Sarah Palin: Dick “Never Misfires”

Greta: “He’s not afraid to say things about the women.” Former Vice President Dick Cheney got “b*tch slapped” tonight on On the Record for his dis of the former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a “mistake” re her selection by 2008 Republican nominee John McCain as his running mate–by both Palin and host Greta Van Susteren. As if the blow-back from his daughter Liz were not enough for the “best VP ever.”

During her interview of Palin, Van Susteren gave the GOP base fave a chance to hit back hard at the Bush establishment’s Darth Vader. She asked, “Dick Cheney…said some words that he didn’t think that you were a particularly good choice 2008….Your response to Dick Cheney?”*

Grimacing and arching her eyebrows, Palin inhaled deeply and caustically said, “Well, seeings how Dick there.” Appearing to feign to catch herself in reverence for her ailing elder, Palin sarcastically continued, “Excuse me, Vice President Cheney never misfires, then evidently he’s quite convinced that what he had evidently read about me by the lame stream media…what I believe is a false narrative…and that’s a shame so he characterized me as being a mistake.”

Sympathetically, Van Susteren acerbically added, “I might note that Vice President Cheney took a little bit of a slap at Condaleeza Rice in his book, saying she got all teared up….He’s not afraid to say things about the women.”

And, these women are not afraid to say things back about “the man.”

*On the Record with Greta Van Susteren – 07/31/12 (@10:07 a.m. ET)

Update: Vid via Realclearpolitics.com.

Kiran Chetry: A Year Later

Kiran’s “very special opportunity” realized? Yesterday marked the first anniversary of Kiran Chetry‘s departure from CNN’s American Morning and from cable news in general. In her emotional namaskaar to her AM fans on July 29, 2011, she tearfully declared, “I’m terrible at goodbyes. I’m not going to say goodbye. I’m going to say, ‘See you soon.'” Approximately six months later (January 26), Kiran finally did return to television as a special E! correspondent: In that capacity, she facilely covered the NY premier of NBC series Smash then and about two weeks later deftly interviewed country music singer Dierks Bentley in an exclusive.* To the author’s knowledge, Kiran has not been back on television since then.

However, Kiran has reemerged for brief stints in other media forms. She guest-anchored GBTV’s Internet show “Real News from the Blaze” on April 20; guest-hosted news talk radio WABC’s “John Batchelor Show” on May 12; and penned a personal piece for Recessionista.com on June 8.

Even though her media appearances have been far too scant for her fans’ taste, Kiran has maintained her presence on Twitter with personal Tweets and photos. E.g., she has shared her experiences as a judge for Miss Nepal USA 2011; a Yoga goddess; a tennis champ; a celeb hobnobber; and, most importantly, the mommy of Maya (6) and Chris (4). In so doing, she has shown that she has seized a “very special opportunity” for herself this past year.

Nevertheless, Kiran’s acolytes are eagerly awaiting another “very special opportunity” for her professionally. Kiran certainly has the “it factor” when it comes to beauty, brains, and charisma on the news screen. Hopefully, she will get that chance very soon.

[Author’s aside: For those CD readers who have inquired about her marital status, Kiran and her hubby Chris Knowles may possibly be in transition: Their connubial bands do seem to have disappeared lately in their photos and they reportedly have moved from their Westchester residence. Regardless, best wishes to both of them!]

*E! News (Dierks exclusive) – 02/08/12 (@ 7:35 p.m. ET)

Rick Reichmuth’s “Rude” Landing: Cops Called

Dave Briggs: “Sorry, Rick, I just outed the whole story!” Fox & Friends Weekend meteorologist Rick Reichmuth was having a “good morning” Saturday. Excitedly, he reported on the 30th Annual Quick Chek NJ Festival of Ballooning during his seven weather segments and enthusiastically shared video and pics (1, 2, and 3) with his Twitter followers. Then, it took a notable turn for the worse as he subsequently took a scenic balloon ride that ended in an irate farmer’s field. Unfortunately, Rick did not tell that part of the story: But, his FNC office-mate and F&FW co-host Dave Briggs did.

On Saturday, as Rick’s final weather forecast ended, he took flight in a red, white, and blue balloon ironically with “800 FARMERS” emblazoned thereon.* Recalling that fact Sunday, Dave introduced the first weather segment, remarking, “The last we saw of Rick Reichmuth, he was getting on an air balloon and floating off: the next thing we know, Maria Molina is in. I…don’t know what conclusion you could draw other than, maybe, he didn’t land.” Laughing, Maria replied that she hoped that Rick would make it back safely and added that he would be having a long weekend off.

When Maria’s forecast concluded, Dave took the toss and filled in the juicy details: Chuckling, he revealed, “And, I should mention [that] Rick did land on his hot air balloon–in a farm: And, the man actually called the police. He wasn’t so interested in them landing in there.” As his co-hosts Alisyn Camerota and Clayton Morris laughed gleefully, a grinning Dave added, “Sorry, Rick, I just outed the whole story! It was good times.”

“Good times”? Perhaps, for everyone except Rick and his poor pilot. And, the angry farmer who, apparently, was not one of the “800” who sponsored Rick’s ill-fated balloon.

Rick, no pain, no gain: Just a little extra curricular F&FW fun for the fans!

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 07/28/12 (@ 9:38 a.m. ET)

“Booty-Shaking” Anna Kooiman: Must See!

Fox & Friends fails to deliver: BUT, Carpe Diem does. Sexy FNC anchor Anna Kooiman graced the set of F&F Wednesday as she subbed for Gretchen Carlson. Possibly, suffering from the Coolidge effect, her co-host Brian Kilmeade appeared especially appreciative of the comely former fitness instructor. As the second hour of the show began, Brian asked, “Can I reveal one way in which you get ready for the show?”* Presciently, co-anchor Steve Doocy asked, “Is it going to wind up on a blog?”

When a timorous Anna asked, “What?,” Brian replied, “Everyone gets ready for the show differently. Steve stretches….Anna, you, you sometimes dance to get yourself in the [inaudible].” Sensually smiling and coyly ducking her head, Anna answered, “I like to, I like to do a little dancing.” As the producer then began to play some grooving music, she continued, “Plug in the iPod, and” as she saucily swayed on the curvy couch.

Intrigued, Steve asked, “What kind of dancing, out of curiosity, jitterbug?” Chuckling, Anna replied, “Not the kind of dancing that I would want anybody to see.” Grinning, Brian queried, “Really, do you do the hustle?” Giggling, Ann revealed, “Some, some booty shaking!”

“Now you’re singing my song!,” Brian exclaimed. Laughing, Steve interposed, “Maybe in the After the Show Show.” Interjecting, Anna teased, “In the comfort of my own home when nobody can see.”

Still hopeful, Brian continued, “It’s the only time the After the Show Show will out-rate the regular broadcast show.” Reddening but beaming, Anna tittered, “Two minutes after the hour now. Oh, great! Now I’m embarrassed.”

Unfortunately, for her F&F fans, a game Anna did not get a chance to dance in the After the Show Show. Instead, Steve had her jump in the “bouncy house” and slide down the slide twice.” Somewhat sexy: Still, F&F failed to come through in the end.

But, Carpe Diem delivers–a “booty-shaking” Anna Kooiman at her very best! CD found frisky footage of Anna as fitness instructor at Dowd YMCA putting on a riveting holiday performance with her hottie colleague Meridith Roy (as they taught a “full wall-to-wall” class at a 2008 Turbo Christmas Party). For longer close-up vids of her working her magic at the “Y,” link here and here. Must-see Anna!

*Fox & Friends – 07/25/12 (@ 7:01 a.m. ET)

Dana Perino: “Little Hooters”

“I would never get a job at [Hooters].” The Five co-host Dana Perino showed her saltier side early this week: on Tuesday, President Bush’s rather prim and proper Press Secretary discussed her less than bountiful bosom with uncharacteristic aplomb.* Bawdily, she posited that she could not get a job at Hooters but that she could–at Little Hooters.

During a Five segment Tuesday (transcript), the co-anchors Dana, Greg Gutfeld, Bob Beckel, Andrea Tantaros, and Eric Bolling conversed about a coffee chain being investigated for hiring mainly nubile beauties. As they spoke of various businesses doing likewise, Greg teased Dana, asking, “Dana, unlike me, you’re not gorgeous: Do you feel like you’ve lost out on many TV jobs because of this?”

Self-deprecatingly, Dana riposted, “Let’s give another example–Hooters: I would never get a job there. And there’s a reason.”

Feigning ignorance, Greg impishly replied, “I can’t even ask why.”

Seemingly, somewhat piqued at Greg’s impertinence, Dana responded, “We all know why. Okay? And, I wouldn’t apply either.”

When it was co-host Bob Beckel’s turn to weigh in on the “hotness” hiring controversy, of course, the old goat had to rib Dana all the more: he racily insisted, “Dana, you could have gotten [sic] hired at Hooters if you wanted to.”

Jauntily, Dana rejoined, “Little Hooters.”**

Dana, “Little Hooters”? Maybe. But, you are proving yourself to be one big hoot.

[Author’s aside: When the segment began to conclude, co-anchor Eric Bolling aptly added, “The only thing that’s worthy to get pick[ed] up on by media is ‘I could work at Little Hooters.'”]

*Red Eye – 07/24/12 (approximately 3:35 a.m. ET)

**N.B. LexisNexis News improperly attributes the “Little Hooters” remark to Andrea. However, its transcript evinces the error as it subsequently details Greg’s reply, “That sounds like a restaurant for kids” and Dana’s facetious response, “That’s what I meant.” Furthermore, the Five footage will reflect that fact.

Brian “Rubs” Laura the Wrong Way

Chagrined Ingraham: “I’m never going to live this down.” Masseur or masseuse? Fox & Friends” co-anchor Brian Kilmeade made radio talk show host Laura Ingraham blush yesterday with that “innocuous” query.

When Ingraham began to conclude her latest weekly appearance, she derided the President’s welfare reform waivers that deem massage “work.” Always the wag, Brian incongruently responded, “Do you like a woman masseuse or a male masseuse [sic]?”* Rolling her eyes and shaking her head in embarrassment, Ingraham stammered, “I’m not going to an[swer], I’m not. Are you?”

Chuckling sympathetically, F&F co-host Gretchen Carlson interjected, “Now, Laura, you know what I go through!”

As Ingraham hid her reddening face in her papers, a bemused Brian queried, “What is the problem? They ask you that when you go to get a massage.”

Still reeling from Brian’s query, Ingraham riposted, “What is this? What, what is this–an MTV interview or is this Fox & Friends? Come on!…I’m not engaging in this conversation.” Subsequently, she jested, “I’m going to do a CLEAN radio show now, okay?”

As Ingraham waved goodbye, Gretchen turned to Brian and whispered, “Brian, just for the record, I take either one.”

With the camera still on Ingraham, Brian declared, “So, Gretchen just weighed in: she’ll take either one.”

Smiling, Ingraham asked, “She takes either one?” Taking Brian’s bait, Ingraham finally gave in. Arching her eyebrows suggestively, she declared, “Men!”

Turning to his co-hosts Gretchen and Steve Doocy, a beaming Brian remarked, “That’s was the toughest issue she’s ever had to handle.”

Interposing, Ingraham responded, “I know. You never get me speechless! I’m never speechless but, no, no… I’m never going to live this down! My brothers are already messaging me.”

Nodding his head, Steve concurred, “You’re right!” Then, turning to his co-hosts, Steve joshed, “I think that rubbed her the wrong way.”

Laughing, Gretchen racily concluded, “But, we found out who she wants to rub her.”

Fox & Friends – 07/24/12 (@ 8:12 a.m.)

Gretchen: “Not About Discussing My Marriage”

Deja vu: “Screwed” by Dick Morris. Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson appeared quite uncomfortable today when Fox News contributor Dick Morris used her view of the future of her marriage to sports agent Casey Close as a political metaphor. However, Morris seemed oblivious to Grechen’s apparent discomfit but her co-anchor Steve Doocy and her guest co-host Eric Bolling certainly seemed acutely aware of it.

In Morris’ political segment this morning, Gretchen queried, “Will [President Obama’s recent controversial small business comments] actually affect the voters in the swing states? Because I think a lot of people are amazed that it’s still a neck-and-neck race nationally. And, quite frankly, in the swing states President Obama’s winning right now.”*

Seemingly exasperated at Gretchen’s questionable recall of his past appearances, Morris replied, “Gretchen, we’ve been through this a hundred times together. He’s not winning: he’s losing by a lot. The polls of likely voters show a close race but the undecided always goes against the incumbent. ” Then, perhaps, piquing Gretchen more than was prudent, an impishly smiling Morris remarked, “Um, we talked about your marital history with that in mind. I said, ‘Are you going to be married to the same guy next year? And, you said, ‘Yes.'”

Grimacing, Gretchen softly responded, “Okay.” Meanwhile, Eric and Steve turned their gaze from the camera and looked away: Eric blindly into space and Steve warily off-set.”

Perhaps, sensing Gretchen’s discomfort and that of her co-anchors, Morris quickly commented, “And, I said, ‘Are you undecided?’ And, you said, ‘Not in the least!'” Seemingly still irked, an unamused Gretchen chuckled and looked down. Yet, Morris continued, “But, if you were undecided, it wouldn’t say good things about the marriage!”

Arching her eyebrows and shaking her head side-to-side, an apparently perturbed Gretchen stammered, “I’m only concerned about the, I’m just concerned about the election–not about discussing my marriage! But, anyway!”

As Yogi Berra might say, it was deja vu all over again: ironically, three months ago, Gretchen and Morris had virtually this same conversation. Last time, Gretchen was equally evasive in her response to Morris’ metaphor about her being undecided as to the future of her marriage. Then, she responded, “Not a good thing to say on national tv even if you were thinking it!”

But, perhaps, she just did. Again. Stay tuned.

Fox & Friends – 07/18/12 (@ 6:39 a.m. ET)

“Scion” Heather: Ainz “Honky Tonk Angel”

Foxes’ “Civil War”? F&FF blonde beauties’ pillow fight. Yesterday, Fox & Friends First co-anchor Heather Nauert landed the first downy blow to her fellow flaxen-haired co-host Ainsley Earhardt. The Yankee Heather Locklear look-alike “scion of a prominent Chicago-area family” playfully dubbed her Reb South Carolina belle counterpart, who proudly hold her wedding reception at the SC guv’s mansion, “Honky Tonk Angel.” But, Ainsley was no match: Just girlie giggling ensued.

F&FF‘s leggy lovelies started the morning with their daily “5 @ 5:00” headline news segment. After Ainsley read a story on the death of the “Queen of Country Music” Kitty Wells a/k/a Muriel Ellen Deason, whose seminal hit “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” opened the way for future femme stars, Heather innocuously remarked, “What a name of that song, huh?”: Then, she tartly teased, “That’s what we’re going to call you, “Honky Tonk Angel”! Instead of riposting like most Southern ladies would, i.e., with an acerbic prick of from her hidden velvet-sheathed dirk, Ainsley demurely demurred and simply tittered sweetly.

Poor soul: Ainz went down without even a whimper. Her “Civil War” with Heather was just a little too civil. For a real Southern lady. And, especially, a “honky tonk angel.”

Early Start’s Banfield Says Goodbye

But, Berman says hello. On Friday the 13th aptly, Early Start co-anchor Ashleigh Banfield bid adieu to her ratings-challenged early morning show where she has had a short hapless seven-and-half-month stint. When the penultimate segment of that program concluded, Ashleigh dutifully disclosed, “[I]t’s my last day on the show today.” Sympathetically, her guest co-host Alina Cho turned to her, saying, “I know. I didn’t realize that….Sleep in, girlfriend!”

Subsequently, when ES returned from commercial break, Ashleigh, Alina, and their CNN colleague Christine Romans sat together on the set. Bemoaning Ashleigh’s departure like Alina, Christine emotively remarked, “It’s her last morning waking up with us.” Appearing more than ready to move on, in more ways than one, Ashleigh quite quickly and somewhat impassively answered, “I know. I’m very sad to be leaving you but very excited about doing 11 a.m. on, on CNN.”

Assuredly, Ashleigh must feel that her luck may have changed as she gets a second shot at success at CNN from Ken Jautz when he transfers her from EP to AN, hopefully, a more viable vehicle for her personality. As the hyper, chatty Cannuck replaces CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips, new CNN hire John Berman (whilom ABC veteran journalist) will try his hand at bringing life to the moribund show when he joins co-anchor Zoraida Sambolin Monday. And, John appears more than ready to roll: in fact, he got a head start on Ashleigh’s announcement Friday by creating a quirky introductory video of himself re his facial hair fascination that was posted for ES blog readers before the show.

See you later, Ashleigh. Good luck, John!

[Author’s aside: Interestingly, as Ashleigh did her farewell tour this last week, Zoraida vacationed in Eygpt. Notably, according to Page Six , one of its sources said that the two just did not gel. Perhaps, a compassionate Jautz felt that it was the best way to let Ashleigh save face as she left the struggling show while her co-host Zoraida remained.]

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!”

Yep, Julie Banderas Gravid Again

“Yes haven’t u heard?” In case, anyone missed her big announcement a month ago, FNC correspondent Julie Banderas reminded her fans that she was preggers today with her second child. For her uninitiated acolytes, she subtly teased, “Check out my good friend and Senior Producer of @HappeningNow @ClintPHenderson ‘s blog featuring my Addison! :) fxn.ws/LM0d1u.” When one linked to Henderson’s post titled, “Sneak Peak of Baby Banderas Celebrating the 4th of July!,” a photo appeared of Julie’s darling daughter Addison walking hand-in-hand with her gravid mom.

In response, one apparent new follower of Julie queried, “So… is there another little Banderas on the way?” In response, she cheerfully declared, “Yes haven’t u heard? I’m 5 1/2 weeks pregnant due in November.” For any other such new devotee enraptured by their goddess’ miraculous short gestation period, Julie later Tweeted, “I meant MONTHS not weeks!”

Lately, Julie has seemed especially ebullient about her and her husband Andrew Sansone‘s second “bun in the oven”: on Independence Day, she sent a pic of Addison and baby bump, Tweeting, “Happy 4th from 2 kids! ;).” She has every right to be proud.

Congratulations, Julie and Andrew!

[Author’s aside: For Julie’s fans who can barely wait for her second baby’s pics, cf. here for a vid link to her firstborn Addison Melissa’s Fox Report debut.]

Gretch Stretch: Ouch!

“In case you’re wondering….” Without any explanation to her audience, Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson began her day on the curvy couch this morning with her left arm taped from wrist to elbow. However, fans of the former Miss America need not worry: their Swedish beauty is one tough broad. To her concerned Twitter followers, Gretch Tweeted, “In case you’re wondering about the tape on my arm … my arm is fine … bad tennis elbow… tape trying to stretch muscle. thanks!”

“Relatively” Famous Dave

FNC’s Molly Henneberg: Good morning, Clayton, Gretchen, and Brian! Not exactly what Fox & Friends guest host Dave Briggs had wanted to hear from his Fox News colleague yesterday. Almost since the inception of their time together on F&F Weekend, Dave and his co-anchor Clayton Morris have struggled to create their own identity.

Approximately, four years ago, Carpe Diem dubbed Dave and Clayton the “Doublemen Twins” and watched the two develop in their own right. Almost two years later, their F&FW co-host Alisyn Camerota teased both of them by saying that she was just beginning to tell them apart. Since then (April 17, 2011), F&FW favorite Juliet Huddy has got in on the fun to the slight ire of Dave. But to be fair, Dave and Clayton have taken the ribbing in good humor as of late and even instigated the comparison on their own.

To whit, Friday, Dave did grimace when Molly greeted him as Clayton after his introduction of a jobs/politics segment: But, he did take her unintended slight in stride.* When she finished her story, a slightly smiling Dave put up his iPad to his face with a photo of his erstwhile Doublemen twin, saying, “Molly, this is Clayton Morris.” Pointing to the an off-screen cam and then to himself, Dave declared, “If you can take camera three, this is Dave Briggs.”

Kindly, Dave added, “I’m just kidding with you, Molly. It happens all the time! We look alike but Clayton will be coming up at 8:15….It happens!” Turning to his co-host Brian Kilmeade, he self-deprecatingly declared, “And, that Brian is how famous I am!” Meanwhile, a reddening Molly cringed in chagrin and apologized profusely.

Nicely played, Dave!

[Author’s aside: Just five minutes before Molly mistake, Brian had kidded Dave that he could pass off Famous Dave’s Southern BBQ as his own since he was Dave and he was famous. In reply, a beaming Dave presciently remarked, “Well, relatively. Relatively.” F&F – 07/06/12 – (@ 8:01 a.m. ET)]

*Fox & Friends – 07/06/12 (@ 8: 06 a.m. ET)

F&F “Flipped Off” by Thompson Square Fan

An “All-American Summer” M.I.A. Salute. Yesterday, Fox & Friends may have got more entertainment than it bargained for during its 2012 summer concert series from Thompson Square. As the Academy of Country Music Awards’ “Vocal Duo of the Year” opened the final hour of the show with their hit “I Got You,” one fan provided the F&F co-hosts and their viewers a little extra excitement: When the camera panned the enthusiastic audience in the plaza, that overly exuberant fan, a Jack Osbourne Mini Me or wannabe, gave it a “double-birded” salute.* Rather than be offended, F&F guest co-host Dave Briggs and regular co-anchors Brian Kilmeade and Gretchen Carlson seemed to relish the miscreant munchkin’s irreverence unlike Madonna’s derisive reaction to M.I.A. after her similar Super Bowl mid-show hijinks.

As Thompson Square’s began to conclude their Top 10 hit, Dave, trying to contain himself, chuckled, “That is your 2011 Country Music Duo of the Year.” In reply, Brian jested, “And, that family [with the bad boy] thought they were number one.” After howling with laughter, Gretchen rejoined, “Doubly, they thought that they’re number one.” Tying in aptly to a prior segment, an amused Dave declared, “Earlier, we talked about the most annoying hand gestures: Uh, that should have been two of ’em!”

Annoying? Perhaps. But, hilarious!

Update: Vid (courtesy of Johnny Dollar via his J$P).

Fox & Friends – 07/06/12 – (@ 8:01 a.m. ET)

The Fourth: Martha’s In-Dependence Day?

Shackled anew? Ironically, on Independence Day,  America’s Newsroom co-anchor Martha MacCallum returned to her show this morning with her wedding band clearly affixed to her ring finger. Only yesterday, the author had mused that Martha may have been declaring her independence a day early as she abandoned her marital ring on the Third (yet again) after an absence from AN: Not to mention, he noticed that the bronzed beauty evidenced no tan lines on her left ring finger.

As Martha’s fans may recall, Martha proudly displayed here connubial band in a 2011 (201) Magazine holiday family pictorial piece featuring her and her children. Shortly, thereafter, she quit donning it on American’s Newsroom. However, after the author noted its absence in mid-May in Carpe Diem, Martha began to embrace her wedding ring anew on the program.

But, yesterday, Martha abandoned her marital sign anew. Possibly, she was experimenting with the symbol of independence a day early. Nevertheless, she seems to have abandoned that idea today on the Fourth–or, forgive the pun, her “in-dependence day.”

Martha: Mrs. or Ms.? Regardless, Carpe Diem wishes AN‘s lovely lady well.

Update (04/05/12): Martha had her wedding band off her ring finger again today: Perchance, she now trusts her fans to remain loyal regardless of her marital status.

“Nasty” Girl: Gretch’s Bawdy Ann Romney Joke

“Hold on, Mitt: you’re in for a ride!” Today, Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson got her own motor purring as she took racy delight in the sight of Ann Romney taking her man Mitt for a spin on a New Hampshire lake. In the “Shot of the Morning” segment (subtitled “Joy Ride: The Romneys on a Wild Adventure”), the saucy Swedish siren could not quite contain her wilder instints as producers aired pics of Mrs. Romney taking her putative GOP nominee hubby Mitt for a jet ski romp. Perhaps, having her hunky co-anchor Eric Bolling by her side did not exactly help.

As F&F returned for the second half hour of the show this morning, Eric simply narrated how the Romneys were spending their Fourth holiday week as the water-fun photos ran.* Interjecting, co-host Brian Kilmeade commented, “I think the key shot there is Ann Romney’s driving.” Laughing, Gretchen suggestively answered, “I like that!”

Subsequently, when the shot of an exuberant Ann Romney in control as her man Mitt held on for dear life aired (a second time), Gretchen remarked, “Look, she’s gunning it. Hold on, Mitt!” Then, cackling naughtily, she randily remarked, “You’re in for a ride!”

As Eric chuckled at Gretchen’s salacious jest, Brian ignored it and offered his own color commentary, joking, “We got to get ready for the Romney Olympics….They have a bunch of kids and they compete in a bunch of events.” Shaking her head at his slight, a smiling Gretchen replied, “Brian, my jokes just go right over your head. Right?” Trying to come chivalrously to his damsel’s succor, a grinning Eric interposed, “I heard it!”

Looking at Gretchen “innocently,” Brian impishly deadpanned, “What? No, go ahead. What did you say–you’re going for a ride?” Pointing to herself, Gretchen queried, “Did I over, did I over think that?” Beaming, Brian riposted, “Yeah, you over thought that.”

Grinning herself, an undaunted Gretchen laughed, “Okay. Today, Brian and I are going to be on the radio together. ” Arching her eyebrows saucily, she added, “And, it’s going to be nasty!”

Ann Romney: proper Mormon mom. Gretchen Carlson? “Nasty” girl!

*Fox & Friends – 07/03/12 (@ 6:31 a.m. ET)

The Third: Martha’s Independence Day?

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

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

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

Martha’s Independence Day? No fireworks. Hopefully.