“History Bluff” Clayton: Clueless–Again?

“We haven’t had a Triple Crown winner since what, since Secretariat?” Fox & Friends co-host Clayton Morris, who prides himself in his purported historical ken, got his comeuppance for the second week in a row. Last Sunday, he was the only co-anchor to “need a refresher course on the Founding Mothers” as his co-anchor Alisyn Camerota so aptly asserted. (Vid: 2:48/3:10.) Today, he sorely needed a cheat sheet on the last Triple Crown winner of thoroughbred racing.

During a Preakness Stakes segment this morn with DailyThoroughbredNews.com editor Christina Bossinakis, the co-hosts’ discussion turned inevitably to whether Kentucky Derby winner Orb could conquer the second leg of the Triple Crown. When Bossinakis indicated that she thought that he would win unless a surprising variable occurred, Clayton regrettably ad libbed, “One of the variables, because we haven’t had a Triple Crown winner since what, since Secretariat?”

In response to Clayton clearly clueless, Bossinakis charitably replied, “It was actually Affirmed in 1978 and then we had Seattle Slew in 1977.”

Duly corrected, Clayton confessed, “I don’t know why…it just sounded good.”

Not.

Courtney Friel Delivers: Baby Cameron Kaiulani

“These contractions hurt!…She’s here!” FNC (and Fox 11 KTTV) entertainment reporter Courtney Friel joyfully announced the arrival of her newborn daughter Cameron Kaiulani Evans early this morning–only thirty-five minutes after she gave birth! After chronicling her labor experiences for her fans yesterday and earlier today,* a relieved Courtney joyfully Tweeted (at approximately 2:56 a.m. PST), “She’s here!” Subsequently, she reported that Cameron weighed seven pounds ten ounces; measured twenty-one inches; and was” born at 2:21 a.m. PST April 6th.”

Cameron is also welcomed by both her father CNN Newsource national biz reporter Carter Evans and her one-year-old brother Cash Hudson.

Congratulations, Courtney and Carter!

* Courtney’s labor Tweets included her hospital admittance; her water breaking; her medicine taking: her pain (“these contractions hurt! prefaced with a few expletives), her epidural, her TV fare, her hunger; and her long wait.

Courtney: “I’m Preggers Again!”

And, “I’m not leaving Fox News….I’ll be doing more at the local FOX.” FNC entertainment reporter Courtney Friel gave her Red Eye fans an extra scoop this morning. After announcing on Facebook and on Twitter that she was gravid again, the RE guest revealed in the “Postgame Wrap-up” that she will soon be heading to the West Coast as well.*

In her FB post yesterday, she cheerfully proclaimed, “Accidentally left the oven on and I’m baking another baby!” Subsequently, she elaborated, “19+ weeks pregnant and found out today it’s a GIRL! Due April 13th.”

When she appeared on RE this morning, “TV’s Andy Levy” fill-in, comic Paul Mecurio, asked Courtney about her “exciting news.” After she repeated her FB account in part, Mecurio jested, “Is it Jamie’s?” Smiling at his cheeky jape about some unknown lad, she gamely reassured, “No, it’s my husband’s.”

Playing the journo a mite, Mecurio probed, “And, you’re leaving Fox News, I hear.” Hoping to put that rumor to bed, Courtney responded, “I’m not leaving Fox News: I am transferring out to Los Angeles. Makes more sense to be there for the entertainment industry.” When Greg Gutfeld‘s RE sidekick Bill Schulz interjected, “We’re sad to lose her,” Courtney, perhaps, more candidly commented, “I’ll be doing more at the local FOX.”

Congratulations on the new “bun in the oven,” Courtney and Carter!

[Author’s aside: Courtney following the footsteps of another Red Eye fave, Lauren Sivan?]

*Red Eye – 11/22/11 (@ 3:57 a.m. ET)

Halloween Treat: Aly’s Thong and Sext?

Clayton wants to know. Sexy Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Alisyn Camerota “discovered” how to rouse her lucky hubby anew this morning. During a “cheater-meter” segment today, relationship expert Dr. Karen Rushkin (author of Dr. Karen’s Marriage Manual), told Aly and her co-anchors Dave Briggs and Clayton Morris that traveling spouses were in a particular danger to stray: in response, Aly exclaimed, “My husband does that all the time. He travels all the time in his work.” Suggestively, she added, “As the dutiful wife, what am I supposed to do?”

In reply, Dr. Karen instructed, “Send a little sexy text.” No prude, Aly enthusiastically exclaimed, “That’s a good idea!” Interposing himself, Clayton unconvincingly pleaded, “Don’t send me that by mistake.”

Grinning puckishly, Dave interjected that Aly might want to ditch her usual sweats. When Aly turned to the doctor for her advice, Dr. Karen asked, “Are they big sweats? Is there a thong under those sweats?” Animatedly accepting her amorous hint, Aly enthused, “That’s a good idea!”

Subsequently, as the segment concluded with Aly and her co-hosts off camera, a naughty Clayton could be heard saying, “I want to find the answer to that question.” Apparently, Aly’s hubby is not the only one interested in Aly’s saucy texts and sexy lingerie. If Clayton and Aly’s other F&FW fans are lucky, maybe, she’ll share.

Probably not. But, Aly did ask her F&FW viewers for suggestions on what she should dress up for this Halloween. Perhaps, the Bristol Bay babe could be persuaded to dress up  as one of your FNC colleagues, Courtney Friel or Kimberly Guilfoyle, in their fun and frisky days: Remember, Courtney was a former Maxim bikini model and Kimberly was a Victoria’s Secret lingerie model!

Shannon Bream: Megyn Kelly Looks AMAZING!

Former Maxim model Courtney Friel: “She looks awesome.” Last week, Deadline Hollywood reported that Megyn Kelly will return to America Live next Monday exactly four months after taking maternity leave on April 8. Yesterday, the FNC foxes began to herald the return of their alpha vixen: Megyn’s America Live fill-in Shannon Bream trumpeted, “Just saw @MegynKelly and she looks AMAZING! She’s back Monday!!” Today, FNC entertainment correspondent Courtney Friel chimed, “She looks awesome and is sporting a new haircut.”

Apparently, Slate’s “Post-Feminist News Babe” is back in rare form and is raring to go after giving birth to her second child (daughter Yardley Evans) on April 14. Whether or not she has shed those baby pounds and returned to her GQ pinup prime is yet to be seen. Regardless, Megyn’s avid AL acolytes are assuredly more than eager to welcome back their brainy, blond beauty.

Whether Megyn’s return to America Live is short-lived is not yet known. Once The Five has ended its run this summer, FNC Senior VP of Programming may yet promote his “rising star” to that evening hour. Nevertheless, at least, for now, welcome back, Megyn!

Dave: “We Love Molly” But Ainz “Hot Mama”

Briggs/Earhardt’s “Heat and Meat” II: a Fox & Friends [Memorial] Weekend sequel. In 2009, a frisky, ringless Ainsley Earhardt co-hosted Memorial Day with co-anchors Dave Briggs and Clayton Morris: Yes, she racily commented on Dave’s “meat” but, more infamously, she–or, more specifically, her rump (and Janice Dean’s arse) was ogled by the appreciative eye of Dave. While Carpe Diem reported the bawdy humor, Jay Leno lampooned Dave’s eyeing of the delightful derrieres of Ainsley (and Janice). Not too surprisingly, in 2010, FNC Executive VP of Programming Bill Shine put in a somewhat more boring beauty, Courtney Friel, to co-host the F&F Memorial Day edition.

However, this year, Shine gave the buxom blonde another chance as he let Ainsley once again co-host the F&F Memorial Day special (and the prior Sunday for good measure). Even though she did have to share her holiday-weekend-center-seat-curvy-couch duties with the “new girl” Molly Line (who subbed for regular co-anchor Alisyn Camerota on F&F Friday and Saturday), she did get more air time as she saucily celebrated the early beginning of the holiday weekend as F&F’s Fleet Week NYC 2011 troop correspondent aboard the U.S.S. Iwo-Jima Friday.

Before her first segment Friday, Ainsley appeared live in a preview excitedly waving to the F&F audience as she happily posed with the sailors on deck the U.S.S. Iwo-Jima.* As she did, Ainsley’s belly button was bared and producers simultaneously aired Trace Adkin’s “Hot Mama” paean. When F&F returned from break, Dave introduced Ainsley, saying, “It is Fleet Week in New York City, and our own Ainsley Earhardt on a very tough assignment today aboard the U.S.S. Iwo-Jima.”**

Flirtatiously, Dave continued, “Ainsley, I don’t know if you heard but the song introing [sic] you was “Hot Mama,” we played earlier: I’m guess the troops there share the sentiment.” As Clayton gave a thumbs up in ardent agreement and Molly chuckled, Ainsley cooed, “Awww….You are so sweet!” In response, Dave boyishly ducked his head and grinned.

A few days later, on Memorial Day, Dave, Clayton, and Ainsley reprised their ribald “meat” revelry in spite of the fact that the only cooking segment included only Dave and three other males. When the Monday program commenced, Clayton jested, “Can  you handle more meat this morning, Dave?” In answer, Dave retorted, “Clayton, no, I cannot. I am maxed out, man!”

Unfortunately or not, Dave was assuredly not completely”maxed out”: perhaps, it was the “hand holding” less than ten minutes later by Ainsley.*** After Ainsley had read the headline news stories, Dave placed his left hand on the curvy couch. Shortly, thereafter, Ainsley put hers down next to Dave’s and touched it briefly and then moved her hand forward. When she did, Dave tapped her hand thrice and she began to respond in kind. As she did, Clayton joked, “You guys holding hands over here?” Smiling sheepishly, Dave retorted, “We are holding hands.” Laughing, Ainsley, added, “Kumbayah!”

Approximately, twenty minutes later, when F&F returned after the first half hour break, Clayton comically commented, “[T]his morning, we asked you earlier in the show–Dave put out the call: Please send us photos of your meat.”**** Dave interjected, “And, no, that does not include you, New York Congressman [Anthony Weiner]. We don’t want your photos!” Shaking her head with a naughty smile, Ainsley guffawed, “You did not just say that!”

Yes, he did, Ainsley. Even if Molly turns out to be the new F&FW siren that Dave loves, he does not seem to be able to shake you, his first F&FW wife. But, who knows? Maybe, he won’t have to after all.

* Fox & Friends – 05/27/11 (@ 6:38 a.m. ET).

** Ibid at @ 6:43 a.m. ET.

*** Fox & Friends – 05/30/11 (@ 6:09 a.m. ET).

**** Ibid. at @ 6:32 a.m. ET.

Blunt: Friel, “You’ve Been Drinking!”

Courtney: “Will you tell me [I’m beautiful]? Fox & Friends Weekend  entertainment reporter Courtney Friel, a former Maxim model, seemed to crave some carnal approval from her dreamy interviewee,  singer James Blunt. Unfortunately, for her, she got less love from him today for her postpartum body than she had received from superstar Trace Akins for her very “preggers”  figure over six months ago.

This morning, Courtney interviewed Blunt about his newest release, Some Kind of Trouble, during a promotional appearance on FNC. After asking the English vocalist about his third album, his American tour, and his private life, at length, Courtney thanked him for his appearance and then curiously concluded, “And, guess what!” Smiling, she began to sing his signature single title, trilling, “You’re beautiful.”

Laughing, Blunt exclaimed, “You’ve been drinking!” Smiling seductively, Courtney cooed, “How many people have told you that?” Acknowledging her blandishment but evading her query, Blunt replied, “That’s very sweet.”

Persisting, Courtney importuned, “Will you tell me it?” Seemingly slightly irritated, Blunt abruptly turned his head away from Courtney. Looking down, he answered, “Uh, maybe, off camera.”

Ouch. However, Courtney should not feel too bad that the handsome Blunt was not willing to stroke her postpartum ego on camera by singing, “You’re Beautiful.” After all, she can still feel somewhat confident: When she asked the more macho Trace Adkins to rate her rather preggers “[Honky Tonk] badonkadonk” on air (on F&FW six months ago), he solicitously declared, “It’s beautiful.”

Nevertheless, if Courtney still needs some reassurance about her body, perhaps, she will ask her fans the next time. But she better be prepared. Her male admirers may well request another Maxim shoot first.

Courtney: Back in Black!

Entertainment correspondent Courtney Friel returned today to Fox News after almost four months of maternity leave. In her first appearance back on FNC since giving birth  to her son Cash Hudson Evans (other than her emergency reportage of the Japanese tsunami on March 11), Courtney covered the X-Factor auditions in Newark, New Jersey, for Fox & Friends. Introducing the bonny blonde, F&F co-anchor Brian Kilmeade announced,”Courtney Friel has been scrambled off maternity leave: She’s now back full-time.”*

And, indeed, she was. Dressed to impress, Courtney wore a sleek black-leather-jacket-and-matching-ebony-pants ensemble. Strategically hiding a few baby pounds underneath or not, the sexy former Maxim model was buoyant, beautiful, and non-bloated. As she had promised her fans, she had “pop[ped]…[her]…little baby out” and had returned “in a few months”–none the worse for wear.

Welcome back, Courtney!

Fox & Friends – 04/14/11 (@ 6:34 a.m. ET)

FOX Friel & CNN Hubby’s Tsunami Duel

F&F vs. AM: secret battle of the spouses! Cable news duo, FNC entertainment reporter Courtney Friel and her hubby CNN correspondent Carter Evans took off time from their Hawaiian vacation to report on the Japanese tsunami for their respective networks. As the waves approached Carter’s native Hawaii, the rival spouses vied for viewers as Courtney reported for Fox & Friends from Oahu and Carter likewise for American Morning.* While acquitting themselves well, neither spouse mentioned their “hated” connubial competitor by name.

*Fox & Friends (Courtney’s appearances) – 03/11/11 (6 o’clock hour link, supra; 7:53 a.m. ET; and 8:37 a.m. ET)

*American Morning (Carter’s appearances) – 03/11/11 (@ 7:30 a.m. ET & @ 8:28 a.m. ET)

Update: TVNewser‘s managing editor, Chris Ariens, echoes Carpe Diem’s story, supra–almost seven hours later. H/t? Nah. But, in his defense, it was the eighth of nine stories that he posted today and the weekend had already begun.

Courtney: Happy New Year, Baby!

At last, Cash Arrives! Fox News entertainment correspondent Courtney Friel and hubby CNN biz correspondent Carter Evans celebrated the joyous new year with the birth of their son, Cash Hudson Evans. Their beautiful baby boy was born at 6:08 a.m. ET this morning and weighed in at 9 pounds.

Congratulations, Courtney and Carter!

[Source: At 8:33 a.m. ET today, Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Dave Briggs tersely announced the happy occasion to viewers and meteorologist Janice Dean happily filled in the details for viewers.]

Friel: “Just Get Him Out of Me Now!”

Fox News entertainment correspondent Courtney Friel announced today that she is taking maternity leave as of tomorrow. After her holiday movie segment on Fox & Friends, Courtney segued to the F&F co-hosts, remarking, “This is my last day before I go on maternity leave so I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. I’m gonna pop this little baby out and see you in a few months.”*

Taking the toss and pointing to herself, a grinning Gretchen Carlson commented, “Courtney, take it from somebody who has popped a couple of those out. It’s not quite that easy.”

Jesting, Brian interjected, “Yeah, it seems effortless.”

Shaking her head, a smiling Courtney exclaimed, “I don’t care. I just want him out of me. I’ll take whatever happens: Just get him out of me now!”

Grinning, Gretchen replied, “Good luck!”

Good luck indeed, Courtney. May you and Carter have a Merry Christmas and joyfully ring in your new year with a happy and healthy new son.

Author’s aside: According to TV Newser (August 9), Courtney revealed that she and her hubby CNN biz correspondent Carter Evans had a “reporter in the making.” She added that she was “PREGGO with a baby BOY” and that she had a late December due date.

*Fox & Friends – 12/17/10 (@8:43 a.m. ET)

Ms. Briggs’ Bra: “Miraculous”?

Mr. Briggs: “She doesn’t need any help!” Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Dave Briggs proclaimed that his wife Brandi’s bosom was ample enough. During the Victoria’s Secret Christmas segment, FNC correspondent Courtney Friel asked Victoria Secret Angels Erin Heatherton, Chanel Iman, Andriana Lima, and Lily Aldridge for suggestions for holiday gift that male viewers could give the women in their lives. After the sexy supermodels had given their helpful hints, a naughty Courtney showed Erin and Andriana a large photo of Dave and asked what he should get for his wife.

Pointing to a racy red Santa outfit, Erin replied, “I think he should go for that: you know, make it crazy!”* However, Andriana made it much more personal: Looking into the camera and holding up a sexy ebony bra, a sultry Andriana purred, “Dave, would you like to see your wife in this, the Miraculous Bra? Let me tell you what it does: It adds two cup sizes. Would you like your wife to have two extra cup sizes? Yes?” Nodding her head eagerly in agreement, Courtney spicily interjected, “Why not! The more the merrier!”

Subsequently, when Courtney concluded her report and segued back to the co-anchor trio, she quickly recommended a purple diaphonous top for Aly and a scarlet Jingle Bell Bikini for Clayton. Taking the toss, the co-hosts laughed at Courtney’s strange suggestion for Clayton while Clayton comically acted as if her were wearing those distaff undies then and there. Next, the conversation turned briefly to Courtney’s pick for Aly. When it was time for Dave to address the supermodels’ suggestions for him as to Brandi, Dave deftly diverted the discussion back to Clayton, asking, “How are those riding up on  you?”

On to Dave’s ploy, Clayton tersely answered, “Good,” and then quickly noted, “Wait, Dave didn’t manage to comment on his.” Without replying, Dave began to read out the segment. Perhaps, remembering Adriana’s remark about the benefits of the Miraculous Bra for Brandi and realizing that he had better say something in her defense, Dave suddenly stopped and emphatically declared, “She doesn’t need any help!”

In other words, Brandi, you [really] are a fine girl.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 11/27/10 (@ 7:40 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.

F&FW: More Courtney & Less Aly?

Reichmuth revelation? After Fox & Friends guest co-anchor Courtney Friel read a story Sunday about a breastfeeding mom who was ousted from McDonald’s and co-host Clayton Morris subsequently tossed to him, FNC meteorologist Rich Reichmuth jested, ““I’m just wondering now with [mom-to-be] Courtney there and [new father] Clayton, how many of these breastfeeding stories are there gonna be.”* In reply, Clayton deadpanned, “We’re actually building a whole block into the show now just for breastfeeding stories.” Laughing, Rick responded, “Of course.” Chiming in, co-anchor Dave Briggs joked, “We need a sponsor!” Perchance, aptly, Rick chuckled: “I know. I believe it. It’s perfect!”

Nothing would be unusual about Rick’s remark if he had uttered it at the beginning of the three-hour program (and, if his colleagues Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs had not then so readily embraced it). However, Rick made his comment with only twenty-two minutes, including commercial breaks, left in F&FW‘s last (and Courtney’s only) show of the weekend. Clearly, Rick indicated that a gravid Courtney’s presence would facilitate those future “breastfeeding stories.” And, Clayton and Dave’s respective remarks about creating a nursing “whole block” and obtaining a breastfeeding “sponsor” added credence to his implication.

Obviously, if Rick’s “revelation” rings true and Courtney returns to F&FW on a more regular basis, she would probably go back to her former role as newsreader or replace F&FW‘s current queen Alisyn Camerota. In that vein, could Aly’s apparent decision to possibly kybosh her blog, Alisyn in the Greenroom,  and to announce it Sunday before the show possibly indicate such a more tenuous relationship to Fox & Friends Weekend. Furthermore, was Dave’s comment at the beginning of F&F Sunday that Aly was taking off “a bit more than the President’s 27 hrs, a few more days than that” more pregnant with meaning that it first appeared to be?**

Conversely, Aly has played such an important role in righting the Fox & Friends Weekend ship after the defenestration debacle (of trio Page Hopkins, Kelly Wright, and Greg Kelly) and its aftermath (Ainsley Earnhardt, Clayton, and Dave) that it seems highly unlikely that FNC SVP of Programming Bill Shine would send Aly elsewhere or allow her to leave. However, it is conceivable if Shine thinks that her erstwhile wards, Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs, have grown sufficiently to carry the show with a less able captain. But, perish the thought!

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 08/15/10 (@9:39 a.m.)

**Fox & Friends Weekend – 08/15/10 (@6:01 a.m.)

Father Morris Meddles?

Fox & Friends Weekend co-hosts: Pray together with significant other tomorrow morning? The usually nimble Father Jonathan Morris, an FNC contributor, may have gone from preaching to “meddling” this morning on F&FW. During his segment entitled “Pray Together, Stay Together” (concerning a new study published in the August edition of Journal of Marriage and Family), Father Jon noted that only 0.3% of “couples that pray together every day…end up separating.”* As he concluded his story, he pointed in turn to F&FW co-hosts, Dave Briggs, Courtney Friel, and Clayton Morris, asking, “So tomorrow morning, yes, yes, with your spouses?”

Perhaps, not expecting Father Jon to directly apply his homily to them, the three co-hosts looked rather sheepish. With widened eyes, Courtney reluctantly shook her head “yes.” Clayton, perhaps, in the most awkward position, deftly deflected the padre’s query, riposting, “I’ll be praying.” Hedging, Dave answered, “We will keep that in mind.”

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 08/15/10 (@10:24 a.m. ET)

[Aside: As to the alluded to F&FW couples, supra, Courtney is married to CNN Newsource correspondent Carter Evans; Clayton is now together with CNET anchor Natali Del Conte; and Dave is married to attorney and former Colorado Congressional candidate, Brandi Moreland Briggs.]

Friel: Bob Hope Alive

Courtney: completely clueless? If not, FNC entertainment correspondent Courtney Friel certainly did not help her case this morning. As any Fox & Friends fan knows, the former Maxim model does not always appear to be the brightest bulb on the FNC set. In fact, today, she seemed only slightly plugged in.

During an F&F segment entitled “Celebrity Charities,” Courtney seemed ill-prepared from the onset.* When co-host Alisyn Camerota questioned her about the difference between a charity and a foundation, Courtney consulted her written notes with almost every phrase. Albeit, she did appear to recuperate a bit when Aly asked about which celebrity had “the worst” charity, i.e., which one had the “fewest dollars go to the actual cause.” (Courtney replied that “the highest operating expenses were at Rosie O’Donnell’s “For All Kids Foundation,” citing Forbes.com.) Nevertheless, when Aly asked whether some of a donor’s money went to overhead rather than “the cause,” Courtney unfortunately flickered.

In her response to Aly, Courtney declared, “It seems like that. And, especially with sports fundraising, that’s like the worst thing to contribute to because Bob Hope, he has a golf tournament every year in Palm Springs, and last year they raised $1.6 million for charity but it cost five times that to run the event.”

Strangely, Aly did not appear to take notice of Courtney’s gaffe or, perchance, she hoped that the audience would ignore it, too. Rather, Aly replied, “Oh, my gosh!”

Indeed. On the eve of the Fourth of July weekend, the entertainment reporter of the armed forces “favorite” news channel does not seem to know that the most illustrious entertainer of America’s troops died almost seven year ago. Crazy!

*Fox & Friends – 07/02/10 (@7:33 a.m. ET)

Friel: Zach, “This Handicapped Person”

“Who Can’t Speak as Coherently as” Dr. Phylis? If viral phenom Zach Anner wins Oprah’s contest to be an OWN host, his John Mayer theme song may well be “Courtney, Your Brain is a Wonderland.” During a Fox & Friends Weekend entertainment segment Sunday with co-anchor Clayton Morris on the rumors that Oprah might be rigging the vote in favor of a rival because of Anner’s cerebral palsy, FNC entertainment correspondent Courtney Friel seemed to defend Oprah, if guilty.

In her story, Courtney, reported that Oprah had created a competition in which online voters choose someone to star in a show for Oprah’s new network OWN.  She explained that the two main competitors were Zach Anner and Dr. Phyllis Tucker-Wicks and that Tucker-Wicks’ votes had spiked after Anner was endorsed by singer John Mayer. Further, she stated that an Internet site had indicated that the “vote button” code had been altered that “could have allowed an Oprah employee to manipulate the votes ’cause, maybe, they wanted Dr. Phyllis to win instead.” Elaborating, she continued, “And, then, everyone was like, ‘Oh, is Oprah, is she discriminating against this handicapped person?'”

In response, Clayton queried, “What are Oprah’s people saying about this?” Courtney replied, “The language in it all is kind of confusing: they’re [that is, the entrants are] not sure if the producer is going to be picking or if it’s going to be the final votes.” Without an apparent grasp of the gravity of discrimination against the physically challenged, she matter-of-factly added, “It’s confusing. And, that’s the big question like, ‘Do you want to give the TV show to someone who can’t speak as coherently as? I don’t know. That’s the big question out there.”

To make matters worse, Clayton seemed similarly insensitive to the issue at hand. In response to Courtney, he opined, “Right, because at the bottom line, somebody could rig the vote. Right? I mean we see this in elections all the time. We saw what happened in South Carolina. Somebody could say, ‘You know what? We want Mickey Mouse to have their own television show….So, maybe, you do need some filter at the end.” Courtney concurred, “Yeah.”

No, Courtney and Clayton. Discrimination against the disabled is a serious matter that should be addressed forthrightly. To compare a vote for “this handicapped person” Anner who “can’t speak as coherently [sic] as” Dr. Phyllis to a vote for Mickey Mouse is simply unacceptable. Even if done in blithe ignorance.

Dave: “Pardon Me, Courtney”

“I wasn’t paying attention.” Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Dave Briggs appeared to channel the author this morning as he shared headline news reading duties with Courtney Friel. After over 2 1/2 hours of a forgettable “special edition” Memorial Day edition, Dave seemed to succumb to the tedium. After Courtney read the first story and a concomitant vid ran, the camera focused upon Dave who was peering downward: looking up suddenly, he turned to Courtney and apologized, “Pardon me, Courtney: I wasn’t paying attention.”

You were not alone, Dave. Of course, F&F viewers who were celebrating the start of their Memorial Day by firing up the grill, grabbing a few bloody Mary’s, and preparing the food may have also had less than an eagle eye on their TV. However, some of those who were actually gathered around the set could be forgiven for suffering from a similar malady.

Readers of this blog had ample warning that FNC SVP of Programming Bill Shine seemed to have plans for a Memorial Day much less memorable than the one last year. (Of course, the 2009 was notable primarily for Dave’s apparent appreciation of the rumps of his female colleagues, Ainsley Earhardt and Janice Dean, as captured and lampooned by Jay Leno.) Notably, Shine did not bring Ainsley back for the celebrations this year and both Dave and Janice were conspicuously absent from the obligatory meat segments. Interestingly, both of them were needled by Clayton: Before his Johnsonville sausage segment with Courtney, Clayton teased a “hungry” Janice that they were “gonna have to keep [her] off the platform” of the weiner mobile and, afterwards, kidded an in-studio Dave about being stuck without eating the brats.*

F&F Memorial Day 2009: a day to remember. F&F Memorial Day 2010: a day to forget.

Fox & Friends – 05/31/10 (@8:39 a.m. ET)

F&F Forgets Ainsley? UPDATE: Recalls Janice

F&FW‘s Memorial Day 2009 (with Ainsley Earhardt), a day to remember. Apparently, FNC SVP of Programming Bill Shine still recalls Fox & Friends Memorial Day last year when guest co-host Ainsley Earhardt heated up the show. Perhaps, he read and recollects Carpe Diem‘s account of Ainsley’s titillating of Dave Briggs with her bawdy banter about “huge meat.” Assuredly, he remembers his star co-host Dave Briggs getting grief from Jay Leno for allegedly eyeing Ainsley’s derriere that day–not to mention the acute embarrassment that Dave felt. Apparently, Shine is making certain that F&F’s Memorial Day 2010 is not quite as memorable: I.e., he has Courtney Friel, not Ainsley Earnhardt, filling in for co-anchor Alisyn Camerota.

But, Bill, will F&F’s Memorial Day be as much fun as last year?

[Author’s aside: As to Aly’s absence, at the conclusion of F&FWSa, Dave stated, “Clayton and I will see you here in, no, this, this is only Saturday [so] all three of us are back tomorrow, and Aly added, “Yeah. I’ll be here tomorrow.” With regard to Courtney’s filling in for Aly, during Red Eye’s “Post-Game Wrap-Up” with Andy Levy Thursday (May 27), Courtney revealed, “I’m going to be hosting Fox & Friends on Monday morning.”]

Update1: On F&FSu (@7:27 a.m. ET),  Aly iterated, “I won’t go to work…tomorrow.”

Update2: According to her blog, Janice Dean will be in tomorrow. Ironically, like last year, while Dave and Clayton will be in tomorrow for Memorial Day, both Aly and Rick are off. Furthermore, like last year Janice is subbing for Rick: However, Courtney, not Ainsley, will be temping for Aly. Apparently, Shine did not want to put the full cast of that ribald episode together again. N.B. Janice was another alleged object of Dave’s roving eye and also engaged in some of the aforementioned “bawdy banter” (ironically, during A.S.S. or the After the Show Show).

Friel Snubs Sivan

But, Courtney chats up Lauren’s “date,” Rick Levanthal. In her Fox & Friends Weekend feature report, Courtney Friel covered the pre-Kentucky Derby 2010 Barnstable Brown Party. At those festivities, she ran into her former FNC colleague and Red Eye rival Lauren Sivan. (On Red Eye, Courtney was the sexy star of Ab News and Lauren was the “Dancing Shiva” of Yoga News.)

After interviewing acclaimed actress Diane Lane and several unnamed celebs, Lauren Sivan and her former fiance, FNC correspondent Rick Levanthal, approached her. When they did, Courtney exclaimed,  “It’s Fox’s Rick Levanthal.”* As Rick gave Courtney a kiss on the cheek and his rapt attention, Lauren looked on with a subdued smile. Subsequently, Courtney interviewed Rick without even acknowledging Lauren and then tossed back to the F&FW co-hosts (Alisyn Camerota, Clayton Morris, and Dave Briggs) without so much as a mention of their former co-worker.

Ouch!

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 05/01/10 (@8:40 a.m. ET)