O’Reilly Out: Carlson In

Five replaces Carlson; Bolling replaces Five; and Watters replaces Bolling. Yesterday, FNC honcho Rupert Murdoch “caved”: Joined his boys James and Lachlan in dethroning the King of Cable Bill O’Reilly (statement)–while O’Reilly was on vacation. And, O’Reilly did not get the last word on his once eponymous show last night newly named simply The Factor.

Rather, The Factor fill-in host Dana Perino solemnly declared, “Finally, tonight, it is the end of an era here at the Fox News Channel….Bill O’Reilly is leaving this chair and this network after more than twenty years. Bill has been the undisputed king of cable news, and for good reason: He is an incredibly talented broadcaster who raised the bar for interviewers everywhere; he has also held his staff to exacting standards in his quest to put the best possible program on the air and they are great; and you his audience responded in record numbers making The Factor the number one cable news show for more than sixteen years.” Trying to soften the blow to O’Reilly’s fans further, Dana declared, “In a memo to the staff today, Rupert, James, and Lachlan Murdoch who run Fox News described Bill this way, [saying], “By ratings standards, Bill O’Reilly is one of the most accomplished TV personalities in the history of cable news. In fact, his success by any measure is indisputable. We wish him the very best.”

Even though the Murdochs recently re-signed their FNC flagship anchor and top revenue generator to an 18-million-per-year contract, they decided to  jettison O’Reilly amid the continuing allegations of sexual harassment. According to the New York Times, Fox luminaries Rebecca Gomez (2011), Laurie Dhue (2016), and Juliet Huddy (2016) have received settlements: Furthermore, reportedly, erstwhile Outnumbered regular Andrea Tantaros‘s psychologist Michele Berdy said under oath that Andrea “complained to me about recurring unwanted advances from Bill O’Reilly.” To boot, the New York Daily News reported, “On the day before he [O’Reilly] was booted, a black colleague said a leering O’Reilly shamelessly ogled her cleavage and nicknamed her ‘Hot Chocolate.'”

Not amused, O’Reilly responded to his firing, saying, “It is tremendously disheartening that we [Fox News and O’Reilly] part ways due to completely unfounded claims. But that is the unfortunate reality many of us in the public eye must live with today. I will always look back on my time at Fox with great pride in the unprecedented success we achieved and with my deepest gratitude to all my dedicated viewers.” [For full statement, link here.]

As to O’Reilly’s dedicated viewers, they will now have “a new evening and prime time lineup” according to Fox News. As of Monday (April 24),  Tucker Carlson Tonight will replace the recently renamed O’Reilly Factor (to The Factor); The Five will follow with the usual cast of Kimberly Guilfoyle, Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Juan Williams, and Bob Beckel with the addition of Jesse Watters to take Eric Bolling‘s middle chair (April 24); Bolling gets his own show in the old The Five slot at 5:00 p.m. ET (May 1).

Coaxing his own Tucker Carlson Tonight viewers to make the jump to the new time last night, Tucker concluded his show saying, “There is change coming to Fox News, the channel and to this program: Starting Monday, we are moving to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. You’ve made the journey with us from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: We hope you’ll come along once more and join us an hour earlier.” Graciously, he aptly added, “We’ve got big shoes to fill: We’re going to do our best.”

Indeed, Tucker does have big shoes to fill: Whether O’Reilly devotees will give Tucker that chance remains to be known. And, to whether FNC fans cotton to James and Lachlan’s kinder, gentler Fox News is another issue altogether: Their father Rupert had the Midas touch with his “Mad Men” mentality. Going PC may be FNC’s folly: Alchemy in reverse.

Megyn Kelly: Trump Target?

Janice Dean: “This obsession with @megynkelly is disturbing and not presidential. Please stop. @realDonaldTrump.” Thus, came FNC meteorologist Janice Dean to the defense of her colleague and friend Megyn Kelly, host of FNC’s prime-time The Kelly File. Janice was not amused in the least with The Donald’s Tweet, saying, “Highly overrated & crazy @megynkelly is always complaining about Trump and yet she devotes her shows to me. Focus on others Megyn!”

As long-time Carpe Diem readers know, Janice and Megyn are FNC faves of the author: That said, Trump is a strange cat. Republican front runner Donald J. Trump has an eerie, incisive sense of what the populace apparently wants to be said and/or to to be done. And, Trump is the Energizer Bunny of the GOP base. And, he does not give a tinker’s damn what JAG/Senator Lindsey Graham, failed GOP standard bearer Mitt Romney, or even what W. thinks. And, he sure as heck does not care a whit what an FNC anchor opines. He is just that way: If in doubt, ask his bud Bill O’Reilly.

The Donald is a force to be reckoned with. He is a street fighter: In other words, when you hit him, he is going to hit you back HARD–repeatedly. He does not care what race, gender, etc. that you are. He is going to take you out if he perceives that you are a threat–or even if you just took the first shot.

Hopefully, Trump will dial it back a bit: But, Megyn will have to do the same. Hopefully, a little rapprochement is in the offing. If not, it will make for good TV–and good ratings.

O’Reilly: “Midnight Tantaros”

Andrea: “Oh no. This nickname is gonna stick.” Outnumbered co-host Andrea Tantaros was given a rather racy sobriquet by FNC ratings champ Bill O’Reilly. After introducing O’Reilly as today’s #oneluckyguy, Andrea remarked, “You know, we, we were on the Factor at eight and eleven last night: You kept me up ’til midnight. I’m not sick of you yet but we’ll check in afterwards.” Smiling mischievously, O’Reilly replied, “Well, I, I have to tell everybody [that] Tantaros’s nickname is ‘Midnight Tantaros.’ So…she leaves the show and goes out to Bungalow 14 or whatever it is.”

Shaking her head with amusement, Andrea smilingly exclaimed, “I don’t know where he gets this stuff from! Midnight at the Tantaros! Alright!”

Of course, Andrea’s acolytes may well have a clue. Their Aphrodite is a saucy Greek goddess who has been named one of the “Hottest Women of Fox News” by the “King of All Media,” Howard Stern; was interviewed in Playboy (“Yes, I’m in Playboy this month…No photos tho. Sorry!”); and downed 22 shots on her twenty-first birthday–not to mention who also snagged bad boy Dave Navarro, Jane’s Addiction guitarist (and whilom Red Hot Chili Peppers member).

Yes, “Midnight Tantaros” fits sexy Andrea just right. After O’Reilly had aptly dubbed her, one of Andrea’s Tweeps Tweeted, “You know…Midnight just rolls off the tongue-not that you could be any sexier.” In answer, Andrea exclaimed, “Oh no. This nickname is gonna stick. I can feel it. Thanks @oreillyfactor.”

Thanks indeed, O’Reilly! “Midnight Tantaros”? “Red Hot”!

Hannity’s Coed “Debauchery”

“T & a”: randy O’Reilly style! Sean Hannity, host of his eponymous program, seems to have taken a page out of O’Reilly Factor anchor Bill O’Reilly‘s old playbook. Decry debauchery but let your audience enjoy the view without feeling too guilty. Tuesday night, Hannity introduced his show with approximately fifteen seconds of coed “t & a,” piously intoning, “After years of out-of control partying, chaos, crime, and now even rape, Panama City Beach, Florida, finally votes to clean up spring break!”

Announcing a “Fox News Alert,” a la O’Reilly, Hannity proudly proclaimed the efficacy of his show, saying, “Panama City, Florida, is taking major steps tonight in order to end the chaos and the crime that has plagued the city during spring break: The city council has now voted to ban alcohol on the beach and try to stop all of this out of control behavior. Now, following a two-year Hannity investigation into what really happens when your kids jet off to spring break, we discover, in fact, that it was not all fun in the sun. This year alone the partying scene was wrought with debauchery, wide-spread drug abuse, gang rapes, and even multiple attempted murders.” He continued, “So, in response, finally…the Panama City Beach city council voted unanimously last night to ban alcohol on the beach during the month of March next year–that’s the height of spring bring…and to end all booze sales after 2 a.m….

In the segment with a Panama City Beach city councilman, an attorney, and an activist, Hannity, queried, “So, the question is ‘will these new common sense measures curtail the very dangerous spring break situation that Panama City Beach has been experiencing?”‘ As the three showered approbation on Hannity for the good that he had wrought in his campaign against a raucous spring break in Panama City Beach, footage ran of bikini-clad beauties twerking, funneling beer, etc. for over three full straight minutes! Subsequently, Hannity introduced his sexy seemingly naive investigative reporter Ainsley Earhardt in the next segment, praising her, stating, “By the way, joining us now…[is]…the co-host of Fox & Friends First, She’s been down there two years in a row. Ainsley Earhardt is with us.”

Introducing a Daily Show clip of anchor Jon Stewart ridiculing the spring break hype of Hannity, Hannity exclaimed, “We took a lot of heat, we got a lot of ridicule, let’s remind people of what we got when we started our coverage.” In the Daily Show snippet, Stewart derisively declared, “Yes, America’s oldest hall monitor, Sean Hannity, dedicated not one, not two, but five different shows on the horrors of spring break including the entire hour on Friday featuring a panel of outraged experts there to expose this annual event. You will believe what they found ’cause you know.” As he aired a clip of Hannity’s show of seemingly buzzed bathing beauties imbibing and twerking as Hannity voices over, “Drinking, drugs, risky behavior, sometimes with tragic results,” Stewart snarked, “Shortly, after filming that piece, that young [twerking] woman blew out her left butt cheek. Some of the more skeptical viewers might think that this is less of a news story and more of a reason to spend a week running wildly inappropriate “t & a” footage alongside pundits tsk’ing said footage. But, you’d only be 99.9% right.”

As Ainsley and another FNC contributor decried the Panama City Beach spring break scene, Hannity aired approximately four additional minutes of “debauchery” for those viewers who needed yet more evidence of the evils that Ainsley had witnessed. And, for those who wanted yet more proof, Hannity produced approximately another minute of footage during the following segment with Ainsley and Geraldo Rivera (about how things are purported “spinning out of control,” namely the “debauchery happening at spring break, riots in Baltimore, and, of course, the war on cops all across the country”).

Debauchery” on display: O’Reilly’s old schtick. Now, Hannity’s new hook? Surprise, surprise: Sex sells!

Perino: New Weekly O’Reilly Segment

O’Reilly: “Dana Perino’s top stories of the week!” Pixie pretty Five co-host Dana Perino has a new gig: Following in the tiny footsteps of her dimunitive co-anchor Greg Gutfeld, Dana  has scored a weekly segment on FNC ratings king Bill O’Reilly’s The Factor.  Bettering her little buddy (who enjoys a regular segment entitled “What the Heck Just Happened” with Imus in the Morning executive producer Bernard McGuirk), Dana has her own segment to herself.

Announcing her good news Thursday, Dana Tweeted, “So this is happening. Tonight. New weekly segment w/ @oreillyfactor where we bat around my top stories of the weeks.”

Subsequently, when The Factor aired that night, Bill began Dana’s segment, announcing, “‘Impact Segment’ tonight! Brand new segment: Dana Perino’s top stories of the week!” Introducing her, he exclaimed, “And, here she is! Co-host of The Five, Miss [sic] Perino!” Joking he added, “[Dana’s The Five co-host Bob] Beckel would never get this!”

Congratulations, Dana!

*O’Reilly Factor (second airing) – 03/19/15 (@ 11:14 p.m. ET).

Huddy’s “Hell”: To Freeze Over?

O’Reilly: “We’re gonna keep it…at least, for the time being.” Good Day NY anchor Juliet Huddy was given an entirely new weekly segment from Bill O’Reilly entitled “Mad as Hell” Thursday on his eponymous show. A day earlier, Juliet’s erstwhile signature slot on the O’Reilly Factor, “Did You See That,” was handed to America’s Newsroom co-host Martha MacCallum. Stranger yet, O’Reilly himself seemed to suggest that Juliet’s new gig might not be long-lived.

Apparently, signaling the changes afoot on the Factor a week earlier (September 25), Martha Tweeted, “I will be on @oreillyfactor every Wed night.” Then, this past Wednesday, Martha appeared in Juliet’s place on “Did You See That” with no mention of the missing Juliet by either Martha or O’Reilly. However, at the end of the show, O’Reilly announced that the Factor on Thursday would “launch a brand new segment called ‘Mad as Hell'” with Juliet commenting on viewers’ missives about what really ticks them off.

True to O’Reilly’s word, Juliet appeared Thursday on “Mad,” opining with her “William” about e-mail from peeved viewers.* And, at the end of her segment, “O’Reilly asked for more such letters to them for the following Thursday.

However, on Friday, O’Reilly indicated that he and Juliet might not be entertaining such correspondence permanently. At the end of his show Friday, Bill read an e-mail from a fan of “Mad,” saying, “Mr. O, if you discontinue the Mad as Hell segment, I will be mad as hell.” In response, O’Reilly remarked, “Alright, we’re gonna keep it…at least, for the time being.”

In Ailes’ world lately, that “time being” is rather tenuous–at best.

*O’Reilly Factor – 10/03/13 (@ 7:29 p.m. ET)

**O’Reilly Factor – 10/04/13 (@8:55 p.m. ET)

Huddy: “On Oreilly every Wednesday.” Not!

[Updated, infra.] “Did You See That?” Fox & Friends First co-host Heather Nauert took Juliet Huddy‘s signature segment tonight on the O’Reilly Factor with nary a word of explanation from Bill (nor even a Tweet peep from Juliet).* In fact, when Bill introduced Heather to the absent Juliet’s “Did You See That?” audience (on CDC excessive alcohol use data), he simply said, “And, here now to explain further, Fox News correspondent Heather Nauert.” When Heather had finished opining and bantering with Bill, Bill presented the blond beauty further to his audience as a Fox & Friends First co-host on at 5:00 a.m.–the show that followed his own in its final airing of the night: But, no mention of Juliet.

Simply an oversight by “William” of his faithful friend? Perhaps. However, only yesterday, Juliet had confidently proclaimed, “On Oreilly [sic] every Wednesday” (when a Twitter follower had asked, “Where have you been…no more Oreilly or curvy couch?”). This Wednesday, she was nowhere to be found on O’Reilly: But, she was assuredly on Twitter, Tweeting thirteen missives–not a single one about her absence tonight.

O’Reilly Factor: Huddy out, Heather in? Stay tuned.

O’Reilly Factor – 08/21/13 (@ 8:49 p.m. ET)

Update: For the second week in a row (08/28/13), Huddy was still M.I.A.: America’s Newsroom co-anchor Martha MacCallum served instead as O’Reilly’s correspondent on “Did You See That?” Once again, Bill made no mention of Juliet on his show nor did Juliet provide any explanation via her Twitter chatter. O’Reilly Factor – 08/28/13 (11:49 p.m. ET).

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

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.”]

Huddy Factor: Hoboken “Hypocrite”?

“Did You See That?”: Do I have to explain why it’s been banned!“ FNC correspondent and O’Reilly Factor regular Juliet Huddy oddly decried the horrors of a sexy British Pamela Anderson advertisement last Wednesday.* The former Fox & Friends Weekend co-host who readily relishes the ribald humor of her erstwhile Fox & Friends Weekend co-host and best bud Mike Jerrick would seem to be an unlikely proponent of banning racy commercials. But, on her Factor “Did You See That?” segment, she sportingly played the part of censorship queen: And, for fans of the thrice-married proud cougar, her priggish pontifications appeared humorous at best.

During her weekly appearance on Bill O’Reilly’s eponymous show, Juliet was asked to opine on the banning of the rather risque British advert which starred buxom biz babe Pamela Anderson and her similarly endowed tarty underling cavorting in cream in a male colleague’s fantasy. After playing a controversial clip of the commercial censored as being “sexist and degrading to women,” O’Reilly remarked, “And, here now to explain why that ad has been banned is Juliet Huddy.” Appearing to feign outrage, Juliet exclaimed, “Do I have to explain why it’s been banned! Really!”

Subsequently, as another snippet started to air, O’Reilly jested, “I thought it was a milk commercial.” Laughing heartily, Juliet interjected, “I, I mean, I have to say.” Before she could continue, O’Reilly added, “So, it’s raunchy and suggestive but…Great Britain has a lot of that stuff. So…why did they pull this?”

Guffawing and giggling, Juliet declared, “Right thing, justifiably so! They felt that it’s sexist and objectifies women!”

Unconvinced, O’Reilly persisted, “Look, all I know is that…in England, particularly in London, they run a lot of raunchy stuff all over the place.”

Taking O’Reilly to task, Juliet jibed, “So, you’re upset that this ad is being banned?”

Defensively, raising his hand, O’Reilly retorted, “I’m not upset. I don’t care! I’m apathetic when it comes to this.”

Moralizing comically, Juliet riposted, “I think you do, Bill! Or, we wouldn’t have this on the show if you didn’t care!”

“Did you see that?” Indeed. Juliet: not necessarily O’Reilly fiercest “Culture Warrior.”

*O’Reilly Factor – 06/12/13 (8:50 a.m. ET)

Alisyn Camerota: “Reunited & It Feels So Good”

The Bristol Bay babe (a/k/a Bikini Aly) is back for good? Last week Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Alisyn Camerota reclaimed her throne from her recent sole sub Juliet Huddy after a five-month absence. Whether it was because of Juliet’s peculiar attack on Ron Paul during her O’Reilly Factor segment (“yellow belly” who needed to be slapped down by O’Reilly for his refusal to return to the program) or not, Aly finally returned to the curvy couch last Saturday with little fanfare.

The previous Friday, Aly Tweeted her “surprise” return to followers as she co-hosted F&F weekday. Later, after F&FW co-anchors Clayton Morris and Dave Briggs did their usual weekend promo on F&F with a vid clip, Aly suddenly appeared between them asking, “And, can I come back and be with you guys tomorrow?”* Seemingly less than enthusiastic about his estranged TV wife, Clayton answered, “Uh, I don’t know. We have to run it through the powers that be. Let me go check on that.” After shrugging impishly, a more forgiving Dave declared, “We hope so!” Authoritatively, Aly replied, “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

When F&FW opened the following Saturday, Aly jested, “Good morning, everyone!…I’m Alisyn Camerota in for Alisyn Camerota.” Subsequently, she laughed, “Don’t adjust your sets: it’s not a mirage. We are reunited!” In response, Clayton stiffly patted her on the back and in a monotone remarked, “Alisyn Camerota is back. Nice to [sic] so much to see you. Thank you so much for being back here on the show.” Turning to Clayton and then to Dave, Aly answered, “Great to be back with you guys. I really missed you.”

Looking on with apparent amusement, a smiling Dave declared, “Okay. Group hug!” Embracing Dave, Aly answered, “Group hug. Give me some Briggs’ love.” Then, turning to Clayton, Aly said, “Give me some Briggs’, Clayton love.” After the two gave each other a salutary shoulder-bump hug, Aly seemed to arch her right eyebrow as if the “love” might be somewhat strained between the tutor and her erstwhile star student.

Perhaps, F&FW guest former Governor Mike Huckabee had some insight on the show dynamic a few hours later. When Aly introduced him, a beaming Huckabee remarked, “Welcome back to Saturday morning. These guys have needed some supervision. And, boy, have they been misbehaving.”**  As Dave nodded his head in agreement, Aly answered, “Not a moment too soon is all I can say”: Apparently dissenting, Clayton silently guffawed and subtly thumbed his nose at Huckabee’s ribbing.

Perhaps, Aly was echoing Carpe Diem when it suggested Aly had returned “just in the nick of time.” Happily, it appears that she is back to stay: Yesterday, she Tweeted, “I’m back on F+F Weekends as of this Saturday and Sunday!…Reunited and it feels so good.”

Welcome back, Aly!

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 09/09/11 (8:40 a.m. ET)

**Fox & Friends Weekend – 09/10/11 (8:35 a.m. ET)

Juliet Huddy’s Odd O’Reilly Appearance

Osama bin Laden still alive? Fox News anchor Juliet Huddy was back–stranger still. Last week Juliet curiously called GOP candidate and libertarian icon Ron Paul a “yellow belly” on the O’Reilly Factor and suggested that anchor Bill O’Reilly should slap Paul figuratively and/or literally for not returning to the show. This Wednesday, she seemed to have more comically missed the missive that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. troops in May.

At the beginning of Juliet’s weekly “Did You See That?” segment, O’Reilly played a September 14th “The View” clip of Michael Moore apparently advocating the trial of terrorists in U.S. courts and co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck anachronistically retorting that [the deceased] Osama bin Laden does [sic] not deserve a trial in New York City.* When O’Reilly asked Juliet for her opinion of the debate, Juliet responded, “Frankly, for him to say that Osama bin Laden deserves or should be tried here in the United States, first no. No, he doesn’t. We know he’s a killer….We don’t need to try him. There isn’t any proof to be shown. We all know he is and he admits it.”

Subtly correcting her and setting the record straight for viewers, O’Reilly responded, “Naw. He, he, he declared war on the United States and the military took him out.” In response, Juliet blankly looked straight ahead as he segued to a question on an MTV fighting teenage mom.

Oops! Perhaps, Juliet’s simply had her tense usage wrong–or, maybe, her mind was merely muddled as she entered San Francisco’s clime. After all, before her appearance on O’Reilly, she Tweeted, “Driving over foggy Golden Gate Bridge on way to do O’Reilly. See you tonite!”  Perchance, after embracing her new “foggy” bohemian environs a mite too much in the interval, Juliet simply lost her short-term memory for the moment.

Nevertheless, an “odd” Juliet is better than no Juliet.

*O’Reilly Factor – 09/14/11 – @ 8:48 p.m. ET

Juliet Huddy: “Yellow Belly” Ron Paul

“Just slapped him down!” Daring or ditzy? With a slight smile, Fox News anchor Juliet Huddy tore into GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul last night on the O’Reilly Factor over his refusal to return to the show. During her weekly “Did You See That?” segment (after Factor ambush reporter Jesse Waters’ interview of the recalcitrant Paul), host Bill O’Reilly revealed, “Huddy said something very interesting to me as she came on the set….You [Juliet] said I should have let Ron Paul have it.”* Gesturing as if she were smacking Paul on the face repeatedly, she exclaimed, “Just slapped him down!”

Subsequently, O’Reilly queried, “Really?” Pointing at him for emphasis, Juliet remarked, “We love seeing that.” Clarifying Juliet’s “slap-down” advice, O’Reilly asked, “Verbally? Verbally?”

Ignoring his suggested caution, Juliet answered, “Well, or, the other way, too. You know, you couldn’t do that on set, obviously, ’cause he’s not going to be here.” Interjecting, O’Reilly remarked, “I’m not going to slap anybody.” Upping the ante, Juliet responded, “The yellow belly won’t be here! But…it would have been great.”

Perchance, Juliet was just blowing sweet blandishments in the ear of her “William.” But, she must know that Paul has a phalanx of fiercely loyal supporters that may not take too kindly too her caustic comments. If they turn on her, she may experience a blowblack that she will not soon forget.

Juliet’s assualt: daring or ditzy? Regardless, of the answer, it was probably ill-timed. Just as she appears to be becoming more and more ensconced again on the curvy couch as a Fox & Friends Weekend co-host, Juiet seemed to give short shrift to the political hero of one of F&FW‘s core demos. Unless Alisyn Camerota returns to her long “abandoned” center seat this weekend, F&FW viewers should not be surprised by a “contrite” apology posthaste from jaunty Juliet to Paul and his Praetorian Guard.

O’Reilly Factor – 09/07/11 (@ 11:52 a.m. ET)

F&F: Late P.M. Fun

Gretchen/Ingraham “catfight”; Brian’s Talkers profile; and Gretchen’s “sexual photos” promise. Fox & Friends memorable moments post-Memorial Day. Late: But, fun–and, for the record.

Gretchen/Ingraham “catfight”: Rowrr! Tuesday F&F co-host Gretchen Carlson got off on the wrong foot as she introduced Laura Ingraham, her former “Ice-Off!” dance-off rival and F&F regular contributor.* Introducing Ingraham, Gretchen remarked, “Now it’s time to bring in Laura Ingraham as we do every week. Although it’s not always on this day, is it, Laura?”

Smiling, a sarcastic Ingraham responded, “Um, what’s today? Is it Tuesday?” Bemused, Gretchen answered, “Tuesday.” Seemingly, slightly  miffed at Gretchen’s inadvertent dis, a grinning Ingraham retorted, “Yes, it is Tuesday. Gretchen, come on, come on! I’m now, I feel really, really sad now. I’ve got to.” Clueless, Gretchen queried, “Why?”

Then, as a slightly miffed Ingraham playfully rose from her seat as if to go, co-anchor Steve Doocy interjected, “[I]t’s our Tuesday girl, Laura Ingr[aham]. Hey, sit down! Sit down.” Smiling sheepishly, co-host Brian Kilmeade added, “Laura, come on!”

Throwing her hands up in the air, an embarrassed Gretchen unconvincingly declared, “Well, I’d, I’m sorry. I thought that that kept it fresh.” Her eyes narrowing, Ingraham riposted, “Wait, weren’t you hosting on the weekend last time I checked?” Chuckling, Brian interposed, “Ah, ha, ha! That hurt!”

Seemingly, trying to prove to Ingraham that her jaunty jab did not hurt, Gretchen emphatically replied, “Yes! Thank you very much. I love Saturdays and Sundays.”

Shaking her head, a smiling Ingraham answered, “Me, too. I’m just teasing.”

Of course, the “B Team,” the F&F Weekend crew of Clayton Morris, Dave Briggs, and Alisyn Camerota–or, now, it it Molly Line or Ainsley Earhardt–might find scant humor in Ingraham’s acidic broadside.

Kilmeade’s Profile: Wednesday Brian celebrated his first year as solo anchor of his radio show, Kilmeade & Friends, formerly known as Brian & the Judge (Napolitano). Perhaps, fittingly, Brian graced the cover of the talk media trade publication Talkers and was featured inside. On F&F Wednesday, Brian was praised by both Steve and Gretchen for the distinct honor: when Gretchen lauded him for his “whole full-page article” on page 12, Brian waggishly remarked that on a following page he had “absolutely no clothes on”: Mercifully, Talkers readers are in fact spared.** Congrats, Brian!

Gretchen’s “Sexual Photos” Promise: “I don’t know about you guys but I can unequivocally say that I have not taken sexual photos.”*** In her colorful commentary with Brian and Steve about “Weinergate” as F&F began, Gretchen so ridiculed Rep. Anthony Weiner’s tergiversation about whether the arousal shot heard ricocheting around the Beltway was his own. An hour later, she similarly twice more emphatically declared her own abstinence from taking such pics to her co-hosts.

After Gretchen did so, Steve went one step further, asserting, “I haven’t taken any pictures of myself in my underwear and I don’t know that anybody has taken any of me.”**** Then, pointing his finger at Brian, he teasingly taunted, “Brian, can you say the same thing?” After a brief moment of silence (comedic or not), Brian responded, “Yes. Thank you.” Laughing heartily, Gretchen interjected, “Uh, oh!”

Unlike Brian, Gretchen did not “see” Steve’s statement. I.e., she remained mute as to her not knowing that anybody had taken any “sexual photos” of her. Again, an oversight or simply smarts from Bill O’Reilly’s Culture Warrior?

*Fox & Friends – 05/31/11 (@ 8:04 a.m. ET)

**Fox & Friends – 06/01/11 (@ 6:32 a.m. ET)

***Fox & Friends – 06/02/11 – (@ 6:05 a.m. ET)

****Ibid. @ 7:07 a.m. ET.

Bill O’Reilly: It’s Just What Nature Dictated

Fox & Friends’ Gretchen Carlson: “What!…Oh, my god!” FNC ratings king Bill O’Reilly had his Factor “Culture Warrior” bug-eyed in disbelief at his battle-of-the-sexes analysis this morning on F&F. Before O’Reilly’s usual Friday appearance on her show, F&F co-anchor Gretchen Carlson and her co-anchors, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade, discussed a recent USC study that indicated that the stress levels of married men in “dual-earner” marriages were lowered when they relaxed as their wives did the housework whereas the stress levels of married women diminished when their husbands helped them do the household chores.

When O’Reilly joined the co-hosts on the phone, Steve asked, “Bill, do you find this as disturbing to watch as I do?”* “No,” answered O’Reilly emphatically. “Why not? queried Steve. “Because it’s just what nature dictated. You know?” answered O’Reilly.

Startled at O’Reilly’s words, Gretchen suddenly straightened in her center seat. As her eyebrows arched, her eyes widened, and her lips pursed, Gretchen exclaimed, “What!” Unapologetically, O’Reilly explained, “Adam and Eve. You do the chores, [and] I’ll relax. All of that.”

Again, Gretchen’s jaw tightened, her eyebrows furrowed, and her eyes bulged. As a smiling Steve mischievously nodded his agreement with O’Reilly, Brian jested, “Hey, look at the jungle and the lions. The men don’t do any of the work in the jungle: it’s the women that take care of the kids and kill the caribou and then bring it back. And, the guy just sits there with his hair grown out!”

Offering O’Reilly a final chance to redeem himself, a hopeful Gretchen asked, “So, what you’re saying, O’Reilly, then is that you like having somebody else do your chores?” Eschewing his lifeline, O’Reilly responded, “Um, you know, I, I’m a kind of guy who’s a very intellectual type of person who is kinda just always thinking about the universe and the country and the welfare of all human beings.” Chauvinistically, he concluded, “But, you know, the chore thing just takes care of itself: I don’t know how that happens but it does.”

Looking at Brian with a incredulous look on her face, Gretchen exclaimed, “Oh, my god!”

Sticking up for his male colleague O’Reilly, Steve added, “Natural selection–of, duties.”

But, boys, what of nurture?

Fox & Friends – 05/20/11 (@ 7:31 a.m. ET)

FNC’s Sweet Schadenfreude?

Christine Romans, “you’re just carrying the water for Mr. Obama.” Last night, FNC ratings juggernaut, the O’Reilly Factor, led with this caustic charge against the CNN anchor by CIA counter-terrorism analyst Michael Scheuer. This morning, Fox & Friends Weekend ran it thrice and gave Scheuer himself another shot at the co-host of its CNN rival, American Morning.

As Carpe Diem first reported, Romans and her co-anchor Kiran Chetry’s interview of Scheuer on the CIA’s role in Libya Thursday turned rather testy as it concluded. When Scheuer bemoaned the U.S.’ “spend[ing] enormous amounts of money [where there are no U.S. interests at stake] at a time when we’re nearly bankrupt,” Romans lectured, “And that’s a whole ‘nother story….The economy and this mission in Libya are two separate issues.” Acerbically, Scheuer responded, “They’re not separate issues, ma’am. You’re just carrying the water for Mr. Obama.” Bristling, Romans riposted, “I’m certainly not carrying anyone’s water!”

Last night, O’Reilly opened with an abbreviated clip of that very scene with Scheur’s saying, “You’re just carrying the water for Mr. Obama!” and Romans’ responding, “I’m certainly not carrying anyone’s water”: Concomitantly, O’Reilly remarked, “Former CIA guy Michael Scheuer attacks CNN for what he sees as biased coverage of Libya. We’ll get into it.”

Shortly thereafter, during his first Factor segment titled “War and Money,” O’Reilly aired more of the caustic exchange as described, supra. After doing so, he declared, “Right now the Libyan action is estimated to have cost the U.S.A. more than a half  billion dollarsm and, of course, the figure will rise. Not mincing words, he confidently concluded, “The CNN anchor is wrong when she says the Libyan action and the American debt are separate. They are not!” Elaborating, he added, “Sad truth is every action America takes from now on will have to be evaluated from a cost standpoint: That’s what happens when you’re 14 trillion dollars in debt.”

Today, Fox & Friends Weekend appeared to more patently revel in their CNN rival’s plight as they aired the diss of Romans repeatedly (twice in promos for their interview of Scheuer and once during it) and provided a facile forum for Scheuer to sneer anew at Romans. During the segment, “‘Flickers’ of Qaeda [in Libya]”, co-host Alisyn Camerota aired the AM clip and “innocently” inquired, “Michael, what, what did you object to in how it was being depicted there?”*

Smiling sardonically, Scheuer answered, “I always get a little angry when people treat me as if I’m dumber than I look.” As Camerota chuckled at his jest, Scheur sniped again at Romans, remarking, “And, to argue at a time when the government’s belly up with finances and we’re spending a hundred million dollars a day…on a useless war in which we shouldn’t be involved and say there’s no connection between the two is just apologizing for the [Obama] administration.” [Italics added for emphasis.]

FNC sweet Schadenfreude? Nah. Just a Roman(s) holiday.

Author’s aside: Ironically, in the background of the AM clip and the controversy stands CNN’s Kiran Chetry, American Morning‘s Aphrodite. As Romans receives its fire, FNC may be more than happy if its erstwhile rising star (and former Fox & Friends co-anchor) suffers some of the collateral damage. Especially, if boss Rupert Murdoch deems her to have crossed his proverbial Rubicon.

Update: Fox & Friends Weekend Scheuer interview vid (courtesy of J$P).

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 04/02/11 (@ 9:19 a.m. ET)

“You’re Just Carrying the Water for Mr. Obama!”

Christine Romans: “I’m certainly not carrying anyone’s water! And, I will assure you of that.” No milquetoast for breakfast today. Polite American Morning co-host Christine Romans got a piece of Michael Scheuer’s mind instead.  And, she was not amused.

During the AM segment entitled, “CIA in Libya,” Christine and co-anchor Kiran Chetry interviewed Michael Scheuer, a “former CIA counter-terrorism analyst, about the United States’ latest intervention in the Middle East. Skeptically, Scheuer propounded his concerns about the efficacy of arming and training the Libyan rebels in time to defeat Khadafy; “the [President’s] putting himself into a corner where his only option is ground troops”; and the U.S.’ role in Libya being a “recruiting tool for extremists” (because it was perceived as the “American-led West attacking a Muslim country that has oil”).

Pressing Scheuer about his final point, supra, Kiran countered that U.S. officials had said that NATO had fully taken over operations and that their coalition included Arab states. Scoffing, Scheuer answered that the “U.S.-to-NATO leadership transfer was a “piece of theater set up by Ms. Clinton and Mr. McCain and the bipartisan group that loves to intervene abroad”) and that the “U.S.-led operation” was seen “in the Muslim world…[as]…Americans killing Muslims again…for oil.” Subsequently, when Kiran asked Scheuer whether America’s aid for the Libyan rebels was actually support of “Islamic democracy…tired of totalitarian rule,” he acidly asserted, “If we were supporting Islamic democracy, that would be one thing. But, if you listen to Ms. Clinton and, especially, the rather crazed Ms. Rice at the U.N., this is all about democracy in a world were democracy is not going to take hold.”

As Christine listened to Scheuer’s increasingly cutting criticism of the U.S. involvement in Libya, she appeared to become agitated in tandem with his answers (as she repeatedly put her hand on her hip, crossed her arms, and furrowed her eyebrows).

When the interview concluded, Christine dismissively interjected, “I think it’s very clear, Michael Scheuer, that you are no fan of this policy and this administration.”  Then, looking at Kiran repeatedly (as if for succor), Christine scolded, “I think calling Ambassador Rice crazed is certainly a significant charge.”

Unrepentant, Scheuer acerbically retorted, “Oh, I don’t know! I’ve just listened to her! That’s only my impression. Elaborating, he remarked, “[T]his is not a Democratic problem: this is a Republican problem, too. Both parties love to intervene in other people’s business where there are no U.S. interests at stake and where we spend enormous amounts of money at a time when we’re nearly bankrupt.”

With her arms crossed defiantly (and Kiran looking down at the desk demurely), Christine sharply disagreed, declaring, “And, that’s a whole nother [sic] story. To call the United States bankrupt–the United States is running humongous deficits, yes.” But, the economy  and this mission is Libya are two separate issues.”

Smiling, Seuer sneered, “They’re not separate issues, ma’am. You’re just carrying the water for Mr. Obama.”

Bristling at Scheuer’s slam, Christine retorted, “I’m certainly not carrying anyone’s water! And, I will assure you of that.”

Then, after thanking him for his time, Christine icily concluded, “You, know, we’ve had a very long, exhaustive interview. You’ve had plenty of time to give your point of view on that.”

For tea-sipping Christine, her Scheuer segment may have been “too early in the AM for  [such] insults.” But, for this coffee-quaffing viewer, it was a timely AM java jolt. Or, was it a Jautz jolt?

Update: This evening Mediaite‘s Matt Schneider found the story, supra, via Johnny Dollar’s Place and basically recapped it. However, Chickaboomer seized it saucily and gave it her own inimitable take.

Update2: Bill O’Reilly weighed in Friday during his O’Reilly Factor opening “Talking Points” segment on the Scheuer/Romans spat. After playing the clip of Scheuer skewering Christine, O’Reilly remarked, “This CNN anchor is wrong when she says the Libyan action and the American debt are separate: they are not. He opined, “The sad truth is every action America takes from now on will have to be evaluated from a cost standpoint: That’s what happens when you’re 14 trillion dollars in debt.”

O’Reilly: F&F “Cartoon Show”

Fox & Friends: Fox News’ Rodney Dangerfield? Two years ago, FNC’s Executive Veep of News Editorial John Moody called the number one cable morning news show “an entertainment show that does some news.” Last night, Fox News ratings king and O’Reilly Factor host Bill O’Reilly went one step further and laughed that it was a “cartoon show.”*

During the O’Reilly Factor “News Quiz” segment with Fox & Friends co-anchor Steve Doocy and American Morning co-host Martha MacCallum, O’Reilly asked the name of “The Simpsons” newscaster. When Doocy accurately answered, “Kent Brockman,” O’Reilly chuckled, “I figured you’d watch a cartoon show, Doocy.” Then in a jest to the audience, he sniped, “He does one: he watches one.”

“Hey, hey, hey!” protested Steve. Coming to her morning colleague’s support, Martha cocked her head and arched her eyebrows at O’Reilly, exclaiming, “Ooooh!” Putting his tongue literally in his cheek, O’Reilly replied, “Alright. Cheap shot. I’m sorry!”

Friendly fire?

*O’Reilly Factor – 12/02/10 (@ 7:51 p.m. ET)

Kilmeade Disses Scott

Hopefully, Happening Now co-anchor Jon Scott was not watching Fox & Friends today. The genial late-morning FNC co-host got royally dissed by his more acerbic early-morning colleague, F&F co-anchor Brian Kilmeade. The incident occurred during a discussion of Americans’ losing faith in the American Dream by the co-hosts.

As the colloquy was concluding, Steve Doocy declared, “When you look at…Pelosi…[saying]…’well, it’s all going to be fair, it’s all going to be level,’ why dream?…Why should I work hard? Why should I get up at two o’clock in the morning to come and be on TV if it’s going to be the same for everybody?”* In response, Brian Kilmeade jested, “I just know that now if this goes into play, you’re going to get paid the same as Jon Scott, and that’s a huge pay cut for you.”

In response, Gretchen Carlson simply looked at Brian incredulously, and Steve chuckled, “What!” Digging himself in deeper, Brian continued, “So, this is a problem. They’re going to equal out all anchor pay. It’s going to be hard for you to adjust.” Laughing, Steve replied, “I just want ’em to even it out to O’Reilly” as Gretchen turned to Brian and more aptly added, “Brian, T.M.I.” Still joking, Brian asked, “Too Much Information? I know everything. I text.”

Brian, as far as Jon Scott is concerned, probably, way too much information.

*Fox & Friends – 10/20/10 (@6:09 a.m. ET)