Game Day Over: Aly’s “B Team” Back!

No news is good news for Fox & Friends Weekend co-hosts Clayton Morris and Tucker Carlson. Yesterday, FNC’s “A Team” took the field after the capture of the last of the Boston Marathon bomber brothers: From an early edition F&F First to America Live, FNC’s regular programming (save for Happening Now) and their co-hosts returned to the day’s fare. Nevertheless, F&FW co-host Alisyn Camerota maintained her pivotal position on F&F‘s curvy couch as she was joined by FNC’s week-day alpha dogs, Brian Kilmeade (F&F co-anchor) and Jon Scott (Happening Now co-host). Notably, F&FW “B Team” boys, Clayton and Tucker were sent to the sidelines without a mere mention to their F&FW fans.

But, today was a new day. As the news returned to normal, Aly still reigned supreme on her curvy couch. And, joining her again were her courtiers, Clayton and Tucker, comfortably ensconced as her bookends: The alpha males had gone away and the beta boys were back in town.

Today, all was right again–at least, in F&FW‘s world.

Fox & Friends First Turns One: Growing Pains?

Co-host Ainsley Earhardt: “The four of us.”* F&FF‘s Big Love to less love? On March 5, 2013, Ainsley and her co-anchor Heather Nauert marked their first anniversary on the new Fox & Friends First with a much smaller family of co-hosts and a wiser (or, perhaps, more wizened) version of its younger self. Of the earlier stable of beauties (Anna Kooiman, Ainsley Earhardt, Juliet Huddy, Patti Ann Browne, Arthel Neville, Heather Childers, Heather Nauert, and Jamie Colby) and two beasts (Dave Briggs and Clayton Morris), only Ainsley, the two Heathers, and PAB survived the year. As to the show itself, it seems to be still evolving.

When F&FF made its debut [vid1], it proudly featured its “twin” sexy South Carolina sirens, Ainsley and Anna, who more than made good on their saucy promise to rouse their viewers with a “shot of expresso” [vid2].”  Bringing “SexyBack” a la the original F&FF [vid3] in the ’00′s (with Kiran Chetry, Alisyn Camerota, and Juliet Huddy), Anna and Ainsley saucily showcased their sexy stems in short dresses for their fervid fans as F&FF cameras took obligingly lingering shots. Subsequently, after two femme editors (1, 2) mocked the morning gamfest, they returned the very next day to a new set which hid their gorgeous gams behind a huge table: However, after the author derided them for “Losing Sexy Fast” and “Happening Not!,” F&FF switched course again and ditched the daffy desk.

Approximately, four months later, F&FF‘s website signaled that other changes were on the way when it provided only the bios of the current F&FF co-hosts, Ainsley, the two Heathers, and PAB. Subsequently, Juliet moved on to become a Fox 5 Good Day NY co-host; Arthel to her weekends as America’s News Headquarters co-anchor; Jamie Colby to her weekends also to America’s News HQ; and Clayton to his F&FW spot (and F&F guest co-host); and Dave ultimately to NBC Sports (with Michelle D. Beadle).

Re the programming itself, F&FF has ditched the split-screen opening with shots of the lovelies preparing for their show juxtaposed to the opining of Bill O’Reilly to conclude the Factor: in its place, F&FF producers run a modern-day version of American television viewers beginning their day to the national anthem and Old Glory waving in the wind before the programming begins. Mid-show, the gorgeous gals stretch their gams and stand rather than flaunt their legs and sit to proclaim the five important stories of the next half-hour. Furthermore, the “B Team” beauties no longer end their show with a segue to the F&F “A Team”: Rather, they bid their viewers adieu in lieu of risking another uncomfortable toss (“F&F Cat Spat: Gretch ‘Slimes’ the Two Heathers”).

Growing pains? Over the year, F&FF has pared its “perfect ten” to a “final four.” A winning team for the future?

[Author's aside (re the subtitle): When Heather Nauert concluded F&FF's anniversary show, saying, "It's always a great time together," Ainsley answered, "The four of us."]

Heather’s Virgin Vacation: Best Birthday Ever :)

“Thanks @tzb3.” Throwing caution to the winds, Fox & Friends First co-host Heather Childers shared her daily diary and personal pictures with her Tweeps as she took a rapturous romp in the Virgin Islands with her apparent beau @tzb3. From the time that  she and her honey left Charlotte, North Carolina, Heather regaled her followers with photos of her island destination (St. Thomas), with her sublime experiences (wading in the surf, greeting the sunrise, dining shore-side, catching the St. Thomas – St. John Ferry, imbibing her balcony rainbow, and basking in the Baths), and with a few sexy bikini pics to boot (1, 2).

Yes, Heather can hang with her shapely Fox & Friends First colleagues Ainsley Earhardt and Anna Kooiman (and alums of the same South Carolina elementary school). Surely, Ainsley caught Jay Leno’s eye when her derriere was ogled seemingly by former F&FW co-host Dave Briggs and Anna snared the attention of F&F co-anchors Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy with her “booty shaking” morning dance: But, Heather has now brought her own sexy Southern touch to FNC by sharing the ambiance, aesthetics, and allure of her Caribbean birthday bash with her own fervid fans.

Heather heat: Hot Child-ers in the City!

[Author's aside: Re "Best birthday ever :) Thanks @tzb3" in title, supra, cf. Heather's "Sparkling lights of #StThomas!" post."]

F&FF’s Old Turkey: “Scrambled Up!”

Finally, thrown out? Thankfully, Fox & Friends First‘s awkward “Scrambled Up” signature sign-off seems to have surceased around Thanksgiving. After almost a month of its absence as the segue segment from F&FF to Fox & Friends, it seems safe to say that it has run its course. Now, there is no toss from F&FF co-hosts to their F&F counterparts: instead of the usual hand-off, the F&FF co-anchors crisply conclude their show and simply announce that F&F is next.

For FNC fans who have dreaded the tortured toss exchanges between the F&FF co-hosts and their Fox & Friends colleagues, the change is a welcome one. The F&FF ladies (Ainsley Earhardt, Heather Childers, Heather Nauert, and Patti Ann Browne) no longer have to play second fiddle to F&F diva Gretchen Carlson or her boys, Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy. In fact, they don’t have to play at all with their seemingly scornful sibs who appeared to disdain playing the “Scrambled Up!” jumble with their  F&FF “little sisters.”

Apparently, Ainz, PAB, and the two Heathers are all grown up now–and on their own. At last.

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".]

Doubly “Blessed” Ainsley: “It’s Official!!!”

Gets new hubby–and new job! Fox & Friends First co-host Ainsley Earhardt returned to her show today with a brand new lease on life. Last night, Ainsley announced via Twitter that she, Heather Childers, Heather Nauert, and Patti Ann Browne are now the “official” Fox & Friends First co-hosts. Today, she proclaimed on F&FF how “blessed” she was to have a “beautiful” new husband, former Clemson quarterback Will Proctor (as she shared wedding photos with her viewers mid-show).*

As Ainsley revealed to her Facebook friends, Ainsley got married to Will less than two weeks ago (October 13). Subsequently, the two lovers went on a romantic romp to an undisclosed location. But, Ainsley indicated that it would not be all fun and games: She Facebooked, “Even on our honeymoon, we are excited to watch the debate. Critical time for our great country!”

Congratulations, Ainsley, to you and Will! And, laurels, on your selection as official F&FF co-host!

[Author's aside: Over three months ago, the author posited in Carpe Diem's "Fox & Friends First: The Four Now?" that the F&FF roster appeared to have been pared down to Ainsley, P.A.B., and the two Heathers. Happily, Ainsley finally confirmed it yesterday.]

*An earlier pic of the happy couple at the New York Junior League 58th Annual Winter Ball.

F&F’s “Sexy” Nauert: Distant But in Control

Waking up with Heather on the weekend. Leggy Fox & Friends First co-host Heather Nauert seized the F&F Weekend helm for Alisyn Camerota with gusto Sunday. But, instead of flaunting her gorgeous gams a la F&FF, the blond beauty seemed somewhat demure: Dressed in a short black dress and an “M&M” green jacket, Heather hid herself behind her open laptop for the day (as her co-hosts Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs provided her cover as they anomalously kept theirs studiously open as well).

Sexy or not, the girl still ruled the roost almost like a young E.D. Hill. Playing the needed F&FW “alpha bitch,” Heather had her boys going through their paces. Rarely stopping for breath, she was subtly hushing Dave with her hand at one moment and conspicuously instructing Clayton to elaborate at another.

Heather may have performed well today as a substitute with her co-hosts, Clayton and Dave: But, she could learn from Aly, the master, on how to awaken F&FW‘s fans. For FNC weekend viewers who are struggling mightily to escape the embrace of Morpheus, a softer, gentler greeting from a gorgeous gal is preferable to one from a Red-Bull-infused chatty Cathy. To boot, she may want to close the cloaking laptop as a general rule in the future: as Megyn Kelly aptly declared (about her America Live leg-displaying glass desk), “It’s a visual business. People want to see the anchor.”

F&F Cat Spat: Gretch “Slimes” the Two Heathers

Nauert: “She’s wrong for once.” Fox & Friends co-anchor Gretchen Carlson got rather perturbed at her fellow FNC blonde colleagues, F&F First co-hosts Heather Nauert and Heather Childers, for correcting her on air yesterday. In the “Scrambled Up!” segue (consisting of the jumbled letters of a word from a story in the show) from the early F&FF to F&F, Gretchen usually has found it frustrating and daunting: But, Monday she sat smug and confident before the two Heathers’ toss (of the letters, “m,” “l,” “e,” “i,” and “s”). Just not for long.

After F&FF‘s penultimate segment concluded, “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” segment, Nauert declared, “Okay, it’s time to get ‘Scrambled Up’ and Gretchen Carlson is here to help us.”

Grinning, Gretchen blurted, “I already know it: slime.”

“Slime?” queried Nauert, incredulously. Echoing her, Childers chimed, “Slime?”

Rolling her eyes at Gretchen’s answer, a smiling Nauert replied, “Noooo.”

After, possibly, getting the real answer in her ear, Gretchen rolled her shoulders, proclaiming, “It could be.” As Gretchen’s co-host Steve Doocy and Childers chorused “smile” in reply, Nauert charitably declared, “She’s wrong for once.”

Not willing to concedeto her F&F colleagues, Gretchen proudly insisted, “It could be slime.” Coming to her succor, Gretchen’s other co-host Brian Kilmeade inaccurately interjected, “It’s true.”

Looking through the camera at Gretchen with outstretched palms, Nauert confidently declared, “It’s ‘smile’!”

Mimicking Nauert’s body language, Gretchen defiantly shouted, “It could be ‘slime’!”

Compliantly, Nauert’s co-host Childers concurred, “It could have been ‘slime’”: Less deferential to her F&F elder, a seemingly sarcastic Nauert laughed, “It could be. Yes, yes. Very good, Gretchen!”

Having secured her possibly Pyrrhic victory for the moment, Gretchen riposted, “Okay. But, I’ll smile when I say it. Thanks, ladies!”

After that cat spat ended (and as F&FF ended and F&F began), Brian aptly asked, “Was slime in the show, though?” Ignoring his clear implication that she was wrong (since the answer has to have a word in the show itself), Gretchen blithely proclaimed, “That may be the first time that we’ve had a word that could be two words.”

[Author's aside: Actually, Gretchen was right that the answer could have been two words: However, "slime" was not one of them. Both "smile" and "miles" were contained within the subtitles of F&FF stories (consecutive ones) less than ten minutes before "Scrambled Up": "Smiles Not Always Contagious: Bosses Grin at Those Lower in Pecking Order" and "By the Numbers: 24 Miles, 4 Minutes, and 834 MPH" (about the space dive of "Fearless Felix").*]

*Fox & Friends First – 10/15/12 (@ 5:51 a.m. ET)

Kiran Chetry: Way Too Early?

“With (M)NBC’s Willie Geist, a good buddy of mine.” Former CNN and FNC anchor Kiran Chetry announced today that she will give the keynote address on Pace University’s Financial Education Day (Pleasantville, NY) on November 17, 2012. On her Facebook page that asks her friends to “stay tuned for Kiran Chetry’s next move,” she also reveals that she will share the duty with NBC’s Willie Geist. And, perchance, in a Freudian slip, she nonchalantly calls Geist ” a good buddy of mine” in the video to which she links.

Kiran’s “very special opportunity” at hand? As long-time Kiran acolytes know, their Nepalese goddess had a stellar, approximately seven-year run on Fox News (2001-2007) as a reporter and an a.m. anchor on both Fox & Friends Weekend and F&F First. When her contract renewal talks with FNC in 2007 soured, she was summarily selected to be the femme face of  CNN’s American Morning. After more than four years of awakening her AM fans with her inimitable “ray of light,” she bid them an emotional “namaskaar” on July 29, 2011, with the promise to see them again soon. In 2012, Kiran finally reappeared on TV–but as a special E! correspondent in January and February: subsequently, she did return to news, albeit Internet news, as a guest-anchor on GVTV (April 20).

Perhaps, as the year draws to a close, Kiran is once again ready to arouse her fans in the early morn on yet another cable news network, MSNBC. N.B. Kiran’s “very good buddy” Pace keynote speaker Willie Geist will soon leave his MSNBC’s Way Too Early with Willie Geist post for greener pastures as co-host of the Today Show (third hour).

Kiran’s “very special opportunity”: Way Too Early with Kiran Chetry?

H/t, J$P.

Juliet: Check Me Out on Good Day NY Now!!!

Huddy: I’ll be here for a while. :) Former Fox & Friends First co-host Juliet Huddy has a brand new gig, Fox 5 Good Day NY co-host, seemingly. Yesterday, GDNY announced its apparent new addition on Facebook with the post of a pic of Juliet and its other hosts, remarking, “So as you’ve probably noticed by now… Juliet Huddy from Fox News Channel is sitting in with us on the anchor desk… welcome!” As to whether she will be anchoring GDNY permanently, Juliet Tweeted, “I’ll be here for a while. :).”

In her debut appearance yesterday, Juliet Tweeted, “Hey tweeps! Check me out on Good Day NY NOW!!! Love my crew.” After the show, she gushed, “Had a great first day. Have known some of these folks for years, so the day seemed seemless [sic] :).” Today, still seemingly in her honeymoon stage at GDNY, she Tweeted, “LOVE MY O’s, my buds her at Fox 5, my little bro John and pizza.” To her male admirers, she added, “To clarify: John Huddy from Fox 5 is my BRO. NOT my husband lol!”

Congratulations, Juliet!

[Author's aside:  Juliet votaries who do not have access to Fox 5 in New York can still see her on the O'Reilly Factor "Did You See That" segment and FoxNews.com's "Kitchen Stars."]

Ainsley’s Bridal Shower: Updated!

[Earhardt's tiger revealed, infra.] Seventh heaven: Ainsley and six other Ailes’ angels celebrate a new beginning. Yesterday, Fox & Friends First co-host Ainsley Earhardt‘s hump day was extra special. The sweet Southern belle was honored with a bridal shower by her Fox News family and friends, including fellow FNC femmes, Patti Ann Brown, Heather Childers, Maria Molina, Janice Dean, Heather Nauert, and Anna Kooiman (photo).

Seemingly, the die is now cast: Ainsley’s bridal shower has been thrown. And, yesterday, Janice signaled her hearty approval to her Twitter followers with Tweets about the festive affair. In one missive, she sent a photo of Ainsley and the FNC femme fatales, writing, “From beautiful @ainsleyearhardt bridal show this afternoon @FoxFriendsFirst pic.twitter.com/sHeija7K. In another, she sent a pic of a radiant solo Ainsley sipping an apparent mimosa, proclaiming, “Beautiful bride to be! @ainsleyearhardt.” This morning, an appreciative Ansley laconically replied, “Janice – thanks for the tweet.”

Apparently, Ainsley was a wee bit overly eager last week when she alluded to her “husband.” Perhaps, she already felt secure in his arms at her “Home Sweet Home.” Cheers, Ainsley!

Update: Subsequent to the posting of the author’s article, Janice Tweeted, “A Bridal Shower for our beautiful @ainsleyearhardt @FoxFriendsFirst (plenty of pictures!) weather.blogs.foxnews.com/2012/09/27/ainsleys-bridal-shower. In her post, Janice shares fabulous photos of Ainsley, six more Ailes Angels, and other FNC colleagues partying at Sarabeth’s restaurant in Manhattan. To boot, she reveals the name of Ainsley’s hubby-to-be–Will Proctor (former Clemson quarterback).

Ainsley Just Married? “Our Husbands”

Did Fox & Friends First co-hostc Ainsley Earhardt announce today that she has tied the knot again? This morning, she certainly appeared to do so after her myth-debunking health segment with Dr. David Samadi of FNC’s “Medical A Team.” As she concluded the interview, she asked Dr. Samadi if warm milk helped one get to sleep: he answered that one would have to drink “gallons and gallons of milk” for its tryptophan to induce slumber. Subsequently, when Ainsley tossed back to her co-host Heather Nauert, she jested, “Do you hear this, Heather? So, our husbands have no excuse when they sit on the sofa after Thanksgiving dinner because they’re not eating gallons and gallons of turkey.”* [Italics added for emphasis.]

One final connubial tease by Ainsley? Three months ago (June 18),the author noticed the new big rock that she suddenly began to sport on F&FF: In a Carpe Diem article entitled “Ainsley Earhardt ‘in Shape’: Blushing Bride 2B?,” he noted that the usually “ringless” Ainsley had Tweeted a pic of herself proudly sporting the ring to her followers and had hinted to her F&FF fans two weeks earlier that she was a bride-to-be in an “Wedding Workout: Exercise to Get You Ready for the Big Day” segment with Nikki Glor. Almost two months later (August 15), when she guest-hosted on Fox & Friends weekday, Ainsley finally admitted, “Yes, I’m getting married.” Today, she seemed slyly to tell her own audience on Fox & Friends First that she is now married when she playfully remarked “our husbands.”

Congratulations, Ainsley?

Update: Ainsley and her putative hubby’s new abode? Only six days ago, she Tweeted a photo of a beautiful house on the shore to her followers, teasing, “The Beach – Home Sweet Home.”

Fox & Friends – 09/19/12 (@ 5:25 a.m. ET)

Carol Costello: I’m Just Whining on a “Friend”

CNN Newsroom anchor: “Strange ‘leg crossings’ on Fox’s early, early news.” No wonder FNC’s Fox & Friends First continues to bury its CNN counterpart Early Start in the ratings: Even CNN morning host Carol Costello is tuning in for Fox News’ early morning gamfest.

Today, Mediaite.com author Andrew Kirell reported a very candid Carol Facebook post this morning. To whit, Carol comically declared, “Good morning! Each morning we are amazed at the excellent posture and strange ‘leg crossings’ on Fox’s early, early news. I have tried to get my legs to do that…but, it hurts. What can I say, it’s a slow Monday!”*

Slow or no(t), Carol’s comment  was illuminating. She clearly has her eyes on the early morning juggernaut that is demolishing CNN’s Early Start by more than 2 to 1 in the demo and 3 to 1 in total viewers. And, she herself has tried to emulate the Fox News foxes–without success.

At least, Carol has tried. Perhaps, Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin will follow suit. CNN desperately needs a sexy new start to boost its early morning ratings, especially, now that its erstwhile AM “ray of light” Kiran Chetry no longer ushers in the dawn.

[Author's aside: Title, supra, play on the Rolling Stones' "Waiting on a Friend."]

*The Fox & Friends First co-hosts Monday were Patti Ann Browne and Heather Childers.

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)

Fox & Friends First: “The Four” Now?

Patti Ann Brown, Ainsley Earhardt, Heather Childers, and Heather Nauert. Possibly, following in the footsteps of The Five, Fox & Friends First may be whittling down its number of initial hosts. As readers may recall, FNC announced the debut of The Five and listed ten rotating co-anchors including the current seven and Monica Crowley, Geraldo Rivera, and Judge Andrew Napolitano: When the Five celebrated its first anniversary last Monday on Fox & Friends, F&F co-anchor Gretchen Carlson noted that its roster had been pared down to seven (the “Magnificent Seven”), i.e., Greg Gutfeld, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Bob Beckel, Andrea Tantaros, Dana Perino, Juan Williams, and Eric Bolling.

In a similar fashion, Fox & Friends First started its new run in March with a slate of co-hosts that included not only the four that seem to be now predominating F&FF airplay qua anchors, i.e., Patti Ann Brown, Ainsley Earhardt, Heather Childers, and Heather Nauert but also Dave Briggs, Juliet Huddy, Julie Banderas, Anna Kooiman, Clayton Morris, Arthel Neville, and Jamie Colby. Even though the author has heard no new F&FF announcement, it’s website may provide a hint: only Patti Ann, Ainsley, and the two Heathers have their FNC bios listed on the official F&FF website.

F&FF: Maria Molina M.I.A. [Updated]

One less fox on Fox? Fox & Friends First meteorologist Maria Molina has been missing from her FNC early morning show for the last two days without any explanation from F&FF. Yesterday, her “First Degree” forecasts were omitted yesterday entirely. Today, they were replaced Spartanly with “Extreme Weather Center” graphics and maps without so much as a voice-over to accompany them.* Bizarrely, F&FW co-hosts Ainsley Earhardt and Patti Ann Browne gave no reason for F&FF‘s changes yesterday or today: In fact, they both failed to even mention Maria’s name.

Stranger yet, Maria did give a weather report yesterday–on Twitter. She Tweeted, “Warm, sunny day in NYC… Made it out to the Central Park Zoo earlier today, seals staying cool in the water :) http://fb.me/1V6IbRODD.” But, F&FF‘s weather beauty offered her followers not a clue as to whether she was playing hooky or whether she had been expelled.

Maria: M.I.A.? Hopefully, she’s just A.W.O.L. for awhile. Regardless, her F&FF fans are ready for her to report for duty immediately.

F&FF – 07/13/12 (@ 5:10 a.m. ET and @ 5:39 a.m. ET, respectively)

Update: Mea culpa! CD reader Motownman was right: cf. comment #1, infra. The author had incorrectly inferred from watching F&FF that Maria was the official F&FF meteorologist and that Janice Dean, “The Weather Machine,” filled in for her. When the author inquired of Maria (with links to Janice & F&FF) whether that were the case, Janice kindly responded, “Hey Jakeho! Maria does Mon-Wed FFF, and I do Thurs/Fri. I’m off for a few days. Maria is back on Sat afternoon! :)” She sweetly added, ” I know it can be confusing! :) Thank you for caring tho! We both appreciate it!”

Ainsley Earhardt “in Shape”: Blushing Bride 2B?

Ainz proudly rocks the rock–on her left ring finger! Early this morning, Fox & Friends First co-host Ainsley Earhardt seemed to signal to her fans the apparent news that she is off the market anew. Before the show started, the usually “ringless” Ainsley Tweeted her followers the upcoming headlines stories and included a photo of herself and co-anchor Heather Nauert together: Both had extra large smiles as Ainsley displayed her hands side by side with a single ring, seemingly, an engagement ring (on her left ring finger).

Perhaps, F&F fans should have suspected nuptials for Ainsley again might be in the offing exactly two weeks ago today. On June 4, she had Nikki Glor a/k/a Nikki Fitness on F&FF for a fitness segment entitled “Wedding Workout: Exercises to Get You Ready for the Big Day.” Dressed in white and ringless as usual, she had Nikki put her through the paces: But, before she did so, Ainsley seemed to have a Freudian slip: exhorting Nikki, she exclaimed, “Alright, get us in shape!”

Ironically, Ainsley may have got the sly idea from her FNC colleague Molly Line who did virtually the same thing almost a year ago to the day (June 5, 2011) as guest co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend. On that show, a single Molly enthusiastically worked out with Nikki in a “Bridal Boot Camp” segment. Only four days later on Fox and Friends (weekday), Molly announced that she was engaged and proudly showed off her new stone.”

Ainsley, your own announcement soon? If so, congratulations!

[Author's aside: More irony. Nikki rejoined Ainz today on Fox & Friends First on a "Summer Fitness Products" segment: Even though the cameraperson caught some indirect close-ups of Ainsley's new bling, neither she nor Nikki uttered a word. F&FF - 06/18/12 (@ 5:52 a.m. ET) ]

F&FF Acknowledges Williams/Malkin Dustup BUT

Fox & Friends ignores it altogether. Last night, conservative FNC contributor Michele Malkin and liberal Five co-anchor Juan Williams got into a fiery debate last night on Hannity: this morning, Fox News’ earliest morning news show Fox & Friends First showcased the two going after each other (albeit a bit bowdlerized to exclude the more acidic comments) whereas the regular Fox & Friends did not mention the dust-up even though both Williams and Malkin both appeared on the show in different segments. Perhaps, FNC did not want to throw too much gas on those smoldering embers.

Apparently, according to Mediaite, the verbal fisticuffs began when Malkin mocked Williams and other liberals for blaming former POTUS Bush 43 for President Obama’s shortcomings during a debate segment about Attorney General Eric Holder. During their polemics, Malkin taunted Williams, saying, “All you can do, Juan, is say Plame, Plame, Plame, and blame, blame, blame, Bush, Bush, Bush.” Caustically, Williams exclaimed, “Listen, I tell you what. I tell you what, Michele. I’m a real reporter. I’m not a blogger out in the blogosphere somewhere.”

Then, as Williams began to make his case that the White House had not leaked any classified information, an irate Malkin interrupted, “Right…I’m not a real reporter and you are!” Subsequently, after Williams and eponymous host Sean Hannity had argued about the matter further, Hannity gave Malkin the “last word.” Still fuming, Malkin acerbically remarked, “The American people are sick of the kind of snotty condescension from liberal elite journalists like Juan Williams who tell us that the rest of us are not doing our jobs, when the point is that…when Eric Holder was shamefully…nominated and approved to be Attorney General, he already had a long record of bastardizing national security and the rule of law.”

Unamused, Williams responded that she was way off topic; that she and Hannity were just beating up Holder and that the matter did not even include classified documents. In a parting shot, a still fuming Malkin sniped, “So, real journalists are apologists for corruptocracy? We got it!” Derisively, Williams exclaimed, “Oh, my gosh!” as he put both his hands to his head and rolled his eyes.

It was must see TV: Or, it should have been. However, unfortunately, Fox & Friends producers decided not to share the testy exchange between FNC colleagues Williams and Malkin. Happily, for F&F fans who may have missed it, Mediaite columnist Frances Martel did so in an article and via a concomitant video (link).

Update:  Williams’ co-host Five co-anchor Bob Beckel blasted Malkin with almost ominous rhetoric in his appearance on Imus today. Opining on the purported White House leaks, an enraged Beckel declared, “The idea that Barack Obama would leak that stuff is absolutely obscene. And, anybody who’d suggest that like that Michelle Malkin who…if I were Juan…I’d wake up next to her with a shotgun. She’s a, what a waste of time!” [@2:17 in J$P video] H/t, Johnny!

Steve Doocy: “Our Dirtiest Show EVER!”

Anna Kooiman: “A little nervous!” “Mudder” Fox & Friends co-anchors Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade (weekday), Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs (weekend), Anna Kooiman (weekday First), and FNC meteorologist Rick Reichmuth all got down and dirty for a great cause yesterday and today. The six braved a Tough Mudder abbreviated obstacle course on the sidewalk outside their studios to promote the Wounded Warrior Project.

On Thursday, Steve teased, “Friday on FnF, our dirtiest show EVER!” True to his word, he and his younger co-host Brian Kilmeade proved their Mudder mettle Friday while co-anchor Gretchen Carlson was not up for the muddy wet T shirt contest. After his brave run, Brian remarked, “Most nervous I ever was for a segment.” Subsequently, Steve somewhat more tentatively tackled the physical endurance test: Later, seemingly still winded, he Tweeted, “Brian & I survived the @toughmudder, thanks 2 the INSPIRING #woundedwarriors guys.”

Today, Rick began his FNC Mudder trial with his usual intensity as he enthusiastically went full throttle in the mite too cool early morning. Later, buff fitness femme fatale Anna ran the course at a somewhat slower rate as she tried to not to be a “YouTube sensation for busting [her] booty going over the wall.” Approximately, an hour later, Dave athletically scaled that wall without any apparent assistance as Clayton gamely followed suit with some well-timed help from his hero friends.

Fox & Friends fun: Showing how it’s done!

H/t to Johnny Dollar: F&F “Mudder” vids via links, supra, courtesy of J$P.

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.