“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.”]

Ashleigh & the Gals: Too Much Estrogen?

Early Start’s Ashleigh Banfield: “It’s killing me!” The very ES co-anchor who heralded the “brand new line-up…of [CNN] morning tv–all girls” less than three weeks ago* seemed less than thrilled with the estrogen overload on her show today. After an ES segment on the State of the Union speech this morning with three women panelists (of whom two of the them continued to go at it beyond their allotted time), Ashleigh exclaimed, “I can’t stop you two! We got five women (herself, co-host Zoraida Sambolin, and the panelists) on going on this TV right now: It’s killing me!”**

Not too surprising. With Jaqui Jeras covering for her “Mr. Dreamy” a/k/a Rob Marciano today, Ashleigh appeared to need a fresh infusion of some early  morning testosterone. But with her erstwhile A.M. Adonis gone, the comely Cannuck seemed eager to embrace another male this early morn–but, to no avail.

Perhaps, Ken Jautz’s morning all-girl world is not all that it is supposed to be. For Ashleigh. Or, her audience.

* Early Start – 01/05/12 (@ 6:50 a.m ET)

**Ibid at 01/25/12 (@ 5:40 a.m. ET)

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!

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.

Kyra & John: Still Sitting in a Tree?

Roberts: “I thought I was being ditched.” After interviewing the real “Social Network” Winklevi, Harvard’s smart male version of the Barbi Twins Friday, American Morning co-anchor John Roberts was clearly impressed. To guest co-host Christine Romans, Roberts noted, “Twenty-nine years old….[They] just got MBA’s from Oxford, they got that huge [$65 million] settlement…[and] they’re stunningly handsome.”* Over an hour later, at the end of the AM, Roberts was still under the spell of the Adonis twins: Tossing to his fiancee and CNN Newsroom host Kyra Phillips, he declared, “Handsome fellows. Yah?”**

Playfully, Phillips responded, “Yes, very handsome! Are they single?” As Roberts bit his tongue for a moment, Romans interjected, “Oh, we didn’t ask that question, Kyra.” Shrugging her shoulders in mock derision, Phillips replied, “Yeah. Hello!”

Having collected his thoughts, Roberts intoned, “It’s a strange question from a woman in your position to be asking, isn’t it?” Raising her eyebrows and smiling faintly, Phillips responded, “Oh, please, I was just asking for all the young ladies in the newsroom who are in their mid-twenties. Yeah, about thirty years older [sic] than you or me.” Reddened, Roberts chortled, “I thought I was being ditched.”

Validating her devotion, Phillips exclaimed, “Never! Never! I love you dearly.” Reassured, a grinning Roberts then remarked, “Yes, they, they are single.”

*American Morning – 10/01/10 (@7:49 a.m. ET)

**American Morning – 10/01/10 (@9:00 a.m. ET)

Kiran: Shaken & Stirred

Chetry: Craig Crazy. American Morning’s Aphrodite Kiran Chetry may enjoy getting her male acolytes all hot and bothered on occasion but yesterday it was Kiran who became the flustered votary of her Adonis. When AM returned almost mid-show to the theme of James Bond, Kiran drew “her gun” like an Angel (Charlie’s)  before reading the headlines. She began, “Welcome back! I guess you can guess what we’re talking about this morning.”*

Then, as producers ran the footage of Craig rising from the surf in his bathing scivvies in Casino Royale, Kiran continued, “007 may have a hard time surviving his latest adventure. The twenty-third James Bond film has been postponed indef [ending mid-word]. Appearing suddenly to be overcome by the vapors, Kiran exclaimed, “Hold on, I can’t speak!” Abashedly, she laughed, “Lord have mercy! Sorry!”

After regaining her composure and finishing the story, her co-anchor John Roberts nonchalantly queried, “So, who was the best Bond?” John proclaimed that it was Sean Connery. Not swayed in the least, Kiran defiantly declared, “I picked Daniel Craig. I’m sorry. It was that scene we showed.”

Agreeably, John replied, “I also like Daniel Craig: I think he’s a very good Bond. I really do.” Raising her eyes lustily, Kiran enthusiastically concurred, “Me, too!” Realizing that he might want to distinguish his comments, John replied, “I like him for different reasons than you do.”

Turning to John, Kiran riantly responded, “Next time we’ll do your favorite Bond girls. How about that? We’ll keep it fair.” Gallantly, John answered, “Nah! I got one girl [Kyra Phillips] that’s my favorite.” Kiran simply laughed.

Kiran: the next bodacious Bond girl? Don’t laugh. She certainly made a luscious Lara Croft!

American Morning – 04/21/10 (@7:19 a.m. ET)

Roberts: Rob’s Tight T-Shirt

American Morning weatherguy Rob Marciano displayed his yo-yo technique today and AM co-anchor John Roberts was impressed. Not with his skills but with his presentation!

Promoting an upcoming “Rob’s Road Show” segment (set in Orlando the site of a yo-yo world competition), Rob awkwardly attempted to keep the simple Duncan toy in motion. When he had some success, he gave the thumbs up sign and flexed his biceps in a constricting short-sleeved Polo: AM co-host Kiran Chetry commented, “He got the yo-yo back up to his hand: So, that’s a plus.” Seemingly, ribbing Rob for his gay/straight beefcake appeal,* John jested, “You know, you’re wearing a t-shirt that tight: It doesn’t matter what you do with a yo-yo!”

CNN: Home of AM’s Aphrodite, and, apparently, its Adonis.

* Merely, Google “Rob Marciano.”

AM (08/14/09) – @ 6:42 a.m. ET