POTUS: F&F “Most Honest Morning Show”

CNN “Very Fake News”! President Trump finally gave CNN reporter Jim Acosta a question–in fact, quite a few at his presser this afternoon: And, POTUS did not hold back in his answers to George Clooney’s wannabe doppelganger. Before giving Jim his series of queries (in answer to an earlier question), POTUS remarked, “I’m not okay when [a story] is fake: I mean I watch CNN. It’s so much anger and hatred, and just the hatred: I don’t watch it anymore….” When President Trump finally called on Jim, Jim remarked, “Thank you very much. And, just for the record, we don’t hate you. I don’t hate you.” POTUS acerbically replied, “Okay. Well…ask [CEO honcho] Jeff Zucker how he got his job, okay!”

In a subsequent query, Jim asked, “If the information coming from those leaks is real, then how can the stories be fake?” President Trump retorted, “The reporting is fake!” Elaborating, POTUS said, “I’ve been involved with this stuff all my life: But, I’m involved so I know when you are telling the truth and when you’re not. I just see many, many untruthful things. And, I’ll tell you what else I see: I see tone! You know the word ‘tone’: The tone is such hatred!”

Seeming to contrast FNC’s Fox & Friends with CNN’s New Day, President Trump continued, “The tone is such hatred! I watched this morning a couple of the network[s]. And, I have to say, ‘Fox & Friends in the morning, they’re very honorable people’…not because they’re good ’cause they hit me also when I do something wrong. But, they have the most honest morning show! That’s all I can say: It’s the most honest!”

Unfortunately, President Trump seems to have a point.  In their apparent running feud with POTUS in tandem with CNN proper and their boss Zucker, co-hosts Chris Cuomo and Alisyn Camerota seem to have not quite recovered from their shock that not only did The Donald actually run, win the GOP primary, and win in convincing fashion but also he is doing what he promised to do to “Make America Great Again.” And, the anti-Trump vibe seems to run through the show each and every morning without even any pretense of objectivity.

The author has faithfully watched CNN’s New Day ever since it’s inception as American Morning with Kiran Chetry and John Roberts. Furthermore, he has been a fan of Alisyn Camerota since her days with Kiran on Fox & Friends Weekend. Ergo, he harbors no animus toward Aly (or Chris): But, the New Day co-anchors do need to pull themselves out of their funk and to start to cover President Trump and the news fairly for their faithful viewers.

A new New Day is sorely needed!

[Author’s aside: The subtitle is derived from POTUS’ response to Jim’s final query with regard to CNN being called “fake news”: President Trump announced, “I’m changing it from ‘fake news,’ though–‘very fake news'”!]

Another New Day–Again!

Michaela says goodbye. Friday, New Day co-host Michaela Pereira called it quits: Now, Chris Cuomo is the last original co-anchor left standing. CNN honcho Jeff Zucker can try again to make that winning team that can give Fox & Friends a run for the money–or, at least, come in a respectable second.

Last week, CNN seemed to want to ease Michaela out the New Day door unlike its ceremonious ditching of another original co-host Kate Bolduan when she was on maternity leave by Zucker: Nevertheless, the slow sendoff of Michaela from New Day seemed like a painful display of inane maudlin, mawkish sentiment. The shtick appeared to be a pouting Chris about Michaela “abandoning” the show; a reveling Michaela in the “pain” that her departure caused Chris; and a laughing Alisyn Camerota at their silly departure dance.

Before Michaela exited the stage, she may have been billed as a coequal anchor but the loyal New Day viewer knew the pecking order: Chris was the alpha male; Aly was the alpha bitch (in a good way); and Michaela was still along for the ride. It did not go unnoticed by ND fans that prime anchor Chris would open the show in the first hour; secondary host Aly would intro it the second hour; and Chris would lead in the third and final hour: Tertiary anchor Michaela would tend to do the personal interest stories and racially sensitive ones.

Now that Michaela has “left the building,” the auditioning will begin–hopefully, for both males and females. Early Start co-hosts Christine Romans and John Berman would be a good place to start: No-nonsense Christine guest co-hosted ND predecessor American Morning regularly and quick-witted John Berman is oft a guest co-host of New Day. Of course, Aly and Chris might be a good duo a la Kiran Chetry and John Roberts (the last official co-hosts of AM).

Good luck, Michaela, as you move to HLN to host your own to-be-announced morning show! And, good luck Aly, Chris, and Zucker as you craft anew a New Day!

Kiran Chetry: Reverend?

Kiran: “I’m officially a minister!” Believe it or not, former CNN/FNC anchor Kiran Chetry announced that she has joined the clergy. The Nepali lovely Tweeted, “I’m officially a minister! Got ordained to preside over my best friend’s wedding. God bless!!” Just two minutes later, the enchanting beauty added, “Lady @ NY city clerks [sic] office was kind enough to snap a pic of me signing the official clergy ledger!”

Reverend Kiran Chetry? She is surely someone who would make even the most heathen among her followers attend a service. But, could one really concentrate on her message? Perhaps, not: But, one would certainly take notice of the pastoral pulchritude!

Kiran: A ray of light–as always!

Kiran Chetry: Director

“Submission Type.” Don’t get too excited, naughty boys: Kiran Chetry has not yet been tapped to star in the sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey. Rather, the sexy former host of American Morning (CNN) and Fox & Friends (First & Weekend) has been named Director of Global Strategy for WaveCapital Partners LLC (Banking & Financial Services) according to the Charlotte Business Journal.

This afternoon (October 19), Kiran Tweeted, “Thrilled to join the @thewavecapital team! Lots of exciting projects in the works. Great people! https://lnkd.in/dnYvu78.” For a photo of the Nepalese lovely with her new colleagues, link here.

Congratulations, Kiran!

[Author’s aside: Re the subtitle, supra, the author playfully cited the Charlotte Business Journal‘s “Kiran Chetry Recognition Plaque” that had a line that read, “Submission Type: New Hire.”]

Kiran: Nepal’s Beauty (& Host)

“Hosting Miss Nepal US pageant.” Whilom CNN and FNC anchor Nepali lovely Kiran Chetry exudes feminine pulchritude: So, who better to celebrate such beauty than she in the 2015 Miss Nepal U.S. Pageant? No one!

Displaying her gorgeous gams in a sexy short exotic dress, Kiran announced her return to the beauty contest. The Nepali lovely Tweeted, “[H]osting Miss Nepal US pageant. This is dedicated to “rebuilding Nepal” after earthquake. missnepalus.com.”

And, Kiran is not kidding. “Rebuilding Nepal” is a cause close to the heart of the Kathmandu-born beauty. In April, she made a special plea to her fans to come to the aid of the Nepalese people. Specifically, she requested that they give to “Kids of Katmandu or the American Red Cross.”

Kudos, Kiran!

[Author’s aside: The author followed Kiran’s suggestion re “Kids of Katmandu”: And, he is glad that he did. Of course, the Red Cross is a wonderful option, too.]

Alluring Aly’s Anniversary

Comely Camerota: “Can’t believe it’s already my one year #CNNannniversary[:] it’s been a terrific first year.” And, it has been–with New Day co-host Alisyn Camerota doing what she does best, resurrecting moribund cable news morning programs (a la her second and third stint at Fox & Friends Weekend). Aly to the rescue: Aly’s cool and Aly’s hot!

When New Day replaced American Morning (soon after Kiran Chetry‘s tearful namaskaar), CNN put beefcake Cuomo scion Chris on to co-anchor the show with tyro Kate Bolduan and sweet third wheel news reader Michaela Pereira. It never quite worked with Chris leading the pack as the alpha male with puppy Kate yapping for his affection and second wife Michaela seeming to just want Big Love or peace, joy, and happiness–not that there is anything necessarily wrong with that. When Kate got preggers, the ND viewer could sense that Kate’s tearful goodbye may have been forever (with Zucker itching for a winner in the morn).

Subsequently, Aly began filling in for Kate. Even the casual viewer could sense a whole new dynamic–where the boy was not the boss anymore: The girl was even if she did not necessarily let him know it. Like his Pop or his brother, Chris plays partisan style: And, Aly plays it fair. Poor Michaela seems to opine from the peanut gallery.

With Aly at the helm, it is indeed a New Day at CNN. A good day!

Kiran’s Heartfelt Plea

“They need your help.” Today, Kiran Chetry desperately pleaded for the immediate help of her beloved people, the people of Nepal (the land of her birth).

In a video Kiran posted this afternoon on Twitter, the Nepali beauty reached out to both her CNN and her Fox News fans: Identifying herself as a journalist formerly of the two preeminent cable news channels (American Morning and Fox & Friends Weekend co-host respectively), she implored her Tweeps to come to the aid of her fellow Nepalis, saying, “They need your help….If there’s anything that you can do to help–a donation, no matter how big or small–you would be making a difference between life and death for these people.” Requesting their immediate aid, she added, “Waiting around to figure out the scope and scale of the disaster means lives lost that could have been saved which is why I’m asking you to please donate.”

For those who may have needed guidance as to a worthy charity, Kiran remarked, “Kids of Katmandu has years of experience on the ground in Nepal. They’ve been focusing on the children and working very closely with native Nepalis to insure that every dime you donate is spent in the best way possible to give aid to those who need it and quickly. And now is the time that they need it quickly.”  And, for any hesitant soul, Kiran continued, “Please if you have even a small amount to give, go to KidsofKathmandu.org or the American Red Cross and give anything you can to help the people of Nepal.

Kiran, this author will indeed. And, hopefully all of your other CNN and FNC fans will follow suit. Kudos, Kiran: Thanks for your video–and for letting your Tweeps know how that they can be there for the Nepalese people!

Christine Romans & Bradley Cooper?

John Berman: Google their two names….You will thank me for it later! Early Start co-anchor John Berman reminded his co-host Christine Romans‘ fans of her infamous encounter with the American Sniper star Bradley Cooper almost three years ago. When the Christine was an American Morning co-anchor with Kiran Chetry, the two of them looked like giddy, giggly schoolgirls as they conducted their interview of “megastar” Cooper.

When Bradley was making the media rounds promoting an earlier film (Limitless trailer), he set foot on the set of CNN American Morning with co-anchor Ali Velshi sitting it out and letting the gals get some quality time with Cooper. During their interview of their dreamboat (vid), Christine and Kiran wondered whether he was “back on the market”: when he looked at Kiran and chuckled, she defensively responded, “We’re married. We don’t want to know but we’re asking for our friends.” Chiming in in her own defense, Christine replied, “Oh, yes. This is important for the people to know.”

After Cooper cagily evaded Kiran’s question about his love life, he answered Christine’s query as to his being a “megastar,” saying, his “life [had] not changed, honestly.” When Kiran jested, “So, you don’t have somebody to carry an umbrella around if it’s sunny,” Cooper facetiously riposted, “Of course, I do. That’s normal, right?” Subsequently, Christine joked, “And then somebody else to count the money, too.”

And, then the confab ended suddenly–in silence. As an addled Christine looked over at a similarly lovestruck Kiran, Cooper remarked, “So what else are we going talk about?” When Kiran responded, “Nothing else. Um.,” an amused Cooper looked across the set afar at Ali, exclaiming, “Wow! Total dead space. That was amazing! That was amazing!”

Abashed, Kiran remarked, “This never happens: we interview ambassadors, interview ex-Presidents. We never run out of things to say but now we’re like two school girls in a bar. This is terrible!” Still surprised, Cooper exclaimed, “That was incredible!”

Indeed it was. Must see CNN!

[Author’s aside: John’s remark re Christine was at the end of the 2:00 a.m. ET Early Start edition after Christine fulsomely praised Cooper’s cine, saying, “Wow! What a weekend for American Sniper! Breaking more box office records, the Clint Eastwood film starring Bradley Cooper made about, John, 65 million dollars over the weekend. That’s one of the best second weekends in Hollywood history: The film has now brought in more than 200 million dollars, putting it well on its way to becoming the highest grossing R-rated movie of all time….I’m told that it is almost, almost surpassing Saving Private Ryan as the, as the biggest, biggest war movie.” Blushing, she hid her face initially: And, then she beamed as she gleefully stroked her neck repeatedly.]

Early Start – 01/26/15 (@ 4:59 a.m ET).

 

Aly New ND Anchor: “Thrilled!”

Camerota finally gets her weekday morning gig! CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota confirmed today that she is replacing Kate Bolduan as New Day co-host with Chris Cuomo. Tweeting a link to the Wrap report of the ND shakeup, Aly exclaimed, “Thrilled!” And, so are Aly’s fans.

As Aly’s acolytes remember well, Fox & Friends Weekend‘s savior and three-time co-anchor and frequent Fox & Friends fill-in was inanely overlooked when F&F co-host Gretchen Carlson left F&F weekday for her own show The Real Story, and Aly lost the coveted job to then FNC outsider, Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Soon after this strange snub by FNC SVP of Programming Bill Shine, FTVLive rightly reported that Aly was headed to CNN. When she did indeed, she debuted on CNN Tonight as a co-host with Don Lemon in a her usual sure-footed fashion yet as an awkward counterpart to Don.

Almost six months later to the very day, Aly will reportedly make her official debut in the morn as the new ivory queen of New Day. (Her ebony counterpart will be Michaela Pereira who was promoted to ND co-host with Aly and Chris according to the Wrap.)

Hopefully, Aly will be encouraged to show her lighter side in the CNN morn in a way that her former F&FW co-anchor and CNN precursor, comely Kiran Chetry, was never allowed to do fully, unfortunately (as co-host of CNN’s erstwhile American Morning): If CNN ever really wants to compete with the Fox & Friends juggernaut, it must abandon its too oft aloof, elitist approach to the news and extend a more welcoming, personal touch to its audience.

Congratulations, Aly! You deserve your new role as New Day co-host: It’s FNC’s loss and CNN’s gain. Game on!

[Author’s aside: According to the Wrap, Kate will co-anchor This Hour with John Berman at 11:00 a.m. ET. Confirming the change, Kate Tweeted, “End of this month. New Time slot. Hope you can join us at 11a.]

Kiran’s Comeback: Infomercials?

Comely Chetry still brings the juice! Former Fox & Friends Weekend and American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry was hit by negative publicity today from prominent cable news media sites for hosting hoi polloi infomercials. Mediaite columnist Andrew Kirell snarks, “Hopefully this is just a stepping stone for Chetry, as it seems a far cry from the ‘special opportunity‘ she promised upon her CNN departure three years ago. Perhaps, slightly more benignly, MediaBistro author Mark Joyella notes, “[Chetry] turned up again over the holiday weekend–this time on CNBC. Chetry wasn’t anchoring at CNBC, but rather, appearing in an infomercial for a juicer, the “NutriBullet.”

No worries, Kiran: any publicity is good publicity. Even though the boys may give you a rough ribbing, they still care and they are still talking about you: After all, you are looking as good as ever.

To quote a certain perspicacious chanteuse (via vid), Kiran, “Just shake it off!”

H/t: CNN Commentary.

FOX-y Kiran Returns: CNN Glam?

Chetry: “Are we perfect?”* Kiran Chetry looked luscious this morning as the former American Morning co-host returned to CNN as a guest on Reliable Sources. Paired with older beauty Judy Woodruff, co-host of PBS News Hour, Kiran seemed to make a deliberate decision to glam down, i.e., less makeup, flatter hair, and a more demure dress (sleeveless but with a higher collar and a lower hem). Perhaps, she or CNN’s makeup mavens decided to pander to a more politically correct meme and/or audience.

In his segment [vid via J$P], a  “must-see discussion about women, television news and attractiveness”** (based on a HuffPo article about a British news anchor “who should hike up her skirts”), RS anchor Brian Stelter remarked, “Kiran, you’ve brought some notes with you all of the different things you have been told about how you to dress over the years.” Kiran answered, “When you…called and said…do you want to come join us to talk about this, I laughed.” Elucidating, she explained, “I think that attention to women’s appearance, I think that it’s not just news: I think that’s just sort of society, and we can take it with a grain of salt or we can get very insecure about it.

Sharing her own experience, Kiran explicated, “But, I laughed over the years: People said that I should buy a wig–which I’m actually thinking that I probably should have because my hair is too thin for TV, they didn’t like that–and then I was told not to bare arms but Michelle Obama changed that for all of us.” Of the proffered advice, she added, “Dye your hair blond, wear your skirts shorter…don’t wear pantsuits.”

Subsequently, as Judy bemoaned the inevitable emphasis on the looks of female journalists, Kiran responded, “There is a huge amount of emphasis put on looks: I don’t necessarily think [that] it’s a horrible thing [but] it’s definitely, it’s trying.” When Brian asked for specifics, Kiran related that when she was a twenty-two old anchor in an NBC affiliate (WICU-TV) in Erie, Pennsylvania, she posited the adiaphorous example of being encouraged to wear shoulder pads and “pouffed out hair” to look older.

Hoping for a more apt example, perchance, Brian asked, “When you were at Fox News, was there a more of a focus on your looks than there were at other places?”

Smiling and tilting her head alluringly, Kiran replied, “Yeah, one of my favorite quotes ever: Never mind, I can’t say it. I can’t, I just realized that I can’t say it. I’ll tell you later!”

Don’t hold out, Kiran! As to whether you look perfect, to paraphrase Alabama for your steadfast fans, “you’re close enough to perfect for me.” And, when you really return to TV, the author has a feeling you just might be.

* Reliable Sources – 07/13/14 (11:17 a.m. ET). [Re the subtitle, supra, Kiran asked at the beginning of the segment, “Are we perfect because we’re both wearing sleeveless?”]

Kiran Back–on CNN!

Comely Chetry: “Hope u watch!” This afternoon, former American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry proclaimed that she is back–Sunday on CNN Reliable Sources. After roaming two years in the desert, the Nepalese lovely has finally returned to her “Promised Land” of cable news. In missives to her Twitter followers and to her FB friends, she proclaimed, “Heading back to NYC after taping a segment w @brianstelter @CNN in DC for this week’s @CNNReliable. Hope u watch this Sunday 11AM est!”

The author shall indeed, Kiran. And, it is about time that you graced the airwaves anew! After arousing your acolytes for over a decade on both FNC (Fox & Friends First & Fox & Friends Weekend) and CNN (American Morning) from the embrace of Morpheus, you’ll be a sight for sore eyes.

Welcome back, Kiran–and stick around for a while!

 

Kiran: Back on Fox News!

At least, for a few seconds. Yesterday, former FNC anchor Kiran Chetry reappeared on the network that made her famous–and that infamously “fired” her. Last night, on the Kelly File, the Nepalese beauty was included in a montage of  host Megyn Kelly’s snippets (concerning View co-host Jenny McCarthy‘s position on vaccinations):  In a CNN clip, Kiran is shown for about five seconds during her American Morning interview of the autism activism advocate.* Even though Kiran was not acknowledged by a chyron or Megyn herself, it was still a delight for Kiran’s loyal Fox & Friends fans to see their fave fox back on FNC–even if but for a moment or two and on vid–especially, since she has been virtually M.I.A. as of late.

Cheering her acolytes all the more, Kiran’s karma may be looking bright anew: If so, it would be a veritable “blast from the past.” When her whilom Fox & Friends Weekend co-host, Alisyn Camerota, was told earlier yesterday (before the Kelly Files aired) “you and @kiranchetry should team up again: You two were great,” Aly responded, “That would be a blast rt”! One that Fox News would well deserve since its Executive VP of Programming, Bill Shine, inanely ushered both FNC fan favorites, Kelly and Aly, unceremoniously out the FNC door.

Kiran and Aly Kat together again? Foxes and Friends!

* Kelly File – 04/15/14 (@ 9:44 p.m. ET) and Fox News Insider vid – 04/16/14 (@ 00:45/05:00).

Bradley Cooper Mutes Breathless Christine Romans?

John Berman: “Worth checking the Internet for that.” Early Start co-anchor John Berman brought back old embarrassing memories for his new co-host Christine Romans Wednesday.

Reading a headline news story on the President’s State Dinner for the French head of state, John noted that Oscar-nominated hunk Bradley Cooper was in attendance: Puckishly, he queried, “Have you [Christine] met Bradley Cooper?”*

Coolly, Christine answered, “He was right here on this program one day. Yes, indeed!”

Mischievously, he riposted, “Interesting. Worth checking the Internet for that moment.”

Blushing, a chagrined Christine pleaded, “Don’t!”

But, do. (Link here.)

[Author’s aside: Former American Morning co-anchor Kiran Chetry likens their shared interview of Cooper to “two schoolgirls in a bar.”]

*Early Start – 02/12/14 (@ 5:45 a.m. ET).

Zoraida’s Tearful Adios: “A Very Difficult Decision”

“You put the good in ‘good morning’: It just doesn’t work as well in ‘goodbye.'” The CNN dawn darkened decidedly Friday when Early Start star Zoraida Sambolin bid adieu to her early morning show Friday.

In the final third of ES, Zoraida’s co-anchor John Berman declared, “I am wearing black today because it is Zoraida Sambolin’s last day on Early Start.* [Vid via J$P.] Placing a bracelet made by his sons on her wrist, John jested, “When I heard that you chose your fiance, your family, your hometown, and sleep over me, I, I was a little offended: And, I’ve been trying to understand it but it’s hard. I put together a little piece.”

Subsequently, as producers ran a montage of Zoraida’s clips, John intoned, “The thing about Zoraida Sambolin, when she says ‘Good morning,’ she means it….She doesn’t just want your morning to be good, she makes it happen.” Felicitously, he continued, “It’s that smile, that laugh, that sparkle….More than anything, it’s the sincerity.” Aptly, he added, “Know this, we will miss you tons. Yes, you put the good in good morning: It just doesn’t work as well in goodbye.”

With tears streaming down her cheeks, Zoraida responded, “That is so sweet….This was a very difficult decision for me: I did it primarily for my kids.” To John, she sweetly declared, “You are the best human being I have ever sat next to in my entire life….Seriously, I just cannot think of a more thoughtful, caring, cynical, loving–just a genuinely good human being: And, I thank you for just being you.”

And, Zoraida, thank you for being you!

Early Start – 12/13/13 (@ 5:43 a.m. ET)

[Author’s aside: Zoraida was the best person to grace CNN’s early morning since Kiran Chetry (erstwhile American Morning co-host). Both dared to expose their real selves to their viewers–to defy the sterile corporate culture with a genuine sine qua non that was their own. They are both missed!]

BP “To The Couch” Walk: New Day Stupid?

Polluting America’s Gulf: Polluting CNN’s airwaves? Lampooning themselves unintentionally a la a Saturday Night Live spoof, CNN New Day co-hosts Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan, and Michaela Pereira made a mockery of themselves and their show today anew with their diurnal “To The Couch!” walk sponsored by BP in the penultimate block of ND. After Kate announced that they would be making their odd amble to ND‘s version of F&F‘s “curvy couch” for John Berman‘s “Award of the Day” segment, an actual ad sponsored by BP began to air in a split screen alongside with Chris, Kate, and Michaela strolling to the sofa.

It was embarrassing and absurd. When the author saw this inanity of a crass commercial during ND itself for the first time a while back, he thought it was a lame joke or, perhaps, a jejune jab at F&F‘s famed “curvy couch.” But, it was not to be: It was actually a legitimate commercial. Yikes! It was especially jarring since CNN’s American Morning (an earlier ED iteration) co-hosts Kiran Chetry and John Roberts had covered the 2010 BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico with exceptional reportage and sincere sensitivity.

Whenever this viewer watches Chris, Kate, and Michaela stroll to ND‘s “curvy couch” as the ad voice-over proclaims the merits of BP, he remembers the pollution from that oil company spill that savaged the Gulf of Mexico, its marine life, and the economic livelihoods of so many Gulf states natives. And, those images now spill over onto a seemingly much too cavalier New Day itself.

Scrub well with Dawn, ED, and start a whole new dawn!

Oops! Michaela Pereira’s Number Revealed!

Smart watch: dumb reporter? Today, New Day news anchor Michaela Pereira fell victim to the “eye of the camera”–and a CNN colleague’s naivete. In a segment on Samsung’s soon-to-be-released smartwatch, business correspondent Zain Asher gave Michaela and her New Day co-hosts Kate Bolduan and Chris Cuomo a revealing demonstration of what the smartwatch can do. After taking a photo of Kate and Chris, Zain called Michaela: when she did, the camera’s eye closed in on the face of the watch clearly showing Michaela’s phone number [(3**) 2**-***2] for approximately three seconds.*

When Michaela’s number appeared on the screen, Chris slyly interjected, “Why does Michaela have a 1-900 number?” Playing along with his futile attempt at legerdemaine, Michaela smiled suggestively and rolled her eyes racily. Then, when her phone began to ring, Michaela exclaimed, “Oh, there’s a phone call for me! I wonder who that could be!”

After today, that phone call could be from any of Michaela’s New Day fans. But, poor Zain should not feel too bad: she’s not the first one on CNN’s premier morning show to make that mistake. When John Roberts co-anchored American Morning (a New Day precursor), the veteran newscaster called Kiran Chetry on air with his cell phone and similarly displayed Kiran’s number for the world to see. Consequently, Kiran had to change her number: And, doubtlessly, so shall Michaela.

Smile, Michaela! It’s time for the “good stuff.” Time for your free upgrade!

*Early Day – 09/05/15 (@ 8:41 a.m. ET)

[Author’s aside: Obviously, Carpe Diem did not publish Michaela’s full phone number for privacy purposes.]

Oops: Aly Laughs at Her Most Loyal F&FW Fans!

But, Camerota quickly recants–as she throws her weekday Fox & Friends colleagues under the bus? Today, F&F Weekend co-anchor Alisyn Camerota made a rare gaffe at the expense of her most devoted votaries in the final hour of the show: to wit, she virtually scoffed at them for watching the entire Fox & Friends Weekend show. Ouch!

Ironically, as the last hour of F&FW started this morn, co-host Clayton Morris casually commented, “You’re watching Fox & Friends, the longest morning show in cable news. You don’t believe me? Hour four is starting right now.” Approximately ten minutes later in a discussion with Aly and co-anchor Tucker Carlson (of a study of how Americans spend their off-hours/day), Clayton noted, “Watching TV, two hours and fifty minutes…that seems low to me.” Incredulously, a wide-eyed, agape Aly laughed, “You think…almost three hours a day of television is low? That’s a lot!”

“Aly oops”! Subsequently, as the F&FW trio discussed other ways that Americans spent their diurnal off-duty time, producers apparently whispered in Aly’s ear. As she closed the segment, a seemingly chastened Aly observed that the statistics, including the television-watching one, were “fascinating”: Smiling, she pleaded, “We want you to watch four hours of television every Saturday and Sunday. Commit to that, America, starting at 6:00 a.m. (ET)!”

Callowly, Tucker chimed, “That’s your weekly recommended dose, and you can get it all done just on the weekends.” Concurring wholeheartedly, Aly exclaimed, “Yes, just in one fell swoop with us!” [Never mind their four-hour-per-day-weekdays counterparts (F&F First and F&F)–or even that Irish guy at night.]

Apparently, producers may have worried that their viewers may have suddenly felt disinclined to “waste” a full four hours watching Fox & Friends Weekend on the final day of Independence weekend–after all, Aly had laughed at their and their fellow Americans’ watching even two hours and fifty minutes per day. As F&FW signed off, an ebullient Aly said, “Tune in to us tomorrow: we’ll have all the latest for you, of course.” Pointing to their F&FW audience, Clayton aptly supplicated, “6 a.m. Eastern time, wake up! Set your alarm. Don’t miss a minute of it! Please!” Nodding her head, Aly added, “See you then!”

After her gaffe and laugh, Aly and her boys certainly hope so.

[Author’s aside: Aly’s faux pas reminded the author of another holiday-time solecism by CNN erstwhile American Morning fill-in co-host Carol Costello: In an aside to her viewers on the day after Christmas in 2008, she gauchely declared, “I hope none of you were watching on Christmas Day because you actually do have a life.”]

“New Day”: New Dawn or New Dud?

Chris, Kate, and Michaela: CNN’s New Day morning team brings a brighter dawn to their viewers–at least, for now. Gone are the too oft surly Soledad O’Brien and her Starting Point panel of milquetoast toadies (and the subsequent SP fill-ins): And, in their place are three sunnier replacements, alpha male Chris Cuomo, tomboy beauty Kate Bolduan, and the engaging BBBW Michaela Pereira. And, thankfully, for three full hours for those sick and tired of the schizophrenic Early Start/Starting Point (two hour/two hour) start to their CNN day.

For early morn viewers wondering who in the world the new CNN honcho Jeff Zucker’s tyro trio were, they introduced themselves to each other and to viewers in their respective profile segments (vids): Chris’s “Poseidon Adventure”; Kate’s “Skeet’r Shoot”; and Michaela’s “Soccer Mom.” It was almost an homage to FNC’s Fox & Friends: i.e., an acknowledgment that morning news TV should be informative, informal, and personal if it is truly to resonate with its audience.

However, the personal chemistry among Kate, Chris, and Michaela does seem somewhat forced at times, e.g., Chris requesting and receiving a kiss from Michaela and their subsequent group hug at the end of Michaela’s “Soccer Mom” segment. Nevertheless, the three seem to genuinely like other.

Still, Chris seems to be the wild card: He’s the baritone Cuomo scion that sometimes seems somewhat solipsist but is trying hard to mingle with the masses. Hopefully, he can. But, for future reference, as Kate seemed to sense, he probably should not tell aurally challenged, camera-curious three-year-olds–even if in jest–that he won’t abide their stealing “[his] camera” or his “single.”* [Video.]

As Ad Age noted, the results for a New Day were mixed in its debut week (June 17-21). It did edge out its HLN sibling in the ratings and was leaps and bounds above Soledad’s cellar status in the same time period in 2012: However, New Day was trounced by FNC’s Fox & Friends and lost to MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

A New Day: a new dud? It could yet be: But, CNN fans are hoping New Day is truly a new dawn. Leading that chorus, former American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry wished her a.m. “successors” well, saying, “Good luck guys!! The hours are a bear… But the experience is priceless. Godspeed!!!”

*New Day – 06/21/13 (@ 5:28/5:49)

“CNN’s Stephanie Elam” Returns to A.M.

Rob Marciano: I heard a familiar voice this morning…@Stephanie Elam nice work!” Friday, whilom CNN biz beauty Stephanie Elam returned anew as a CNN correspondent on early morning news programs Early Start and Starting Point much to the delight of her former CNN colleague and Entertainment Tonight co-host Rob Marciano and, assuredly, a myriad of her erstwhile American Morning fans.

For Early Start viewers, Stephanie came back as a friendly, familiar face invigorating the engaging new duo of  Zoraida Sambolin and John Berman: For the Starting Point audience who had not yet abandoned ship a la their star-crossed captain Soledad O’Brien, poor Stephanie was just another warm body trying to keep that sinking ship afloat until a New Day finally dawns.

Welcome back, Stephanie!

[Author’s aside: “CNN’s Stephanie Elam” refers to the repeated moniker given Stephanie by Zoraida and John when introducing Stephanie before her Camarillo, California, wildfire reports to their CNN early morning audience.]