F&F Tortures Fans

With Roseanne Barr’s “Star-Spangled Banner.” Even if one is a fervid fan of Fox & Friends, s/he had good reason to turn off the show and spend time with his/her family during this holiday weekend. For some seemingly sadistic/sadomasochist reason, F&F producers repeatedly subjected viewers to an abbreviated Rosanne Barr’s chalk-on-the-black-board rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner over Independence Day weekend: Perhaps, F&F fans should have turned off their TV’s and spent that time with their loved ones even had they not been subjected to this horrid aural offense.

Such producer impertinence reminded the author of the time when CNN’s Carol Costello told her American Morning audience, “I hope none of you were watching on Christmas Day because you actually do have a life.” Yes, F&F, your viewers have a life, and we were watching: But, please don’t ever subject us to Rosanne Barr’s screech again. It may not be waterboarding, F&F: But, it was torture.

At least, F&F producers, you gave us Abby Huntsman‘s Proud American collaboration with American Young this morning to celebrate Independence Day. In fact, Abby wasn’t that bad: And, she looked even better. But, no more Rosanne singing ever!

New Day: No “Good Stuff?”

No worries, ND fans: Aly is still there! However, New Day oddly deleted it’s de rigeur “Good Stuff” segment this morning at the end of the show. Stranger yet, there was no personal segue to Carol Costello. Rather, in a solo shot, co-host Chris Cuomo alerted the voters in the final segment that “the news continues with Carol Costello right after this break.” At least, then his sexy co-anchor Alisyn Camerota put her hand next to his face and waved goodbye to her fans–even though her lovely visage did not grace the screen.

New Day, if you want to be “Headline News,” that is one thing. But, if you ever expect to catch Fox & Friends you have to up your game!

ND’s Aly: “Two Weeks!”

Camerota’s “New Day” turns to night too soon? For the last three weeks, new CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota has ruled the roost on the New Day divan in the absence of Kate Bolduan who is away on maternity leave. She has shown her co-host Chris Cuomo what a real equal–or superior–looks like: In other words, the Italian stallion has more than met his match with his comely, perspicacious counterpart.

Monday, Kate returned to ND for her “Roots: Journey’s Home” story (which is a smart, delightful way that CNN has chosen to personalize some of its anchors to its viewers). In tow, Kate took her beautiful newborn Cecilia Eve to  the CNN couch: Of course, “uncle” Chris cooed and cooed over his co-host and neighbor’s firstborn beauty, as well he should. As the ND cast share the serpentine sofa, the contrast between the too oft callow Kate and the more seasoned Aly appeared all too palpable.

Perchance, Kate came back Monday to show that she is still a permanent co-host on ND. On Friday, Aly seemed to affirm that: When a Twitter follower asked, “Where did you go, miss your commentary” [sic], Aly answered, “Tune into @NewDay for the next two weeks!”

However, Aly may well have a longer stint on ND than she thinks. If CNN chief Jeff Zucker decides to suspend or even can embattled Carol Costello for her controversial Schadenfreude of late, he may keep the current winning team on ND–and give new mom Kate a later, more convenient slot on CNN Newsroom.

CNN’s arousing espresso? Aly in the a.m.!

Bolduan Gives Birth!

Cecelia Eve debuts! CNN New Day anchor Kate Bolduan and hubby Michael Gershenson welcomed their first child, Cecelia Eve, into their family yesterday morn (September 25) at 10:39 a.m. Less than a week after taking maternity leave, Kate gave birth to a beautiful daughter weighing six pounds and measuring 18.5 inches.

This morning, Kate’s New Day co-host Chris Cuomo proclaimed the good news with pictures of the happy mom and her new bundle of joy in ND‘s “Good Stuff” segment at the end of the show. Declaring little Cecilia the “most beautiful new baby in the world,” Chris remarked, “The ‘Good Stuff’ couldn’t get gooderer…..”

Subsequently, when Chris segued to Carol Costello (CNN Newsroom co-host), she aptly added, “What a beautiful baby: But, I didn’t expect anything less of Kate Bolduan. Let’s face it!”

Congratulations, Kate and Michael!

[Author’s aside: For pics of the new princess, link here.]

Oops: Aly Laughs at Her Most Loyal F&FW Fans!

But, Camerota quickly recants–as she throws her weekday Fox & Friends colleagues under the bus? Today, F&F Weekend co-anchor Alisyn Camerota made a rare gaffe at the expense of her most devoted votaries in the final hour of the show: to wit, she virtually scoffed at them for watching the entire Fox & Friends Weekend show. Ouch!

Ironically, as the last hour of F&FW started this morn, co-host Clayton Morris casually commented, “You’re watching Fox & Friends, the longest morning show in cable news. You don’t believe me? Hour four is starting right now.” Approximately ten minutes later in a discussion with Aly and co-anchor Tucker Carlson (of a study of how Americans spend their off-hours/day), Clayton noted, “Watching TV, two hours and fifty minutes…that seems low to me.” Incredulously, a wide-eyed, agape Aly laughed, “You think…almost three hours a day of television is low? That’s a lot!”

“Aly oops”! Subsequently, as the F&FW trio discussed other ways that Americans spent their diurnal off-duty time, producers apparently whispered in Aly’s ear. As she closed the segment, a seemingly chastened Aly observed that the statistics, including the television-watching one, were “fascinating”: Smiling, she pleaded, “We want you to watch four hours of television every Saturday and Sunday. Commit to that, America, starting at 6:00 a.m. (ET)!”

Callowly, Tucker chimed, “That’s your weekly recommended dose, and you can get it all done just on the weekends.” Concurring wholeheartedly, Aly exclaimed, “Yes, just in one fell swoop with us!” [Never mind their four-hour-per-day-weekdays counterparts (F&F First and F&F)–or even that Irish guy at night.]

Apparently, producers may have worried that their viewers may have suddenly felt disinclined to “waste” a full four hours watching Fox & Friends Weekend on the final day of Independence weekend–after all, Aly had laughed at their and their fellow Americans’ watching even two hours and fifty minutes per day. As F&FW signed off, an ebullient Aly said, “Tune in to us tomorrow: we’ll have all the latest for you, of course.” Pointing to their F&FW audience, Clayton aptly supplicated, “6 a.m. Eastern time, wake up! Set your alarm. Don’t miss a minute of it! Please!” Nodding her head, Aly added, “See you then!”

After her gaffe and laugh, Aly and her boys certainly hope so.

[Author’s aside: Aly’s faux pas reminded the author of another holiday-time solecism by CNN erstwhile American Morning fill-in co-host Carol Costello: In an aside to her viewers on the day after Christmas in 2008, she gauchely declared, “I hope none of you were watching on Christmas Day because you actually do have a life.”]

Carol Costello: I’m Just Whining on a “Friend”

CNN Newsroom anchor: “Strange ‘leg crossings’ on Fox’s early, early news.” No wonder FNC’s Fox & Friends First continues to bury its CNN counterpart Early Start in the ratings: Even CNN morning host Carol Costello is tuning in for Fox News’ early morning gamfest.

Today, Mediaite.com author Andrew Kirell reported a very candid Carol Facebook post this morning. To whit, Carol comically declared, “Good morning! Each morning we are amazed at the excellent posture and strange ‘leg crossings’ on Fox’s early, early news. I have tried to get my legs to do that…but, it hurts. What can I say, it’s a slow Monday!”*

Slow or no(t), Carol’s comment  was illuminating. She clearly has her eyes on the early morning juggernaut that is demolishing CNN’s Early Start by more than 2 to 1 in the demo and 3 to 1 in total viewers. And, she herself has tried to emulate the Fox News foxes–without success.

At least, Carol has tried. Perhaps, Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin will follow suit. CNN desperately needs a sexy new start to boost its early morning ratings, especially, now that its erstwhile AM “ray of light” Kiran Chetry no longer ushers in the dawn.

[Author’s aside: Title, supra, play on the Rolling Stones’ “Waiting on a Friend.”]

*The Fox & Friends First co-hosts Monday were Patti Ann Browne and Heather Childers.

CNN A.M. Future: Miles O’Brien? [Updated Anew]

Zoraida: Miles…in these parts, you are a rock star! Yesterday, Early Start co-host Zoraida Sambolin greeted former American Morning anchor Miles O’Brien to the CNN a.m. like a returning hero. During a space segment with the whilom point man for NASA coverage, Zoraida reintroduced the once canned anchor of the low-rated American Morning to CNN’s early morning shrinking audience. Before his report (on the return to earth of the NASA-sponsored Space X Dragon), Zoraida gushed, “Miles, I got to tell you, in these parts, you are a rock star! Everybody absolutely loves you! Very excited to talk to you this morning.”*

The moment seemed surreal: Miles O’Brien, a “rock star”? Almost five years ago, he and his American Morning co-host Soledad O’Brien unceremoniously got the Klein boot because of low-ratings (in favor of John Roberts and Kiran Chetry). When John and Kiran could not right the AM ship nor their interim successors Christine Romans, Carol Costello, and Ali Velshi, CNN replaced AM with their even more ratings-challenged shows Early Start (with anchors Ashleigh Banfield and Zoraida) and Starting Point (solo host Soledad): With ES and SP listing even lower than AM ever had, perhaps, Miles O’Brien “in these parts, is a rock star” and everybody does love him again.

So much so, that CNN brings Miles back to its early mornings?

*Early Start – 05/31/12 (@ 6:04 a.m. ET)

Update 1: Turner Broadcasting CEO Phil Kent may have much more drastic measures planned for CNN’s a.m. than possibly adding Miles to the cast. After defending his prime-time line-up on the very day of Miles ES appearance, Kent admitted that “we have some other shows that probably need to be replaced.” If recent ratings are any indication, Early Start and Starting Point may well be among those very CNN shows.]

Update 2: According to the New York Daily News, veteran ABC reporter John Berman has now enlisted with CNN and will become an Early Start anchor. If Berman were to join the gals Ashleigh and Zoraida, he would add some much needed male perspective: But, if he teamed up with Miles instead (and the ladies exited), ES would become an all-boy’s club, perhaps, no more attractive than the current all-gal gala. Perhaps, on the bright side, Berman may simply serve as the last captain of CNN’s wee-hour Titanic and Kent will finally get a seaworthy ship.]

CNN’s Early Start: American Morning Again?

Alina Cho MT: WEIWEI”@AliVelshi…good AM.” Freudian slip? As Early Start began this morning guest co-host, a “wired” Ali Velshi, Tweeted, “Nice to be back w/ my buddy, colleague & former office mate @AlinaChoCNN. Between her @ZoraidaCNN & @ChristineRomans, it’s a good morning.” In reply, Alina exclaimed, “WEIWEI” and MT’d Ali’s Tweet with the not so subtle change of “good morning” to “good AM.” Whether she was answering enthusiastically in French phonetically, or, less plausibly, simply could not contain herself, literally, her message was crystal clear: Alina was quite excited to be back again with her former American Morning colleagues, AM co-hosts Ali and Christine Romans.

As well, Alina–not to mention, CNN suits–should have been. Early Start was a marked improvement over its short and dismal past: E.g., Co-host Zoraida Sambolin simply came alive today and asserted herself charismatically with uncharacteristic aplomb. Perhaps, it was simply because the rather reserved Zoraida was no longer tethered to her regular co-host Ashleigh Banfield, who, according to Inside Cable News, lacks the requisite chemistry with Zoraida as a “hyper and over-caffeinated [anchor who leaves] no pause unmolested” in contradistinction to the more reserved Zoraida. Furthermore, it was a delight to see the facile, informed exchanges between Ali and Christine in clear contrast to the usual sycophancy of Ashleigh toward her “Mayor of the Morning” Christine.

Yes, American Morning under Ali and Christine and their erstwhile interim co-anchor Carol Costello was assuredly a morning CNN cellar dweller: But, at least, it was watchable (even eminently so, at least, until AM’s last permanent co-host, comely Kiran Chetry, bid her fans a final namaskaar). And, that is more than one can readily say about Early Start as it fatefully charters new ratings depths (even lower than AM ever descended in its ten-year history).

“Early Start”: American Morning again? CNN viewers can only hope.

CNN A.M.: Christine Back Already?

Early Start and Starting Point: “Vampire” Romans Reemerges. CNN may have put a silver bullet in their cellar-dwelling American Morning but former AM co-host Christine Romans did not seem to notice. Under cover of night, the biz beauty reemerged as headline news reader Tuesday on CNN’s partial replacement morning show Starting Point anchored by Soledad O’Brien. Today, Christine was promoted to the “magic wall” election expert: She appeared on both SP and Early Start (the even earlier CNN morning program co-anchored by Ashleigh Banfield and Zoraida Sambolin).

Eerie? Perhaps, not. CNN chief Ken Jautz may now realize that the old American Morning audience needs, at least, a somewhat suitable segue to the new morning shows. After all, AM viewers were not even alerted to the fact that American Morning was ending last Friday. This Monday, laic CNN morning viewers were likely quite surprised with the disappearance of AM and it’s co-hosts, Ali Velshi, Carol Costello, and Christine Romans.

Perchance, Jautz decided to ease that abrupt transition by bringing Christine back to the CNN early a.m. programs. Christine back? Apparently, at least, for the moment.

A.M. HangOVER: Auld Lang Syne?

“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Today, American Morning ended its decade-long run without a peep to its peeps. No nod to its original anchor, “just a little sexy” Paula Zahn, its final permanent one, “Chetrylicious” Kiran Chetry, or its other less colorful ones. In fact, holiday guest co-hosts Alina Cho and Deborah Feyerich did not even offer AM‘s loyal viewers a final farewell.

In the final segment today, Alina and Deb were surrounded on the AM divan by CNN nameless faces. As the strains of Auld Lang Syne began to air, Deb declared, “And, before we leave, we want to show appreciation to all those who work behind the scenes here at American Morning. These are the folks who get up in the middle of night when everyone is sleeping to bring you this show, and they do it with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of energy.”

Chiming in animatedly, Alina asserted, “These are the people who work behind the scene tirelessly day and night to make us look good each and every day. And, we cannot thank you enough because we’re nothing without you guys.” She concluded, “Thank you very much. Happy New Year! We hope you have a great year.”

Subsequently, as the final credits began to run, ironically, producers struck up Auld Lang Syne again. No retrospectives of the show’s past co-hosts nor highlights of the program were shown at all. In fact, no mention was made that the show had ended to AM‘s audience who were not in the know.

What a surprise awaits the unwitting viewer next Monday (January 2). AM and its usual “temporary anchors” Ali Velshi, Christine Romans, and Carol Costello or their fill-ins will be nowhere to be found. Instead, two new CNN shows and their cohosts will be there: I.e., CNN newbies, Zoraida Sambolin and Ashleigh Banfield, will greet the viewers in the 5-7 a.m. ET hours, and AM veteran Soledad O’Brien will visit them anew from 7-9 a.m. ET.

Auld lang syne: forget about it? As AM ended today, unfortunately, CNN did not give its AM audience a chance to remember the good times past nor to bid adieu to their old friends today. Rather, CNN seemed to simply hope that their “hung-over” viewers would be happy to make entirely new morning acquaintances next year. In three short days.

AM: Ali (Velshi) Moves (On)

Ali: “My last morning was yesterday.” Today, American Morning‘s “temporary” co-host Ali Velshi left CNN’s moribund morning show–a day early without explanation, seemingly. Yesterday, he announced, “1 more day as your @CNN bookends: anchoring @cnnAM 609aET, then @OutFrontCNN 7/11pET.” When an apparent AM viewer queried, “[H]ow do you plan to mark the last ever @CNNAM tomorrow morning?,” Ali tersely replied, “My last morning was yesterday [Tuesday].

Such an abrupt departure by Ali should not be surprising to the AM audience. Since AM‘s last permanent anchor Kiran Chetry gave her fans a final namaskaar in late July, AM has had three “temporary” co-hosts, Ali, Christine Romans, and Carol Costello. Generally, if any of them were off, their absence was duly noted by the ones present. Lately, the co-anchors do not even do that anymore: In fact, today, guest co-hosts Alina Cho and Deborah Feyerick, seemed almost to forget Ali, Christine, or Carol altogether.

If CNN is not careful, AM‘s audience may forget–to tune in.

Christine: Ali’s Delicate!

Rob: “He’s a delicate challenge….I’ve known that for a while!” American Morning co-anchor Ali Velshi got a much deserved flaying Wednesday for his brief two-day return to the show last week. After jetting around the world for weeks for some fun and purportedly business, Ali came back to help helm AM Monday and Tuesday: Then, he was off for the rest of the week to the amusement of his co-hosts, Christine Romans and Carol Costello, and CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano.

As Rob’s 6:20 a.m. ET weather report came to an end, he tossed back to the two present AM co-hosts, Christine and Carol. Jesting, Rob sniped, “What! Does Ali come back for one [sic] day and then he flies the coop?” Shaking her head, a smiling Christine replied, “He’s delicate! He’s a delicate, what, he’s a delicate, you know, I mean.” Feeling in the blanks, Rob laughed, “He’s a delicate challenge. Yes, I’ve known that for a while!”

Looking down at her desk, arching her eyebrows, and nodding her head in agreement, a more reticent Carol chuckled, “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”

A fun AM moment. Rob, just what the AM doctor should have ordered? Too bad, CNN chief Ken Jautz never gave you a trial run with Kiran Chetry before he axed the show.

American Morning – 12/14/11 (@ 6:22 a.m. ET)

AM: Kiran’s Bad Boy Back [Updated]

Sans wedding ring. Today, former American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry‘s hubby Chris Knowles appeared twice on the CNN morning news show today–without his connubial band and with nary a word of his beloved beauty.* Sitting in the very seat of his “wifey” in his first appearance on the AM divan (i.e., screen right of both AM  co-hosts Christine Romans and Carol Costello), Chris ably reported on an OWS protester who had crossed over to “the enemy” and procured a job with a Wall Street financial firm. However, the viewer could be forgiven if s/he were somewhat distracted during Chris’ story: As he conversed with Kiran’s former CNN colleagues, Chris made no mention of his lovely lady, AM‘s erstwhile Aphrodite, and his ring finger seemed brazenly bare.

Fogiveable forgetfulness or playful payback? If the latter, not nice, Chris. Remember, Kiran was just “kidding.”

*American Morning – 12/07/11 (@ 6:46 a.m. ET and 8:58 a.m. ET)

Update: Unfortunately, Chris “forgot” to wear his wedding band yet again the very next day (Thursday) in his two AM appearances.**  Still forgiveable? Only Nepal’s delectable devi can decide.

** American Morning – 12/08/11 (6:16 a.m. ET and 8:32 a.m. ET)

Daddy Marciano Back: “Sans Stache”

Shorn Rob shot but shines: AM alum Stephanie Elam notices. American Morning meteorologist Rob Marciano returned to his CNN morning show today after two weeks off for paternity leave. In his first appearance this morning, co-hosts Christine Romans and Carol Costello welcomed back the brand-new daddy and producers aired a photo of Rob, his wife Eryn, and their baby daughter, Madeline Grace.* In response, Rob reported that his baby was “great, that his wife was “recovering,” and that “all was well in the Marciano [household].” Subsequently, he added that he and Eryn were getting [only] two-to-three hours of sleep each night.

Off camera, Rob revealed a mite more to his Twitter followers. Yesterday, he joked, “10 days of hibernation might get me a Chico and The Man casting call :-): Included in his missive, he linked to a photo of him sporting a recently grown moustache. Shortly thereafter, he proclaimed, “Back to work tomorrow sans stache!”

Today, when Rob announced that he was “back in the studio saddle” and working with his “CNN family again,” he was embraced with open arms. “Welcome back, Bobby!,” Tweeted frequent AM guest co-host Alina Cho. Chiming in from the West Coast, erstwhile AM biz beauty, Stephanie Elam jested, “@robmarcianoCNN has that daddy glow. Or may it’s just fatigue? :-).” Pegged by his former CNN colleague, Rob replied, “Yes and yes,” Rob replied.

Truly, Rob. But, surely, little Grace Madeline Marciano is more than worth it all. Welcome back, “Bobby”!

Carol: Ali Is Still Working Off the Turkey

Ali Velshi: I won’t be back “until December 12th! Lots of travel.” Where in the world is Ali? American Morning co-host Carol Costello knows but she was not telling this morning. As she introduced herself and co-host Christine Romans, she “explained” Ali’s absence, laughing, “Ali is still working off the turkey!”* For AM viewers who miss Ali and want to know where he is, Carol’s Thanksgiving joke may be wearing thin.

Fear not, Ali acolytes, your  “hairless prophet of doom” has not altogether abandoned you. When one Twitter follower asked, “When r u coming back???,” he responded, “Not until Dec 12th! Lots of travel.” Later, he explained that he was doing a “bit of vacation” but “mostly work.” Furthermore, he chronicled his travels to his native Kenya, CNN studios Abu Dhabi, his friend and former AM co-host Kiran Chetry‘s birthplace Kathmandu, etc.

Apparently, Ali has been enjoying some “r & r” as his American Morning co-anchor role ends next year and is now preparing for his new CNN International Asia “World News Today” co-host position which begins in January 2012. But, he will be back albeit briefly on “December 12th.” Mark your CNN calendars.

*American Morning – 11/30/11 (@6:01 a.m. ET)

Romans: AM “Files for Bankruptcy”

“Costello: “That was a Freudian slip.” So it seemed. Today, American Morning co-host Christine Romans teased an upcoming business segment, saying, “American Morning–uh, huh–American Airlines files for bankruptcy protection.”* Laughing,  co-anchor Carol Costello declared, “That was a Freudian slip.” In response, Christine howled knowingly.

As their CNN morning show nears its end in 2012, the two AM co-hosts seemed to scoff openly at the moribund state of their ratings-challenged show. Carol, who made the caustic observation, appeared to continue to be especially sensitive to the coming demise of AM. As the reader may recall, only three weeks ago, after Christine did another biz promo (for an investment story), Carol casually commented, “I want to retire very soon.”

When AM “files for bankruptcy” next year, perhaps, Carol shall get her her wish. As her AM co-anchors stay with CNN, her future seems less secure. While Christine continues her business reports and interviews at CNN and fellow co-host Ali Velshi assumes “new roles across CNN Worldwide” after AM ends in 2012, Carol, has lost her seemingly sole CNN role as “a contributor to American Morning.”

Perhaps, more than one lady’s slip was showing this morning.

American Morning – 11/29/11 (@ 8:21 a.m. ET)

A.M.: Kiran Back–Almost

Black Friday. Former American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry returned to her CNN morning program Friday–or, at least, her other half did. In a surprise appearance, Kiran’s hubby, meteorologist Chris Knowles, appeared thrice on AM as a correspondent on the Black Friday shopping mania at Macy.* Somewhat strangely, the AM co-hosts, Carol Costello and Alina Cho made no mention of their former colleague in their collegial chats with Chris.

Not surpisingly, the whilom FNC meteorologist and WPIX weekend weatherman was his usual winsome, witty self. In a rave review of her hubby’s reporting, Kiran Tweeted, “He was fantastic wasn’t he?!” Yes, he was good: But, in the author’s opinion, Kiran is definitely his better half.

As to Kiran’s real return to television, the Nepalese beauty assured her fans earlier this month that she will be back “very soon.”

* American Morning – 11/25/11 (6:02 a.m. ET; 7:02 a.m. ET; and 8:01 a.m. ET)

Carol Costello: “Jetpack-Wearing Monkey”

Jason Carroll: “Was that an insult?” American Morning co-host Carol Costello appeared to be the Thanksgiving turkey this morning in her strange first segue to CNN correspondent Jason Carroll this morning.* When Carol introduced the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade report of Jason, an African American, she remarked, “There will be some new faces floating above the city like a jetpack-wearing monkey. Our Jason–it’s not Jason Carroll.” Making her toss to Jason  even more awkward, Carol continued, “Although I’d like to see you [Jason] wearing a jetpack and flying above the crowds. I bet  you would, too!”

Arching his eyebrows in incredulity at Carol’s comment, Jason laughed uncomfortably. Then he asked, “You know, I, I–was that an insult that I heard a little earlier?” Chagrined, a chuckling Carol exclaimed, “No!” Seemingly, uncertain of Carol’s candidness, Jason replied, “I, I’m going to have to replay the tape to make sure.”

Turkey or not, Carol may well have had to eat some crow today for her Thanksgiving dinner.

[Author’s aside: Apparently, Carol was alluding to one of Macy’s new floats, Julius the Monkey.]

American Morning – 11/24/11 (@ 6:35 a.m. ET)

Rob & Eryn’s Girl: Madeline Grace Marciano

More “Baby girl” details. American Morning meteorologist and proud papa Rob Marciano personally and proudly announced the birth of his new baby Thursday: He Tweeted, “The Bambina has landed.” The very next day, he shared a photo of his dear daughter with his Twitter followers, jesting, “Baby girl prepping to rock her 36 hours of freedom party.”

For Rob’s fans and their AM audience, his joyful colleagues, co-hosts Christine Romans and Carol Costello, proclaimed anew the good news Friday when they segued to the weather report by Rob’s fill-in Reynolds Wolf.* As AM producers displayed a photo of Rob, his beautiful wife Eryn, and their darling girl, Reynolds remarked that the newborn’s name was Madeline Grace Marciano and that she weighed “seven pounds thir[teen], 7.13″ [sic].” As a quite questionable aside, he added, “I know Rob…is [as] tired as Erin.”

Chuckling, Christine’s interjected, “I know. You know…he said, ‘Erin is recovering: Dad is a wreck.'” Chiming in, Carol aptly observed, “Eryn looked great in that picture: she looks beautiful.” Marveling, Christine remarked, “I know. I think that’s after twenty hours of labor, actually.” Concurring, Reynolds interposed, “Looks amazing: Looks just amazing.”

Indeed.

*American Morning – 11/18/11 (@ 6:35 a.m. ET)

[Author’s aside: For a great pic of Eryn lovingly cradling her infant, link here.]

Rob Marciano: A New Daddy

“It’s a girl!” Today American Morning co-host Christine Romans cheerfully trumpeted that meteorologist Rob Marciano is now a new dad. Introducing his fill-in this morning, she proudly proclaimed, “Reynolds Wolf is in the Extreme Weather Center because Rob Marciano is in the Extreme New Parenthood of Having a Brand New Baby.”* Subsequently, with a shout out to her daily AM Adonis and his beauty, Christine declared, So, congratulations to Rob and his wife and their new bambi.” Uncertain of the babe’s gender, Christine looked to her co-anchor Carol Costello for aid: Happy to oblige, Carol exclaimed, “It’s a girl!”

To Rob’s fans, Reynolds further explicated, “That right….Everything we’ve heard has all been thumbs up. Rob and his wife Eryn (wedding pic) are doing just fine welcoming the new baby.” Voicing the obvious, he continued, “And, certainly…a life-changing moment for Rob–no question about it.” Piping in, Christine added, “And, we’ll get pictures as soon as we can.”

Congratulations again, Eryn and Rob! Please send those photos in soon. I.e., before you return in a few weeks, Rob.

*American Morning – 11/17/11 (@ 6:17 a.m. ET)