Kiran Chetry: She’s Finally Back!

“Works at NBC.” Former American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry has finally seized her “very special opportunity” seemingly. After bidding her faithful fans a tearful namaskaar almost two years ago from AM‘s diva divan, Kiran updated her work status today on Facebook, demurely declaring, “Works at NBC News.”

Carpe Diem readers should not be too surprised. Over six months ago, when Kiran announced that she would be a featured keynote address speaker with NBC’s Willie Geist, the author queried, “Kiran’s ‘very special opportunity’ at hand?” More tellingly, perhaps, a month ago to the day, Kiran happily heralded her appearance on NBC news for her Rock Center segment on Tennessee school twins.

Welcome back, Kiran! It’s been far too long!

Hemmer’s Cryptic Condolences to MacCallum

Martha’s secret pain revealed. Yesterday, America’s Newsroom co-host Bill Hemmer offered his heartfelt sympathy to his grateful co-anchor Martha MacCallum without any explanation as the show ended. Similarly, Martha provided her own emotional enigmatic aside four days earlier in a Tweet, simply saying, “Thanks for your kind notes.” For AN viewers and Martha’s other fans who were left in the dark, Carpe Diem discovered the secret source of her pain.

When a CD reader asked the author what tragedy had befallen Martha after AN had aired, the author decided to find out. In his research, he detected the answer from a funeral home obit in Martha’s small hometown of Wyckoff, New Jersey (population of 16,696): It was for a certain Elizabeth Jane Bowes MacCallum who had died on April 14.

In the Wyckoff Vander Plaat Funeral Home encomium, Elizabeth MacCallum is described as the loving wife of her college sweetheart, Douglas C. MacCallum, Jr., of 57 years: But, more pertinently, for the Carpe Diem reader, it reveals that she was the devoted mother of three daughters, including Martha MacCallum Gregory. (Martha is married to Gregory Packaging Director and Vice-President Daniel John Gregory.) Reaffirming the obvious, Martha’s New York Times wedding announcement clearly evinces that the aforementioned Elizabeth B. MacCallum of Wyckoff, N.J. (and wife of Douglas C. MacCallum, Jr.) is the now deceased mother of Martha.

Condolences from this CD author, too, Martha!

Update: On the elder Ms. MacCallum’s online obit, there is a pic of Martha flanked by her two sisters seemingly: A loop of the family photos including Martha can be found at the top of the page on the left-hand side next to a “Click her to light a Memorial CANDLE” chyron.

Terse Gretch Explains Absence

“I’m glad to be back here today.” Fox & Friends co-anchor Gretchen Carlson seemed rather defensive this morning about her absence yesterday from F&F‘s Boston Marathon tragedy special edition. Appearing eager to explain America Live‘s Megyn Kelly‘s appearance on the curvy couch in her place, Gretchen got straight to the point as soon as the show started.

After the obligatory opening teases for the program, Gretchen solemnly said, “Welcome, everyone. Good to be back.” As her co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy looked at her with stone faces, a seemingly agitated Gretchen declared, “Unfortunately, I was on an airplane when all of this happened in Boston and could not get from the West Coast. I’m glad to be back here today.” In response, Steve stayed strangely silent and Brian simply said, “Yeah.”

Yeah. Sounds like someone may have heard the scuttlebutt. Or, read Carpe Diem yesterday.

Aly in Red: Naked Again!

Rocking and ringless anew? Sexy Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Alisyn Camerota guest-hosted America’s Newsroom in a state of connubial dishabille yesterday. Filling in for AN co-host Martha MacCallum (who also has had her own “ringless” AM moments), Aly sported a demure fire-red dress with tanned-nude high heels to match sans wedding band.* Sitting beside her co-anchor Bill Hemmer, a lovely Aly appeared unencumbered, embodying DeBurgh’s lovely lady in red.

As long-time F&FW fans may remember, Aly interrupted her five-month abdication of her throne in 2011 to guest-host F&F weekday on July 10, 2011. While doing so, the Bohemian beauty ditched her marital band and rocked out during Loverboy’s live rendition of “Working for the Weekend” in her “‘hep’ headband and a matching wristband” atop the shoulders of an appreciative co-anchor Brian Kilmeade.** Since Carpe Diem chronicled that festive event (Aly’s Back: She’s Rocking–& Ringless), she has dutifully adorned herself in her connubial bond to hubby Tim Lewis.

“Lady in Red”: naked again! Tethered or not, Aly’s never “shine(d) so bright.”

*America’s Newsroom – 03/27/13 (vid – 2:47/5:35)

**Fox & Friends – 06/10/11 (vid – 1:59/4:13)

Kiran: Chetrylicious Still?

K.C.: “Thanks for the honorable mention. i think.” Former FNC and CNN anchor Kiran Chetry may have exited cable news but she is far from forgotten. In “Sports Bank’s 1st Annual Hottest Female News Anchors” Top Ten list, the Nepalese beauty still earned an honorable mention even though she left “the building” almost a year and half ago. In fact, the “judge” indicated that otherwise she “would have easily made…[the]…Top 5.“

Accepting her “hotness” award with good humor, Kiran Tweeted, “Thanks for the honorable mention. i think. lol.” Raising hopes anew for her fervid votaries, Kiran continued, “I’ll be back soon. one year wiser, one year older.”

However, taking issue with Kiran’s list placement, hubby Chris Knowles aptly remarked, “@Kiranchetrytv honorable mention? Clearly blind men took part in this survey.” Following Chris’ cue, one Kiran Twitter follower payed his own homage, succinctly saying, “Namaste rani….” Meanwhile, another acolyte chimed, “You should be #1 on that list. You r the most beautiful and professional reporter I have come across.”

As long-time readers may recall, Carpe Diem coined the term “Chetrylicious” for Kiran over four years ago. Subsequently, American Morning EP Jamie Kraft seemed to embrace the moniker: E.g., during one AM, when the author suggested that he show Kiran dancing on camera, he did so forthwith to the tune of “Fergalicious.” Perhaps, taking that thought to heart a mite too much (about seven months later), “Richard Simmons literally salivated” over Kiran (and her feet) on that very memorable American Morning.

Chetrylicious still? If Kiran’s recent Twit pics are any indication (1,2), she certainly still definitely deserves that description. Nevertheless, Kiran’s fans may need much more proof–or, at least, assuredly want it!

Relationship? Hemmer and MacCallum Mum

Steve Doocy: A lot of people think they are married. Yesterday, America’s Newsroom co-anchors Martha MacCallum and Bill Hemmer seemed somewhat disquieted when it came to the scuttlebutt about a possible off-camera relationship between the television couple.

On Fox News Radio’s Kilmeade & Friends, guest host Steve Doocy introduced Bill and Martha to his audience, remarking, “A lot of people think that they are married.”* When an uncomfortable silence ensued, Steve said, “I thought you were going to say something.” Succinctly, Martha responded, “We don’t want to talk about that.” Chuckling, Bill added, “Especially here.”

Apparently, many Kilmeade & Friends listeners were disappointed that both Martha and Bill opted not to discuss the status of any potential personal relationship. For the third day in a row, hits were at historic highs for seven-month-old Carpe Diem post, “Martha MacCallum: Mrs. or Ms.?: ‘Miss’ing Her Marital Band.” Rumors of Martha’s marital status have been fueled by December 9, 2011 profile (201) Magazine article, “Holiday Look: Martha MacCallum and her family get dressed up to celebrate” which seemed to feature Martha and her three children but not her husband; her subsequent doffing of her wedding ring for approximately a month and half on AN; and Bill’s jesting reference to Martha and himself in a photo of the two of them together on an Ailes-hosted evening harbor charity cruise as “the bride and groom.”

Bill and Martha: a happy couple? Unfortunately, yesterday, they failed to report. Until they do, the rumors will persist.

[Author's aside (caveat) - The quotes, supra, are to the best of the author's recollection: he recorded them approximately fifteen minutes after hearing them in an auto.]

*Kilmeade & Friends – 10/31/12 (@ 11:48 a.m. ET)

Kiran Chetry Confesses: “Two New Obsessions”

“I’ve been on the beach…not…actually ‘working.’” Former CNN and FNC anchor Kiran Chetry is back and she has a confession to make: she has two, no, three new obsessions. After promising her fervent fans to be back “soon!!!!!” less than three weeks ago, she delivered, at least, a foretaste as a Huffington Post contributor today. In an article entitled “Observations from My Armchair,” Kiran revealed that she has indeed seized her personal “very special opportunity” after her emotional namaskaar to her American Morning audience over a year ago.

In a missive to her Twitter followers, Kiran Tweeted, “Check out my post from Huff Po…. Observations From My Armchair.” In the article, she declared, “I’ve been on the beach. Not sunning myself, but in TV terms, I have not been actually ‘working.’” Elaborating, the Nepalese beauty continued, “I left CNN last summer and quickly discovered two new obsessions: Tennis, and Bikram (hot) yoga.”  [Kiran's doubles champ pic and yoga goddess photo.] Then, in an sweet sop to her votaries who have eagerly anticipated her return to early morning news, she explained, “Oh, three obsessions actually. After 12 years doing some form of morning or night shift, I have become obsessed with eight hours of sleep. Something I haven’t seen since before Y2K shut down our world (errr).

Subsequently, in her HuffPo post, Kiran opines about her aptly cynical perspective on Presidential politics. In the process, she discloses that she is an independent voter and bemoans the fact that the Presidential candidates can not now actually be honest and tell the truth a la Ron Paul in the election process. Paraphrasing Jack Nicholson in a Few Good Men, she wonders, “As a nation could we really handle the truth?”

The nation? Perhaps, not. But, Kiran, your fans surely can–at least, for the moment. But, they still want their “Ray of Light” to brighten their dawn anew.

[Author's aside: Surprised by Kiran's truth? Cf. "Kiran Chetry: A Year Later".]

Kiran Chetry: Back “Soon!!!!!”

ICN: Not a Chance… Only three days ago, Carpe Diem speculated that former Fox News host and CNN anchor Kiran Chetry might once again arouse her fans in the early dawn on yet a third cable news channel, MSNBC. It reported that Kiran had that day announced that she and her “good buddy” MSNBC host Willie Geist were both keynote speakers at Pace University’s Financial Education Day (Pleasantville, NY). Furthermore, it noted that Geist was leaving his show Way Too Early and that Kiran might just be ready for her “very special opportunity” that she had envisioned when she left American Morning over a year ago.

Fellow blogger Spud seemed less than impressed with the author’s musings. In an ICN post a day later entitled, “Willie Geist to Today…,” he asked readers who the new Way Too Early host would be with the options of Luke Russert, Mike Barnicle, Richard Lui, Veronica De La Cruz, Thomas Roberts, and “someone else.” In an update to the article, he linked to Carpe Diem‘s “Kiran Chetry: Way Too Early?,” scoffing, “Not a Chance….”

However, last night, Kiran Chetry appeared ready and eager to get back in the cable news game. With the Vice-Presidential debate as a backdrop, Kiran sent an incredible forty missives (thirty-seven Tweets and three reTweets). Before the debate began, one of Kiran’s acolytes queried, “When are you coming back. [sic] We miss you.” Succinctly, she replied, “[S]oon!!!!!”

Perhaps, Spud is right: But, with the seasonal change, the ole boy may be a bit off his game. Last night, Kiran promised to come back “soon!!!!” And, she seems perfectly positioned to take the place of her “good buddy” Willie Geist at Way Too Early–even if the author wishes she would take her seat on the Fox & Friends curvy couch if her old nemesis, Gretchen Carlson, vacates it after the election.

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.”

Gretchen Gets Punked: “Fun with Perverts”

Brian: “I think he was vacuous and drunk.” Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson got “punked” this morning by University of Texas at Austin student Max Rice, seemingly. In a segment ironically entitled “Boomerang Generation Votes,” Gretchen touted him as an unemployed college graduate who had moved in with his parents and portrayed him as an Obama voter who may have changed his mind on the President. Instead of hitting President Obama with this Boomerang voter, Gretchen herself got suckered instead by an apparent young wannabe comedian who styles himself as a gonzo journalist.

After Gretchen wished him a good morning, Rice animatedly answered, “Well, hello, Miss, Miss U.S.A.: It’s an honor!” Rolling her eyes at his misnomer, a slightly agitated Gretchen stammered, “Uh, Miss America [1989] but, but, but close enough.” Grinning, a goofy Rice replied, “Miss America! Miss Universe, in my book, in my book.” Smiling, Gretchen responded, “Oh, okay. Well, well thank you very much.”

Turning serious, Gretchen stated, “Now, tell me your story. You believed in the  “hope and change” of President Obama…so you voted for him….[T]ell me about the next three-and-a-half years.”

Grabbing his Starbucks coffee cup for an insouciant on-camera swig, Rice implausibly declared, “Oh, I was a huge Obama supporter in 2008. I met him in third grade. I met him when I was little.”

Arching her eyebrows, Gretchen asked, “Okay. And, why now are you supporting Mitt Romney?”

Shaking his head, Rice remarked, “Uh, why am I supporting Mitt Romney? It’s actually a funny story: I lost a basketball game to a friend of mine, Alex Dern, who’s a huge supporter of this show.”

Pursing her lips with apparent annoyance, Gretchen replied, “Okay, so it sounds like your not being very serious about this.”

Seeming to realize that his apparent gig was almost up, Rice quickly responded, “I’m also disappointed in the direction that Obama is taking this nation: But, yeah, I will be casting my ballot for Mitt Romney!”

Quizzically, Gretch queried, “And, is it true that you had to go back and live with your parents after you graduated from college?”

Cagily, Rice replied, “Oh, yeah. After I went to college for a bit, I had to absolutely go back and live with my parents this summer. I’m back on my own, independent. I’m on national TV….It’s an honor.”

Her skepticism renewed, Gretchen asked, “Okay. Well, are you being serious about this interview or not?” With a mischievous grin, he answered, “Yeah! I can’t see your face right now: this is so weird.” Smiling, Gretchen sweetly answered, “Alright, actually we’re going to wrap this up right now because I’m not so sure that you’re actually being totally serious about the interview.”

Reluctant to give up his proverbial “fifteen minutes of fame,” Rice demanded, “Oh, we are? I am. Wait, wait, wait, wait! Wait.” Chuckling, she responded, “I’m not so sure that you’re ready for prime time yet, with this interview.”

As a still hopeful Rice’s shot ended and before she teased the second hour, Gretchen charitably remarked, “Alright, we’re gonna give Max another chance, maybe, when he’s ready to do the interview.”

When Gretchen and her co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy returned from commercial break, Gretchen laughed, “Usually, Brian gets assigned those interviews….I remember the interviews that you’ve done with kids who didn’t have much to say: In this case, I got a big kid that didn’t have much to say in that last [block].” Sweetly, she added, “I feel sorry for this guy; I don’t know him; [and] maybe, he didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Acerbically, Brian remarked, “I think [that] he was vacuous and drunk, personally. He probably doesn’t have a lot to say on his best day! And, this was probably his worst day.”

Author’s aside: It F&F had vetted Max Rice a mite more, Brian, he does have a lot to say. And, to put it politely, some of it is not very nice. The 2010 Senior Class President at New Trier High School‘s graduation speech (1,2) and stand-up comedy routines (1,2) would have provided a clue. Not to mention, a simple perusal of younghotmeat‘s cruel YouTube video series “Fun with Perverts”  should have put an immediate kibosh on any thought of such an interview with Rice.

*Fox & Friends – 09/17/12 (@ 6:54 a.m. ET)

Update: Vid via TVNewser (within article by Alex Weprin).

[Author's aside: Weprin gives Mediaite a "hat tip" in his main article for noting that Rice was "snarky." But, he fails to give another to Carpe Diem in his later update for noting that Rice is a "wannabe" stand-up comedian [supra]. He nonchalantly claims, “After about three minutes of Googling, it looks at though Rice is a (wannabe?) stand up comedian.” Guess Weprin should Google before his writes a piece or just check “Carpe Diem” for the rest of the story.]

Update 2: According to the Washington Examiner, FNC Executive VP of Programming Bill Shine addressed Gretch’s punking, saying, “We are still examining the situation but it will be addressed with the appropriate parties involved.” In genteel terms, someone is going to the woodshed at best for that inexplicable blunder.

Update 3 (correction and addendum): As the author indicated, supra, Rice is no college graduate: However, he is no longer enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin. Rather, he is now a matriculate at Columbia College in Chicago according to the Washington Post. Of his dubious brush with fame, Rice remarked, “Anyone can say what they want as long as they realize that [Fox & Friends is] a sham and it’s wrong….I’ve always hated Fox & Friends.” H/t J$P (and Chicago Sun-Times).

Fox & Friends: Gretch a Goner?

Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson‘s future at Fox News is in question according to New York Magazine. NYM reported that one of its sources said that Gretchen and FNC are “haggling over her contract terms” and revealed that Gretchen wants her own FNC show but Fox suits are not keen on the idea. However, NYM indicated that one lead said that Gretchen and FNC had “reach[ed] a short-term accord that would keep her on the curvy couch with Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade until the election [b]ut after November, it’s unclear.”

Over a month earlier, the author noted Gretchen’s uncertain future at Fox & Friends in a Carpe Diem article entitled, “Gretchen’s ‘Last Summer Vacation.’” After Gretchen decided to take her one “last summer vacation before kicking into high gear for the political conventions and the election,” he noted that F&F began not only to utilize its regular talent such as Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Alisyn Camerota and Fox & Friends First co-host Ainsley Earnhardt but also to showcase significantly possible celebrity replacements, i.e., Olympian Dara Torres and former American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. Yet, the writing was still not necessarily on the proverbial wall.

Now, it well may be. As Inside Cable News declared, “If there is a shred of truth to this [New York Magazine story], Carlson is on dangerous ground. Roger Ailes and FNC have a history of summarily dispatching talent whose dreams are bigger than FNC reality will tolerate (see: Chetry, Kiran).”

Wouldn’t that be ironic? Deliciously so–if Ailes finally forgave Gretchen’s nemesis, Kiran Chetry, for her “seminal sin” and welcomed the waiting beauty back into the FNC fold with that “very special opportunity.” After all, Aly is indispensable to F&F Weekend.

“Mrs.” Martha MacCallum: Ring of Truth?

Martha “punking” her fervent fans? Looking lovely as ever, FNC anchor Martha MacCallum hit the floor of the Democratic National Convention for Fox News on America’s Election Headquarters in a form-fitting blue dress last night. The blonde beauty commanded rapt attention as she deftly corresponded from the hall before President Obama’s coronation. However, she looked somewhat different than she had earlier in the day on America’s Newsroom other than the wardrobe change: Unless the author’s eyes deceived him (in a ring close-up shot),* Martha was donning a simple ring with a solitary stone on her ring finger instead of her usual one with white rocks across the crest.**

As Carpe Diem readers may remember, Martha was profiled in (201) Magazine December 2011 in an article entitled, “Holiday Look: Martha MacCallum and Her Family Get Dressed Up to Celebrate.” According to the story, Martha, “her husband, Daniel, and their three kids” resided in Ridgewood, New Jersey. In the accompanying photos, Martha (with a ring on her left ring finger) was seen with her family sans her husband Daniel.

Approximately four months later on AN (March 28), the author noticed and noted that Martha was “missing” her wedding band in his Carpe Diem article “Martha MacCallum: Mrs. or Ms.?” Soon thereafter, he further related that America’s Newsroom co-host Bill Hemmer joked on AN (April 26) that Bill and Martha were the “bride and groom” in a pic of them posing together on a fundraiser cruise. Less than a week later, the author reported that on May 2 Bill playfully posited, “So how do we [Bill and Martha] look?” after mentioning “speed dating.”

Adventitiously or not, a week and a day later, Martha was once again sporting seemingly “connubial bling.”  However, almost a month later, Martha did doff her marital band again as reported by the author in Carpe Diem‘s “The Third: Martha’s Independence Day?” Perhaps, not so incidentally, that very next day (the actual Independence Day), Martha had her connubial “shackle” on anew and she seemingly has not been able to escape it since.

But, last night, the appearance of Martha’s “new” ring seemed to suggest that her crested “wedding” ring may have been merely an AN prop that she simply forgot to take last night to AEH. If it were, she should not have feared to eschew any artifice and to lay bare–at least, her left ring finger–before her avid votaries. In fact, she surely would have stoked their ardor all the more with such a naked truth.

Martha: Mrs. or Ms.? An open question.

*Fox & Friends – 09/06/12 (@ 10:59 a.m. ET)

**America’s News Headquarters – 09/06/12 (@ 9:02 p.m.)

Ainsley Admits: “Yes, I’m Getting Married”

Finally! FNC anchor Ainsley Earhardt acknowledged on Fox & Friends Monday that she is indeed wedding anew. But, it should come as no surprise to her fans, at least, her Carpe Diem ones, who should have suspected that the single Southern belle was no longer lonely. Approximately two months earlier, CD reported that that Ainsley had Tweeted an Fox & Friends First pic of her with an apparent wedding ring on her left finger: Further, it noted that exactly two weeks earlier she had interviewed and joined Nikki Glor a/k/a Nikki Fitness in an F&FF fitness segment entitled, “Wedding Workout: Exercise to Get You Ready for the Big Day.” And, now, Ainsley has made her new engagement status official.

On Monday, Ainsley made her connubial announcement as the very first block of F&FF concluded Monday. When she had finished reading the headline news which ended with a story about Jennifer Aniston’s new engagement for a second marriage, fellow guest co-host Eric Bolling wryly remarked, “The second most important wedding coming up.” Sitting back and smiling coyly, Ainsley haltingly asked, “I know. Oh, the second most important?” Before Eric could answer, anchor Steve Doocy interjected, “After yours!” Beaming broadly and ducking her head demurely, a reddening Ainsley declared, “Yes, I’m getting married.”

Congratulations, Ainsley! But, who’s the lucky fellow?

[Author's aside: Eric's premature proclamation? Perhaps. Even though Ainsley twice Tweeted (1, 2) Monday about the show, she failed to mention the good news to her Twitter followers.]

Fox & Friends – 08/13/12 (@ 6:12 a.m. ET)

“Free P*ssy” Penalty: Bob Beckel Apologizes

“I’m very sorry….I’m gonna be quiet now.” Today, The Five co-host Bob Beckel apologized for his “foul” mouth and announced that he would be having the day off tomorrow because of it. As Carpe Diem reported Monday, an apoplectic Bob incoherently stammered “free, pre p*ssy” when he was defending President Obama’s purported disdain for his GOP opponent Mitt Romney. (A day later, after reviewing Johnny Dollar’s video of the incident, HuffPo aptly opined that Bob was “referring to…Reince Preibus,” the GOP National Chairman.)

This afternoon, during the final Five segment, a chastened Bob declared, “My ‘one more thing’ is to say, ‘I’m off tomorrow and that’s going to make me happy and…a lot of conservatives out there happy. I need a break because lately on this show…my mouth has been moving a little bit too much and sometimes dumb things–which is surprising for a MENSA guy–comes [sic] out of it.”

As his co-host Eric Bolling laughed off camera, Bob continued, “Last night when I was checking Twitter, I saw that some people out there were offended by something I said.”

Then, raising his palms in a mea culpa, Bob declared, “Now, I’m not going to say it again but I want to say to those who were offended, ‘I’m very sorry.’ That’s the last you’re going to hear that. I’m going to be quiet now.” Announcing anew Fox News’ apparent one-day sanction, Bob added, “I’ll see you on Friday.”

The Third: Martha’s Independence Day?

Unshackled? MacCallum’s wedding ring missing anew. Before her show today, FNC co-anchor Martha MacCallum Tweeted, “Happy to be back in America’s Newsroom today.” Subsequently, when she appeared on the program, guest co-anchor Gregg Jarrett enthusiastically saluted her, saying, “It is terrific to have you back: everybody missed you!” Beaming, the blonde beauty responded, “Thank you so much! It is very good to be back!” Naked.

Yes, naked again. Almost immediately after Martha expressed how wonderful it was to be back on AN, she gestured with her left hand: gone again was her wedding ring (given to her almost a decade ago).

As Carpe Diem readers may remember, Martha quit wearing her connubial band after a (201) Magazine holiday family profile but began anew after the author noted it. Ironically, today, on the eve of the Fourth, Martha seemed to signal her personal independence day had started early: i.e., she wore no wedding ring and sported no tan line which might suggest that she had ever done so.

Martha’s Independence Day? No fireworks. Hopefully.

More “Garbage”? FNC’s Odd Edit

AN’s freeze frame: Hero honored but heroine dissed anew. America’s Newsroom guest co-anchor Heather Childers reported the runaway stroller story once more this morning with a new unusual twist. Saturday, Fox & Friends Weekend twice ran the story of the garbage truck driver who helped save a baby in a runaway stroller: twice, it ran the video but ignored the lady in it who actually caught the child. Carpe Diem reported the strange omission in “F&FW ‘Garbage’: Blithely Blind Reportage?” Today, when Heather told the tale again, she recounted the same story of the gallant garbage truck driver but expurgated the heroine’s dashing deed.

Reading from her script, seemingly, with a soupcon of color commentary, Heather said,  “Take a look at this video. A hero garbage truck driver saving a baby in a runaway stroller….The driver was on his route when he saw a woman jogging with a baby. Well, apparently, she decided to park the stroller [and] went to a group of friends: And, that’s when the stroller took off. Look there–straight through the intersection. The driver using his truck to block traffic and then he ran to save the baby.”*

Strangely, the clip was freeze-framed (for @ 13 seconds) as the stroller headed toward the curve and before the hero got out to “save the baby” and as the heroine ran toward the baby in the stroller to catch it as it hit the curb. Apparently, unaware that producers had paused the film in progress, Heather continued, “The frantic mother, watch here, arriving seconds later. The baby, we can tell you, is okay.”

And, just why was that baby okay? Yes, the hero garbage driver alerted traffic and pedestrians that the baby in the errant stroller was in imminent danger. But, the heroine who actually caught the baby in the stroller before the garbage driver could get there deserves credit, too. Apparently, her heroism did not fit into FNC’s narrative Saturday nor today: And, the offending video was omitted.

Bizarre, at best.

*AN – 06/04/12 (@ 10:13 a.m. E.T.)

Huddy Hides Honey: Deletes Derby Pic [Updated]

Wherefore art thou, [Juliet's] Romeo? Fox & Friends First co-anchor Juliet Huddy has mysteriously scrubbed her Kentucky Derby weekend Tweet about her “beau John Jordan,” including, a photo of the two lovebirds together. Shortly after Carpe Diem posted the author’s article about Juliet’s sweet Tweet, it mysterious disappeared even though Juliet’s other Kentucky Derby Tweets, including, pics (1, 2, 3) remained, including one of her with a ring on her left “ring finger.”

N.B. When one Juliet’s Tweeps noted the “shine on [Juliet's] left hand” and offered his tacit congratulations, she replied, “Nope! Just a fun cocktail ring. I don’t buy into the “only wedding rings on left ring finger thing lol.” Nevertheless, she and Jordan did seem quite cozy at his and his family vineyard’s fortieth birthday bash.

Juliet: she’s so shy!

[Author's note: For the text of Juliet's deleted Tweet, link here and view its Google ghost (fifth item).]

Update (05/14/12): Three days later, Juliet uncovers her honey: reveals their new Derby pic.

Shep: Can’t Show Trampoline Bear Vid Anymore

Carpe Diem: Fox News FINALLY does the right thing. Today, FNC anchor Shepard Smith announced that he could no longer run the 2003 Trampoline Bear video on Studio B. After almost two years of Carpe Diem decrying that loathsome footage of a black bear falling from a tree onto a trampoline, being propelled high into the air, falling face first into unforgiving ground, and crumpling underneath its own weight, Fox News appears to have got the message at last–perhaps, after the author’s article, “Roman’s ‘No Ring Circus”, (just four days ago) on Shep’s seemingly sadistic snippet being embraced anew by Early Point guest anchor Christine Romans.

Today, after airing one of his famous bear updates (about an Altadema, California, momma bear and her two cubs in a tree), Shep remarked, “Aw, look at ‘em. You know what they need! They need those bears a trampoline.”* When someone seemed to chuckle softly off-camera, Shep added, “Get ‘em right out of there and put them on a trampoline. They have a nice little ride.” As long-time viewers, doubtlessly, awaited the Trampoline Bear video to run as usual, Shep sadly intoned, “Can’t show that anymore, though! Apologies.”

No apology need, Shep–at least, for not being able to show the odious Trampoline Bear video anymore. Rather, you should apologize for airing that horrid clip–repeatedly over the years.

Kudos, Fox News, for making Shep shape up. Finally.

*Studio B with Shepard Smith – 05/03/12 (@ 3:49 a.m. ET)

Related Carpe Diem stories (Trampoline Bear chronicles): “Shep’s Trampoline Bear: PETA MIA” (06/07/10); “Banderas’ ‘Teachable Moment’?” (07/25/10); “Banderas Responds: Bars Bear Vid” (07/27/10); “Banderas Recants Apology” (07/27/10); “Shep de Sade?” (07/28/10); “Banderas: ‘Not My Fault’” (08/03/10); “Shep de Sade’s Bad Boys” (08/06/10); “Shep de Sade: Kubrick’s Clare Quilty?” (08/12/10); “Shep Defends Trampoline Bear Video” (08/13/10); “The Good Shepard?” (08/20/12); “The Good Shepard Hydes” (08/26/10); “Shep’s Trampoline Bear: Old Miss Mascot?” (10/15/10); “As a Dog Returns to its Vomit” (10/16/10); “Hope Springs Eternal” (10/29/10); “Ole Miss’ Colonel Shep” (11/07/10); “Shep the Schlep” (02/21/11); “AM Adopts F&F’s Couch (But, Shep’s Commode?)” (05/17/11); and “Romans’ ‘No Ring’ Circus” (04/29/12).

BET’s T. J. Holmes: Just a Joke?

CNN’s Don Lemon: @tjholmes could u please stop messing with people Don. I mean Tj.”*  Yesterday, BET’s T. J. Holmes seemingly pulled a fast one on his Tweeps–at least this one. He Tweeted, “On a flight w/ my old CNN boss. We’re negotiating my return. But cant [sic] figure out how me & @donlemoncnn can coexist w/out confusing viewers!” Less than an hour later, he added, “I expect to announce to you all this week some news about my future.” As a result, the author reported that “T. J. Holmes indicated that he is leaving BET after a very brief ‘stint’ there and going back to his home at the self-proclaimed ‘most trusted name in news’ network.” [Italics added for emphasis.]

Unfortunately, T. J. was apparently fooling around with the affections of his CNN fans if his latest announcement is to be believed: Today, he Tweeted, “Big day n LA! I get 2 reveal a secret I’ve been holding on 2 for a while: the title of my new show on BET. But I’ll tell u 1st, of course.”

Stay tuned–to BET. Are you sure, T. J.?

*[Author's aside (re the subtitle of this article): Yesterday, after Carpe Diem posted the author's article entitled, "T. J. Holmes: We're Negotiating My [CNN] Return,” CNN anchor Don Lemon Tweeted, “@tjholmes could u please stop messing with people Don. I mean Tj. Whatever ur name is. Lol.” (In reply, T. J. wrote, “[T]hat’s a good one! Ha.”) Perchance, rather than merely jesting at the odd running joke that the two look alike, Don was also chastising T. J. for his possible practical joke on his CNN fans.]

Nicole’s F&FW Debut: “Stocks Fox” Rocks!

Petallides “Shines” on the curvy couch. Today, FBN correspondent Nicole Petallides finally got her chance to reign on the Fox & Friends co-anchor. The Greek goddess with gams “2 Hot 4 F&FW” brought her “A” game to her premiere this morning with her salient smarts, measured sass, and sweet sexiness. I.e., FBN’s “Stocks Fox” showed that she really does rock.

Only four days ago, this Carpe Diem author asked, “Where is Nicole Petallides?” in an article entitled “Fox & Friends: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall.” FNC Executive VP of Programming Bill Shine had just put FBN newbie Melissa Francis on the Fox & Friends throne for the second straight day to sub for co-anchor Gretchen Carlson: however, Shine had strangely still not given FBN veteran Nicole, the “real Stocks Fox” and an F&FW regular guest, her well-deserved chance on the curvy couch. After addressing this seeming “injustice,” the author declared, “Time for Nicole to rise and ‘shine,’ Bill!”

Happily, today, Shine answered the call in clarion fashion. To the author’s surprise and utter delight this morning, there sat FBN’s Aphrodite, luring her acolytes to assemble in her short, sleeveless royal blue dress. Once she had sweetly wiped Morpheus‘ rheum from their eyes, she dazzled them with not only her beauty but with her smarts and sass as she held court with her courtiers, co-anchors Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs, and her guests. In fact, she showed not only that she could fill-in for Alisyn Camerota but also that she could be that “Future F&FW Fox.”

Thanks, Bill, for letting Nicole “rise and ‘shine’”!