Flowers for Carlson: Nerd Tears and Casey Close. Last week, Gretchen Carlson finally brought her own show, The Real Story, to her FNC fans. Slotted in what was once the final hour of America Live, Gretchen seems to have salvaged and revamped Megyn Kelly‘s sloping desk; to have “stolen” her all-femme “Power Panel,” and to have adopted the AL feel–perhaps, hoping that Megyn’s magic will rub off on her.
Fox News certainly hopes so. In the premiere of her program, Gretchen ceremoniously received the blessing of FNC fave The Donald who predicted that she would “have great success.”* (Adventitiously or not, Trump also trumpeted in her Fox & Friends successor Elisabeth Hasselbeck in her Fox & Friends debut.)
However, Gretch will have to do more than mimic Megyn and hobnob with the high and mighty to make her show a success: she will also have to prove that she learned well her Minnesota parents’ purported lessons of “core values and humility.”** She will have to eschew the solipsism that she too oft displayed on Fox & Friends, e.g., when she haughtily heralded her resume of being the high school valedictorian, the Stanford alum, and the first Miss America that was a classical violinist. Even though comedian Jon Stewart and her Connecticut blue blood friends may approve of such hubris, FNC’s much maligned “flyover” audience do not.
Gretchen’s Real Story needs to be about the Everyman/Everywoman who watches Fox News. Not Gretchen. If she remembers that simple truth, her intended audience will remember her and tune in—again and again.
[Author’s aside: Re the subtitle, Nerd Tears critic Kevin McCarthy gave Gretchen flowers on her last day on Fox & Friends and hubby Casey Close did likewise Friday on the last day (of her first week) on The Real Story.]
*The Real Story – 09/30/13 (@ 2:11 p.m. ET).
**Ibid at @ 2:01 p.m. ET.
Tags: America Live, Casey Close, Donald Trump, Elisabeth Hassselbeck, FNC, Fox News, Gretchen Carlson, Jon Stewart, Kevin McCarthy, Megyn Kelly, Nerd Tears, Real Story
Carpe Diem 
October 7, 2013 at 7:38 am
People who went to an ivy league college never tire of reminding people that they went to an ivy league college.Despite her Minnesota background, there is something of the elitist about Gretchen, you just know she thinks she`s better than everyone else.Maybe that`s why I`ve never warmed to her.I don`t know what the ratings were for her first week but I seriously doubt they will be able to match Megyns in the long run..
October 7, 2013 at 11:11 am
O suggested to Gretchen, after her first show, to remember
that the word “get” is not “git”.
October 7, 2013 at 1:28 pm
I was laughing my butt off on her first show when she pulled out the Miss America pic of her with the Donald 30 years ago (or whatever). Her ability to constantly remind everyone she was once Miss America is so laughable. I think she does that because her looks haven’t held up and nobody would think that if she isn’t constantly reminding people.
Also, like someone else mentioned, her bringing up her resume. My goodness! It’s all the time. And that has to do with she’s really a clueless airhead. Maybe she could regurgitate what she learned in class but she can’t apply that to the real world.
Martha is filling in for her today and it’s night and day different. Martha is an actual journalist. Martha knows the facts and can conduct good interviews. I think Martha or someone else will end up with Gretchen’s time slot before the end of 2014.
October 7, 2013 at 1:37 pm
A day off ALREADY? Gretchen is unwatchable, so I love seeing Martha in her stead. However, how can Gretchen get away witty taking a day off after ONE WEEK? Lol
October 7, 2013 at 1:50 pm
Gretchen is off to give a speech somewhere.
Dee Dee Binkie is missing from the power panel.
Gretchen used her on the first show and then ditched her.
October 7, 2013 at 2:16 pm
You FINALLY get your desired solo show after YEARS of browbeating management and you only do ONE FULL WEEK BEFORE TAKING A DAY OFF?!
FAILURE~!
October 7, 2013 at 3:59 pm
I`ve said it before and I`ll say it again, it`s like watching a Stepford wife.Gretechen lacks the charisma of fellow anchors like Megyn, Martha and Jenna, who REALLY deserved her own show.
October 7, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Seeing Martha sitting in for Gretchen today really highlighted how much better suited for the job she is.I`d be worried if I were her, I wonder how long her contract is for?.
October 10, 2013 at 11:56 am
Gretchen is an unwatchable train wreck. Pure fluff and self promotion. Martha should have that hour so we can get competent news. Heaven forbid something serious happens during the Miss
America hour.
October 10, 2013 at 6:42 pm
I never thought I`d say this, but I`m really missing the Fox report.
October 11, 2013 at 7:31 am
Gretchen overshot her runway……. watch Ali go to 2 hours within the next 6 to 12 months
October 11, 2013 at 8:48 am
Think you`re right about Ali, it`s just a matter of time before she get`s Gretchen`s hour too.