T. J. Holmes: Don’t Sleep for an Hour

BET anchor T. J. Holmes announced yesterday that his NYT-acclaimed “social issues” show, Don’t Sleep, will be expanding to an hour by popular demand. Elaborating, T. J. explained that his audience’s “#1 comment has been that [the original 30-minute version of] Don’t Sleep is too short!” In response to his viewers’ desires, T. J. said that BET has extended his program to a new “hour-long format…[that]…will allow us more time to delve into topics and determine how we can all, in our own way, be agents of change.” He added that his program will air at 11:00 p.m. ET.

Congratulations, T.J.!

CNN’s Rob Marciano Moves On, Too (to ET)

“[S]ad…but very pumped.” Today, CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano announced that he is leaving Ted Turner’s erstwhile crown jewel for greener pastures. In a Facebook post this afternoon, he said, “Definitely sad to be leaving my CNN family in January, but very pumped for the new gig co-hosting Entertainment Tonight with @NancyOdell. Wow!”

The former ivory Adonis of American Morning follows his fellow colleagues, ebony twin T. J. Holmes (BET), “voice of god” John Roberts (FNC), and AM Aphrodite Kiran Chetry (TBA) into the CNN sunset. For whilom AM fans, who still appreciate a fresh, irreverent perspective, Rob seems to be the last one waving the proverbial flag on the new CNN morning shows, Early Start and Starting Point. And, now he, too, is heading for the exit.

A sad day for Rob. And, his CNN fans. Not to mention, poor Zoraida Sambolin who is losing her “Senor Dreamy.”

“Don’t Sleep with T. J. Holmes”: BET or Marilee?

BET’s T. J. Holmes is not returning to CNN as he puckishly indicated Wednesday on Twitter: Rather, the former American Morning Adonis is staying with BET and he will finally have his new show. Yesterday, BET announced the advent of T.J.’s provocatively-dubbed program, Don’t Sleep with T. J. Holmes, to its advertisers at a Los Angeles preview for its advertisers yesterday according to Richard Prince’s Journal-isms. In a show promo, BET described Don’t Sleep as a comedic/political program (akin to Comedy Central’s Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and promised viewers that it “is not your mama’s late-night talk show.”

Congratulations, T. J.!

[Author’s aside: Re the mention of “Marilee” in the title of this article, Marilee nee Fieburg is the name of T. J.’s beautiful beloved “Mrs. Holmes.”]

BET’s T. J. Holmes: Just a Joke?

CNN’s Don Lemon: @tjholmes could u please stop messing with people Don. I mean Tj.”*  Yesterday, BET’s T. J. Holmes seemingly pulled a fast one on his Tweeps–at least this one. He Tweeted, “On a flight w/ my old CNN boss. We’re negotiating my return. But cant [sic] figure out how me & @donlemoncnn can coexist w/out confusing viewers!” Less than an hour later, he added, “I expect to announce to you all this week some news about my future.” As a result, the author reported that “T. J. Holmes indicated that he is leaving BET after a very brief ‘stint’ there and going back to his home at the self-proclaimed ‘most trusted name in news’ network.” [Italics added for emphasis.]

Unfortunately, T. J. was apparently fooling around with the affections of his CNN fans if his latest announcement is to be believed: Today, he Tweeted, “Big day n LA! I get 2 reveal a secret I’ve been holding on 2 for a while: the title of my new show on BET. But I’ll tell u 1st, of course.”

Stay tuned–to BET. Are you sure, T. J.?

*[Author’s aside (re the subtitle of this article): Yesterday, after Carpe Diem posted the author’s article entitled, “T. J. Holmes: We’re Negotiating My [CNN] Return,” CNN anchor Don Lemon Tweeted, “@tjholmes could u please stop messing with people Don. I mean Tj. Whatever ur name is. Lol.” (In reply, T. J. wrote, “[T]hat’s a good one! Ha.”) Perchance, rather than merely jesting at the odd running joke that the two look alike, Don was also chastising T. J. for his possible practical joke on his CNN fans.]

T. J. Holmes: We’re Negotiating My [CNN] Return

It’s American Morning at CNN again? This morning, former CNN anchor T. J. Holmes indicated that he is leaving BET after a very brief “stint” there and going back to his home at the self-proclaimed “most trusted name in news” network. He Tweeted, “On a flight w/my old CNN boss. We’re negotiating my return.” Later, he wrote, “I expect to announce to you all this week some news about my future.”

Less than four months after bidding his CNN Newsroom weekend viewers adieu (to be a BET “multi-platform” jounalist), is T. J. back to save day for CNN–or, at least, the dawn? CNN honcho Ken Jautz must now be ruing his ill-considered decision to ditch his cellar-dweller morning show American Morning. As the ratings of his 2012 AM replacement shows, Early Start and Starting Point, have tanked (lowest in over a decade), Jautz may be thinking that he probably should have given his original plan more time, i.e., to possibly permanently pair T. J. with former AM anchor Kiran Chetry.

Whether it is “Morning in America,” may depend on one’s political point of view. But the return of the erstwhile trial T. J. and Kiran team would certainly help make it a brighter “American Morning” at CNN. And, AM  fans, T. J.’s return would certainly constitute Kiran’s long-awaited “very special opportunity.”

Update: Apparently, BET’s T. J. Holmes was pulling a practical joke on his CNN fans and Twitter followers. Cf. CarpeDiem’s “BET’s T. J. Holmes: Just a Joke?”

T. J. Holmes: I Could Have Stayed On with CNN

“This wasn’t about me looking for a job.” CNN Newsroom weekend anchor T. J. Holmes seemed rather eager to let his fans know that he was not ushered out of the exit door by the CNN suits. In fact, in an interview with The Root, he asserted, “I could have have stayed on with CNN: This wasn’t about me looking for a job. I chose BET for a reason, for the opportunity that I did not have at CNN just because [they have] a different type of audience.”

As T. J. (or Telious, Jr.) prepared to leave his CNN post in a few weeks for his new “multi-platform deal” with BET, his good friend former CNN biz beauty Stephanie Elam fondly reminisced about their shared past. Responding to a Twitter follower who bemoaned the departure of herself, T. J., and their whilom AM friend Kiran Chetry (and CNN colleagues Betty Nguyen and Tony Harris), Stephanie Tweeted, “It does feel a bit like the end of an era!” Chiming in, Kiran aptly remarked, “We’ll always have the memories!”

Regardless of the reason for the “end of an era,” thanks for those AM memories, T. J., Stephanie, and Kiran!

T. J. Holmes: BET Bound

“Simply ecstatic.” CNN Newsroom weekend host Loutelious Ann “T. J.” Holmes indeed had “another gig lined up” before he bid his CNN colleagues adieu, apparently. According to Deadline Hollywood, CNN’s ebony Adonis has inked a “multi-platform” deal with BET Networks: I.e., T. J. will anchor a new television program for BET and “contribute” to its website.

In a BET.com report, Music Programming and Specials Prez Stephen G. Hill declared, “We are simply ecstatic to have T. J. Holmes coming to our fold. He’s been an outstanding news anchor and we look forward to working with him in a variety of ways on BET.” Perhaps, waxing a whit hyperbolic about his prized new catch, Hill elaborated, “It’s now upon us to develop vehicles that capture his intelligence, curiosity about the world, warmth, humor, and compassion. It’s a challenge that we are happy to have.”

T.J, you and your better half should be proud. Congratulations!

H/t J$P.

T.J. Holmes Leaves CNN

To join Kiran Chetry? CNN Newsroom weekend anchor T. J. Holmes revealed that he is departing CNN at the end of the year according to Richard Prince. TVNewser confirmed the news with CNN programming director Janelle Rodriguez and further reported that T. J. “already has another gig lined up.”

Hm. Is CNN’s ebony Adonis following in the footsteps of American Morning’s Aphrodite, i.e., T. J.’s friend and former AM co-host Kiran Chetry? Less than five months ago (end of July), Kiran left CNN for a  yet to-be-announced “very special opportunity” and just last month she assured her followers that she would be back on TV “very soon.” Perhaps, even though CNN honcho Ken Jautz’s test AM iteration of T. J. and Kiran did not quite work out this year, the two may plan to reunite in early 2012 in another television venture elsewhere.

Regardless, CNN viewers will miss the genuinely charming Southern gentleman with a quick wit, a ready smile, and a personable touch. For T. J.’s American Morning fans (who are likewise bereft of the captivating Kiran), at least, his ivory twin Rob Marciano remains for now as the moribund AM comes to an end next year.

T. J., thanks for the CNN memories. Hopefully, your fans will see you again soon on the air. If with Kiran, all the better!

Rob: I Just Wanted to Punch Him in the Nose!

AM “Dream Team’r” Marciano: “I’m not a violent man, at least, not anymore.” This morning American Morning meteorologist Rob Marciano was not amused with his New York Yankees, especially, A-Rod. After AM co-host and Detroit Tiger uber fan Carol Costello had dogged him all morning about her team’s defeat of the his storied Yankees last night, Rob called in this morning, grousing but gracious–at least, to Carol.

In AM‘s final segment, producers got a disappointed Rob on the phone with an elated Carol and their could-barely-care-less co-host Christine Romans. Introducing the segment, Christine teased, “Well, the World Series championship number twenty-eight will have to wait. That’s right: the Detroit Tigers knocked the New York Yankees out of the playoffs last night. That’s why we bring in our very good friend Rob Marciano who has the day off but could not escape the I-told-you-so’s of the American Morning anchor team.”

Crowing, Carol remarked, “Yeah, like, you were supposed to be here in your Boston Red Sox uniform, Marciano! (Re his lost bet with Carol.) Bristling good-naturedly, Rob retorted, “I told you two weeks ago [that] I was taking the day off, and…it’s a dark day in the Marciano household. That’s for sure.”

Goading Rob on, Christine commented, “Rob, do you have anything to say Carol?” Rob stammered, “Um, well, I, I’m, I haven’t been watching”: I’m sure she’s been gloating. I’ll just say this to the Detroit Tigers: Congratulations.”

Then, manifestly miffed at Yankee star Alex Rodriguez who failed to deliver in both the seventh inning with the bases loaded and at the Yankees’ last-at-bat, Rob remarked, “Of course, you have to look at A-Rod. And, I’m not a violent man, at least, not anymore. And, I just wanted to punch him in the nose last night!”

No poppycock political correctness: Just American Morning‘s Rob Marciano at his candid, combative best. A CNN delight.

Too bad the ole boy is not on the apparent short list of the new “AM.” Speaking of which, his charming, debonair ebony twin T.J. Holmes would be a welcome addition, too. Then, if only CNN’s recently departed Aphrodite Kiran Chetry would come back to complete the American Morning “Dream Team.”

AM “Dream Team”: or, dream on?

T. J.’s Real Bride

Marilee Fiebig Holmes. CNN anchor T. J. Holmes toyed with his fervid female admirers Friday who did not realize that he was off the market. He Tweeted, “Just in: I’m married! Surprised this week @ how many folks say they didn’t know I wed last yr. Here’s pic of my bride: tinyurl.com/5tdsfyx.” Tweaking his lovelorn ladies, CNN’s ebony Adonis linked to his favorite Bond babe, Halle Berry.

Apparently, after getting grief from his followers about his jest, T. J. replied, “Some of u pointed out I tweeted pic of a lady who is not my wife. I apologize 4 this TOTALLY innocent mistake. ;-) Let me find the right pic.” Not too surprisingly, T. J. has not yet  “found” the photo of his gorgeous Georgia peach, Marilee Fiebag Holmes. However, Carpe Diem has.

For the “right pic” of T. J.’s lawyer lovely, link here.

Kiran & Friends: But, For How Long?

“Reunited & it feels so good.” Today, American Morning co-anchor Kiran Chetry Tweeted her joy at being back with her recently regular co-hosts Ali Velshi and Christine Romans. She seemed to be praying and pleading for some new sense of AM normalcy. One could hardly blame Kiran: in just seven AM business days, she and her AM audience have witnessed a whopping five different anchor combos of which two notably did not include Kiran.*

It has been over four months since CNN honcho Ken Jautz announced that Kiran’s then AM co-anchor John Roberts was out and that he wanted to make sure that “we have the right ‘American Morning family.'” Jautz elaborated, “We will be looking at different people alongside Kiran on a rotating basis…[and]…T. J. Holmes will be the first to co-anchor with Kiran.”

Since then, T. J. has come and gone (and even had a shorter stint than he had anticipated). When T. J. left, Christine joined Kiran for a short all-gal audition. After only one week, Ali turned that duo into an asexual AM menage a trois.

Almost a month later, AM viewers still do not know who Jautz will actually adopt into the “American Morning family.” So far, Ali and Christine have been like foster children, hoping to get to stay with Kiran and the rest of their host family. Even though Ali may call Kiran, Christine, and himself “the gang,” it will be Jautz who ultimately decides.

For now, both Ali and Christine  are in the CNN family but their resumes do not yet include a permanent AM anchor seat. However, Kiran’s curriculum vitae does and only her face now represents AM’s Web presence.

As to his full future AM “family,” Jautz appears not quite ready to commit.

* The five distinct anchor arrangements were as follow: Kiran and Ali (April 8); Kiran, Christine, and Ali (April 11); Ali and Christine (April 12); Kiran and Christine (April 13); and Ali and CNN correspondent Alina Cho (April 18).

T. J. Leaves AM–Early

So soon? This past Monday (March 7), interim American Morning co-anchor T. J. Holmes announced that he would only be “with @cnnam 4 [a] couple more weeks.” However, today (only four days later), co-anchor T. J. Holmes declared, “Signing off on @cnnam. Today is my last day with this show.” Early ejection?

From the very beginning–in fact, before he even began co-hosting AM–T. J. has been quite candid with his fans, i.e., that he was “anchoring ‘American Morning’ in NY 4 a yet-2-be-determined period” and that it would be “temporary.” Subsequently, he has reminded his ardent Twitter followers that he would be only an interim AM anchor. However, he did assure his acolytes Monday that he would continue in that capacity for a “couple more weeks.”

What changed from Monday until today? Could it have been his “kinder, gentler” Roberts moment Monday when he gently chided Kiran to “listen” as she typed while he spoke? Perhaps. However, it would be seem rather strange since he came across as a “Southern gentleman” unless the producers thought that Kiran’s independent image had been somehow compromised.

Regardless, T. J. is on his way as of today. In his place behind the AM desk with co-anchor Kiran Chetry will be Christine Romans next week according to Inside Cable News. And, as for T. J., apparently, he will return to anchor anew CNN Newsroom weekend.

T. J., great job on AM. You’ll be missed!

TJ: Kiran, You Wanna Listen to Me?

Holmes: a “gentler, kinder” Roberts. Today, almost six months ago to the day, American Morning co-host John Roberts infamously berated Kiran Chetry for typing (off-camera) during his interview of President Obama’s senior advisor David Axelrod. This morning, it appeared to be AM interim co-anchor T. J. Holmes’ time to rant.

Shortly, before mid-show, Kiran and T. J. started to take turns reading the headline news stories. After Kiran reported the first one, T.J. began to read the next one. As he did, a still on-camera Kiran started to type on her computer keyboard.* Almost immediately, T. J. stopped and looked over at Kiran: Tapping her on the arm repeatedly, he exclaimed, “Hey, hey! Wait! What are you doing?”

In an embarrassing moment of deja vu, Kiran’s eyes suddenly widened and she glanced back at T. J. uncertainly. Breaking into a broad grin, T. J. pointed to the camera and chuckled, “One, one is trying to tell your story here, Kiran.” As she sheepishly laughed, T.J. teased, ” You want to listen to me?” Kiran simply smiled and looked ahead.

AM‘s Southern gentleman: You did your momma proud today, T. J.

*American Morning – 03/07/11 (@ 7:20 a.m. ET)

Update: AM producers apparently took note, too: When asked today (March 10) “why no more laptops on [the AM] desk,” Kiran aptly answered, “[L]ooked messy they said.” At least, on two occasions, supra.

Where’s T. J. Holmes?

Kiran: Don’t freak out. American Morning interim co-host T. J. Holmes has been gone from his interim post for two full days and his fans are beginning to notice. Even though T. J. did not announce his absence on the air, he did tersely Tweet that he was not going to be on AM this week. And, happily, his co-anchor Kiran Chetry, apparently, revealed why: I.e., he’s out celebrating with his woman.

In a February 18 interview with Mediaite.com about her unannounced absence from AM which caused a “little panic attack” (after a five-day vacation alone with her hubby, not a two-day one as mistakenly reported by the Mediaite.com columnist), Kiran was asked about her relationship with T. J. In answer, she declared, “He’s a newlywed. He’s celebrating his one-year wedding anniversary pretty soon. So, he gonna be away for a while.” Laughing, she added, “And, so, I hope everybody doesn’t freak out because he deserves to have his one-year anniversary as well.”

So, don’t worry, T. J. fans. Your Prince of West Memphis is with his new Princess. For now, his man, Ali “Shady” Velshi, will have to do.

[Author’s aside: According to the Commercial Appeal, T. J. a/k/a Loutelious Holmes, Jr. and Marilee Fiebig obtained their marriage license in a post dated March 2. Earlier, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had reported that the two would “tie the knot in March in Memphis.]

“MIA” Kiran: “Two Days!”

Mediaite.com’s Christopher: Two Stories! Did American Morning‘s Valentine, co-host Kiran Chetry, make Mediaite columnist Tommy Christopher go weak in the knees–or, perhaps, mushy in the mind? During this month of Amor, Christopher has penned two articles on Kiran and her  “unusually devoted fan base” (“who had a little panic attack” when she took an unannounced five-day vacation in the Dominican Republic barely a month after her former co-anchor John Roberts was axed on Christmas Eve). Even though Christopher got his conclusion right about Kiran, unfortunately, he got the facts wrong about her and her fans–twice.

In his first column (February 1), “Fans of CNN’s Kiran Chetry Rejoice! She Will Be Back on the Air Wednesday Morning (February 2),” Christopher rightly declared that the “real story…is [Kiran’s] dedicated fans.” However, he erroneously elaborated that they were so worried about Kiran after her “two-day absence” from American Morning that they spiked traffic to a “four-month-old post” so high that it hit the number 5 position on Mediaite in a “very unusual occurrence.” [Underscoring added for emphasis.] In awe, Christopher marveled, “Such grassroots fandom is the stuff that superstars are made of.”

In his followup piece, entitled “CNN’s Kiran Chetry Talks American Morning, John Roberts, and Journalism with Mediaite,” Christopher interviewed Kiran about the reaction of her “unusually devoted fan base” to her absence. Perhaps, hedging on her time away, he began, “Your fans, you took a few days off and your fans”: Before he could finish, Chetry inexplicably and incorrectly interjected, “Two days!” Echoing her error, Christopher continued, “Two days and your fans got all worried about you. How did that make you feel?…I’ve never seen that before.” Kiran answered that “it was very flattering that people wondered where I was” and that part of the interest probably pertained to John Robert’s recent low-key departure from AM.

As Kiran seemed to suggest, her American Morning fans probably did wonder where she was and were concerned that she may have been canned like Roberts as she frolicked in the Dominican Republic with her hubby Chris Knowles. Also, undoubtedly, Christopher was correct that Kiran has “super-devoted fans” who may “have had a little panic attack when she took…off.” However, they did not have that “little panic attack” Tuesday after Kiran had been off for only the second day in a row as Christopher claimed: rather, they grew concerned after she had been gone for five straight days. (Apparently, Christopher, did not realize that Kiran had also been off the Friday beforehand.)

Nevertheless, Christopher can not necessarily be blamed for being a bit discombobulated by the allure of AM‘s Aphrodite. Others, including Kiran’s former AM co-anchor John Roberts (twice), her current interim co-host T. J. Holmes, and her guest Richard Simmons have swooned in her presence. In fact, even the author from afar.

[Author’s aside: Kiran was off January 28-February 1. Kate Bouldan substituted for Kiran on January 28 (Friday); January 31 (Monday) and February 1 (Tuesday).]

CNN Reporter: “Russian Roulette: Give It a Shot!”

Living on the edge: Or, dying there? On American Morning today, CNN correspondent Deborah Feyerick certainly left her audience with a buzz. At mid-show with co-hosts Kiran Chetry and T. J. Holmes by her side, Feyerick reported on the the proliferation of “bath salts,” a misnamed substance that mimics cocaine and is legally available in most States.

During her segment, Feyerick ran an interview of DEA special agent Gary Boggs, who expounded on the availability and dangers of the over-the-counter drug. When Feyerick wrapped up her story, she declared that there was no medicinal purpose for the “bath salts” and that people who want to get high can use it: However, she cautioned that they are playing Russian roulette (as she said that Boggs had characterized it). Then, coining the worst AM tagline ever, Feyerick concluded, “Russian roulette: give it a shot!”*

Clever, Deb. But, what a dud. Hopefully!

*American Morning – 02/16/11 (@ 7:34 a.m. ET)

T. J.’s Secret: Telious Jr.?

“I could tell you but then we’d have to take your camera.” Yesterday American Morning co-host T. J. Holmes seemed somewhat embarrassed when his CNN colleague and personal doctor, Sanjay Gupta, revealed his first name “Loutelious” to the AM audience. In an undated Blip TV “My Urban Report” interview, T. J. had a similar reaction when asked what the “T.J.” stood for and whether it was a secret.”  Breaking into a huge grin, T. J. put his right index finger to his lips, bowed his head and closed his eyes: sounding like a Southern gentleman mafioso, he replied, “I could tell you but we’d have to take your camera….It’s kind of a family nickname. So, yeah.”

As Sanjay indicated, apparently, T. J.’s first name is Loutelious. If the reader distrusts Sanjay (or the author), please consider the following facts. Less than five months ago, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that T. J. and Marilee Fiebag would “tie the knot in March in Memphis: Later, according to the Commercial Appeal (dated March 2, 2010, at midnight), a certain Loutelious Holmes, Jr. and Marilee Fiebig obtained their marriage license. And, for that lingering doubting Thomas, remember, T. J.’s hometown is West Memphis, Arkansas (just across the Mississippi River from the aforementioned Memphis, TN) and T.J. said that his father was the principal of his hometown high school: the principal of West Memphis High School was Loutelious Holmes, Sr.

As to T.J.’s middle name, it is Ann according to Wikipedia (and T.J.-following sites such as the Black Snob and Black America Web appear to confirm that fact).

Pertaining to the “secret” of T.J.’s sobriquet, did Black Snob commenter Karen H. provided the answer? She claimed that she attended college with “Loutelious Ann Holmes, Jr., of West Memphis, Arkansas, [who was] better known as TJ or Telious Jr.” T. J. said that his monikner was a “family nickname.” Sounds like Karen H. may have well nailed it.

Sanjay: “Loutelious [T. J.] Holmes”

T.M.I. for T.J.? On American Morning yesterday, CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta may have disclosed a bit too much information for the comfort of his colleague and his patient, AM co-host T.J. Holmes. I.e, Sanjay revealed T.J.’s rather unusual first name.

During a segment on strokes with T.J. and co-anchor Kiran Chetry, Sanjay had T.J. demonstrate for the AM audience the technique F.A.S.T. (an acronym for face, arms, speech, and time) used to evaluate a possible stroke victim.* When Sanjay got to the element speech, he mischievously said, “So, for example, T.J., you’d say your full name, and I’d make sure you’re not slurring your words or anything.” After T.J. responded, “T.J. Holmes,” a smiling Sanjay said, “Loutelious, Loutelious Holmes, right?”

Grinning, T.J. countered, “T.J., T.J. Holmes. Yes.” Cocking his heading in mock concern, Sanjay replied, “I don’t know, T J.” Somewhat chagrined, T.J. answered, “I think I’m okay.” Teasing, Sanjay retorted, “I’m not sure you’re saying you’re real name. I’m a little concerned now. [I need to] check you out when I get up there.” As Sanjay smiled from ear to ear, T.J. laughed heartily. Then, as Kiran tried to the next question, saying, “He’s fine: it’s these other,” Sanjay got in one last puckish prick at T.J., interjecting, “Loutelious!

Subsequently, as the segment concluded, T.J. declared, “I think I have an appointment with you this weekend, Doctor.” Jesting, Sanjay replied, “As usual. Keep it this time.” Subsequently, Kiran turned to T.J. and queried, “He’s your doctor?” Nodding, T.J. affirmed, “He is my doctor.”

Of course, today, T.J. may well be reviewing his medical release agreement with the good doctor.

*American Morning – 01/10/11 (@ 8:16 a.m.)

AM Live Mike: Rob’s Ironic Rant

T. J. Holmes: “Can we get Rob’s mike off?” Today American Morning meteorologist Rob Marciano had his own “Kyra Phillips moment” today–to a degree. As Rob concluded his final AM weathercast this morning, he appeared in good humor (jesting about a frozen-banana-turned-hammer video) as he segued to AM co-hosts Kiran Chetry and T. J. Holmes. However, when the shot switched to the co-anchors and T.J. began a promo for the next block, a testy off-camera Rob could be heard ironically ranting, “Kelly, what! Do you not work in live television?”*

In response, T. J. stopped reading and incredulously exclaimed, “What? What? Wait! What?” As Kiran bent over in laughter, Rob continued, “You were like raising your [Rob’s feed ends].” Coming to his friend’s aid a tad too late, T.J. pleaded, “Oh, wow! Could we get Rob’s mike off?” Then, on behalf of himself and, perhaps, his AM audience, he rhetorically queried,  “What is he talking about?”

Fortunately, for Rob’s AM fans, they got a hint. And, fortunately, for Rob, he (or his producer) cut his mike before he could rip into his coworker even more on national television (a la now former AM co-host John Roberts). Furthermore, Rob can take no small comfort in the fact that, at least, he was not caught in the CNN bathroom spilling family secrets (a la CNN Newsroom anchor Kyra Phillips).

American Morning – 01/09/11 (@ 8:52 a.m. ET)

T. J. Gets Down

A prince: not a pauper. American Morning co-host T. J. Holmes humbly got down for his fans and, more importantly, America’s troops today without hesitation. And, no, he did not deign to ask his CNN staff to do the dirty work for him a la AM‘s Halloween 2010.

In a salutary story entitled “Going ‘Deep Dish: 7000 pizzas delivered to troops for Super Bowl,'” T. J. interviewed Pizzas 4 Patriots founder Mark Evans about his altruistic mission to supply pizzas to America’s forces around the world. When their confab concluded, Evans challenged T. J. to participate against him in an inaugural “Push-ups for Patriots” competition.* Not too proud to get down on his hands and knees, T.J. gamely dropped to the floor with little regard for any sartorial sensibilities. Instead, he gamely dispatched his older rival Evans well before the commercial break.

Apparently, T. J. applied CNN chief Ken Jautz’s prime-time programming exhortation to AM., i.e., to make it “more  compelling, more lively and sometimes fun.” Effortlessly. Well done, T. J.!

*American Morning – 01/31/11 (@ 7:57 a.m.