Prejean: “We Do Look Good Together”

Will blond bombshell Miss California Carrie Prejean join Fox & Friends in the near future? Donald Trump seemed to think it was a capital idea. After his interview with F&F co-hosts Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade, and guest co-host Carrie Prejean, Trump declared, “Congratulations, Carrie: great job! The three of you look very, very good together!”

In fact, the trio appeared to second his assertion. Carrie eagerly responded, “We do look good together!” Steve nodded his agreement, and Brian concurred, “Absolutely!”

Trump would probably like nothing better than to have his Miss USA California replace a former Miss America (Gretchen Carlson) on Fox & Friends. Of Carrie’s appearance on F&F, Trump stated, “She’s doing well, I can tell you that.” He added, “Roger Ailes is a great genius, and I have a feeling that you’re going to see her a lot on Fox.” The Donald explained, “She’s got the IT factor; you know what the IT factor is; and she’s got it!”

Ringless Ainsley: “His Huge Meat”

Ainsley Earhardt returned to Fox & Friends yesterday without a wedding ring but with a wicked sense of humor. And the, apparently, unattached Southern belle directed it at her handsome married co-anchor Dave Briggs. With the aid of weatherwoman Janice Dean and Famous Dave, she toyed with the boy to his discomfit during the barbecue segments.

In a tease to the upcoming barbecue piece, Janice introduced Famous Dave, saying, “[He] came…to mid-town Manhattan to show me some meat, some huge meat.” In her segue to Dave, Ainsley, and Clayton Morris, she remarked, “For the best barbecue Memorial Day that has ever been seen with Famous Dave, we’re coming back in a moment.” Looking at Dave, Ainsley saucily added, “And his huge meat.” In response, Dave merely raised his eyebrows, shook his head, and held his tongue.

Later, in the After the Show Show barbecue segment, Ainsley continued her coquetting. As Famous Dave was displaying the various seasonings, Janice asked, “Is it all about what you rub in the meat?” Both Dave and Ainsley laughed knowingly. When Janice facetiously asked why they did, Dave explained, “Well, you introduced him and said that he brought some huge meat for you.” Janice commented, “This is the After the Show Show where we can have a few little double entendres.” Joining the fun, Famous Dave interjected, “Well, you know, they say Dave packs big meat.” Janice joyfully exclaimed, “Alright, Dave!” Ainsley naughtily queried, “Which Dave?” Smiling, Dave looked down, pursed his lips, pointed to Famous Dave, and tried visibly to maintain his composure.

For Fox & Friends fans, a ringless Ainsley was a rather spicy dish. A memorable Memorial Day!

F&F (05/25/09) – @6:41 p.m.
After the Show Show (05/25/09)

My Name’s Ainsley, Dave!

Ironically, on Memorial Day, Fox & Friends co-host Dave Briggs did not remember his “fallen” colleague this morning. As he segued from the Pundit Pit to his F&F co-anchors, he said, “Let’s get out to Clayton [Morris] and Alisyn [Camerota] with a look at what’s coming up on the show. Guys!” Feigning offense, former F&FW co-anchor and today’s F&F guest host Ainsley Earhardt declared, “My name’s Ainsley, Dave!”

Chagrined, Dave replied, “Did I say Alisyn? I apologize.” Ainsley smiled, “That’s alright: that’s okay.” Standing safely behind Ainsley, Clayton sub rosa aptly asked, “How could you forget?” Turning to the camera, a grinning Dave explained, “Old habits.”

Don’t bring those up, Dave! As many F&FW fans remember, those did not fare well for the then callow line-up of Ainsley, Dave, and Clayton. However, together again, the three seemed to have embraced more welcome wonts: They were smarter, sharper, and edgier.

Happy Memorial Day!

Clayton Spits: Domenica Swallows

Fox & Friends guest meteorologist Domenica Davis would not be denied this morning. After her al fresco weather segment and before the wine one, Domenica segued, “There is some wine in our future, and I’m gonna have to have some.” And she meant it.

While Gary Vaynerchuk of Wine Library TV shared his expertise and gave glasses of various fruits of the vine to co-hosts Clayton Morris, Dave Briggs, and Alisyn Camerota to sample, Domenica cozied up to the table. As Aly inhaled the bouquets of the wines, Dave sneaked some sips, and Clayton took one large gulp but spat it into the taster bucket; Domenica decided not to be so politically correct. Instead, the Italian oenophile eagerly imbibed the potent potations and brazenly swallowed them on air.

Domenica: no shrinking violet. A Latin lust for life!

Ainsley: F&F’s Holiday Aly

Good news, Ainsley afficionados! According to a Fox & Friends insider/source, Ainsley Earhardt returns Memorial Day to the curvy couch. Instead of Alisyn Camerota, Ainsley is scheduled to sit twixt her former F&F Weekend co-hosts, Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs on this holiday edition.

As Carpe Diem readers should remember, some have prematurely relegated the South Carolina sweetie to the dustbin of F&F history. However, unlike other former F&F co-anchors, she continues to return to the center seat on both the weekday and weekend versions as a guest host. When she does, the blonde beauty exhibits remarkable grace, humility, and good cheer. Not something that most television personalities might be apt to do.

Welcome back, Ainsley!

Domenica: Mind That Bird

Our boys were back in town, and Domenica Davis had their rapt attention! As the Marines (fresh in for Fleet Week) showcased their fighting skills and big guns for the public in Times Square outside the F&F studio this morning, they exhibited an extra dollop of testosterone as the Fox & Friends guest meteorologist put them through their paces. F&FW’s winsome weatherfilly, like Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra, had her leatherneck studs heatedly following in her tracks.

In fact, the long-tressed Italian treat, clad in her royal blue, plunging-neckline dress and shod in white foot-flattering thongs, had the eager eye and obedient ear of every red-blooded male Marine there. After our boys had proudly displayed their physical prowess for her in their defensive fighting exhibition, she interviewed them. Not surprisingly, none, apparently, had a wife (or girlfriend) as co-anchor Dave Briggs astutely noted: One gave a shout-out to his mom, another to his aunt, and the last one to his sister. Hmm!

Our fighting boys did not seem to mind that regular meteorologist Rick Reichmuth was vacationing in Hawaii. (For that matter, neither did Domenica.) When it came to Domenica today, the Marines held true to their motto Semper Fi!

For her pre-FNC WBAL-TV vids (including a Preakness one), check the links as follow:

http://www.wbaltv.com/video/9244858/index.html

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/11833877/detail.html

Salty Steve Regales Roginsky

Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy’s blue humor elicited a rare smile from Pundit Pit guest Julie Roginsky. When Steve thanked the partisan politicos at the conclusion of the segment, he playfully described too often dour Democratic strategist Rodinsky as “a consultant…does all that stuff…and is out on the streets late at night.” Rodinsky riantly responded, “Whoa! That sounds, that sounds a lot worse.” To which, Steve risquely replied, “You’ll have to give us all the details later.”

Fleet Week ’09 did begin today in New York.

Kilmeade: Chickenhawk or Patriot?

Former Minnesota governor/pro wrestler Jesse Ventura tried to give Fox & Friends co-anchor Brian Kilmeade a polemic piledriver this morning. In an interview hawking Ventura’s book, “Don’t Start the Revolution without Me,” Brian queried the libertarian independent as to why he was so down on the Bush administration’s “intensive interrogation” tactics. Animatedly, Ventura replied, “I have been waterboarded: It is torture. I can speak from experience: It was part of…training that I went through as a Navy Seal.” Brian sharply inquired, “And are you okay now?” Jesse answered, “I’m fine. Brian responded, “So is Khalid Sheik Mohammed.”

As the discussion continued, it became more and more spirited. Ventura strongly asserted that waterboarding was illegal and that is why America does not do it to its domestic criminals, like gang members and Timothy McVeigh. Brian acerbically asked, “Do you not want us to be attacked?” Dismissively, Ventura declared, “Don’t come after me with that nonsense.” Later, he patronizingly proposed, “Get waterboarded: then we’ll ask you [whether waterboarding is torture].”

To a smirking Ventura, Brian exclaimed, “I’m not blowing up America….These are the people that cut off Danny Pearl’s head, and you’re worried about their welfare.” Ventura countered, “No…I’m worried about what our country stands for….Where’s it going to end? Where’s it going to end?” Brian curtly replied, “When they’re dead.”

Sarcastically, Ventura asked, “Really?…Have you enlisted or are you just talking?…Go walk the walk: Don’t talk the talk!” Brian asked, “So wait a second. So if I’m not in the military, I can’t pull for America? And I can’t fight for America?” Staring angrily at Brian and rocking in his seat, Ventura disdainfully declared, “You ain’t fighting for us. You ain’t fighting for us.” When co-anchor Gretchen Carlson interjected that it was time for a break, Brian looked at Ventura derisively, shook his head, and muttered, “So if you’re not in the military.”

Gretchen later Tweeted, “Must see tv.” Indeed.

Cf. 05/19/09 After the Show Show vid: http://www.foxnews.com/foxfriends/

GM: Gretch Motors Survives

For now the (Gretchen) Carlson family General Motors dealership in Anouk, Minnesota, started in 1919, was spared the feared franchise termination letter. Heralding the good news in a Fox and Friends on-set interview were Gretchen’s parents who were in town to celebrate the sixth birthday of their grandchild Kaia, Gretch and Casey Close’s daughter. However, tempering the elation, Gretch said, “Well, you skirted the first round”: Her mom agreed, “And now we’ll see. Now we’ll see.”

Congrats, Gretch and fam!

*After the Show Show: 05/18

Prejean Promises: Sweet Nothings?

Was Miss California Carrie Prejean just whispering sweet nothings in the ear of Roger Ailes? Did her purported promises mean nothing? I.e., is she going to be a no-show guest host on Fox & Friends next Wednesday?

In Washington Whispers (U.S. News & World Report), Paul Bedard had stated that she had finalized a deal with F&F to fill in for co-host Gretchen Carlson on May 27.* Nevertheless, today TVNewser indicated Fox insiders said that the Miss USA runner-up’s people had cancelled her appearance in an e-mail Friday but that subsequent negotiations continued throughout the weekend: However, it added that a FNC spokesperson had confirmed that Prejean would “absolutely still [be] hosting.”**

Carrie may well stand up CNN’s Larry King for his show the night after her 22nd birthday with impunity.*** However, she will not be able to stiff her stalwart FNC supporters in such a fashion. After standing by their favorite pinup and her pageant patron Donald Trump, they will not be amused nor very understanding if their loyalty is not returned.

http://www.usnews.com/mobile/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/5/14/miss-california-on-cable-news-fox–friends-gives-carrie-prejean-her-chance.html

**http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/fnc/is_carrie_prejean_trying_to_back_out_of_her_fox_news_hosting_stint_116679.asp

***http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/14/carrie-prejean-miss-calif_n_203780.html

Dancing Queen: Janice Dean

Today Fox & Friends co-host Alisyn Camerota, “Baby Got Back” dancing queen, threw her tiara to Janice Dean, the “Weather Machine.” After the author bemoaned Aly’s unexpected refusal yesterday to bust a full-body Thriller move at meteorologist Rick Reichmuth’s request, happily, F&F did another Burger King/Spongebob “I Like Square Butts” ad segment.* However, this time Aly and her co-anchor Dave Briggs remained sitting on the curvy couch while moving to the music and Clayton just sat there with eyes impishly askance.

Nevertheless, when the trio segued to the maternal meteorologist on the sidewalk outside the studio, she began to gyrate sans music while doing some of her signature steps. After she gave her weather report, she again jauntily jigged without an air and laughed, “Where’s the music?” When the producers finally piped out Sir Mix-A-Lot’s tune, Janice really started shaking her groove thing a la her ante-mom days.

Janice Dean: Baby Got Back!

Rick Rocks 2Nite: Aly, Domenica 2morrow?

“Baby Got Back” Day

*F&FW (05/17/09) – @8:39 a.m. ET

Colmes: Dave, “Don’t Say That to Me!”

Did Alan Colmes leave Hannity & Colmes with his ego fully intact? His performance on Fox & Friends Weekend in his interview with co-anchor Dave Briggs might call that into question. In a quite contentious segment on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s future, Colmes took issue sharply with Briggs’ assertions that the Speaker was losing credibility with her evolving tale of her C.I.A. waterboard briefing, that either C.I.A. chief Leon Panetta or Speaker Pelosi was lying, etc. Nothing necessarily out of the ordinary.

However, when Briggs asserted that Colmes was not answering his query as to whether Pelosi should have investigated whether the waterboarding was actually occurring if she did not already know, Colmes snapped. Taking obvious offense to a grinning Briggs with arms crossed, Colmes severely and sonorous retorted, “Stop that! Don’t tell me about answering your question. I’m answering your question. Don’t say that to me!”

After laughing in response, Briggs began to realize that he had struck a rather raw nerve. Taken aback, he responded, “Okay” to a chafed Colmes. Even though Briggs then seemed to give him his space and a bit more deference, he continued to ask the tough questions on President Obama’s decisions to not release detainee photographs and to reauthorize military commissions.

Perhaps, Colmes’ departure from H&C was not fully his choice after all.

The Girl Says Goodbye

All alone, co-anchor Alisyn Camerota ended Fox & Friends rather abruptly today. Apparently, the boys (Dave Briggs, Clayton Morris, and Rick Reichmuth) had something better to do than to wish their audience adieu. After wrapping her Cooke Center interview segment at 9:56 a.m., Aly unexpectedly turned to the camera and said, “And thanks to all of you for watching Fox & Friends: We’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

At least, it was the lovely Alisyn Camerota suddenly bidding her viewers farewell. Strangely, she made no mention of her conspicuously absent male colleagues. Much ado about nothing? Perhaps.

Nevertheless, a peculiar parting.

Rick Rocks 2Nite: Aly, Domenica 2morrow?

Sorry, Rick Reichmuth fans, but your favorite Fox & Friends Weekend weatherguy will be off Sunday. According to Rick, even though his birthday is actually next Thursday, the genial gent will be celebrating tonight and, understandably, will be sleeping in tomorrow morning. Happy early birthday, Rick!

For devotees of weatherwoman Domenica Davis, Rick’s usual and probable stand-in tomorrow, you should have four hours to enjoy your Latin lovely. Even though Rick was not able to coax an unusually coy Alisyn Camerota to show off her full-body Thriller moves today, perhaps, tomorrow Domenica will be more successful in getting the “Baby Got Back” dancing queen off the curvy couch to “stand up and gyrate” to the pulsating rhythm of MJ’s megahit.

F&F dancing girls: a sure ratings boost!

Fox (Prejean) & Friends

Look out 1989 Miss America, Gretchen Carlson: 2009 Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean, is replacing you! Albeit for only an hour–at least, for now. According to Washington Whispers (U.S. News & World Report), FNC inked the Miss USA runner-up and communications major to guest host for Gretchen on May 27 from 6:00-7:00 a.m. ET: The deal was finalized the very day (Wednesday) that Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump highly recommended that Rupert Murdoch hire the “great beauty” in an interview on Fox and Friends.

May 27: A real fox & Friends!

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/05/14/miss-california-on-cable-news-fox–friends-gives-carrie-prejean-her-chance.html

Al, thanks for the “heads up.”

Mr. U.S.A. Riles Miss America

Fox & Friends co-anchor Gretchen Carlson got her feathers ruffled by Donald Trump this morning. In the Miss USA pageant owner’s first interview (via phone) with F&F since he decided to let Miss California Carrie Prejean keep her crown after the Perez brouhaha, co-host Brian stated that he liked the contestants addressing the issues of the day. After noting that Carrie and other Miss USA competitors were given very tough questions, Trump remarked, “Our pageants are doing fantastically, Miss Universe [and] Miss U.S.A.: And, the Miss America pageant is off network television, off the air, and nobody even knows where it is.”

Taking umbrage at his denigration of her very crowner, the former Miss America animatedly answered, “Wait a minute, Donald; wait a minute. As a former Miss America, let’s be fair and balanced. We are not off national tv: we are on TLC.” Trump scoffed, “What is that?”Gretchen continued, “And, by the way, there are many differences between the programs: There is a talent competition in Miss America and all the money is used for scholarships. So, let’s not get into a war over that. Let’s just keep it all fair and balanced.” Betwixt Gretchen and Miss California on the curvy couch, Brian interjected, “Yeah, especially, Donald, look where I’m sitting!” Ignoring Brian and addressing Gretchen, a chastened yet undeterred Trump responded, “No, it has to be fair and balanced: I agree with that. But, you know, they are not on network television, and there is a difference.”

Laurels to Gretch for defending her realm. However, the Donald is right: It’s a declining one.

Juliet Cleaver? Right!

Beaver’s mom? In spite of sporting a black dress adorned as if with an aqua apron on FNC’s Live Desk (LD) today, guest host Juliet Huddy is no June Cleaver. The co-host of cancelled The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet, not known for 50’s Babbitt-like mores, seems to embrace today’s new, naughtier ethics. On LD, a transitional show from a.m.’s lighter fare to p.m.’s heftier one, Juliet toyed with Shepard Smith as he previewed an upcoming Studio B segment on future changes to the hospital gown.

Looking at the the often embarrassing patient apparel, Juliet asked, “Tell me about the hospital gowns: I want to know how they are changing.” Shep instructed, “Well, put it on.”  Complying, Juliet teased, “You’re supposed to be naked when you put these things on.” Shep replied, “But you’re not naked at the moment.” As she began to put it on, almost ruefully, she responded, “No, well.”

Then Shep began to explain that the problem with the hotel gown is that one’s “butt hangs out.”  Meanwhile, as she donned it and turned her backside to the camera, she provocatively opened it as if to expose her bare derriere to the viewer and exclaimed, “Whoo-hoo!” Shep smiled at her antics and continued on.

Yes, the former Fox & Friends Weekend co-host is back and roaring to go!

Kiran & Knowles on A.M.?

Waking up to Kiran and Knowles in the morning again? Is a pairing anew of American Morning comely co-host Kiran Chetry and her hubby WPIX meteorologist possible? As Fox & Friends Weekend fans fondly recall, co-anchor Kiran once showed her smart, sassy, sexy side while her secret hubby weatherman Chris Knowles exhibited an understated, personable, and witty nature on the same show

Last Friday, Kiran reminded her F&FW fans and alerted her A.M. audience to the dynamic duo. After guest host Carol Costello had complained earlier to AM meteorologist Rob Marciano about the gloomy day in NYC and he simply answered that, at least, it was a Friday, Kiran delivered good news from her favorite weatherman. Kiran said, “I know a meteorologist who told me that, Carol, it was not dreary out there; it is just the beginnings of some morning fog; [and] it’s going to burn off: There you have it!”

Knowingly, Carol responded, “That one must be brilliant. Who is that brilliant meteorologist?” Kiran laughingly gushed, “He must be genius: He’s my hubby!” [Maybe, not a genius: It did take a certain bathing beauty to help him open his eyes at WICU-TV in Erie, Pennsylvania.]

A sweet shout out to Knowles or a subtle suggestion to CNN (if only as a fill-in for Rob)? Or, maybe, both?

Pulling Back F&F’s Curtain

Refreshing honesty! Fox News reporter Brian Wilson turned FNC into the Frank News Channel this morning. As his Fox & Friends story about a government give-away ($7.5 million of the stimulus for a postponed rebuilt boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, DE, the playground of the wealthy and Washington pols) was introduced, co-anchor Gretchen Carlson jested, “He always gets the tough assignments: He’s down in Florida…now he’s at Rehoboth Beach.” Then she emotively asked, “What’s going on there? Was this a shovel-ready project, Brian?” Barbing her back a bit, Brian riposted, “That is a great question, and I’m glad that you asked it: I’m glad that I asked you to ask it, actually.” (In response, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade laughed uncomfortably and Gretch gave him a funny look.)

“Refreshing”? Yes. Instead of sticking with the tired script of complimenting an anchor for a canned question, Brian good-naturedly “pulled back the curtain” for a brief moment. For many listeners who realize that an interviewer often is reading from a teleprompter, the empty praise is irksome and condescending to the listener: It’s as if a priest were to laud the parishioner in a responsive reading for his/her acute theological observation.

Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road!

F&F Goes to the Dogs

Today Fox & Friends co-hosts Dave Briggs, Steve Doocy, and Gretchen Carlson provided a playful paean to F&F’s puckish past with the homemade dog food segment. As the cook, Planet Green’s Wa$ted co-host Holter Graham, opened the segment with Dave and Steve, one of the doggie tasters (a producer’s pet) began to disrupt him with his bark: Taking the lead and continuing to make his peace with PETA, Dave went over to the offending pooch, petted him affectionately, and then planted a big buss on the mutt’s mouth. Shortly thereafter, Steve crazily cajoled Graham to eat some of the food out of the doggie dish with him: After Steve downed an ort, he began to sillily scratch behind his ear. Later in the show, when he told the audience he had also had other off-camera side effects like kicking his leg vigorously, Gretch goatishly goofed, “Hopefully, you weren’t doing the other thing that accompanys that sometimes.”

Wa$ted or Beneful?