Earhardt: “I am…thrilled to join Steve and Brian on the curvy couch.” Fox & Friends viewers were tipped off early this morning that changes were afoot by regular F&F fill-in co-host, Anna Kooiman: As the show began today with her in the center seat (with Tucker Carlson and Pete Hegseth), she cryptically remarked, “Good morning! We’re all visiting the couch this morning!” (After Elisabeth Hasselbeck left the F&F curvy couch, Anna has usually greeted her F&F viewers with her name as if she might be the future queen of the weekday curvy couch).
According to a press release today by FNC, Ainsley Earhardt has been named the new co-anchor of Fox & Friends and she will make her debut as the official co-host on Leap Day, 2016 (February 29). FNC Chairman & CEO Roger Ailes declared, “Ainsley’s relentless work ethic, congeniality, and enthusiasm for connecting with our viewers…are extremely refreshing. She’s a superb team player and an excellent on-air host.” As for Ainsley, she declared, “I am grateful for this opportunity and am thrilled to join Steve [Doocy] and Brian [Kilmeade] on the curvy couch to deliver Americans their morning news.”
It has been a remarkable ride for Ainsley in her Fox & Friends odyssey.
Ainsley made her debut on Fox & Friends Weekend as a guest co-host in February 2008. On February 28, 2008 (almost 8 years to the date of her future debut as queen of the F&F curvy couch), Ainsley apprised the author that she was just filling in and that FNC would announce changes when they were final: Even though the lovely got into hot water initially with FNC brass for being honest and straightforward with this viewer in various missives, the chastened Southern belle did finally take the reins at F&F Weekend with fellow newbie co-hosts, Dave Briggs and Clayton Morris by her side. But Ainsley’s tenure was short-lived as her callow boys needed a surer hand to guide the F&FW ship, namely, Alisyn Camerota (who had sailed those waters before as F&FW co-anchor).
But, Ainsley has stayed the course: And, she has always been there when Ailes needed her. Ainz has been a cheerful and ready fill-in co-host for Fox & Friends weekday, and she has happily served as Fox & Friends First co-anchor with Heather Childers. She has paid her dues, and Ailes has now rewarded her.
And, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Ainsley’s predecessor hardily approves: She Tweeted, “Congratulations to my #SisterInChrist & #SweetFriend @ainsleyearhardt on the @foxandfriends news!! This #CBO can’t wait to see you shine!”
Congratulations, Ainsley!!
H/t: Motownman, Chris Ariens, and Johnny Dollar (J$P).
Tags: ainsley earhardt, alisyn camerota, Anna Kooiman, Brian Kilmeade, Clayton Morris, Dave Briggs, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, FNC, Fox and Friends, Fox and Friends Weekend, Fox News, Heather Childers, Pete Hegseth, Roger Ailes, Steve Doocy, Tucker Carlson
Carpe Diem 
February 16, 2016 at 11:55 pm
Needless to say, I’m VERY happy for Ainsley. It’s nice to see someone work their way up from the overnight shift and have their efforts rewarded. Ainsley will do a TERRIFIC job!!!
February 17, 2016 at 10:15 am
[…] Earhardt, Fox & Friends’s new ‘it’ girl. On the Record video: Congrats! […]
February 17, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Nice to see a lady who represents everything that is good about people and who puts Christ first in her life and shows it. She’s as beautiful a person inside as she is outwardly.
February 17, 2016 at 8:59 pm
I think Anna should have been given the Fox and Friends co host She has done a great job filling in that spot she is so vivacious and works very well with Steve and Bryan.
February 19, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Who will take her spot on the early show?
February 20, 2016 at 8:55 am
Either Lea Gabrielle or Abby Huntsman. I’m hoping for Lea.
February 20, 2016 at 9:25 am
Excellent choice by Roger Ailes! I was really impressed with her when she was doing some side reports for Sean Hannity and then again her Spring Break reports for Fox and Friends. Classy lady! Well deserved!