s Fall: CNN’s Spring?

Zucker’s “Morning in America”: O’Brien toast–again. Starting Point anchor Soledad O’Brien has been iced again as the face of CNN’s dawn according to the New York Times. Throwing cold water on Soledad’s vain hopes to finally prevail in the cable news morning ratings wars, CNN’s new chief Jeff Zucker finally cried, “No mas.”

As long-time CNN viewers may know, Soledad and Miles O’Brien co-hosted American Morning from 2003 to 2007 and were replaced by Kiran Chetry and John Roberts to revitalize flagging ratings. Over four years later (July 15, 2011), Soledad ominously returned to the show to substitute for Kiran for her first absence after AM announced Kiran’s own imminent departure from the still ratings-challenged show. Subsequently, when the ill-fated AM folded at the end of the year, Soledad was given a second chance to redeem herself and the CNN brass in the new year with Starting Point in the 7-9 a.m. ET hours. Unfortunately, for Soledad, she failed to seize the opportunity and sunk the show to even lower depths.

Yesterday, the New York Times reported that Zucker was pulling the plug on Soledad and that she would leave Starting Point this spring. According to the old Gray Lady, Zucker had “decided even before he started the job in January that he wanted to replace…[her program]…with a brand new one.” As to Soledad’s future, it added that she would create a new production company and “continue to supply documentaries to CNN on a nonexclusive basis.”

Putting a positive spin on her departure to the Hollywood Reporter, Soledad said, “I will not miss getting up that early, I cannot lie, not for a minute.” Defending her show itself, she declared, “We had a staff  of people–we never were fully staffed–where we were able to in spite of not getting a lot of support really make our show relevant. To do that, that was pretty tremendous.”

Soledad’s fall: CNN’s spring. It will be morning in Zucker’s America again soon.

Kyra’s “Cannuck Hubby”: Robert’s Ring Ruse?”

Special Reports with JD: Ring on, ring off! Yesterday, FNC Special Report with Bret Baier guest anchor John Roberts decided to doff his seemingly connubial band for, at least, the third time this week.* Only about six months ago, Roberts was proudly donning his seemingly marital ring as he hosted Special Report (soon after his long-time flame HLN anchor Kyra Phillips had claimed to have a Cannuck husband): As a result the author assumed that Roberts had finally tied the knot with Phillips after proposing to her over two years earlier on bended knee.

But, maybe, not. According to HuffPo (in 2011), Roberts revealed that he did not “call Phillips is fiancee and they[had] no plans to get married soon” in “spite of the couple’s ‘engagement.’” In that same interview, Roberts remarked, “There’s no plan for a wedding. I call her my wife, she refers to me as her husband.” Holding out hope for the future, Roberts added, “Do I expect that at some point we’ll get married? Yes, it’s just that we’ve both been so busy working and preparing for our babies that we haven’t found time.”

Perhaps, the two lovers still haven’t found the time–after all. Stay tuned, John and Kyra fans.

*Special Report with Bret Baier – 12/07/12 (@ 6:34 a.m. ET); Happening Now – 12/04/12 (@ 9:37 a.m. ET); and Studio B with Shepard Smith – 12/03/12 (@ 3:41 p.m. ET).

CNN’s Rob Marciano Moves On, Too (to ET)

“[S]ad…but very pumped.” Today, CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano announced that he is leaving Ted Turner’s erstwhile crown jewel for greener pastures. In a Facebook post this afternoon, he said, “Definitely sad to be leaving my CNN family in January, but very pumped for the new gig co-hosting Entertainment Tonight with @NancyOdell. Wow!”

The former ivory Adonis of American Morning follows his fellow colleagues, ebony twin T. J. Holmes (BET), “voice of god” John Roberts (FNC), and AM Aphrodite Kiran Chetry (TBA) into the CNN sunset. For whilom AM fans, who still appreciate a fresh, irreverent perspective, Rob seems to be the last one waving the proverbial flag on the new CNN morning shows, Early Start and Starting Point. And, now he, too, is heading for the exit.

A sad day for Rob. And, his CNN fans. Not to mention, poor Zoraida Sambolin who is losing her “Senor Dreamy.”

Kiran: “Not the Whole Story by Any Means”

Inquisitr snark : It appears Kiran Chetry is still waiting for that “special opportunity.” Foxy former CNN American Morning co-anchor Kiran Chetry seemed more than a mite miffed yesterday at little known Inquisitr.com author Nathan Francis who penned a strangely-timed, snippy piece entitled, “Kiran Chetry Still Waiting for Her Big Return to Television.” In a Tweet to her Twitter followers, Kiran linked to Francis’ story that claimed that she had not left CNN on “exactly amicable” terms and that derided her subsequent work, declaring, “Not the whole story by any means.”

Indeed. In Francis’ article almost two months after the one year anniversary of Kiran’s tearful namaskaar to CNN for a “very special opportunity,” Francis alleged that she had left on not “exactly amicable terms,” inanely citing her infamous on-air “scolding” by her then co-host John Roberts. Perhaps, the new writer at Inquitr forgot–if he ever knew–that it was Roberts who left AM shortly thereafter, and Kiran stayed on to be an anchor of CNN EVP Ken Jautz’s “right ‘American family.’”

Furthermore, Francis took his bizarre broadsides to Kiran and her work after CNN on E! News as a special correspondent and a GBTV guest anchor. Re Kiran in her red carpet reportage of the New York City premier of Smash, he sniped, ” [A] former Fox News reporter [who] found her way back onto television in January.”As to her engaging GBTV gig, he caviled, “[B]arely warrant[ing] a mention on Media Bistro…leaving fans who wanted to see her return to television disappointed.” Caustically, he concluded, “It appears Kiran Chetry is still waiting for that ‘special opportunity.’”

Actually, as the author noted over two months ago in Carpe Diem‘s “Kiran: A Year Later,” Kiran has seized her “very special opportunity” on a profoundly personal level. And, it is her faithful fans who are “still waiting for that ‘special opportunity’” for her professionally. As to Francis’ froth, as Oscar Wilde once said, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.”

Kyra Phillips: I Have a Canuck Husband

John Roberts: “At some point.” Apparently, that point has arrived for CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips and FNC senior correspondent John Roberts. Even though Kyra recently claimed that she had a Canadian hubby on CNNN, her long-time fiance belied that assertion by eschewing any connubial band. However, Kyra’s “J.D.” decided to don it Monday when he guest-hosted on Special Report with Bret Baier.

Over two years ago, Kyra and John became engaged in grand fashion at Greenbrier Resort on the greens at the 18th hole (bended-knee proposal, champagne, and Tom Watson’s pin-flag congratulations). However, approximately ten months later, with their twins almost due, John seemed to cast doubt on any future nuptials in an interview with HuffPo: He remarked that there was “no plan for a wedding” but that he did expect that he and Kyra to get married “at some point.” Monday, John seemed to signal that “point” has come and Kyra does now indeed have her Canuck hubby as he dutifully wore his wedding band on Special Report.

Congratulations, Kyra and John!

CNN A.M. Future: Miles O’Brien? [Updated Anew]

Zoraida: Miles…in these parts, you are a rock star! Yesterday, Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin greeted former American Morning anchor Miles O’Brien to the CNN a.m. like a returning hero. During a space segment with the whilom point man for NASA coverage, Zoraida reintroduced the once canned anchor of the low-rated American Morning to CNN’s early morning shrinking audience. Before his report (on the return to earth of the NASA-sponsored Space X Dragon), Zoraida gushed, “Miles, I got to tell you, in these parts, you are a rock star! Everybody absolutely loves you! Very excited to talk to you this morning.”*

The moment seemed surreal: Miles O’Brien, a “rock star”? Almost five years ago, he and his American Morning co-host Soledad O’Brien unceremoniously got the Klein boot because of low-ratings (in favor of John Roberts and Kiran Chetry). When John and Kiran could not right the AM ship nor their interim successors Christine Romans, Carol Costello, and Ali Velshi, CNN replaced AM with their even more ratings-challenged shows Early Start (with anchors Ashleigh Banfield and Zoraida) and Starting Point (solo host Soledad): With ES and SP listing even lower than AM ever had, perhaps, Miles O’Brien “in these parts, is a rock star” and everybody does love him again.

So much so, that CNN brings Miles back to its early mornings?

*Early Start – 05/31/12 (@ 6:04 a.m. ET)

Update 1: Turner Broadcasting CEO Phil Kent may have much more drastic measures planned for CNN’s a.m. than possibly adding Miles to the cast. After defending his prime-time line-up on the very day of Miles ES appearance, Kent admitted that “we have some other shows that probably need to be replaced.” If recent ratings are any indication, Early Start and Starting Point may well be among those very CNN shows.]

Update 2: According to the New York Daily News, veteran ABC reporter John Berman has now enlisted with CNN and will become an Early Start anchor. If Berman were to join the gals Ashleigh and Zoraida, he would add some much needed male perspective: But, if he teamed up with Miles instead (and the ladies exited), ES would become an all-boy’s club, perhaps, no more attractive than the current all-gal gala. Perhaps, on the bright side, Berman may simply serve as the last captain of CNN’s wee-hour Titanic and Kent will finally get a seaworthy ship.]

“Wolf”! F&F Embraces CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Co-host Brian Kilmeade: “He finally found himself on the right network!“ Fox & Friends gave CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta a very warm reception as he touted his brand new book, Monday Mornings.* In turn, Sanjay did not mention FNC’s rival CNN by name but he did open up to Brian and his co-anchors Eric Bolling and Gretchen Carlson with notable frankness about his favorite CNN colleague.

When Eric introduced Sanjay’s segment, he dubbed him “one of America’s top docs.” Subsequently, Brian elaborated that Sanjay was a “practicing physician at Emory University Hospital and author of the brand new novel Monday Mornings.”Then, a smiling Brian exclaimed, “And, he finally found himself on the right network!” In response, a smiling Dr. Sanjay chuckled heartily. Thereafter, he discussed his book with an eager audience of co-hosts.

As the interview of Sanjay began to conclude, Brian mischievously queried, “Can I ask you one question? You can duck this question if you want. But, if you had a choice between hanging out with Anderson Cooper or Wolf Blitzer (both top CNN anchors), who would you choose? Without a scintilla of hesitation, a grinning Gupta replied, “Wolfman every single time!”

Egging him on, Brian asked, “Much better than Anderson Cooper?” Beginning to hedge a tad, Sanjay said, “Well, not much better but Wolf’s a….” Before Sanjay could finish, Brian interposed, “A lot better? Smiling, Sanjay conceded, “A lot.”

Interjecting, a surprised Gretchen exclaimed, “Wow! I like, you didn’t take the Fifth on that question! Sanjay responded, “Well, I like to answer the questions, not duck.”  Meanwhile, a beaming Brian softly chorused, “He doesn’t duck!” Admiringly, Gretchen added, “Wow! Good for you!”

Unrepentant, Sanjay exclaimed, “Wolfman’s great!”

Then, as Sanjay’s segment concluded, Gretchen wished him continued success and promo’d his book once more. Grateful for his enthusiastic embrace by his FNC competitors, Sanjay earnestly exclaimed, “Thanks for having me! Appreciate it, guys!”

CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta: A future FNC “Medical A-Team” leader?

[Author's aside: For American Morning fans during the John Roberts/Kiran Chetry era, F&F provided a redux almost: before erstwhile AM contributor Sanjay's segment, his "bromance" buddy, whilom AM co-host John Roberts, appeared approximately thirty minutes earlier (as now an FNC senior national correspondent).** Had Sanjay brought along another certain friend who attended his big book bash last night, it really would have been AM revisited. That friend? Quondam AM co-anchor Kiran Chetry--ironically, a former Fox & Friends co-anchor.]

*Fox & Friends – 03/14/12 (@ 8:36 a.m. ET)

**Fox & Friends – 03/14/12 (@ 8:02 a.m. ET)

Update: Video of Sanjay’s segment via TVNewser.

Three Divas on a Divan

“Tense” American Morning? AM co-anchor Christine Romans and guest co-host Alina Cho welcomed CNN correspondent Soledad O’Brien to their angular divan Friday.* Catfight? No, but they did have a lovefest over a 2012 Olympic boxing hopeful segment entitled, “Latino in America: “In Her Corner.”

As AM fans watched the trio discuss five-time national champ Mexican American Marlen Esparza‘s quest to win a gold, they saw AM‘s past, present, and, possible future in front of their very eyes. First, as to the past, Soledad had co-hosted the show with Miles O’Brien until the duo was dumped in favor of Kiran Chetry and John Roberts. Second, now that John and Kiran themselves have departed, Christine temporarily co-anchors (alongside Ali Velshi and Carol Costello) and Alina occasionally fills in. Finally, as to the future, Soledad has been referred to as the imminent host of the second show in a new CNN “AM,” i.e., one that incorporates AM: Wake Up Call and the first hour of AM and another that consists of the last two hours of the current AM.

With the current iteration of American Morning seemingly toast and the new “AM” about to begin, CNN viewers can hope for a more flavorful fare in the morning. Since fan fave Kiran Chetry inexplicably left the show in late July, AM has stopped serving its rather spicy stew of salient stories in favor of a more insipid hash of prosaic presentations. Hopefully, a new chef, i.e., Soledad, can confect a tastier breakfast for future “AM” viewers.

AM viewers can only hope.

*American Morning – 09/23/11 (@ 8:51 a.m. ET)

Kyra Crashes Kiran’s Namaskaar

Kyra: “Alright, I’m gonna break it up here!” And, so she did. Yesterday American Morning co-anchor Kiran Chetry bid her audience a teary goodbye at the end of the show. Before segueing to CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips, Kiran announced, “I’m not gonna cry. But, I just want to tell you guys–as some of you know, today is gonna be my last day here at CNN. It’s gonna be my last day at America Morning.”

With her co-hosts Christine Romans and Ali Velshi seated beside her on the new divan, Kiran declared, “Before I leave, I just wanted to thank everyone, all of you out there for letting me into your living rooms each morning for the past nearly five years. I’ve enjoyed it.” Pointing to Aly and Christine, she continued, “I feel very lucky to have been able to work with wonderful, kind, dedicated people here at CNN.”

As she spoke, the camera briefly showed attentive AM staffers standing nearby: Reaching out to them literally, Kiran remarked, “Look at my buddies. Oh, can we take that shot again, please?” As the cameraman consequently panned back to include not only the staffers but also the floor crew, Kiran commented, “These people come in before midnight day after day after day. We work hard to get it right: But, through it all we have always found a way to laugh and enjoy our work.”

Then, addressing her AM audience again, Kiran tearfully concluded, “So, I’m terrible at goodbyes. I’m not going to say, ‘goodbye.’ I’m gonna say, ‘See you soon.’” Turning toward Christine and Ali, she said, “And, to both of you, it’s been a pleasure.” Then after kissing Christine and Ali au revoir, Kiran waved to the audience, saying, “Thanks, guys!”

Then, just as Kiran softly began to conclude her final namaskaar to her AM fans and then to toss to CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips, Kyra gauchely interrupted. Brassily, she declared, “Alright, I, I’m gonna break it up.” Gracefully, Kiran softly and simultaneously continued, “And, I promise to keep in touch. CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips starts now.”

True to her ill-timed promise, Kyra declared, “We’re gonna go back to that shot, Kiran, of Petey [AM floor director].”  As Kiran laughed uncomfortably at Kyra’s strange interruption, Kyra unabashedly continued, “Let’s go to Petey. Let’s get another shot of Petey there. ” Graciously, Kiran concurred, “Let’s go one more time.” Oddly fixated on this “Petey,” Kyra continued, “Yeah, because Petey will make us laugh. Petey is the one.”

As the cynosure of the camera changed from Kiran to Petey, Kyra continued, “There he is. Give us a shout-out. There we go.” Apparently, trying rightfully to regain the spotlight, Kiran commented, “Guess what, Kyra. Kyra, Petey said to me [that] he is going to learn to email just so that he can keep in touch with me. You know what an honor that is.”

Apparently, realizing her patent faux pas, Kyra penitently responded, “Oh, yes. Kiran, you know…that’s why I went there because Petey has added so much joy to…the morning for you guys. And, he’s made you laugh and been a big part of making those mornings special for you. So, there we go: we won’t to leave on a [sic] upbeat note. Then she added, “Best of luck to you, Kiran.”

Smiling sweetly, Kiran tersely responded, “Thank you.”

[Author's aside: To paraphrase Simon and Garfunkel, "What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson, (er, 'Mrs.' Roberts)?" Comely Kiran has left and gone away. Hey, hey, hey, she barely got her say.]

Update: CNN vid entitled “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later: Kiran’s last day at AM.” N.B. CNN producers wisely cut Kyra’s “crash” of Kiran’s farewell.

Update2: YouTube uncut video of Kiran’s goodbye.

Kiran Out & Soledad In: Ouch!

A not so subtle message? Wow! In a strange and somewhat sadistic twist of fate, Soledad O’Brien returned this morning to American Morning to sub for Kiran Chetry as co-host. N.B. Today marks the very first day after AM announced Kiran Chetry’s departure from the show on July 29. Ouch!

As readers may remember, Soledad herself was co-anchor of AM (for almost four years) before being unceremoniously dumped for Kiran on April 16, 2007 to jumpstart AM‘s anemic ratings. When then CNN/US Prez Jon Klein announced the shakeup (Soledad/Miles O’Brien replaced by Kiran/John Roberts), he noted that AM‘s ratings had faltered in the ratings while the rest of CNN’s programming had increased by double digits: he added, “We think we can do even better and we think the show deserves to.”

Unfortunately for CNN, Klein’s replacement team never really did too much better in the needed numbers. And, Soledad probably thought that it certainly did not deserve to do so after her ousting. And, now that her replacement Kiran is on her own way out at “the ratings-challenged morning show,” Soledad must have found a measure of sweet revenge to return to her former AM throne on the first day after AM proclaimed the end of Kiran’s reign.

Even if Soledad sweetly did not fill her own sense of shadenfreude, someone at AM apparently did. Soledad’s ill-timed fill-in seemed like a gratuitous slap at Kiran from that somebody. Perchance, a parting shot by that anonymous AM staffer who told Page 6 that “Kiran is dumb as a rock” (in its Halloween night 2010 story on possible big changes at AM by new CNN chief Ken Jautz)?

Kicking Kiran on her way out? Not necessarily the best idea: Some of the show’s most loyal viewers are her fans. But, with AM possibly on its own way out (as Inside Cable News suggested), perhaps, that AM somebody simply did not care anymore.

Kyra Back at CNN: “Hubby,” Twins Back FNC

Yesterday CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillip returned from maternity leave to CNN. Welcoming her back were American Morning co-hosts Christine Roberts, Ali Velshi, and Kiran Chetry (the former AM television wife of Kyra’s “hubby,” John Roberts).  As Kiran genially segued to Kyra, Aly jested, “We haven’t seen her for so long [that] we could use a photo.”*

No photo of the radiant mother of twins needed for CN viewers: she was her usual saucy, sassy self. However, her fans might need one of her baby twins, Kellen and Sage, albeit not the one published in TVNewser. Swaddled in white blankets emblazoned with “Fox News Channel” lay her treasured twins, cuter than buttons: Her husband-to-be-eventually had allegedly done the “dastardly deed.”

Welcome back, Krya!

*American Morning – 06/08/11 (@ 8:59 a.m. ET)

Ali & Kiran’s Tale: Busted?

Oops! Stephanie didn’t get the American Morning memo today. Fresh from her vacation in Puerto Rico, CNN biz beauty Stephanie Elam returned to the AM set today to report on the government shutdown. Unfortunately, for her AM colleagues, Ali Velshi and Kiran Chetry, she had not received that AM “e-mail” as to Ali’s ad libs.

In her mid-show segment this morning, Stephanie dutifully reported on “government & private workers who’ll be hurt by  [a federal government] shutdown.” After her story, Ali emphasized that, unlike governmental workers who would recoup their lost wages, businesses that catered to spring tourists simply lost their seasonal earnings.

Enthusiastically, Stephanie agreed, “They don’t get it back! That’s just lost. And, this is the beginning, especially like D.C.” Elaborating, she added, “Cherry blossoms–I went to school in D.C.–love it! That is like the best time and people come to see that every year. It’s a beautiful time.”

Concurring, Kiran (Gaithersburg, MD native and Terp alum), interjected, “I know. Me, too…It’s a huge draw. Huge draw!”

Turning to Kiran to make his point more poignantly, Ali proclaimed, “We were actually planning a little trip down there for cherry blossoms.” Looking back at Stephanie, he groused, “But, now if the government shuts down, we’re not gonna have that trip.”

Eying Ali quizzically, Stephanie glanced down at her notes and then back up at him, querying, “You’re not? Was I invited to this trip?” Seeming to sense that her friend and colleague Ali might need to be aided–and, perhaps, even abetted–Kiran nodded emphatically at Stephanie and exclaimed, “Yes!” Echoing his helpful co-host, a stone-faced Aly shook his head but once and unconvincingly uttered, “Yeah.”

Still puzzled, Stephanie looked at Kiran. In response, Kiran explained, “It was on an e-mail that we sent a week ago.” Then, she appeared to give Stephanie a knowing eye and a telling smile.

Meanwhile, Ali pursed his lips and licked them as Kiran spoke. Seeming to realize that his apparently apocyrphal anecdote had been exposed, he jested, “Yeah, it’s a class trip!” Laughing, Kiran chimed (to Stephanie), “It may have been in your spam box.”

Perhaps, that’s what happened to John Roberts’ AM e-mail, too, when he gainsayed Kiran on the Imus Show a few weeks ago. Oh, wait! John probably no longer has his Turner account.

American Morning – 04/08/11 (@ 7:28 a.m. ET)

JD Says: Kiran Says

What really sparked John Roberts’ infamous rant against Kiran Chetry, his co-host on CNN’s American Morning? On September 8, 2010, JD infamously berated an off-camera Kiran during his interview with President Obama’s smirking senior advisor, David Axelrod. Carpe Diem reported the story that day; Mediaite ran with it (with vid) about a week later; consequently, other media outlets (e.g., Huffington Post, Gawker, and TV Guide) picked it up, and, subsequently, it went viral. However, no one reported what Kiran had done to set off JD’s rant.

This morning, JD (now FNC’s senior national correspondent) provided his version  of the “infamous incident” during a telephone interview with FBN’s Don Imus. Succinctly, Imus asked, “Was it your co-host, one? And what was she doing?” JD stuttered, “Well, well, well, that, that morning, I was wearing a particularly lovely shade of, of plum nail polish and there had been a chip that had developed in it when I had whacked my finger on the desk, and she was trying to fix the chip in my nail polish. Explaining his errant behavior, JD continued, “And, I thought that interviewing David Axelrod, that was not an appropriate time to be fixing my nail polish. So I just said, ‘Would you mind waiting until I’m [sic] done this and then you can go ahead.’” [Vid via Mediaite.]

However, Kiran gave a completely different story during her interview with Mediaite‘s Tommy Christopher on February 18. When Christopher rather reluctantly queried her about “that clip,” she stammered, “I was, oh, um, it was just, I think it was a little bit overblown:  This is why I love you bloggers because one moment in time gets, you know, immortalized forever.” Then, putting her hands over her computer keyboard as if reenacting the scene, Kiran continued, “But, we were dealing with some breaking news: he was doing an interview and I was typing. And, I guess that got a little annoying.” Later, Christopher confidently commented, “Well, I’m glad that we could set the record straight.”

But, did Christopher and Kiran really “set the record straight”? JD certainly does not seem to think so.

Kyra, John: “Welcome…to the World”

“Long road to get here.” CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips and “fiance” FNC senior national correspondent John Roberts make “absolutely beautiful little people” together. According to a People exclusive, the two celebrated the birth of twins, Sage Ann and Kellan Clay, just after midnight this morning. Both brother and sister weighed five pounds fifteen ounces and measured eighteen and half inches long.

People reported that the delighted duo issued a statement, saying, “It was amazing to welcome them to the world. It was a long road to get here, but they are absolutely beautiful little people.” (As to the “long road to get here,” the couple may have been alluding to Kyra’s possible in vitro pregnancy attempts and final success.) They added, “It’s incredible to be able to hold them in our arms and love them in person.”

Congratulations, Kyra and John!

H/t, TVNewser.

TJ: Kiran, You Wanna Listen to Me?

Holmes: a “gentler, kinder” Roberts. Today, almost six months ago to the day, American Morning co-host John Roberts infamously berated Kiran Chetry for typing (off-camera) during his interview of President Obama’s senior advisor David Axelrod. This morning, it appeared to be AM interim co-anchor T. J. Holmes’ time to rant.

Shortly, before mid-show, Kiran and T. J. started to take turns reading the headline news stories. After Kiran reported the first one, T.J. began to read the next one. As he did, a still on-camera Kiran started to type on her computer keyboard.* Almost immediately, T. J. stopped and looked over at Kiran: Tapping her on the arm repeatedly, he exclaimed, “Hey, hey! Wait! What are you doing?”

In an embarrassing moment of deja vu, Kiran’s eyes suddenly widened and she glanced back at T. J. uncertainly. Breaking into a broad grin, T. J. pointed to the camera and chuckled, “One, one is trying to tell your story here, Kiran.” As she sheepishly laughed, T.J. teased, ” You want to listen to me?” Kiran simply smiled and looked ahead.

AM‘s Southern gentleman: You did your momma proud today, T. J.

*American Morning - 03/07/11 (@ 7:20 a.m. ET)

Update: AM producers apparently took note, too: When asked today (March 10) “why no more laptops on [the AM] desk,” Kiran aptly answered, “[L]ooked messy they said.” At least, on two occasions, supra.

Shep: JD, “Don’t You Miss the Anchor Chair?”

Canned CNN American Morning co-anchor John Roberts got a rude reminder of his new status from Fox News’ Shepard Smith yesterday on Studio B. Doing his duty as FNC senior national correspondent, Roberts updated Studio B viewers on the Gulf Coast post-BP spill recovery in his buttery baritone “voice of God.”  Approvingly, Shep replied, “John Roberts, it’s great to see you, man”: Regrettably, he did not stop there.*

Segueing to the next story, Shep read, “Charlie Sheen.” Suddenly stopping, Shep looked over at Roberts (off-camera) with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Grinning mischievously, Shep queried, “Don’t you miss the anchor chair with Charlie Sheen around?” Comfortably or not, Roberts chuckled but said nothing. Unfortunately.

Shep had asked the very question that many Roberts fans want to know. To wit, does the erstwhile silver-maned alpha anchor of CNN miss his old show and wish that he had a new one? Or, is he happy in his new role for now as a brown-haired FNC beta boy simply delivering the news at whatever hour that his bosses dictate?

If not, maybe the old CNN dog needs to learn a few new FNC tricks.

Studio B with Shepard Smith – 03/02/11 (@ 3:42 p.m. ET)

“MIA” Kiran: “Two Days!”

Mediaite.com’s Christopher: Two Stories! Did American Morning‘s Valentine, co-host Kiran Chetry, make Mediaite columnist Tommy Christopher go weak in the knees–or, perhaps, mushy in the mind? During this month of Amor, Christopher has penned two articles on Kiran and her  “unusually devoted fan base” (“who had a little panic attack” when she took an unannounced five-day vacation in the Dominican Republic barely a month after her former co-anchor John Roberts was axed on Christmas Eve). Even though Christopher got his conclusion right about Kiran, unfortunately, he got the facts wrong about her and her fans–twice.

In his first column (February 1), “Fans of CNN’s Kiran Chetry Rejoice! She Will Be Back on the Air Wednesday Morning (February 2),” Christopher rightly declared that the “real story…is [Kiran's] dedicated fans.” However, he erroneously elaborated that they were so worried about Kiran after her “two-day absence” from American Morning that they spiked traffic to a “four-month-old post” so high that it hit the number 5 position on Mediaite in a “very unusual occurrence.” [Underscoring added for emphasis.] In awe, Christopher marveled, “Such grassroots fandom is the stuff that superstars are made of.”

In his followup piece, entitled “CNN’s Kiran Chetry Talks American Morning, John Roberts, and Journalism with Mediaite,” Christopher interviewed Kiran about the reaction of her “unusually devoted fan base” to her absence. Perhaps, hedging on her time away, he began, “Your fans, you took a few days off and your fans”: Before he could finish, Chetry inexplicably and incorrectly interjected, “Two days!” Echoing her error, Christopher continued, “Two days and your fans got all worried about you. How did that make you feel?…I’ve never seen that before.” Kiran answered that “it was very flattering that people wondered where I was” and that part of the interest probably pertained to John Robert’s recent low-key departure from AM.

As Kiran seemed to suggest, her American Morning fans probably did wonder where she was and were concerned that she may have been canned like Roberts as she frolicked in the Dominican Republic with her hubby Chris Knowles. Also, undoubtedly, Christopher was correct that Kiran has “super-devoted fans” who may “have had a little panic attack when she took…off.” However, they did not have that “little panic attack” Tuesday after Kiran had been off for only the second day in a row as Christopher claimed: rather, they grew concerned after she had been gone for five straight days. (Apparently, Christopher, did not realize that Kiran had also been off the Friday beforehand.)

Nevertheless, Christopher can not necessarily be blamed for being a bit discombobulated by the allure of AM‘s Aphrodite. Others, including Kiran’s former AM co-anchor John Roberts (twice), her current interim co-host T. J. Holmes, and her guest Richard Simmons have swooned in her presence. In fact, even the author from afar.

[Author's aside: Kiran was off January 28-February 1. Kate Bouldan substituted for Kiran on January 28 (Friday); January 31 (Monday) and February 1 (Tuesday).]

AM Live Mike: Rob’s Ironic Rant

T. J. Holmes: “Can we get Rob’s mike off?” Today American Morning meteorologist Rob Marciano had his own “Kyra Phillips moment” today–to a degree. As Rob concluded his final AM weathercast this morning, he appeared in good humor (jesting about a frozen-banana-turned-hammer video) as he segued to AM co-hosts Kiran Chetry and T. J. Holmes. However, when the shot switched to the co-anchors and T.J. began a promo for the next block, a testy off-camera Rob could be heard ironically ranting, “Kelly, what! Do you not work in live television?”*

In response, T. J. stopped reading and incredulously exclaimed, “What? What? Wait! What?” As Kiran bent over in laughter, Rob continued, “You were like raising your [Rob's feed ends].” Coming to his friend’s aid a tad too late, T.J. pleaded, “Oh, wow! Could we get Rob’s mike off?” Then, on behalf of himself and, perhaps, his AM audience, he rhetorically queried,  “What is he talking about?”

Fortunately, for Rob’s AM fans, they got a hint. And, fortunately, for Rob, he (or his producer) cut his mike before he could rip into his coworker even more on national television (a la now former AM co-host John Roberts). Furthermore, Rob can take no small comfort in the fact that, at least, he was not caught in the CNN bathroom spilling family secrets (a la CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips).

American Morning – 01/09/11 (@ 8:52 a.m. ET)

Bill Hemmer: Kiran & T.J.’s Favorite Fox

John Roberts: Their forgotten “dog”? Yesterday, one month to the very day that American Morning co-host John Roberts bid adieu to his AM audience, John’s television wife Kiran Chetry and his substitute T.J. Holmes seemed to have conveniently forgotten all about him. In fact, AM’s quilom alpha male appeared altogether off the CNN radar.

During a Super Bowl segment almost mid-show, Kiran and T.J. interviewed famed New York sportscaster Len Berman about the upcoming game. When they had finished their interview, Berman jested, “You know what I think is really cool [is] that you guys are going to sit with the Fox people and watch the State of the Union address.”

Nodding her head in mock agreement, Kiran deadpanned, “Absolutely! Everyone’s invited.” Looking at Kiran and then to Berman, a smiling T.J. replied, “Yeah. Me and Bill Hemmer, we already worked it out.” Chuckling, Kiran continued, “Me and Bill-o, we’re just gonna be there watching the game.”

Not surprisingly, neither Kiran nor T.J. made mention of John Roberts, AM’s co-host as of a mere month ago, who defected to Fox News. Rather, they both chose to inject America’s Newsroom anchor Bill Hemmer, a 2005 AM alum (who like Roberts was canned during an AM revamping and left for FNC) into their collegial chatter. Perhaps, the wounds are still too raw for them to reach out to their latest “Benedict.”

Roberts: No Silver Fox

What was “the wife” Kyra Phillips thinking? Former American Morning co-anchor John Roberts made his virgin appearance on Fox News yesterday on Studio B with Shepard Smith with a drab brown suit and a recently colored coif to match. Unfortunately, CNN’s celebrated silver-maned alpha male looked more like an FNC brown-haired beta boy.

When Roberts made his surreal appearances on Studio B with Shepard Smith, Special Report with Bret Baier, and Fox Report with Shepard Smith, he seemed to sense his fans may not be completely on board with his transition to Fox News. As hosts Shepard and Brett heartily welcomed him aboard, Roberts barely mustered much beyond a mere “thank you” to his new colleagues.

As usual, Roberts’ report (on Congressional safety) was well done but the presentation was certainly not in his usual confident, amiable manner. Like his recent American Morning colleague Kiran Chetry, he may still consider CNN the “gold standard” but he needs to buck up. And, John, even if you are FNC’s senior national correspondent, you can loosen up, too: you’re not on CNN anymore.