Shepard Smith: I’m Gonna Go Away for a Bit

“When I eventually do return, I’ll be returning from the Fox News Deck.” Fox Report host Shepard Smith signed off Thursday from his evening show for good, sounding even more optimistic about his future at Fox News than Alan Colmes did when he left Hannity and Colmes for “greener pastures” five years ago.

Apparently making way for Megyn Kelly‘s imminent move to prime time, Shep bid adieu to his audience and announced the end of his evening show Thursday. In the final segment of Fox Report, Shep remarked, “I’ve been saying good night…for years and anchoring this newscast since 1999. But, for a while really, I’ve been well aware that most of you already know the news or much of it before we even sign on each evening.” Explicating the denouement of his Fox Report further, Shep said, “The world’s changed a lot in the last fourteen years: smartphones, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and all the rest: We get the news in real time across lots of platforms, and frankly, this concept of anchor in the box telling you what happened hasn’t change that much since the 1960’s. It’s time for something new: And, we’re gonna lead the way!”

Announcing a hiatus of unknown duration, Shep added, “So, I’m gonna go away for a bit and get my bum shoulder fixed.” Assuring his FNC fans that his departure would not be permanent, Shep declared, “When I eventually do return, I’ll be returning from the Fox News Deck.” Elaborating, he said, “From there we’ll fuse multiple platforms and bring the global resources of this amazing company including social media and digital content to the screen all at once. And, on its time, not on ours!”

Optimistically, he promised, “I’ll report whenever the news happens no matter what program is scheduled.”  Shaking his head for emphasis, Shep declared, “It’s the most exciting venture of my career. My team and I are pumped. And, I hope you’ll come along for the ride.”

Concluding somewhat sentimentally, Shep remarked, “So, Fox Report‘s going away in the next few weeks. It’s been an honor and a privilege to anchor this newscast. Bigger and better is coming with Shepard Smith reporting from the Fox News Deck.”

Shep on Fox News Deck: But, will Ailes’ promise mean a real chance for Shep to go to bat and get a hit for himself and Fox News? If so, good luck, Shep: Get a hit!

Prime-Time Megyn: “Hannity & Kelly”?

Roger Ailes’ “Minor Change”? In an exclusive Thursday, the Drudge Report reported that Fox News was “set to make its first primetime schedule change in 10 years” and that “superstar newswoman Megyn Kelly [had] landed the 9 PM slot” according to its top sources. When asked about that “rumor” by Fox News’s Neil Cavuto, FNC chief Roger Ailes responded, “Well, generally, I don’t confirm or deny any rumors….However, Megyn has earned a better time period: She’ll be in our prime-time lineup. But, I must quickly say that all of our stars will be back: We have new deals with (Sean) Hannity and Greta (Van Susteren) and Shep(ard Smith).” Noticing Ailes’ obvious omission, Cavuto quizzically commented, “So, it sounds to me like (Bill) O’Reilly‘s gone: Mischievously, Ailes answered, “Yep, he’s finished, that’s it! No, I’m just kidding.”*

According to New York Times columnist Bill Carter, the prevailing speculation is that Megyn will get her own hour and Sean Hannity will move to the 7:00 p.m. slot (replacing Fox Report with Shepard Smith) and Shep will move to an afternoon hour. However, in his Cavuto interview, Ailes himself cryptically remarked, “We have a great roster of talent: I am making a few minor changes….You have to choose well in the first place and have the guts to stay with people who can do the job. And, that’s what I try to do.”** Furthermore, he reportedly explained, “One of my jobs is to get the best audience flow between shows and that’s one of the reason[s] I’m making a few changes right now.”***

And, that very audience of Ailes in both prime-time and full-day ratings “has had a median age of 65-plus (according to the aforementioned NYT author). If the anecdotal observation that older people tend to be resistant to change is true, Ailes would do well to only “[make] a few minor changes” as he seeks to facilitate the “best audience flow” of his hyper-loyal older viewers (and tries  to attract a younger demographic at the same time). Creating three new shows for Megyn, Hannity, and Shep, as the NYT suggested, seems more than a few major changes–especially, when Gretchen Carlson’s new fall show and, an imminent iteration of Fox & Friends (with new co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck) are added into the mix.

“Hannity and Kelly”? Don’t count it out.

*Therightscoop.com (video and text) – 08/08/13.

**Ibid.

***Therightscoop.com (video) – 08/08/3 (@ 02:12/04:13).

[Author’s aside: If Megyn does indeed join Hannity, Ailes real primetime schedule (8-11 p.m.), the hosts will represent true-blue gender equality surpassing rivals CNN and MSNBC.]

FNC’s New Future: Megyn In for Greta?

Van Susteren: “I’ve been been bucking to get an earlier hour for years….”* Apparently, her boss Roger Ailes was listening: Only five days after FNC On the Record anchor Greta van Susteren uttered those very words to her old friend Larry King on his 06/27/13 eponymous online show, Fox News issued a release which read, “[America Live anchor] Megyn Kelly will move to Fox News Channel’s (FNC) primetime lineup upon her return, announced Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO, FOX News.” However, FNC took pains to highlight the fact that Greta had been signed to a long-term contract (as well as FNC’s other prime time hosts Bret Baier, Shepard Smith, Bill O’Reilly, and Sean Hannity).

In King’s interview of Greta, the former CNN anchor discussed the possible personnel changes of new CNN honcho Jeff Zucker: In so doing, she referenced FNC and her long-time chief, saying, “Look at Fox News….Roger Ailes has been there the whole time I’ve been there. We haven’t had a change in eleven and half years.” Nonchalantly or not, she continued, “I’ve been bucking to get an earlier hour for years but that ain’t happening….If anyone ever left, I would put in a pitch.”

Now that Ailes has decided to change his storied FNC schedule, it seems that Greta will get her wish of an earlier hour. But, whom will she replace or with whom will she pair? If Greta replaces anyone, it will probably be Fox Report host Shepard Smith who could continue to work in his “long-term contract” as anchor of Studio B. But, if Greta were to co-host instead, a likely pairing would be with fellow conservative Sean Hannity who sorely needs fresh blood to reinvigorate his recently ratings-challenged show.

And, if Greta does vacate her 10 p.m. ET throne, it seems that Fox’s long-suffering “rising star” has finally achieved her rightful place in the FNC ether. In December of 2008, Carpe Diem warned Greta to watch out for Megyn. Six months later, the New York Times eyed Megyn as a “potential heir to Ms. Van Susteren.”

Now, Megyn’s time has come: Prime time!

*Larry King Now – 06/27/13 (@ 11:29/28:19

Five’s Beckel Unhinged: [Medgar] Evers “Turncoat”

Oops! Bob bizarrely loses his civil rights mantle cred. Today, the proud self-proclaimed son of a “liberal who went into the South and was arrested 57 times in the civil rights movement registering blacks” and who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., evidenced an appalling lack of knowledge when it came to a pivotal chapter in the nations history. During a segment on black Louisiana state senator Elbert Guillory who changed from the Democratic party to the GOP, Beckel tried to impugn him by trying to recall another black Louisiana “turncoat.” Unfortunately, for Bob, it backfired on him, his co-hosts, and The Five.

In the Five block moderated by co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle,* Bob tried to push-back when his more conservative co-hosts, Kimberly, Eric Bolling, and Greg Gutfeld appeared to defend Guillory’s decision. Looking down, Beckel declared, “Louisiana has had a long history–and I wish [that] I could remember the name of this guy whose brother was a very well known civil rights activist who was I think a Congressman. And, this guy converted to the Republican Party because he was paid to convert to the Republican Party to sift off the votes from the Democrats.”

After further discussion with his conservative co-hosts (including Dana Perino) of Guillory, Bob errantly announced, “I just remembered the name of the guy who was, his brother became a turncoat.”

Derisively, Kimberly enjoined, “[‘C]ause the control room gave it to you in your ear?”

Struggling mightily, Bob stammered, “Megan, Meg, Megan, Malcolm Evers’ brother, Charles Evers’ brother, Malcolm…got, got paid money to go on the Republican Party to sift off votes the Democrat.”

To make matters even worse, when Greg asked, “Were you bringing, why, to denigrate this man’s brave,” Bob declared, “I didn’t deny what this guy’s, what he was saying but Louisiana has a history of doing this. They have a history of doing it!”

Unfortunately, Bob’s bluster ruled the day on the Five. Perhaps, just as embarrassing or even more so, none of his co-anchors nor F&F‘s vaunted control room challenged his addled version of the civil rights struggle–in Mississippi!

Clearly, a muddled Bob was referring to the Mississippi civil rights martyr Medgar Evers and his activist older brother Charles Evers. It was Medgar who died at the hands of Byron Beckwith for the cause in June 11, 1963, and Charles who took his place as field secretary of the MS NAACP. Subsequently, Charles became the mayor of Fayette in 1963 (and the NAACP’s “Man of the Year”); a gubernatorial candidate; a U.S. Senate candidate: And, in 1989, Charles switched his allegiance to the GOP.

Today in Bob’s world, Louisiana and Mississippi looked alike: “Megan” Evers, “Malcolm” Evers, Charles Evers, Medgar Evers were all one and the same, too. Not quite the civil rights account of which Bob’s Dad would be rightly proud. Nor should Bob, his co-hosts, or The Five suits.

*The Five – 06/19/13 (@ 5:38 p.m. ET)

Kiran Chetry: Back “Soon!!!!!”

ICN: Not a Chance… Only three days ago, Carpe Diem speculated that former Fox News host and CNN anchor Kiran Chetry might once again arouse her fans in the early dawn on yet a third cable news channel, MSNBC. It reported that Kiran had that day announced that she and her “good buddy” MSNBC host Willie Geist were both keynote speakers at Pace University’s Financial Education Day (Pleasantville, NY). Furthermore, it noted that Geist was leaving his show Way Too Early and that Kiran might just be ready for her “very special opportunity” that she had envisioned when she left American Morning over a year ago.

Fellow blogger Spud seemed less than impressed with the author’s musings. In an ICN post a day later entitled, “Willie Geist to Today…,” he asked readers who the new Way Too Early host would be with the options of Luke Russert, Mike Barnicle, Richard Lui, Veronica De La Cruz, Thomas Roberts, and “someone else.” In an update to the article, he linked to Carpe Diem‘s “Kiran Chetry: Way Too Early?,” scoffing, “Not a Chance….”

However, last night, Kiran Chetry appeared ready and eager to get back in the cable news game. With the Vice-Presidential debate as a backdrop, Kiran sent an incredible forty missives (thirty-seven Tweets and three reTweets). Before the debate began, one of Kiran’s acolytes queried, “When are you coming back. [sic] We miss you.” Succinctly, she replied, “[S]oon!!!!!”

Perhaps, Spud is right: But, with the seasonal change, the ole boy may be a bit off his game. Last night, Kiran promised to come back “soon!!!!” And, she seems perfectly positioned to take the place of her “good buddy” Willie Geist at Way Too Early–even if the author wishes she would take her seat on the Fox & Friends curvy couch if her old nemesis, Gretchen Carlson, vacates it after the election.

Shep: “Forget the National Day of Intolerance!”

Today Studio B anchor Shepard Smith threw a rather sharp elbow at fellow FNC anchor Mike Huckabee today. During his 3 p.m. ET show, Shep dubbed today the “National Day of Intolerance.” Not lost on his round-table Fox News co-workers nor his viewers was the fact that today is the day that the eponymous host of Huckabee called for a “Chick fil-A Appreciation Day.”

Eight days ago (July 31), Mike Huckabee declared that he was “incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick fil-A company” because of the CEO’s recent remarks that the “Biblical view of marriage should be upheld. Consequently, he exhorted his fans to counter the “vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left” by celebrating August 1 as “Chick fil-A Appreciation Day” by patronizing the restaurant or signalling support via Twitter or Facebook.

Apparently, Shep was not quite on board with the whilom Arkansas governor’s request. After a story on the eight expelled badminton Olympians (with FoxSports.com national senior writer Peter Schrager), Shep acerbically added, “It’s National Badminton Day”: forget the “National Day of Intolerance.” Meanwhile, Schrager and FNC chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt, both sitting with Shep, simply could not contain their snickers.

Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day or National Day of Intolerance? They report. You decide.

[Author’s aside – Chick-Fil-A is written “Chick Fil-A,” supra, when Huckabee is quoted for textual accuracy: An insertion of sic, supra, was forgone to facilitate the natural flow of the story.]

Studio B with Shepard Smith – 08/01/12 (@ 3:24 p.m. ET)

Update: Vid via Mediaite.

Rick Reichmuth’s “Rude” Landing: Cops Called

Dave Briggs: “Sorry, Rick, I just outed the whole story!” Fox & Friends Weekend meteorologist Rick Reichmuth was having a “good morning” Saturday. Excitedly, he reported on the 30th Annual Quick Chek NJ Festival of Ballooning during his seven weather segments and enthusiastically shared video and pics (1, 2, and 3) with his Twitter followers. Then, it took a notable turn for the worse as he subsequently took a scenic balloon ride that ended in an irate farmer’s field. Unfortunately, Rick did not tell that part of the story: But, his FNC office-mate and F&FW co-host Dave Briggs did.

On Saturday, as Rick’s final weather forecast ended, he took flight in a red, white, and blue balloon ironically with “800 FARMERS” emblazoned thereon.* Recalling that fact Sunday, Dave introduced the first weather segment, remarking, “The last we saw of Rick Reichmuth, he was getting on an air balloon and floating off: the next thing we know, Maria Molina is in. I…don’t know what conclusion you could draw other than, maybe, he didn’t land.” Laughing, Maria replied that she hoped that Rick would make it back safely and added that he would be having a long weekend off.

When Maria’s forecast concluded, Dave took the toss and filled in the juicy details: Chuckling, he revealed, “And, I should mention [that] Rick did land on his hot air balloon–in a farm: And, the man actually called the police. He wasn’t so interested in them landing in there.” As his co-hosts Alisyn Camerota and Clayton Morris laughed gleefully, a grinning Dave added, “Sorry, Rick, I just outed the whole story! It was good times.”

“Good times”? Perhaps, for everyone except Rick and his poor pilot. And, the angry farmer who, apparently, was not one of the “800” who sponsored Rick’s ill-fated balloon.

Rick, no pain, no gain: Just a little extra curricular F&FW fun for the fans!

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 07/28/12 (@ 9:38 a.m. ET)

Yep, Julie Banderas Gravid Again

“Yes haven’t u heard?” In case, anyone missed her big announcement a month ago, FNC correspondent Julie Banderas reminded her fans that she was preggers today with her second child. For her uninitiated acolytes, she subtly teased, “Check out my good friend and Senior Producer of @HappeningNow @ClintPHenderson ‘s blog featuring my Addison! :) fxn.ws/LM0d1u.” When one linked to Henderson’s post titled, “Sneak Peak of Baby Banderas Celebrating the 4th of July!,” a photo appeared of Julie’s darling daughter Addison walking hand-in-hand with her gravid mom.

In response, one apparent new follower of Julie queried, “So… is there another little Banderas on the way?” In response, she cheerfully declared, “Yes haven’t u heard? I’m 5 1/2 weeks pregnant due in November.” For any other such new devotee enraptured by their goddess’ miraculous short gestation period, Julie later Tweeted, “I meant MONTHS not weeks!”

Lately, Julie has seemed especially ebullient about her and her husband Andrew Sansone‘s second “bun in the oven”: on Independence Day, she sent a pic of Addison and baby bump, Tweeting, “Happy 4th from 2 kids! ;).” She has every right to be proud.

Congratulations, Julie and Andrew!

[Author’s aside: For Julie’s fans who can barely wait for her second baby’s pics, cf. here for a vid link to her firstborn Addison Melissa’s Fox Report debut.]

F&F First: The Thrill is Back?

Prudish desk ditched! Today, leggy Fox & Friends First co-host Heather Childers brought sexy back–again–as she returned to F&FF‘s original sleek set. Gone was the table that producers had priggishly brought in Tuesday to conceal the gorgeous gams of co-hosts Anna Kooiman and Ainsley Earhardt after they made such a stir from their “leg chairs” Monday on F&FF‘s premiere: Back were the chic stem chairs and Heather proudly reigned atop one of them as she deftly delivered the news in her short fuschia dress.

Perhaps, it was NewHounds acerbic review (“blondest and leggiest show Fox ‘News’ has ever produced…[for]…merkin men” or Chickaboomer‘s more subtle pan of “‘Fox & Friends First’ Skirting the Issues” that cowed F&FF producers into censorious prudes for a few days. However, happily, they returned to their senses today and showcased anew the sexy stems of their smart comely co-host. Perchance, Carpe Diem played some role in facilitating this welcome change back with critiques Tuesday (“Fox & Friends: Losing Sexy Fast”) and Wednesday (“Fox & Friends First: Happening Not!”).

Regardless, laurels, F&FF. The thrill is back!

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.

Roberts: No Silver Fox

What was “the wife” Kyra Phillips thinking? Former American Morning co-anchor John Roberts made his virgin appearance on Fox News yesterday on Studio B with Shepard Smith with a drab brown suit and a recently colored coif to match. Unfortunately, CNN’s celebrated silver-maned alpha male looked more like an FNC brown-haired beta boy.

When Roberts made his surreal appearances on Studio B with Shepard Smith, Special Report with Bret Baier, and Fox Report with Shepard Smith, he seemed to sense his fans may not be completely on board with his transition to Fox News. As hosts Shepard and Brett heartily welcomed him aboard, Roberts barely mustered much beyond a mere “thank you” to his new colleagues.

As usual, Roberts’ report (on Congressional safety) was well done but the presentation was certainly not in his usual confident, amiable manner. Like his recent American Morning colleague Kiran Chetry, he may still consider CNN the “gold standard” but he needs to buck up. And, John, even if you are FNC’s senior national correspondent, you can loosen up, too: you’re not on CNN anymore.

Ole Miss’ Colonel Shep

Trampoline Bear Abuse or Cool Critter Celebration? As Shepard Smith‘s beloved Ole Miss progresses forward with its mascot pick of the Rebel Black Bear to replace Colonel Reb, the Studio B and Fox Report anchor continues to be conflicted about moving forward from his signature segment “Bear Alert” to a more animal-friendly “Cool Critters.” As a case in point, last Thursday, Shep reported the very same story (about a newborn Atlanta panda cub) under the respective rubrics differently on his two daily FNC programs: To wit, on Studio B, Shep narrated the tale as the “Bear Alert,” accompanying it as usual with the cruel Trampoline Bear video (showing a tranquilized bear falling from a tree onto a trampoline, being hurled high into the air, and then crashing headfirst into the unyielding ground) whereas on the Fox Report, Shep retold it as a “Cool Critters” story without the repugnant Trampoline Bear clip.

Unfortunately, Shep’s recent setback occurred just a mere week to the day that he showed significant promise on Studio B during his “Bear Report.” On that show, he aired the Trampoline Bear clip but he elided the offensive frames of the black bear crashing into the concrete-like earth albeit jesting about “bear trampoline safety.” Optimistic that Shep may have turned a proverbial corner, the author penned, Carpe Diem‘s “Hope Springs Eternal” that he would not “return to his vomit.”

Unfortunately, Shep did just that as he returned to his folly Thursday on Studio B‘s “Bear Alert.” But, did he repent a mere three hours later on Fox Report‘s “Cool Critters”? Hope may spring eternal, but its flame is dimmed with each passing day.

Colonel Shep, walk into the light!

Update: Eight days later (last Friday), Fox Report producers took a different tack. Instead of choosing between the rubric “Bear Alert” or “Cool Critters,” they did both basically. As guest host Jon Scott previewed the FR‘s final segment entitled “Bear Buddies” (about an older female polar bear at Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland, being introduced to a twenty-three-month-old male as a companion), Jon commented, “Now, Bear Alert and Cute [sic?] Critter Alert, Britain’s only polar bear getting a new friend but don’t expect cubbies anytime soon.” The odious Trampoline Bear video did not run after this conflated alert. More progress?

*Fox Report with Shepard Smith – 11/12/10 (@ 7:54 a.m. ET)

Hope Springs Eternal

Trampoline Bear suspended in mid-air. Perhaps, Studio B (and Fox Report) anchor Shepard Smith was toying with the author and the black bear yesterday as Charles Shulz’ Peanuts character Lucy continuously did with Charlie Brown and the football. However, hopefully, he is simply beginning to realize that repeatedly and gleefully showing an animal (albeit anesthetized) being pummeled into the ground by its own weight is rather cruel.

As Studio B drew to a close, Shep did a “Bear Alert” about the proliferation of black bears at Yellowstone National Park. Then he aired a photo of Fox Report chief correspondent Jonathan Hunt and a field producer Lisa Kaplan posing with a black bear statue at the Black Bear Diner in Reno, Nevada. Segueing to his Trampoline Bear video, Shep stated, “Jonathan Hunt on the road compiling stories…[about]…issues that matter to ordinary Americans which includes bears obviously.”*

Then, as the vid began of the Trampoline Bear falling from the tree and being propelled high into the air, Shep continued, “Word is they were discussing.” When the producer stopped the video with the bear mid-air (and showing the last frame for approximately five full seconds), Shep chuckled, “Bear trampoline safety!” Laughing with him, tellingly, was, apparently, the producer and a floor crew member.

Bear trampoline safety: a worthy Shepard “Bear Alert.”

Studio B – 10/28/10 (@3:56 p.m. ET)

As a Dog Returns to Its Vomit

So Shep returns to his Trampoline Bear video. Alas, Fox News’ Shepard Smith’s “‘Bear Alert’ to end all ‘Bear Alerts”  (Ole Miss mascot) Thursday was not to be. Unfortunately, on the Fox Report Friday, Shep aired yet another “Bear Report”–and, of course, his favorite animal cruelty cine.*

As Shep read his “Bear Report” about an errant black bear on New York’s Rochester Institute of Technology campus that had to be tranquilized and trapped, he showed a photo of the downed animal. Joking, Shep remarked, “At just one and a half years old, the bear is too young for college anyway.” Then, as he ran the Trampoline Bear vid, supra, he laughed, “It should be playing on trampolines.”

Interestingly, Shep did not air the video chronologically this time, instead he began it midway with the Trampoline Bear a/k/a Black Bear Reb barreling into the ground headfirst and crumpling under its weight (and then looped it to show the black bear falling from the tree onto the trampoline and bouncing high into the air.) Perhaps, like a spoiled and petulant child, Shep just could not wait for his “dessert.”

Apparently, the coronation of Ole Miss’ Black Bear Reb has sadly changed nothing for Shep. Like a party-hardy frat boy, Shep just cannot seem to quit throwing up. If he does not, just how long Shep’s Fox News viewers can tolerate the stench is the salient question.

Fox Report – 10/15/10 (@7:58 p.m. ET)

The Good Shepard Hydes

FNC’s genteel Dr. Jeckyll, the good Shepard Smith, transmogrified into the hideous Mr. Hyde on Studio B but later returned to his saner self on the Fox Report. On Studio B, Shep reveled anew in the cruel Trampoline Bear video as he inserted it twice into his “Bear Alert” on an unrelated Lake Tahoe bear burglar report. However, later, when he ran the same story again on Fox Report, Shep found the decency to cut the offending frames (of the black bear crumpling under its own weight as it plunged headfirst into the hard ground) from the clip.** Just who the hell is Fox News’ Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde? Flim Flam, Bim Bam, Ole Miss, by Damn!

*Studio B – 08/25/10 (@3:55 p.m. ET)

**Fox Report – 08/25/10 (@7:28 p.m. ET)

The Good Shepard?

News of great joy? Fox News’ Shepard Smith appears to have crossed over from the dark side when it comes to the Trampoline Bear video. Last Friday, the weekday Fox Report (and Studio B) anchor defended his use of the exploitative tape (of a tranquilized black bear falling from a tree onto a trampoline, being propelled high into the air, and then crashing face-first into the hard ground), saying, “You know that, that bear there didn’t get hurt.” Happily, however, this week, Shep took the higher ground, eschewing his painful “Bear Alerts” (with the “requisite” Trampoline Bear clips) in favor of more animal-friendly “Cool Critters” segments. Specifically, on Monday, he featured two newborn Taiwanese liger cubs, and, on Thursday, he showed three Aussie-adopted pet crocodiles.

Well done, Shep! “Cool Critters” indeed.

Shep Defends Trampoline Bear Video

“You know that, that bear there didn’t get hurt.” Today, on Fox Report, Shepard Smith finally seemed to get it, i.e., that his Trampoline Bear video can be seen as animal cruelty. After earlier playing the exploitative clip on his Studio B,* receiving flak from the author for doing so, and seemingly suspending his Twitter account, Shep ran the Trampoline Bear footage during the Fox Report** but with the aforementioned explanatory coda.**

During Studio B, Shep Tweeted the upcoming “Bear Alert” to his followers shortly before showing it to his audience. Then, when he aired the footage of a young black bear who had had his head removed from a jar, he gleefully ran the Trampoline Bear clip (of the black bear falling from a tree, being propelled high into the ground, and crashing head-first into the ground) as usual. After the exploitative video had run, the author Tweeted, “Shep de Sade, er, Sad strikes again with his “Studio B Trampoline” bear vid.”

Shortly thereafter (and before Shep’s Fox Report aired) Shep’s Twitter page (including his Tweet, supra), strangely disappeared (“suspended”). Nevertheless, when the Fox Report ran, Shep still replayed the “Bear Alert” with the offensive Trampoline Bear footage appended thereto. However, in a later segment at the very end of the show, Shep defended his use of the clip. To wit, after a story about Disney film Bambi, Shep deadpanned, “I wonder how Bambi would like the trampoline”: then, he added, “You know that, that bear there didn’t get hurt.”***

Shep, please quit airing this exploitative video of Trampoline Bear. As your good friend and weekend counterpart, Julie Banderas, has acknowledged, it contains an element of animal cruelty and should be barred from her weekend Fox Report. Shep, just can it for good from your weekday Fox Report and your Studio B. At the very least, cut the repulsive frames of Trampoline Bear crashing face-first into the hard ground.

And, come back to Twitter!

*Studio B with Shepard Smith – 08/12/10 (@3:59 p.m. ET)
**Fox Report with Shepard Smith – 08/12/10 (@7:54 p.m. ET)
***Fox Report with Shepard Smith – 08/12/10 (@7:59 p.m. ET)

Shep de Sade: Kubrick’s Clare Quilty?

The Marquis is back! However, Studio B‘s Shepard Smith de Sade reappeared as the spent, jaded Clare Quilty as he reran his evil tired tripe, i.e., the Trampoline Bear video today. He seemed almost desperate to find anew that thrill that now eluded him and that Viagra could not even bring back. With a stone face and a monotone delivery, he announced, “Bear Alert.”*

Before polluting Fox News’ airwaves again with his favorite animal cruelty cine, he showed an adorable black bear cub chowing down on garbage in a Georgia driveway. After doing so, he cautioned, “While cute, the local sheriff is warning residents ‘do not leave food out for the bears.'” Then, as he aired once again the Trampoline Bear clip (of a black bear falling from a tree onto a trampoline, being propelled high into the air, and then crashing headfirst into the ground), Shep cackled, “And, of course, trampolines are always–ha, ha, ha, ha, ha–trampolines are always a great deterrent.”

Poor Shepard Smith was more of a sad spectacle today than even his Trampoline Bear.

Update: Perhaps, Shep changed his prescription to Cialis or Levitra after Studio B. For his Fox Report, he tried again to find his thrill and prematurely injected his “Bear Alert” at mid-show.** However, this time he seemed to, at least, fake a bit more enthusiasm as the video climaxed, as almost verbatim he repeated, “And, of course, trampolines are always an excellent deterrent.”

*Studio B with Shepard Smith – 08/12/10 (@3:59 p.m. ET)

**Fox Report with Shepard Smith – 08/12/10 (@7:29 p.m. ET)

Shep de Sade’s Bad Boys

When the Marquis is away, the servant boys will play. And so they did yesterday. With their master away Friday, stand-ins Trace Gallagher (Studio B) and Jon Scott (Fox Report) looked like naughty school boys who had just discovered a stag film hidden in their dad’s sock drawer.

On Studio B, guest anchor Trace practically giggled with glee after he got his peek at the Trampoline Bear. After airing a “Bear Alert” about a pizza-pilfering black bear in Montana, he exclaimed, “Montana’s own bare-foot bandit is still on the loose: And, someone set a trap with pizza and a trampoline.”*  As he did, of course, the predictable Trampoline Bear clip ran (with a tranquilized black bear falling from a tree, bouncing high into the air, and crashing face first into the ground). Post-climatically, Trace beamed, “I’ve always wanted to see the video again. I love it!”

Almost four hours later, on Fox Report, a generally gentle John Scott got his guilty pleasure after he echoed Trace’s “Bear Alert.” As the pizza-pilfering bear segment concluded, Scott aired the Trampoline Bear footage. Smiling, Scott joked, “The bear is still on the run. Next time, try setting a trap with a pizza and a trampoline. Bears love trampolines, don’t you know?”**

Do they now, Jon? What a truly bad boy you are. Your master Shep will be proud but your mistress Julie surely will not.

*Studio B – 08/06/10 (3:59 p.m.)

**Fox Report – 08/06/10 (7:46 p.m.)

Shep de Sade?

“Face-Planted” Trampoline Bear vid returns. Fox Report weekend anchor Julie Banderas decided to ban it from her show Monday: However, Fox Report weekday anchor Shepard Smith brought it back on his show today (after giving it a rest yesterday). To paraphrase Marquis de Sade, apparently, Smith thinks that the best way to the viewers heart is through torment–of the trampoline bear.

The saga of FNC’s Fox Report and the Trampoline Bear video continues to be a strange one. Sunday, during her Fox Report, Banderas gave a “Bear Alert” about New Jersey allowing its first bear hunt in five years with bear footage, including the approximately seven-year-old controversial Trampoline Bear clip. As it ran, Banderas laughed, “Maybe, all they [New Jersey authorities] need is a few trampolines. That’ll take care of ‘em: It’ll wipe ‘em all out!”

In response, after the show Sunday, the author Tweeted, “When will FR quit exploiting trampoline bear’s pain? https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2010/06/07/sheps-trampoline-bear-peta-mia/.” After getting no reply that evening, the author penned, “Banderas’ ‘Teachable Moment’?” before midnight.

Subsequently, Monday morning, the author Tweeted a link to Carpe Diem’s “Banderas’ ‘Teachable Moment’?” to his followers, writing, “.@JulieBanderas (like Shep) laughs at Trampoline Bear’s distress. PETA pride: Will her Kardashian friends teach her? http://bit.ly/cxzsKy”

In a direct response to the author’s article Monday evening, Banderas Tweeted, “I’d like to go on the record by saying all who know me are aware of my passion for animal rights. I would never (cont) http://tl.gd/2ou3ct.” (At the Twitlonger.com link, her entire message read, “I’d like to go on the record by saying all who know me are aware of my passion for animal rights. I would never condone animal cruelty and have informed my producers not to air the bear on a trampoline video on my show ever again. http://bit.ly/bVNExX“) Strangely, she added, “I decided to kill the video long before any writeups and PETA had nothing to do with it.” (An almost incredible statement since she had just aired it the night before on her show.) Happy with Banderas’ overall response, the author gave her kudos and asked if Shep would follow suit in his Carpe Diem article, “Banderas Responds: Bars Bear Vid.”

However, shortly thereafter, when checking Banderas’ Twitter page again, the author realized that Banderas had inexplicably expunged her message of her “passion for animal rights” and her decision to quit airing the Trampoline Bear video (as well as a follow-up Tweet and ReTweets). Nevertheless, her Tweets and ReTweets remained on the Internet elsewhere, e.g., Muckrack.com. It appeared that Banderas had recanted her apology by scrubbing her website but whether she had actually changed her mind was unclear and what the effect on Smith would be was all the more uncertain.

Interestingly, before his next Fox Report, Smith apparently opened a new Twitter account and Tweeted, “With my first tweet, you’ll join me for the Fox Report at 7pm EST, and 6pm Oxford, MS time- won’t you?” Five minutes later, seeming to hint at Banderas’ scrubbed messages, he added, “My weekend pal and colleague @JulieBanderas was on Twitter, and she’s good at it from what I hear so I had to join. You rock Jules!” Later,  when Smith aired the “Bear Alert” (with Jack Hanna) without including the Trampoline Bear video, he appeared to signal his agreement with Banderas.

Alas, Smith’s turn from his folly was not to last. Today, during his Fox Report, Smith gave another “Bear Alert” of a mother black bear rescuing an errant cub entangled in a fish net. Unfortunately, as that sweet footage ended and as the obnoxious trampoline bear clip began, Smith gleefuly proclaimed, “Then they wandered back into the woods, possibly, to find a much larger net–with some springs!” After the show, he Tweeted, “It was a great show today….How about the bear alert, and planet blago? Two of my faves.”

Maybe, it was indeed Shepard Smith who got Julie Banderas to delete from her Twitter page her strong statement in support of animal rights and her decision to bar the bear video forever from her weekend Fox Report. Happily, however, her message still got out to her followers and fans. Unfortunately, so did his: Smith still does not get it.

Update: Fox Report Thursday (07/29/10): No “Bear Alert” (with Trampoline Bear video). (However, anchor Shepard Smith did report on the serious story of a mother grizzly who killed one person and attacked two others at Yellowstone National Park in Montana.)

Update2: Fox Report Friday (07/30/10): Once again, no “Bear Alert.” (However, guest host Jon Scott updated deadly Yellowstone mother grizzly bear report.)

Update3: Fox Report Monday (08/02/10): “Bear Alert” without the offensive Trampoline Bear video (by guest anchor Jon Scott).