LIVE: JibJab Gretchen

Gets her groove on again. For Halloween, Fox & Friends co-anchor Gretchen Carlson “treated” her mid-term-election-edition viewers to a dance special. For the boys and girls who may have begun to drift off after two and half hours of a somewhat serious show, Gretchen decided to jazz it up a bit.

As F&FW returned from commercial break for the final half hour with the new promo graphics (including a dancing Gretchen), co-host Brian Kilmeade commented, “You know, you know what I think seeing that animation? People are thinking when does Gretchen do the oil [inaudible] in the show.”*  Co-host Steve Doocy, moving his shoulders rhythmically back and forth, laughed, “It’s right after our cooking segment.” Looking at Gretchen, Brian chuckled, “Everything else we do for you regularly except you, you dance–people expect you to dance every show.”

Smiling at Brian, Gretchen exclaimed, “Don’t look so surprised!” Immediately, she joyfully jumped up and began an animated JibJab-like jig, jauntily gyrating her hips and furiously pumping her arms in the air repeatedly. Beamingly broadly, Brian bantered, “There you go!” Smiling, Steve interjected, “So, the answer is 8:30 [Eastern] time, Brian.” As Brian aptly remarked, “Fantastic!,” a grinning Gretchen retorted, “Whenever asked, that’s the answer!”

That may not be “the answer” to why FNC’s morning cable news juggernaut continues to crush its more reserved rivals after almost almost a decade of dominance. But, it’s certainly one of them.

[Author’s aside: Toward the end of the segment, supra, Brian joked, “You [Gretchen] know what? You just made the JibJab guys, [you] made it a lot easier for them to line up your head.” Brian’s remark and the title of this article are clear references to a Halloween JibJab video (featuring the co-hosts dancing) that F&FW‘s unofficial sloganeer, Chas of Maryland, sent in.]

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 10/31/10 (@8:32 a.m. ET)

“The Shin(e)ing”: Trick or Treat!

Or, Trick and Treat? For Halloween, Fox & Friends Weekend fans will not get their favorite co-hosts Alisyn Camerota, Dave Briggs, and Clayton Morris. Instead, they will be “tricked” or “treated” with Fox & Friends weekday co-anchors, Gretchen Carlson, Brian Kilmeade, and Steve Doocy for the mid-term elections special. Apparently, FNC Senior VP of Programming Bill Shine is still not ready to give his full F&F “B Team” a chance to show their game on the big day.

However, Fox & Friends Weekend aficionados did get a real Halloween treat (albeit early), i.e., a four-hour F&FW for today, for the “near future,” and, possibly, “from now on.” Alerting her Twitter followers to the change yesterday, Aly Tweeted, “[F]rom now on FOX & Friends will be starting at 6am EVERY Saturday and Sunday.” Subsequently, when the author asked Dave for a clarification, Dave cautiously answered, “FOX & Friends is 6-10 ET tomorrow & every Sat/Sun in the near future.” [Underscoring added for emphasis to Aly and Dave’s respective quotes.]

Consequently, if the F&FW devotees see the Halloween substitution of the “A Team” for their beloved “B Team” as “The Shin(e)ing” trick, at least, they get the treat of a new four-hour F&FW. So, they may want to reconsider “TP’ing” Shine’s house tomorrow night. On the other hand, they may still want to get him for his past tricks, e.g., the F&F selection of Gretchen over Kiran Chetry; the F&FW defenestration of Page Hopkins, Kelly Wright, and Greg Kelly; etc.

Regardless, Happy Halloween!

Hope Springs Eternal

Trampoline Bear suspended in mid-air. Perhaps, Studio B (and Fox Report) anchor Shepard Smith was toying with the author and the black bear yesterday as Charles Shulz’ Peanuts character Lucy continuously did with Charlie Brown and the football. However, hopefully, he is simply beginning to realize that repeatedly and gleefully showing an animal (albeit anesthetized) being pummeled into the ground by its own weight is rather cruel.

As Studio B drew to a close, Shep did a “Bear Alert” about the proliferation of black bears at Yellowstone National Park. Then he aired a photo of Fox Report chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt and a field producer Lisa Kaplan posing with a black bear statue at the Black Bear Diner in Reno, Nevada. Segueing to his Trampoline Bear video, Shep stated, “Jonathan Hunt on the road compiling stories…[about]…issues that matter to ordinary Americans which includes bears obviously.”*

Then, as the vid began of the Trampoline Bear falling from the tree and being propelled high into the air, Shep continued, “Word is they were discussing.” When the producer stopped the video with the bear mid-air (and showing the last frame for approximately five full seconds), Shep chuckled, “Bear trampoline safety!” Laughing with him, tellingly, was, apparently, the producer and a floor crew member.

Bear trampoline safety: a worthy Shepard “Bear Alert.”

Studio B – 10/28/10 (@3:56 p.m. ET)

John’s “Boys” Worked: Kyra Pregnant!

Yesterday mid-morning, Carpe Diem reported that American Morning co-host John Roberts “may be ready to start another family with [Kyra Phillips] the comely CNN Newsroom anchor, his ‘mature woman.’”* Later, yesterday evening, People confirmed that not only was John ready to start a new family with Kyra but also that he had already begun. To wit, in a brief “This Just In” report (at 6:00 p.m.), People proclaimed, “The CNN news anchors are ‘very excited’ to announce that they’re expecting twins next spring.

Congratulations to you and Kyra!

*[Author’s aside: After a story on sperm count and vitality being affected adversely by plastic additive BPA on AM yesterday, a rather animated John revealingly remarked, “You don’t want your boys (sperm) having problems….Hey, I’m a guy! It’s the only reason (to be concerned about BPA). It’s all we care about!”]

Kyra’s John: “Hey, I’m a Guy!”

“‘Your boys’….It’s all we care about!” Today American Morning co-host John Roberts appeared to put Kyra Roberts, his forty-two year old girlfriend, on notice. I.e., the fifty-three year old father of two young adults from an earlier life may be ready to start another family with the comely CNN Newsroom anchor, his “mature woman.”

During an AM headline news segment this morning, John read a health report which linked the plastic additive BPA to low sperm count and vitality in men. When he had finished, co-anchor Kiran Chetry commented, “Yeah, you got to watch out. You gotta check those out.”* Before she could continue to the next story, John interjected, “Yeah, you don’t want your, your boys, you know, having problems, though.”

As he arched his eyebrows for emphasis, Kiran dismissively declared, “Yeah, I mean, for a number of other reasons as well. Um, this is just one of the latest studies.” Not dissuaded from pursing his ruttish route, John looked down and gestured toward his groin. Laughing, he exclaimed, “Hey, I’m a guy! It’s the only reason.” Pausing  for emphasis and then looking into the camera, he animatedly added, “It’s all we care about.”

In response, Kiran smiled, looked away, and gulped hard. Channeling Kyra?

*American Morning – 10/28/10 (@8:55 a.m. ET)

Kiran: Republicans Yahoos?

John: “Beats me. I don’t know. Wow!” Were American Morning co-hosts Kiran Chetry and John Roberts flying their true colors only one week away from the mid-term elections? In a “Morning Talkers: Red or blue brands?” segment, Kiran and John reported on a recent survey that indicated that “Google is the favorite brand of Democrats…while Fox News topped the brand list of Republicans.” Not surprisingly, John took the opportunity to whack rival Fox News but, interestingly, Kiran seemed to possibly snipe at her Republican fans instead.

Introducing the story, Kiran stated, “How you vote could decide which brands you choose as well. A new survey looks at how your political party affects brand loyalty. They found that Google was the top blue brand.” Strangely, veering off-script (since the survey merely mentioned brand loyalty in general rather than within particular categories), Kiran commented, “This was weird, though. Everybody uses Google.” When she got back on message, stating, “Fox News, the top red brand,” John derisively declared, “Wow! Surprise there.”

After Kiran listed a few more brands, she ad libbed, “But Google being a blue thing? That’s–everybody uses Google.” With eyebrows furrowed, John queried, “That’s kind of interesting. Well, if you’re a Republican, what search engine do you use?” Shaking her head, Kiran replied, “I don’t know.” Perhaps, using a double entendre, she laughed, “Yahoo?” Shrugging his shoulders, John responded, “Beats me. I don’t know. Wow!”

Another CNN “we Democrats” moment?

American Morning – 10/26/10 (@7:25 a.m. ET)

Briggs: Welcome Aboard, Maria

Former Accuweather beauty Maria Molina made her debut on Fox & Friends Weekend Sunday. After making her virgin appearance as FNC’s new weather hire on the Fox Report Saturday evening, the busty brunette was introduced to F&FW audience by co-anchor Dave Briggs. As the first weather report was about to begin, Dave declared, “Rick Reichmuth [meteorologist] is out today: In his absence, we are very happy to welcome Maria Molina to the team….Glad to have you aboard.”*

Unfortunately, Dave did not give any real details about the approximately five-foot, long-locked lovely, who finally fills the vacancy left by Domenica Davis’ unceremonious departure. Neither did the other co-hosts, Alisyn Camerota or Peter Johnson, Jr., nor Maria herself. In fact, Fox News has yet to put her bio online.

The available information about Maria online seems scant thus far. The author has found that she is a bilingual broadcaster that gave both Spanish and English Accuweather reports and that she heralds from Miami Beach, Florida. FNC viewers should learn more as Maria fills in for FNC’s Janice Dean, “The Weather Machine,” this week.

Stay tuned.

Fox & Friends – 10/24/10 (@7:07 a.m. ET)

Clayton Weds Natali

Today  CNET news anchor Natali Del Conte announced that she and Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Clayton Morris tied the knot yesterday. During CNET’s 404 Podcast, the beautiful bride also revealed that they had wed in a “very little ceremony” at city hall during her lunch break. As to her new hubby, she proudly proclaimed, “He is an amazing father [to their almost three-month-old son, Miles Benjamin Morris]….He’s a better father than I ever, ever could have imagined.” Blissfully, she gushed, “I’ve been so lucky!”

Best wishes, Natali, and congratulations, Clayton!

H/t: Carpe Diem reader Michael.

“As Long as the Wife Doesn’t Mind”

John Roberts: “I have my own smoking-hot redhead. Who needs Anna Chapman?” When it comes Russia’s reified Bond babe, American Morning co-anchor John Roberts sounded today as if his fiancee Kyra Phillips, CNN Newsroom anchor, has him now on a rather short leash. And, the bad boy may have inadvertently jerked a bit on it this morning.

As Carpe Diem readers may remember, John apparently got into trouble with Kyra earlier this year (June 30) about his seeming crush on Chapman when he randily reported on the nabbed Red-hot Russian operative and her sexy Internet photos. Not only did viewers notice but, apparently, so did Kyra. When John appeared on her show CN later that morning to discuss  Chapman, Kyra teased him about his love for “sultry redheads.” When John defensively declared, “Just–just for the record, there’s only one sultry redhead that fascinates me,” Kyra responded, “Thank goodness. And, thankfully, you are engaged to her.”

Eight days later, John seemed to leave little doubt that Kyra did not care for his appreciation of the “sultry [Russian] redhead.” When John did a follow-up story on Chapman (and the other Russian spooks), he asked former F.B.I. Assistant Director Thomas Fuentes about her return to Russia. When Fuentes teased, “And, I know, John, it’s breaking your heart to see Anna Chapman go back,” an abashed John replied, “You’re gonna get me in trouble with the wife here, Tom.” Chuckling afterwards, John noted, ““Yes! My face is now the color of Anna Chapman’s hair. Imagine that!”

Today, an apparently chastened John tread more softly as AM anew covered the comely Chapman, who recently appeared scantily clad in the Russian edition of Maxim magazine. After the first airing of Jeanne Moos’ report entitled, “Russia’s Undercover Girl: Exposed spy Anna Chapman bares almost all,” of Kiran, John asked, “So, what do you think?” When co-host Kiran Chetry replied, “She’s pretty,” John dutifully replied, “I have my own smoking-hot redhead. Who needs Anna Chapman?” Laughing, Kiran added, “And you don’t want her on Maxim.” Perchance, trying to convince himself of that fact, John answered, “Yeah. And, she’s forty-two years old. She a mature woman, too. Perhaps, a bit too late for his own good, he hastily added, “And a younger woman, too. The best of all worlds.”

Possibly, mindful of his unfortunate gaffe about the age of his “mature woman,” John seemed to walk on eggs shells after producers ran Moos’ story again before the AM segue to CN. As the report ended with Vice President Joe Biden’s joke to Jay Leno about the “hot” Chapman, Kiran commented, “That was a great line by the Vice Prez.”**  Smiling, John tersely replied, “It was.” Echoing Biden, Kiran continued, “It wasn’t my idea to send her back.” Wisely, John added, “As long as the wife doesn’t care about it.”

Shortly thereafter, when John did toss to Kyra, she slightly smiled and simply said, “Good morning, guys” and went straight into her CNN Newsroom programming. No more words about “sultry redheads” today. Apparently, this “wife” just might care about it.

*American Morning – 10/21/10 (6:55 a.m. ET)

**American Morning – 10/21/10 (@9:00 a.m. ET)

Kilmeade Disses Scott

Hopefully, Happening Now co-anchor Jon Scott was not watching Fox & Friends today. The genial late-morning FNC co-host got royally dissed by his more acerbic early-morning colleague, F&F co-anchor Brian Kilmeade. The incident occurred during a discussion of Americans’ losing faith in the American Dream by the co-hosts.

As the colloquy was concluding, Steve Doocy declared, “When you look at…Pelosi…[saying]…’well, it’s all going to be fair, it’s all going to be level,’ why dream?…Why should I work hard? Why should I get up at two o’clock in the morning to come and be on TV if it’s going to be the same for everybody?”* In response, Brian Kilmeade jested, “I just know that now if this goes into play, you’re going to get paid the same as Jon Scott, and that’s a huge pay cut for you.”

In response, Gretchen Carlson simply looked at Brian incredulously, and Steve chuckled, “What!” Digging himself in deeper, Brian continued, “So, this is a problem. They’re going to equal out all anchor pay. It’s going to be hard for you to adjust.” Laughing, Steve replied, “I just want ’em to even it out to O’Reilly” as Gretchen turned to Brian and more aptly added, “Brian, T.M.I.” Still joking, Brian asked, “Too Much Information? I know everything. I text.”

Brian, as far as Jon Scott is concerned, probably, way too much information.

*Fox & Friends – 10/20/10 (@6:09 a.m. ET)

TJ: Table Dances & Beer

“I thought we edited that part out: I’m sorry.” Fun-loving CNN correspondent T.J. Holmes brought his own personal style of cheer–both kinds–to his CNN Election Express bus tour report on American Morning today. Introducing his suds stop in Columbia, South Carolina, at the Flying Saucer draft emporium to co-anchor John Roberts and Kiran Chetry, T.J. joked that people were still talking about John’s 2008 campaign visit there: Teasing John, he said that he did not not what it was about but that he had heard the phrase “table dance” thrown around. As Kiran bowed her head in laughter, a smiling John answered, “You know the memories are foggy. There’s a mist covering all that. I’m not quite sure but I do remember the Flying Saucer–quite an amazing place!”*

Subsequently, as T.J. related his story, he ran video of his interview of two young men drinking at a Flying Saucer table. As the camera panned in, there sat T.J. tightly clutching a beer. After that initial shot, T.J. began to pull his hand away from his glass until it was at a safe distance. When he concluded his report, saying, “We’re just getting started here on day two, stop three of our bus tour,” a smiling, observant Kiran teased, “Alright. That’s why you were only sipping at that beer. You got a long way to go: You gotta, you gotta finish strong.” Beaming broadly, T.J. motioned as if he were “throwing another brew back” and chuckled, “Aw, I thought we edited that part out. I’m sorry.”

But, American Morning fans aren’t. It’s simply a small dose of what the doctor ordered for anemic ratings. Or, rather, Ken Jautz.

American Morning – 10/19/10 (@8:13 a.m. ET)

Apology: Brian’s K.I.S.S.

Kilmeade Keeps It Short & Simple. Today Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade apologized for controversial and inaccurate comments that he made about Muslims last Friday. When defending Bill O’Reilly for saying on The View that “Muslims attacked us on on 9/11,” Brian had declared, “They were outraged that someone was saying that there was a reason, there was a certain group of people that attacked us on 9/11. It wasn’t just one person, it was one religion. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims.” Not surprisingly, he sustained significant flack for his statement, including being named the “World’s Worst Person” and called an un-American bastard by MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann on his Countdown program. This morning, Brian said, “Sorry.”

As his sports segment ended in the first hour (@ 6:37 a.m. ET), Brian tersely stated, “On this show on Friday, I was talking about Bill O’Reilly’s appearance on The View and I said this: Not all Muslims are terrorists but all terrorists are Muslims. Well, I misspoke. I don’t believe all terrorists are Muslims. I’m sorry about that if I offended or offended [sic] or hurt anybody’s feelings. But, that’s it.” Segueing immediately to the next segment with barely a pause, Brian continued, “Now, let’s go over to Stuart [Varney, a FBN business news guest].

And, that was it.

Update: Apology vid via Johnny Dollar’s Place.

F&F’s “W Word”: AM’s “Whore”

Parallel universe: Fox & Friends, politically correct, and American Morning, edgy? At least, as to the sexual slur mentioned by a Jerry Brown associate concerning GOP gubernatorial opponent Meg Whitman, the roles of the two cable news morning shows have switched. Whereas weekday F&F co-anchor Gretchen Carlson and weekend F&F co-host Alisyn Camerota use the term “w word” in somber tones, AM co-anchor Kiran Chetry uses the literal word, “whore,” albeit in a reticent manner.*

For viewers of F&F and AM suffering cognitive dissonance, liberal-leaning Republican Geraldo Rivera obliquely offered a possible explanation for the use of “whore” on AM Friday: Conversely, the more conservative Gretchen’s response provided a potential reason for the employ of “w word” on F&F. In the block with co-hosts Gretchen, Steve Doocy, and Brian Kilmeade, Geraldo previewed his segment salaciously stating that he had “no underwear” on** and later opined that the philandering Chilean miner had “cojones,” and that that same miner’s “head…obviously did swell.”*** Appearing particularly amused by the latter comment, Gretchen heartily laughed, “Oh! Okay!” Subsequently, however, Gretchen became more modest when she somberly asked Geraldo about N.O.W.’s response to the use of the “w word” by the Brown associate.

However, before she could complete her question, Geraldo disdainfully interjected, “When did we start calling it the “w word”? Gretchen responded, “Well, because we’re on a morning television program.” Incredulous, Geraldo retorted, “So I can’t say it?” Gretchen replied, “I don’t know. No! It rhymes with “bore.” Persisting, Geraldo noted, “But it’s not one of the seven words [supposedly banned from television].”

When Gretchen finally got her question out, Geraldo uncomfortably responded using the term “W” twice. Suddenly chafing at his new-found constraints, Geraldo remarked, “Well, listen…I won’t say it out of respect to you: I won’t say it.” Then, explaining why he wanted to do so, Gerald continued, I was gonna say it for these guys…to just show that I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s salty but it is traditional.”

Subsequently, when Geraldo repeated, “Out of my huge deference to you, I won’t, I won’t say it,” Gretch interrupted, “No, it’s not for me: it’s for our viewers.” Geraldo retorted, “Alright, we can argue that but I won’t.” Shrugging her shoulders and arching her eyebrows, Gretchen responded, “Not my choice.”

If it is not Gretchen’s choice to say “the w word,” maybe, it is not Kiran’s choice to say “whore” either. Partisan politics at play? Perhaps, a more conservative Fox News’ F&F producers are sending the message that what the associate of liberal Jerry Brown said about conservative Meg Whitman was so bad that it could not be uttered on television (at least, in the early morn). Conversely, perchance, the more liberal CNN’s AM producers saying just the opposite, i.e., that it really is no big deal.

____________________________________________________________________

*Examples include respectively, Gretchen (Fox & Friends – 10/15/10 at 8:06 a.m. ET); Alisyn (Fox & Friends Weekend – 10/16/10 at 7:56 a.m. ET); and Kiran (American Morning – 10/15/10 (6:17 a.m. ET)

** Fox & Friends – 10/15/10 (8:01 a.m. ET)

***Fox & Friends – 10/15/10 (8:05 a.m. ET)

As a Dog Returns to Its Vomit

So Shep returns to his Trampoline Bear video. Alas, Fox News’ Shepard Smith’s “‘Bear Alert’ to end all ‘Bear Alerts”  (Ole Miss mascot) Thursday was not to be. Unfortunately, on the Fox Report Friday, Shep aired yet another “Bear Report”–and, of course, his favorite animal cruelty cine.*

As Shep read his “Bear Report” about an errant black bear on New York’s Rochester Institute of Technology campus that had to be tranquilized and trapped, he showed a photo of the downed animal. Joking, Shep remarked, “At just one and a half years old, the bear is too young for college anyway.” Then, as he ran the Trampoline Bear vid, supra, he laughed, “It should be playing on trampolines.”

Interestingly, Shep did not air the video chronologically this time, instead he began it midway with the Trampoline Bear a/k/a Black Bear Reb barreling into the ground headfirst and crumpling under its weight (and then looped it to show the black bear falling from the tree onto the trampoline and bouncing high into the air.) Perhaps, like a spoiled and petulant child, Shep just could not wait for his “dessert.”

Apparently, the coronation of Ole Miss’ Black Bear Reb has sadly changed nothing for Shep. Like a party-hardy frat boy, Shep just cannot seem to quit throwing up. If he does not, just how long Shep’s Fox News viewers can tolerate the stench is the salient question.

Fox Report – 10/15/10 (@7:58 p.m. ET)

Shep’s Trampoline Bear: Ole Miss Mascot?

“The Bear Alert to end all Bear Alerts.” Hoddy Toddy! Yesterday Ole Miss alum Shepard Smith gleefully celebrated the fall of his beloved Ole Miss’ new mascot yesterday on his show Studio B. Before doing so in his final segment, Shep announced,  “Now the mother of all ‘Bear Alerts.’ Get used to the bear. It’s the granddaddy of all ‘Bear Alerts.'”* He added, “The ‘Bear Alert’ to end all ‘Bear Alerts.” [Hopefully, it was.]

Proudly, Shep reported, “You see, a certain university in a certain Southern state has now chosen a new mascot [with] 62% of the vote. And, with that we present the Ole Miss Rebel Black Bear.” Subsequently, he showed depictions of the new mascot in a basketball uniform, football jersey, and frat-boy coat and tie. As he devilishly intoned, “As we all know, our bear will be most comfortable,” the Trampoline Bear video began to run. Perhaps, in poetic justice, just before the black bear plunged head-first into the ground and crumpled under its own weight, Shep began, “That’s the Rebel Bear bouncing on the trampoline: then he exclaimed, “Hotty Toddy! Beat Alabama!”

If that is indeed the Rebel Bear, Bama head coach Nick Saban may want to borrow Shep’s Trampoline Bear video. It might do wonders to fire up his players and the fans before the big game Saturday. In fact, all of Ole Miss’ future opponents make want to take note. Bear alert!

*Studio B with Shepard Smith – 10/14/10 (@3:58 p.m.)

Related stories (in chronological order) are as follow:
Shep’s Trampoline Bear: PETA MIA” (June 7, 2010);”
Banderas’ “Teachable Moment’?” (July 25, 2010); ”
Banderas Responds: Bars Bear Vid” (June 27, 2010);
“Banderas Recants Apology” (June 27, 2010);
“Shep de Sade” (July 28, 2010);
“Banderas: ‘Not My Fault’” (August 3, 2010);
“Shep de Sade’s Bad Boys” (August 7, 2010);
“Shep de Sade: Kubrick’s Clare Quilty” (August 12, 2010);
“Shep Defends Trampoline Bear Video” (August 13, 2010);
“The Good Shepard?” (August 20, 2010; and
“The Good Shepard Hydes” (August 26, 2010).

Kiran’s Amusing Observation

And, John’s gentler “rebuke.” As American Morning co-anchors Kiran Chetry and John Roberts gave their audience wall-to-wall, riveting reportage of the rescue of the Chilean miners, they also provided a few unintended laughs as John “instructed” Kiran on the finer points of prayer and a “moment of silence.”

Perhaps, still sleepy from arising earlier than normal (for the special four-hour AM edition), Kiran made a somewhat strange and rather amusing observation about the ninth rescued miner, Mario Gomez, as he returned from the bowels of the earth. Before Gomez took his ride upward in the Phoenix capsule, Kiran stated that he had “said that he was the spiritual leader” of the miners in letters to his wife from the mine.* Shortly thereafter, when Gomez had emerged from the capsule (with a crucifix around his neck) and had embraced his wife, he then immediately knelt on the ground with his head bowed, his hands clasped, and his lips moving silently: Apparently, oblivious to the obvious, Kiran commented, “We’re seeing him sit down there for a moment. Uh, we haven’t seen the other miners do this.”** Coming to her aid posthaste, John responded, “I expect that he’s saying a prayer.”

Later, after giving her his insight on prayer, John, apparently, decided to “teach” Kiran about the more secular “moment of silence.” As AM was concluding and after CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips had taken the toss, Kyra remarked, “We’re talking about all these moments being so emotional and so passionate but at the same time, I think we’ve all recognized how faithful these guys are….[T]hat was amazing when Gomez came up and dropped to his knees in prayer. I mean, it was incredible!”*** Subsequently, as Kiran quietly began to arrange her papers, this time a wiser John subtly put his fingers to his lips as if to silence her. Looking over at him, a smiling Kiran stopped straightening her papers and put them down straightaway.

AM today: A poignant program, a simple prayer, and no Roberts’ rebuke redux. Not bad.

*American Morning – 10/13/10 (@ 6:40a.m. ET)

**American Morning – 10/13/10 (@7:03 a.m. ET)

***American Morning – 10/13/10 (@ 9:00 a.m. ET)

JD: I Wasn’t Going to Go There!

But, fiancee Kyra Phillips certainly did. As American Morning ended today, co-anchor John Roberts reported Minnesota Viking quarterback Bret Favre’s record 500th career touchdown pass (to recently acquired receiver Randy Moss). Ad libbing, John remarked, “Perfect. [He] laid it right up. So, it’s going to be a good pairing [Favre and Moss] for the rest of the season I think.” When John stopped and Kiran waited for him to elaborate, John added, “Looking forward to seeing more of that.”

Grinning, Kiran answered, “I thought you were going to say something else.” With a slight smile, John succintly said, “No.” Feigning belief, Kiran nodded and quickly echoed, “It’ll be a good pairing for the season.” Continuing the staccato colloquy, John replied, “Yeah. Tersely, Kiran countered, “Okay, good.” “Definitely,” retorted John. “Alright,” answered Kiran.” Beaming at the viewer, John responded, “Looking forward to more.”

Subsequently, when John segued to his “sweetie” and CNN Newsroom host, Kyra Phillips, she was not about to let that sleeping dog lie. Alluding to Favre’s current NFL troubles (pertaining to alleged graphic sexts sent to Jennifer Sterger, a NY Jets reporter and Playboy/Maxim model), Kyra brassily boasted, “I know what Kiran was thinking: Brett Favre, all those text messages must be inspiring him to do well on the field. Right, Kiran? Just saying!”

As Kyra’s affianced nodded his head in agreement and looked on with a sheepish grin, Kiran demurely replied, “Well, I was thinking that there is possible talk that he might, you know, get in trouble, perhaps, suspended. So, we’ll see how the rest of the season goes.” Cackling wickedly, Kyra replied, “Yes, we shall. As we know, those boys get by with a lot of trouble.”

Raising his eyebrows, John remarked, “I wasn’t going to go there!” Seeming to know him all too well, Kyra simply smiled and said, “Mm, hmm.” In response, John wisely chuckled to himself and remained silent.

A still too rare moment of AM levity. Perhaps, CNN’s new Executive VP Ken Jautz’s sage advice on improving ratings during CNN primetime is beginning to be applied in the morning. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, he said, “We need to make our primetime more compelling and engaging, sometimes more fun, you could even say.” Hopefully, AM executive producer Jamie Kraft was listening.

Megyn: No Body Shots

Kelly: “There’s nothing wrong with sex appeal and there’s nothing wrong with sex.” Today America Live co-host Megyn Kelly adamantly defended coming-of-age Miley Cyrus’ sexy new video, “Who Owns My Heart.” In a segment with Parents Television Council president Tim Winter, who took issue with the young music star for her video’s risque content, Megyn observed, “Miley Cyrus, yes, she’s seventeen years old but she is, she looks like, she acts like a woman now….Isn’t she entitled to be a little sexy?”* Elaborating somewhat lubriciously, Megyn continued, “I know, I know she’s racy in this in black underwear, black and lace eye mask, scantily dressed, and there’s gyrating and there’s caressing herself.” Then, she queried, “But…how long does she owe this obligation to these young girls to sort of maintain a G-rated image?”

As Winter began to respond that most parents did not want Miley to follow the steps of Britney Spears from wholesome Disney star to wayward idol, Megyn asked, “What do you think this is going to do to the little girls who have loved her as little Hannah Montana?” When Winter replied that it was the “latest symptom in…a very broad epidemic of sexualization of little girls” in the modern culture, Megyn responded, “You know, some people would talk about it as sexual liberation as sort of–I’m not talking about the little girls–but sort of getting to the point where you’re almost at the age of maturity–Miley turns eighteen in November–and…coming into your own as a woman and understanding your own sex appeal.” Concluding her spiel, she declared, “There is nothing wrong with sex appeal and there’s nothing wrong with sex….How old does she have to be before that piece of her personality, her personhood can be embraced?”

Ironically, of late, Megyn herself has failed to appreciate her own sex appeal. Rather, than flaunting her sexy stems as usual, she has recently eschewed any shots below the waist. Perhaps, Megyn should ask herself when she will embrace anew that “piece of her personality, her personhood”?

America Live – 10/11/10 (@1:47 p.m. ET)

Update: Johnny Dollar kindly e-mailed the explanation for AL‘s recent lack of “body shots” of Megyn. He revealed, “Megyn is in a different studio. Hers is being revamped for election-night duties. The shots are close-in because it’s a smaller space.”

Dave’s Dance: Off-Screen

Aly: “Dancing on the sofa.” Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Dave Briggs pulled a “Tom Cruise” (atop Oprah’s sofa) today: however, unfortunately, F&FW producers failed to deliver it to their audience. Happily, at least, co-host Alisyn Camerota disclosed the off-screen incident to her F&FW fans.

After a headlines news story (read by Aly) featuring a clip of the Blue Brothers dancing to the now deceased Solomon Burke‘s “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, Aly revealed, “And, I’m chuckling because Dave is dancing on the sofa to the Blues Brothers’ song.”* Co-anchor Clayton Morris remarked, “How can you not? “Soul Man” [sic]. Still in the mood and mimicking a hep cat’s voice, an animated Dave declared, “It’s the Blues Brothers, baby!”

Immediately thereafter segueing to meteorologist Rick Reichmuth’s weather report, Clayton commented, “Let’s check in with Rick Reichmuth who’s still laughing because he thought that that Soyuz capsule [another headlines news story] was Greg Gutfeld up there in space.” Holding his cellphone up, Rick replied, “No, I actually was laughing at Dave. And, I was trying to take a picture from my standpoint of Dave.” “Not happening!,” interjected Dave. When Rick concluded (after being interrupted), “As he was dancing there during Alisyn’s [segment],” Dave explained, “That’s ’cause I wasn’t on camera.”

In response, Rick aptly noted, “We should have like a constant feed ’cause Dave’s constantly dancing or something while Aly’s doing the headlines.” Or, perchance, producers could simply instruct their camerapersons to catch those priceless moments to share them with the fans? At the very least, a YouTube clip might be in order.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 10/10/10 (@9:08 a.m. ET)

Friel: Trace, How’s My Badonkadonk?

Atkins: “Well, it’s not as big as your belly.” Ouch? Fox & Friends Weekend entertainment reporter Courtney Friel got cheeky with country star Trace Adkins during an interview after his Grand Ole Opry performance last night. In return, Atkins gave the former Maxim model‘s rear a stinging slap figuratively. But, the only thing probably slightly bruised was her ego.

In her taped interview, Courtney asked Atkins about his feelings as to the Opry’s 85th anniversary, the recent Opry renovations post flood, and Donald Trump’s possible presidential run. Then, concluding her colloquy, Courtney saucily asked, “Final question, I’m seven months pregnant. I’m wondering how my badonkadonk‘s holding up?”* As Atkins goatishly stepped behind her for a better look, a frisky Courtney happily turned her backside toward him so that he could check it out. After his conspicuous, carnal inspection, he looked her in the eyes and deadpanned, “Well, it’s not as big as your belly.”

Smiling but flushed, Courtney pointed to herself, importuning, “I’ll be a hot momma?” Chuckling heartily, Atkins replied, “I probably–should I not have said that?” As Courtney tittered, Atkins continued, “I don’t know. There is no correct answer to the question that she just asked me, people.” Giggling, Courtney concluded, “Well, thanks so much for talking to us.” Pointing to her derriere with his eyes, Atkins artfully added, “It’s beautiful.”

When the interview footage ended, Courtney appeared onscreen suggestively with her left forefinger in her mouth. Looking at the camera coquettishly, she explained, “He is the authority on the “Honky Tonk Badonkadonks, right?” Shrugging her shoulders defensively, she continued, “So, I had to ask him about it. Now, I feel a little better, being preggers and all.” Then, tossing back to co-hosts Dave Briggs and Alisyn Camerota, Courtney remarked, “Next hour, we’re going to be talking to Dolly Parton so I do hope that you will stick around.”

Beaming broadly and arching his eyebrows, Dave randily replied, “Oh, we will!” Chiming in, Aly (Dolly devotee and “impersonator”) racily remarked, “Absolutely! You’ll have to ask her about some of your other body parts. She also is an authority.” Then, stating the obvious to the audience, Dave added, “Yeah. Use your imagination.”

As to Courtney’s bum, assuredly, Atkins had to use very little.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 10/10/10 (@8:39 a.m. ET)

Update: Courtney Tweets video link to her Trace Adkins interview, including her aforementioned conversation with Aly and Dave.