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."]

Alisyn Camerota: “Reunited & It Feels So Good”

The Bristol Bay babe (a/k/a Bikini Aly) is back for good? Last week Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Alisyn Camerota reclaimed her throne from her recent sole sub Juliet Huddy after a five-month absence. Whether it was because of Juliet’s peculiar attack on Ron Paul during her O’Reilly Factor segment (“yellow belly” who needed to be slapped down by O’Reilly for his refusal to return to the program) or not, Aly finally returned to the curvy couch last Saturday with little fanfare.

The previous Friday, Aly Tweeted her “surprise” return to followers as she co-hosted F&F weekday. Later, after F&FW co-anchors Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs did their usual weekend promo on F&F with a vid clip, Aly suddenly appeared between them asking, “And, can I come back and be with you guys tomorrow?”* Seemingly less than enthusiastic about his estranged TV wife, Clayton answered, “Uh, I don’t know. We have to run it through the powers that be. Let me go check on that.” After shrugging impishly, a more forgiving Dave declared, “We hope so!” Authoritatively, Aly replied, “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When F&FW opened the following Saturday, Aly jested, “Good morning, everyone!…I’m Alisyn Camerota in for Alisyn Camerota.” Subsequently, she laughed, “Don’t adjust your sets: it’s not a mirage. We are reunited!” In response, Clayton stiffly patted her on the back and in a monotone remarked, “Alisyn Camerota is back. Nice to [sic] so much to see you. Thank you so much for being back here on the show.” Turning to Clayton and then to Dave, Aly answered, “Great to be back with you guys. I really missed you.”

Looking on with apparent amusement, a smiling Dave declared, “Okay. Group hug!” Embracing Dave, Aly answered, “Group hug. Give me some Briggs’ love.” Then, turning to Clayton, Aly said, “Give me some Briggs’, Clayton love.” After the two gave each other a salutary shoulder-bump hug, Aly seemed to arch her right eyebrow as if the “love” might be somewhat strained between the tutor and her erstwhile star student.

Perhaps, F&FW guest former Governor Mike Huckabee had some insight on the show dynamic a few hours later. When Aly introduced him, a beaming Huckabee remarked, “Welcome back to Saturday morning. These guys have needed some supervision. And, boy, have they been misbehaving.”**  As Dave nodded his head in agreement, Aly answered, “Not a moment too soon is all I can say”: Apparently dissenting, Clayton silently guffawed and subtly thumbed his nose at Huckabee’s ribbing.

Perhaps, Aly was echoing Carpe Diem when it suggested Aly had returned “just in the nick of time.” Happily, it appears that she is back to stay: Yesterday, she Tweeted, “I’m back on F+F Weekends as of this Saturday and Sunday!…Reunited and it feels so good.”

Welcome back, Aly!

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 09/09/11 (8:40 a.m. ET)

**Fox & Friends Weekend – 09/10/11 (8:35 a.m. ET)

Juliet Huddy’s Odd O’Reilly Appearance

Osama bin Laden still alive? Fox News anchor Juliet Huddy was back–stranger still. Last week Juliet curiously called GOP candidate and libertarian icon Ron Paul a “yellow belly” on the O’Reilly Factor and suggested that anchor Bill O’Reilly should slap Paul figuratively and/or literally for not returning to the show. This Wednesday, she seemed to have more comically missed the missive that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. troops in May.

At the beginning of Juliet’s weekly “Did You See That?” segment, O’Reilly played a September 14th “The View” clip of Michael Moore apparently advocating the trial of terrorists in U.S. courts and co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck anachronistically retorting that [the deceased] Osama bin Laden does [sic] not deserve a trial in New York City.* When O’Reilly asked Juliet for her opinion of the debate, Juliet responded, “Frankly, for him to say that Osama bin Laden deserves or should be tried here in the United States, first no. No, he doesn’t. We know he’s a killer….We don’t need to try him. There isn’t any proof to be shown. We all know he is and he admits it.”

Subtly correcting her and setting the record straight for viewers, O’Reilly responded, “Naw. He, he, he declared war on the United States and the military took him out.” In response, Juliet blankly looked straight ahead as he segued to a question on an MTV fighting teenage mom.

Oops! Perhaps, Juliet’s simply had her tense usage wrong–or, maybe, her mind was merely muddled as she entered San Francisco’s clime. After all, before her appearance on O’Reilly, she Tweeted, “Driving over foggy Golden Gate Bridge on way to do O’Reilly. See you tonite!”  Perchance, after embracing her new “foggy” bohemian environs a mite too much in the interval, Juliet simply lost her short-term memory for the moment.

Nevertheless, an “odd” Juliet is better than no Juliet.

*O’Reilly Factor – 09/14/11 – @ 8:48 p.m. ET

Aly Back In: Juliet Out?

Camerota: “Let’s make it a surprise.” A “Shine” surprise? After abdicating her Fox & Friends Weekend throne for five months, co-host Alisyn Camerota announced her long-awaited return to F&FW tomorrow. Early this morning as she hosted F&F weekday, Aly Tweeted, “FOX News Alert — I’ll be back on F+F this Saturday! …don’t tell Dave and Clayton. let’s make it a surprise. I may wear a disguise.”

Five months to the very day: Aly’s return just in the nick of time? Last week FNC aired a new F&FW promo for its Labor Day weekend that featured her recent sole sub Juliet Huddy with F&FW co-anchors Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs as “One Morning Team” and “the Friends You Trust.” The message seemed pellucidly clear: FNC had dubbed Juliet queen again of the F&FW curvy couch. After all, Aly had been strangely absent from her F&FW post for almost five months (approximately one month longer than the purported “maternity shuffle” for Megyn Kelly): Furthermore, in the interim, Aly had repeated anchored other FNC shows, including, America’s Newsroom, Happening Now, America Live, and even Fox & Friends weekday without returning to her own F&FW.

Perhaps, Aly realized that she needed to move now if she were to reclaim her F&FW throne from Juliet before it was too late: i.e., before her co-hosts, Clayton and Dave, and her viewers switched their allegiance to Juliet. Even though it may appear less likely, FNC Senior VP of Programming Bill Shine himself may have prompted the move to oust Juliet, at least, for now, after her questionable comments two days ago on the O’Reilly Factor: Juliet called GOP Presidential candidate Ron Paul a “yellow belly” who would not appear on O’Reilly and that O’Reilly should have “just slapped him down” – verbally or literally. Coincidently or not, just yesterday, the author wrote, “Unless Alisyn Camerota returns to her long “abandoned” center seat this weekend, F&FW viewers should not be surprised by a ‘contrite’ apology posthaste from jaunty Juliet to Paul and his Praetorian Guard.” (Apparently, Juliet’s apology will have to wait.)

Welcome back, Aly! Hopefully, you will stay. But, whatever you do, do not banish F&FW‘s beloved Juliet from your F&FW realm for good.

Juliet Huddy: “Yellow Belly” Ron Paul

“Just slapped him down!” Daring or ditzy? With a slight smile, Fox News anchor Juliet Huddy tore into GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul last night on the O’Reilly Factor over his refusal to return to the show. During her weekly “Did You See That?” segment (after Factor ambush reporter Jesse Waters’ interview of the recalcitrant Paul), host Bill O’Reilly revealed, “Huddy said something very interesting to me as she came on the set….You [Juliet] said I should have let Ron Paul have it.”* Gesturing as if she were smacking Paul on the face repeatedly, she exclaimed, “Just slapped him down!”

Subsequently, O’Reilly queried, “Really?” Pointing at him for emphasis, Juliet remarked, “We love seeing that.” Clarifying Juliet’s “slap-down” advice, O’Reilly asked, “Verbally? Verbally?”

Ignoring his suggested caution, Juliet answered, “Well, or, the other way, too. You know, you couldn’t do that on set, obviously, ’cause he’s not going to be here.” Interjecting, O’Reilly remarked, “I’m not going to slap anybody.” Upping the ante, Juliet responded, “The yellow belly won’t be here! But…it would have been great.”

Perchance, Juliet was just blowing sweet blandishments in the ear of her “William.” But, she must know that Paul has a phalanx of fiercely loyal supporters that may not take too kindly too her caustic comments. If they turn on her, she may experience a blowblack that she will not soon forget.

Juliet’s assualt: daring or ditzy? Regardless, of the answer, it was probably ill-timed. Just as she appears to be becoming more and more ensconced again on the curvy couch as a Fox & Friends Weekend co-host, Juiet seemed to give short shrift to the political hero of one of F&FW‘s core demos. Unless Alisyn Camerota returns to her long “abandoned” center seat this weekend, F&FW viewers should not be surprised by a “contrite” apology posthaste from jaunty Juliet to Paul and his Praetorian Guard.

O’Reilly Factor – 09/07/11 (@ 11:52 a.m. ET)

F&F: Late P.M. Fun

Gretchen/Ingraham “catfight”; Brian’s Talkers profile; and Gretchen’s “sexual photos” promise. Fox & Friends memorable moments post-Memorial Day. Late: But, fun–and, for the record.

Gretchen/Ingraham “catfight”: Rowrr! Tuesday F&F co-host Gretchen Carlson got off on the wrong foot as she introduced Laura Ingraham, her former “Ice-Off!” dance-off rival and F&F regular contributor.* Introducing Ingraham, Gretchen remarked, “Now it’s time to bring in Laura Ingraham as we do every week. Although it’s not always on this day, is it, Laura?”

Smiling, a sarcastic Ingraham responded, “Um, what’s today? Is it Tuesday?” Bemused, Gretchen answered, “Tuesday.” Seemingly, slightly  miffed at Gretchen’s inadvertent dis, a grinning Ingraham retorted, “Yes, it is Tuesday. Gretchen, come on, come on! I’m now, I feel really, really sad now. I’ve got to.” Clueless, Gretchen queried, “Why?”

Then, as a slightly miffed Ingraham playfully rose from her seat as if to go, co-anchor Steve Doocy interjected, “[I]t’s our Tuesday girl, Laura Ingr[aham]. Hey, sit down! Sit down.” Smiling sheepishly, co-host Brian Kilmeade added, “Laura, come on!”

Throwing her hands up in the air, an embarrassed Gretchen unconvincingly declared, “Well, I’d, I’m sorry. I thought that that kept it fresh.” Her eyes narrowing, Ingraham riposted, “Wait, weren’t you hosting on the weekend last time I checked?” Chuckling, Brian interposed, “Ah, ha, ha! That hurt!”

Seemingly, trying to prove to Ingraham that her jaunty jab did not hurt, Gretchen emphatically replied, “Yes! Thank you very much. I love Saturdays and Sundays.”

Shaking her head, a smiling Ingraham answered, “Me, too. I’m just teasing.”

Of course, the “B Team,” the F&F Weekend crew of Clayton Morris, Dave Briggs, and Alisyn Camerota–or, now, it it Molly Line or Ainsley Earhardt–might find scant humor in Ingraham’s acidic broadside.

Kilmeade’s Profile: Wednesday Brian celebrated his first year as solo anchor of his radio show, Kilmeade & Friends, formerly known as Brian & the Judge (Napolitano). Perhaps, fittingly, Brian graced the cover of the talk media trade publication Talkers and was featured inside. On F&F Wednesday, Brian was praised by both Steve and Gretchen for the distinct honor: when Gretchen lauded him for his “whole full-page article” on page 12, Brian waggishly remarked that on a following page he had “absolutely no clothes on”: Mercifully, Talkers readers are in fact spared.** Congrats, Brian!

Gretchen’s “Sexual Photos” Promise: “I don’t know about you guys but I can unequivocally say that I have not taken sexual photos.”*** In her colorful commentary with Brian and Steve about “Weinergate” as F&F began, Gretchen so ridiculed Rep. Anthony Weiner’s tergiversation about whether the arousal shot heard ricocheting around the Beltway was his own. An hour later, she similarly twice more emphatically declared her own abstinence from taking such pics to her co-hosts.

After Gretchen did so, Steve went one step further, asserting, “I haven’t taken any pictures of myself in my underwear and I don’t know that anybody has taken any of me.”**** Then, pointing his finger at Brian, he teasingly taunted, “Brian, can you say the same thing?” After a brief moment of silence (comedic or not), Brian responded, “Yes. Thank you.” Laughing heartily, Gretchen interjected, “Uh, oh!”

Unlike Brian, Gretchen did not “see” Steve’s statement. I.e., she remained mute as to her not knowing that anybody had taken any “sexual photos” of her. Again, an oversight or simply smarts from Bill O’Reilly’s Culture Warrior?

*Fox & Friends – 05/31/11 (@ 8:04 a.m. ET)

**Fox & Friends – 06/01/11 (@ 6:32 a.m. ET)

***Fox & Friends – 06/02/11 – (@ 6:05 a.m. ET)

****Ibid. @ 7:07 a.m. ET.

Bill O’Reilly: It’s Just What Nature Dictated

Fox & Friends’ Gretchen Carlson: “What!…Oh, my god!” FNC ratings king Bill O’Reilly had his Factor “Culture Warrior” bug-eyed in disbelief at his battle-of-the-sexes analysis this morning on F&F. Before O’Reilly’s usual Friday appearance on her show, F&F co-anchor Gretchen Carlson and her co-anchors, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade, discussed a recent USC study that indicated that the stress levels of married men in “dual-earner” marriages were lowered when they relaxed as their wives did the housework whereas the stress levels of married women diminished when their husbands helped them do the household chores.

When O’Reilly joined the co-hosts on the phone, Steve asked, “Bill, do you find this as disturbing to watch as I do?”* “No,” answered O’Reilly emphatically. “Why not? queried Steve. “Because it’s just what nature dictated. You know?” answered O’Reilly.

Startled at O’Reilly’s words, Gretchen suddenly straightened in her center seat. As her eyebrows arched, her eyes widened, and her lips pursed, Gretchen exclaimed, “What!” Unapologetically, O’Reilly explained, “Adam and Eve. You do the chores, [and] I’ll relax. All of that.”

Again, Gretchen’s jaw tightened, her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes bulged. As a smiling Steve mischievously nodded his agreement with O’Reilly, Brian jested, “Hey, look at the jungle and the lions. The men don’t do any of the work in the jungle: it’s the women that take care of the kids and kill the caribou and then bring it back. And, the guy just sits there with his hair grown out!”

Offering O’Reilly a final chance to redeem himself, a hopeful Gretchen asked, “So, what you’re saying, O’Reilly, then is that you like having somebody else do your chores?” Eschewing his lifeline, O’Reilly responded, “Um, you know, I, I’m a kind of guy who’s a very intellectual type of person who is kinda just always thinking about the universe and the country and the welfare of all human beings.” Chauvinistically, he concluded, “But, you know, the chore thing just takes care of itself: I don’t know how that happens but it does.”

Looking at Brian with a incredulous look on her face, Gretchen exclaimed, “Oh, my god!”

Sticking up for his male colleague O’Reilly, Steve added, “Natural selection–of, duties.”

But, boys, what of nurture?

Fox & Friends – 05/20/11 (@ 7:31 a.m. ET)

FNC’s Sweet Schadenfreude?

Christine Romans, “you’re just carrying the water for Mr. Obama.” Last night, FNC ratings juggernaut, the O’Reilly Factor, led with this caustic charge against the CNN anchor by CIA counter-terrorism analyst Michael Scheuer. This morning, Fox & Friends Weekend ran it thrice and gave Scheuer himself another shot at the co-host of its CNN rival, American Morning.

As Carpe Diem first reported, Romans and her co-anchor Kiran Chetry’s interview of Scheuer on the CIA’s role in Libya Thursday turned rather testy as it concluded. When Scheuer bemoaned the U.S.’ “spend[ing] enormous amounts of money [where there are no U.S. interests at stake] at a time when we’re nearly bankrupt,” Romans lectured, “And that’s a whole ‘nother story….The economy and this mission in Libya are two separate issues.” Acerbically, Scheuer responded, “They’re not separate issues, ma’am. You’re just carrying the water for Mr. Obama.” Bristling, Romans riposted, “I’m certainly not carrying anyone’s water!”

Last night, O’Reilly opened with an abbreviated clip of that very scene with Scheur’s saying, “You’re just carrying the water for Mr. Obama!” and Romans’ responding, “I’m certainly not carrying anyone’s water”: Concomitantly, O’Reilly remarked, “Former CIA guy Michael Scheuer attacks CNN for what he sees as biased coverage of Libya. We’ll get into it.”

Shortly thereafter, during his first Factor segment titled “War and Money,” O’Reilly aired more of the caustic exchange as described, supra. After doing so, he declared, “Right now the Libyan action is estimated to have cost the U.S.A. more than a half  billion dollarsm and, of course, the figure will rise. Not mincing words, he confidently concluded, “The CNN anchor is wrong when she says the Libyan action and the American debt are separate. They are not!” Elaborating, he added, “Sad truth is every action America takes from now on will have to be evaluated from a cost standpoint: That’s what happens when you’re 14 trillion dollars in debt.”

Today, Fox & Friends Weekend appeared to more patently revel in their CNN rival’s plight as they aired the diss of Romans repeatedly (twice in promos for their interview of Scheuer and once during it) and provided a facile forum for Scheuer to sneer anew at Romans. During the segment, “‘Flickers’ of Qaeda [in Libya]“, co-host Alisyn Camerota aired the AM clip and “innocently” inquired, “Michael, what, what did you object to in how it was being depicted there?”*

Smiling sardonically, Scheuer answered, “I always get a little angry when people treat me as if I’m dumber than I look.” As Camerota chuckled at his jest, Scheur sniped again at Romans, remarking, “And, to argue at a time when the government’s belly up with finances and we’re spending a hundred million dollars a day…on a useless war in which we shouldn’t be involved and say there’s no connection between the two is just apologizing for the [Obama] administration.” [Italics added for emphasis.]

FNC sweet Schadenfreude? Nah. Just a Roman(s) holiday.

Author’s aside: Ironically, in the background of the AM clip and the controversy stands CNN’s Kiran Chetry, American Morning‘s Aphrodite. As Romans receives its fire, FNC may be more than happy if its erstwhile rising star (and former Fox & Friends co-anchor) suffers some of the collateral damage. Especially, if boss Rupert Murdoch deems her to have crossed his proverbial Rubicon.

Update: Fox & Friends Weekend Scheuer interview vid (courtesy of J$P).

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 04/02/11 (@ 9:19 a.m. ET)

“You’re Just Carrying the Water for Mr. Obama!”

Christine Romans: “I’m certainly not carrying anyone’s water! And, I will assure you of that.” No milquetoast for breakfast today. Polite American Morning co-host Christine Romans got a piece of Michael Scheuer’s mind instead.  And, she was not amused.

During the AM segment entitled, “CIA in Libya,” Christine and co-anchor Kiran Chetry interviewed Michael Scheuer, a “former CIA counter-terrorism analyst, about the United States’ latest intervention in the Middle East. Skeptically, Scheuer propounded his concerns about the efficacy of arming and training the Libyan rebels in time to defeat Khadafy; “the [President's] putting himself into a corner where his only option is ground troops”; and the U.S.’ role in Libya being a “recruiting tool for extremists” (because it was perceived as the “American-led West attacking a Muslim country that has oil”).

Pressing Scheuer about his final point, supra, Kiran countered that U.S. officials had said that NATO had fully taken over operations and that their coalition included Arab states. Scoffing, Scheuer answered that the “U.S.-to-NATO leadership transfer was a “piece of theater set up by Ms. Clinton and Mr. McCain and the bipartisan group that loves to intervene abroad”) and that the “U.S.-led operation” was seen “in the Muslim world…[as]…Americans killing Muslims again…for oil.” Subsequently, when Kiran asked Scheuer whether America’s aid for the Libyan rebels was actually support of “Islamic democracy…tired of totalitarian rule,” he acidly asserted, “If we were supporting Islamic democracy, that would be one thing. But, if you listen to Ms. Clinton and, especially, the rather crazed Ms. Rice at the U.N., this is all about democracy in a world were democracy is not going to take hold.”

As Christine listened to Scheuer’s increasingly cutting criticism of the U.S. involvement in Libya, she appeared to become agitated in tandem with his answers (as she repeatedly put her hand on her hip, crossed her arms, and furrowed her eyebrows).

When the interview concluded, Christine dismissively interjected, “I think it’s very clear, Michael Scheuer, that you are no fan of this policy and this administration.”  Then, looking at Kiran repeatedly (as if for succor), Christine scolded, “I think calling Ambassador Rice crazed is certainly a significant charge.”

Unrepentant, Scheuer acerbically retorted, “Oh, I don’t know! I’ve just listened to her! That’s only my impression. Elaborating, he remarked, “[T]his is not a Democratic problem: this is a Republican problem, too. Both parties love to intervene in other people’s business where there are no U.S. interests at stake and where we spend enormous amounts of money at a time when we’re nearly bankrupt.”

With her arms crossed defiantly (and Kiran looking down at the desk demurely), Christine sharply disagreed, declaring, “And, that’s a whole nother [sic] story. To call the United States bankrupt–the United States is running humongous deficits, yes.” But, the economy  and this mission is Libya are two separate issues.”

Smiling, Seuer sneered, “They’re not separate issues, ma’am. You’re just carrying the water for Mr. Obama.”

Bristling at Scheuer’s slam, Christine retorted, “I’m certainly not carrying anyone’s water! And, I will assure you of that.”

Then, after thanking him for his time, Christine icily concluded, “You, know, we’ve had a very long, exhaustive interview. You’ve had plenty of time to give your point of view on that.”

For tea-sipping Christine, her Scheuer segment may have been “too early in the AM for  [such] insults.” But, for this coffee-quaffing viewer, it was a timely AM java jolt. Or, was it a Jautz jolt?

Update: This evening Mediaite‘s Matt Schneider found the story, supra, via Johnny Dollar’s Place and basically recapped it. However, Chickaboomer seized it saucily and gave it her own inimitable take.

Update2: Bill O’Reilly weighed in Friday during his O’Reilly Factor opening “Talking Points” segment on the Scheuer/Romans spat. After playing the clip of Scheuer skewering Christine, O’Reilly remarked, “This CNN anchor is wrong when she says the Libyan action and the American debt are separate: they are not. He opined, “The sad truth is every action America takes from now on will have to be evaluated from a cost standpoint: That’s what happens when you’re 14 trillion dollars in debt.”

O’Reilly: F&F “Cartoon Show”

Fox & Friends: Fox News’ Rodney Dangerfield? Two years ago, FNC’s Executive Veep of News Editorial John Moody called the number one cable morning news show “an entertainment show that does some news.” Last night, Fox News ratings king and O’Reilly Factor host Bill O’Reilly went one step further and laughed that it was a “cartoon show.”*

During the O’Reilly Factor “News Quiz” segment with Fox & Friends co-anchor Steve Doocy and American Morning co-host Martha MacCallum, O’Reilly asked the name of “The Simpsons” newscaster. When Doocy accurately answered, “Kent Brockman,” O’Reilly chuckled, “I figured you’d watch a cartoon show, Doocy.” Then in a jest to the audience, he sniped, “He does one: he watches one.”

“Hey, hey, hey!” protested Steve. Coming to her morning colleague’s support, Martha cocked her head and arched her eyebrows at O’Reilly, exclaiming, “Ooooh!” Putting his tongue literally in his cheek, O’Reilly replied, “Alright. Cheap shot. I’m sorry!”

Friendly fire?

*O’Reilly Factor – 12/02/10 (@ 7:51 p.m. ET)

O’Reilly Errs: Palin Stares

Stewart: “Busted, O’Reilly! Who’s the pinhead now?” Deja vu? Ironically, on this the very night that the Bill O’Reilly aired the Daily Show host Jon Stewart’s comical, acerbic critique (of O’Reilly for his erroneous Andy Griffith Show trivia),  O’Reilly dished out equally unreliable political facts to his audience. However, when he did it this time in front of Republican power player Sarah Palin tonight, he got a welcome reprieve from his Fox News colleague.

During his post-Tuesday primaries interview with the former Alaska governor, O’Reilly praised the Palin and the Tea Party for their influence and mentioned that their candidate had won in New Hampshire.* While Palin looked on with a slight hint of a smile, O’Reilly remarked, “I can’t even say his name. What’s his name up there?” When Palin stayed silent, O’Reilly continued, “What his name in New Hampshire? Tell me in my ear [to producers]. Some guy up there won the primary. And, you endorsed him, Governor.” As Palin still said nothing and continued to stare at him blankly, O’Reilly stammered, “Um. Alright, nobody knows. He’s got a long name. He won. Tea Party guy won in New Hampshire. Okay.”

Unfortunately for O’Reilly, he was wrong–doubly wrong. First, the “Tea Party guy” with “the long name,” Ovide Lamontagne lost. Second, he lost to the Republican establishment’s candidate, Kelly Ayotte, the very choice of Sarah Palin.

Later, making matters all the worse for himself, O’Reilly adventitiously ran the Stewart footage mocking him (for his erroneous Andy Griffith assertion that Thelma Lou was Andy’s girl). In the clip, after Stewart points out that Thelma Lou was actually Barnie Fife’s beau, Stewart exclaimed, “Busted O’Reilly! Who’s the pinhead now?”  Check your facts, old man,  ’cause we’re holding your feet to the fire.” Facetiously, he added, “I expect a full retraction on air–otherwise, I might never trust Fox again.”

After that vid, O’Reilly declared, “Well, the problem with Mr. Stewart’s analysis is that shortly after I made the Thelma Lou mistake I corrected it on the air! Somehow, old Jon didn’t mention that. So, who’s the pinhead now?” Then he added, “By the way, Stewart will be on the Factor next Wednesday. That should be interesting.”

What should be interesting is if O’Reilly shortly corrects his Palin mistake on air. And, if he does not give a “full retraction,” will viewers such as Stewart ever trust Fox again? Tune in to see–especially, Wednesday.

*O’Reilly Factor (09/15/10) – @8:06 p.m. ET)

**O’Reilly Factor (09/15/10) – @8:58 p.m. ET)

O’Reilly’s Warriors: Culturally Illiterate?

Gretchen & Margaret: No spanking alllowed! Really? O’Reilly Factor “Culture Warriors” Gretchen Carlson and Margaret Hoover went to war woefully unprepared Thursday. During their segment, both Gretchen and Margaret did know the facts of their lead story (about a Connecticut high school teacher who had been charged with sexual assault for purportedly spanking an obstreperous female student) but not the applicable law.

When host Bill O’Reilly had introduced the spanking story and his blond battling beauties had recited the relevant facts, host Bill O’Reilly asked, “Do we know in Connecticut public schools whether corporal punishment is allowed?* Emphatically, Gretchen asserted, “Corporal punishment is not allowed in any school system anymore. No way!” Equally confident, a beaming Margaret declared, “Corporal punishment is not allowed. No, not allowed! Not allowed.”

Unconvinced by their bluster, O’Reilly replied, “In some school systems, it is.” Rendered uncertain, Gretchen responded, “Seriously?” Smiling, Margaret scoffed, “No, no, no. Bill O’Reilly, when you taught in Miami, they allowed you to hit children.”

Losing his own certitude, O’Reilly answered, “I could be wrong on this but I don’t think I am: in some school districts, corporal punishment is allowed. I can’t imagine it’s allowed in Connecticut but it is allowed in some school districts. So, we don’t know that: we don’t know whether it’s allowed or not.”

Subsequently, when O’Reilly and Gretchen tried to move on to discuss the particular Connecticut case, Margaret persisted, “Let’s be very clear. It is very unlikely that anyone anywhere in the United States teachers are allowed to beat children in the classroom. Unallowed. Corporal punishment is probably not allowed.” She continued, “The most that a teacher should ever be able to do is grab a kid by the wrist and take them to the principal’s office. This is totally unacceptable.”

Realizing that Margaret was merely opining, O’Reilly remarked, “We’ll clarify tomorrow. I’ll clarify tomorrow about the corporal punishment.”

Unfortunately, both O’Reilly and his “Culture Warriors” were unprepared to clarify the most salient issue of the story, i.e., the legality of corporal punishment in the Connecticut school system. If they had merely Googled the matter, they would have quickly learned that 20 states allow corporal punishment but Connecticut does not. To make matters worse, their negligence was all the more acute since the topic has come to the fore with the recent introduction (June 29, 2010) of the “Ending of Corporal Punishment Act” by U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY).

O’Reilly’s “Culture Warriors” Thursday: Unread and unarmed.

*O’Reilly Factor – 08/05/10 (@8:30 p.m. ET)

Huddy Debuts Timidly

Bill O’Reilly: “You feel free to disagree with me. I won’t be mean. I promise you.” Fox News correspondent Juliet Huddy made a timid debut in her new segment, “Did You See That” on the O’Reilly Factor.* Unfortunately, Juliet’s weekly topic was politics, not exactly her forte a la Charles Krauthammer, Laura Ingraham, or Alan Colmes. However, she knew the facts but when it came to opining, she fell short.

Whenever host O’Reilly would voice skepticism during her discussion of TX Dem Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX) or NV GOP Senatorial candidate Sharron Angle, Juliet would seem to waver. For example, when Juliet indicated that she did not think that Rep. Rodriguez had acted like a statesmen in his outburst toward constituents, O’Reilly said that he admired Rodriguez more and Juliet quickly confessed that she, too, liked passion. Subsequently, when Juliet began to criticize Ms. Angle’s anti-Harry Reid commercial and O’Reilly replied, “I don’t think so: I think this is a homerun, Juliet backtracked, saying, I think it’s a homerun: I think Harry Reid is shuddering right now.” Seeming to sense somewhat too much obsequiousness from Juliet, even for himself, O’Reilly kiddingly responded, “You feel free to disagree with me. I won’t be mean. I promise you.”

For her virgin appearance in “Did You See That,” Juliet still did reasonably well with her fresh, fun flair. Yet, she seemed to have crammed for the subjects and to have not fully digested the material. For future “Did You See That” segments, perhaps, Juliet, O’Reilly, and the audience would be better served with a lighter fare more a propos to FNC shows like Fox & Friends and Red Eye. (As to F&F, while the various co-hosts do discuss heavier topics, they generally do so as a group generally, not as sole authorities.)

For now a tepid, but hopeful “thumbs up” for Juliet in her new O’Reilly role.

O’Reilly Factor – 07/14/10 (@8:49 p.m. ET)

O’Reilly: Huddy Snares Spot

“Did You See That!” On Red Eye early this morning, FNC’s Juliet Huddy revealed that she will begin a new regular segment Wednesday on the O’Reilly Factor. When TV’s Andy Levy asked her during the “Postgame Wrap-Up” where people could find her on Wednesday nights, she responded, “On Bill O’Reilly’s show about 8:40 (p.m. ET). It’s a new segment that I’m doing.”  When Andy then asked her what it was called, she riantly exclaimed, “Did You See That!”

Not yet. But, doubtless, her fans will be looking forward to seeing more of  her and “all That.”

[Author's aside: Whether Juliet will continue to do the O'Reilly Factor "Dumbest Things of the Week" Friday segments with Red Eye host Greg Gutfeld is unknown.]

Gretchen: Ditzy or Divorcing?

“My kids are still trying to grapple with what divorce means.” Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson made this strange remark this morning during a school sex ed debate segment. After one polemic posited that fifth graders should be taught about oral sex, Gretchen, the mother of a seven year daughter and a five year old son objected: she asserted, “Even for fifth graders…what about the confusion of the child’s mind being told this kind of information? I know my kids are still trying to grapple with what divorce means.”*

If searches for “gretchen carlson divorce” and “gretchen carlson affair” by Carpe Diem readers are any indication, Gretchen’s question spiked curiosity about the state and stability of her connubial union. From the author’s perspective, it appeared to be a point that was simply not germane to the discussion since divorce and sex are two different matters although the latter (especially, extramarital) can precipitate the former: to boot, Gretchen seems wont to utter such extraneous comments. However, since the “Culture Warrior” would not expressly condemn adultery on a recent O’Reilly Factor show and appeared to have a rather charitable perspective on those who cuckold their spouses, one could see how viewers might have a different view than the author.

Gretchen: Ditzy or divorcing? You decide. And, Gretchen, if you wish, feel free to weigh in.

*Fox & Friends – 07/12/10 (@7:48 a.m. ET)

“Conservative” Carlson: Pro-choice?

Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson is Bill O’Reilly’s “Culture Warrior.” But, is she really FNC’s social conservative? Six days ago on the O’Reilly Factor, the 1989 Miss America, Presbyterian (PCUS) Sunday school teacher, and granddaughter of a prominent long-time Evangelical Lutheran pastor refused to divulge her abortion view (even though she revealed that she did believe that same-relations were “morally acceptable” and opined on other issues such as adultery, out-of-wedlock children, and the death penalty). However, today she seemed to flash her “Souter” slip to her F&F viewers.

This morning, when Gretchen introduced a headline news story entitled, “Speaker’s Religious Rant,” she exclaimed, “Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House, did you hear her religious rant recently? She said the word ‘Word’ about thirty times in fifteen seconds.”* After the May 6 clip of Pelosi ran, co-anchor Brian Kilmeade jested, “Do we have a bell for the ‘Word’? I thought ‘Grease’ was the word up until now.” After Gretchen bowled over in laughter, her smiling co-host and a proud Catholic, Steve Doocy turned serious. “But, what’s extraordinary about that…it’s great that she feels comfortable talking about her religiousness in public. But…if she’s saying that the ‘Word’ should influence public policy and they should follow the Gospel, well, why is she for abortion? News flash: The Bible does not like abortion.”

Somewhat surprisingly, Gretchen decided to qualify Steve’s assertion: she declared, “At least, Catholicism does not.” Steve replied, “The Bible’s talking about, I’d like to see where it says, the Bible does not like abortion.” Changing the topic, Gretch answered, “But, the more important thing to me in this whole discussion is that this signals that people on the far left can’t say the word “God.” You see, she had to say the “Word,” she was just sort of stumbling like “Word, Word, Word, Word. Why? Because people on the far left don’t want to say the word ‘God’ anymore. It’s a bad word! It’s a bad word out there. That’s what I got from that little rant.” “Hmm,” responded Steve succintly.

Since Gretchen seemed to skirt the issue last week on O’Reilly but appeared to address it more today, the author checked the current teachings of her church‘s denomination for some possible illumination. They are certainly well within the “mainstream denominations” vis-a-vis evangelical ones: According to the PCUS 2003 amended “Statement on Post-Viability and Late-Term Abortion,” abortion after viability should occur only “in the rarest of circumstances” e.g., to save a mother’s life, preserve her health (when seriously at risk), or in case of rape or incest. N.B. Like many church members, Gretchen may not subscribe to the teachings of her church or denomination, esp., in this controversial issue, but they may suggest her general inclinations.

Perhaps, Gretchen is wading into the abortion debate. Whether she reveals her position fully is her choice. Until then, her audience may now have an educated guess.

*Fox & Friends - 06/03/10 (@7:10 a.m. ET)

“Adultery?”: Gretchen Grins

When it came to adultery during the O’Reilly Factor’s “Cultural Warrior” segment,  Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson stayed strangely silent. Before Bill O’Reilly quizzed his guests Gretchen and FNC colleague Juliet Huddy on their positions on adultery, same-sex relations, abortion, children outside of wedlock, and the death penalty, he showed them a recent Gallup poll of Americans’ views on the issues. Then he offered them the option to opt out if they so desired to avoid embarrassment.

O’Reilly declared, “Alright, Carlson, we begin with you. So, let us start with adultery. I mean, it’s obvious that the American people think that’s the most immoral thing even over abortion which is life and death.”* (92% of Americans surveyed by Gallup agreed that it was “morally wrong” whereas 6% deemed it “morally acceptable.”) Without answering the question, Gretchen commented, “Yes, it’s also quite apparent that they’re lying when they’re answering this Gallup poll.” “You think so?” asked an incredulous O’Reilly. Gretchen replied, “Well, more than half of all people cheat in their marriages so to say that only.” Before she could finish,, O’Reilly interrupted, “But, just because you do it doesn’t mean that you think that it’s okay.” Undaunted, Gretchen answered, “Well, that’s true about a lot of these things that we’re going to discuss tonight but…I’m not so sure people answered honestly. I think they answered intentionally how they would like to lead their lives.”

Interjecting, Juliet laughed, “Or, there are just a lot of hypocrites out there. I mean, a lot of hypocrites.” Opining himself, O’Reilly offered, “Or, you can say, ‘It’s the human condition.’ We’re all sinners, right? And some people do bad things, they don’t justify it [but] they do bad things and then they say they’re sorry.” Juliet answered, “Well, they recognize that it’s immoral.”

Attempting to conclude the discussion on that matter, O’Reilly asked, “Neither of you [are] among the 6% who think it’s okay?” Jesting, Juliet remarked, “No, I was one.” O’Reilly queried, “Oh, you were?” Furrowing her brow in mock indignation, Juliet retorted, “Of course not. Who are these 6% that would say that?” Turning to Juliet, a guffawing Gretchen interposed, “He said we didn’t have to say.”

Trying again to end the matter definitively, O’Reilly questioned, “So on adultery, you’re both, ‘Immoral,” right?” Succintly, Juliet emphatically answered, “Bad. Adultery bad.” With her jaws tightly clenched, Gretchen simply smiled and slightly nodded her head but she uttered not a word.

Does Gretchen approve of adultery? Probably not. But, tonight she certainly did not appear overly eager to answer that question.

[For the reader who is interested in their views on the remaining social issues, Gretchen and Juliet concurred that same-sex relations and the death penalty were morally acceptable. However, as to a child born out of wedlock, Gretchen judged it "morally unacceptable" but Juliet found it "morally acceptable." With regard to abortion, Gretchen would not divulge her view but Juliet reluctantly deemed it "morally acceptable."]

*O’Reilly Factor – 05/27/10 (@8:30 a.m. ET)

Reagan, O’Reilly? Reality Check

FNC’s Bill O’Reilly, host of his eponymous O’Reilly Factor, needed his own “Reality Check” last night. During a segment on drug violence in Mexico, O’Reilly asked whether President Obama should send troops to help the Mexicans fight the drug cartels (in the wake of the killings of two Americans last weekend in Juarez). In his preface, O’Reilly remarked, “I want everybody to remember that Ronald Reagan invaded Panama for this very reason…that Panama was becoming a country run by drug cartels under Noriega who’s still in prison. Okay? And, Reagan sent in U.S. troops to prevent that.”*

Unfortunately, for O’Reilly, he himself did not remember. In fact, it was George H.W. Bush, not Reagan, who ordered the invasion of Panama on December 20, 1989. During this operation dubbed Just Cause, Bush sent in almost 30,000 troops, who quickly defeated the rogue regime and captured its leader, General Manuel Noriega.

An ironic twist: Later in the program during the “E-mail” segment, O’Reilly rebuffed a reader who defended Tom Hanks’ purported “believing racism was a prime motivator in World War II.” As he did, Factor producers put up a large photo of Hanks with the chyron, “Rewriting History?”** Indeed.

*O’Reilly Factor – 03/15/10 (@8:24 p.m. ET)

**O’Reilly Factor – 03/15/10 (@8:56 p.m. ET)

Live Desk Canned: Gallagher?

Gone: without a Trace? Not quite. As the end of the program today, co-anchor Trace Gallagher announced, “As you may have heard, this is the last day of the Live Desk….Megyn Kelly’s new show, America Live, will be starting on Monday.” Without his co-host Martha MacCallum (who was already with her new partner, Bill Hemmer, on America’s Newsroom), Trace seemed somewhat lost. Sounding more than a mite melancholy, he added, “And, of course, you can’t get rid of me. I’ll be along for big stories and breaking news. It has been a great time.”

When the author heard Trace’s farewell, he thought of another anchor who appeared to exit his show under similar circumstances, i.e., Alan Colmes. When Alan left the popular Hannity & Colmes apparently to allow Sean Hannity to have his eponymous show Hannity in the same time slot, Alan was bound for unnamed future projects: thereafter, Alan has made guest appearances on various FNC shows and has had a recurring role on the O’Reilly Factor as a debate opponent of his conservative sister-in-law Monica Crowley. If Trace is fortunate, maybe, he will find a similar position, and, possibly, even be paired regularly in some capacity with his recently frequent Live Desk guest co-host, Juliet Huddy.

Regardless, good luck, Trace!

“America Live”: “NON-Sexy” Megyn?

America Live with Megyn Kelly: Fox News revealed the name and nature of Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly’s new show in promos aired yesterday on the cable news network.* Previewing Kelly’s new role on the program that begins next Monday (February 1), FNC somberly heralded Kelly as “smart, tough, trusted” (as it boldly emblazoned the words individually on the screen for emphasis). As a video montage of a serious, somewhat stern Kelly ensued, Fox News declared, “[D]igging deep, debating key issues, discussing the topics impacting you.” In other words, mind you, viewer, not sexy but serious.

Apparently, FNC did not intend to make the same mistake as CNN did when it introduced its new show for its beautiful blonde, Paula Zahn, eight years ago. I.e., FNC did not want its own version of the infamous “zipper” promo. In that instance, when CNN controversially previewed its then new show, American Morning, with Zahn, a male voice-over announced her as “provocative, super-smart, oh yeah, and just a little sexy: then, as the word “sexy” flashed on the screen, the seeming sound of an unseen zipper opening could be heard. (CNN pulled the ad posthaste after the ensuing media uproar.)

However, FNC may well want to remember, as it certainly knows, that indeed “sex sells.” The former co-host of America’s Newsroom and legal eagle of the O’Reilly Factor is not only known for her serious smarts and mental acuity but also for her sexy stems and short skirts. Trying to make Fox News viewers forget the latter may make them somewhat less inclined to watch her.

* Vid link: via Johnny Dollar’s Place (J$P).