Bob Out Again: Juan In!

Five: About time? The Five co-host Bob Beckel, the liberal buffoon–who was “likeable enough” as former President Obama might characterize him–was fired Friday, allegedly “making an insensitive remark to an African-American” who reportedly “came to service his computer,” telling [him] that he was leaving his office because he is Black [sic]”: Ironically, unless The Five finds a fill-in, he will apparently be permanently replaced by his alternate liberal co-host, the very likable, knowledgeable African-American Juan Williams who lost his job at NPR for an allegedly “insensitive remark” about Muslims on FNC (O’Reilly Factor.) You cannot make this stuff up.

Self-admitted former substance abuser Bob was known for his cursing and crudeness on The Five but he was like the drunk on the bar stool next to you that amuses you as long as he does not spill beer on you or grab your girlfriend in a fresh fashion. But, he seemed to have a good heart as he mentored those who suffered from substance abuse.

Sometimes Bob’s tomfoolery made for good TV: But, when Juan Williams rotated in for him, the viewer wondered why Juan did not have the liberal seat full-time. In 2015, Bob was let go from The Five with former FNC honcho Bill Shine, saying, “We tried to work with Bob for months, but we couldn’t hold The Five hostage to one’s personal issues. He took tremendous advantage of our generosity, empathy and goodwill and we simply came to the end of the road with him.”  In 2017, Bob returned to the show: FNC chief Rupert Murdoch remarked, “Bob was missed by many fans of The Five and we’re happy to welcome him back to the show.

The author initially found this account re Bob highly suspect. The he remembered that Bob had referred to Chinese as “Chinamen,” a term which he understands that some consider derogatory and others may not. Regardless, it seemed to indicate an insensitivity in that regard. As to the aforementioned account re his latest termination, Bob appears to have crossed the Rubicon re racial remarks in seeming to question the ability of the IT guy because of his race.

When The Five aired later on Friday night, Bob’s name and fate were noticeably not found anywhere on the lips of his co-hosts Kimberly Guilfoyle, Jesse Watters, Dana Perino, or Greg Gutfeld. However, where Bob had last sat was predictably Juan Williams. And, presumably, he will now finally be The Five‘s resident liberal.

Abby Huntsman: F&FW Cohost–Finally!

Fox & Friends Weekend finally has an official queen of the curvy couch (after Anna Kooiman‘s abdication of her crown to reign Down Under). Today, The Hill‘s Joe Concha reported, “Suzanne Scott, Fox News’s executive vice president of programming, says the 30-year-old Huntsman will make her official debut this Saturday.” Of course, FNC signaled Abby’s coronation-to-be when it celebrated twenty years of FNC with Abby, Tucker Carlson, and Clayton Morris as the face of F&FW on October 7 (vid via J$P).[Carpe Diem got the hint: Cf. “F&F: ‘Abby Huntsman: Co-host Fox & Friends.'”] Chiming in that day, Abby Tweeted,  “Grew up watching @foxandfriends…was so humbled to join the crew this morning to celebrate 20 years for @FoxNews!”

Approximately, a month later, (November 8), FNC honcho Bill Shine seemed to send a clear signal: F&FW fans were introduced to not only to her handsome hubby Jeff (pic of the two lovers) but also to her only her lovable golden retriever, Golden George. (Cf. Carpe Diem article entitled “F&FW’s Abby Huntsman Marks Her Territory.”) Within two weeks thereafter (November 20), two of Abby’s gorgeous sisters joined her for a cooking segment. [Pic of the three sibs and a nephew.] And, only ten days ago (December 3), the F&FW audience was introduced to Abby’s parents, Jon and Mary Kaye Huntsman, in a chyroned “Meet Abby’s Parent’s segment [pic]. Yesterday, the author penned an article in which Abby was deemed the “[F&F] apparent co-anchor: Perchance, Shine finally realized that the F&FW fans were tired of the wait until Abby became their “bride”–or, rather, the new F&FW Queen of the Curvy Couch.

Congratulations, Abby! Much success!

 

Tucker’s Last Day

Carlson: “I’m going to miss you guys. I really am!” Today was Tucker Carlson‘s finale as Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor. As the show began, co-host Clayton Morris remarked, “Let’s address the elephant in the room because I’m a little misty today: This is Tucker’s last day sitting on the curvy couch with us on Fox & Friends [Weekend]. I’m going to miss you terribly!” Explaining Tucker’s departure, Clayton continued, “But, you’re not going very far. You’re going to be going to the seven p.m. prime time here on Fox News Channel.”

Chiming in, putative F&FW co-anchor Abby Huntsman declared, “It’s a big deal! We’re so excited for you.”

Turning to Abby, Tucker responded, “Thank you!” Then, he added, “I’m sad about it, actually. I haven’t thought about it. I’m excited: But, I’m sad this is my last day. It’s so totally bizarre.”

From the F&FW co-host who told viewers that he did not eat food on TV and who signed his name with printed initials, Tucker has come a long way–especially for his long-time viewers who watched him long ago on CNN when he seemed to be the smug, smart-alecky bow-tie wearing co-host of Crossfire. [Celebrating Tucker’s evolution on the curvy couch: F&FW vid “A Look Back.”] Initially, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Caller seemed reluctant to embrace his additional role as an FNC edutainment co-anchor: But, Bill Shine–with the invaluable coaching of former co-anchor Alisyn Camerota eased Tucker onto the curvy couch, replacing the charming, self-effacing Dave Briggs.

Tucker, it was always evident that you were on the Fox News A-Team, and you brought real gravitas to the F&FW curvy couch: When major news events occurred, you would oft stay put on the show as co-anchor or pundit when your co-hosts other than Aly oft vacated theirs. Ergo, it is no surprise that you are getting your new show at 7 p.m. ET. Congratulations!

F&FW’s Abby Huntsman Marks Her Territory

“This is my husband Jeff!” Fox & Friends Weekend‘s apparent new queen of the curvy couch, Abby Huntsman, staked her claim to her territory seemingly, by showcasing her much beloved golden retriever, George [pic], and introducing her hubby Jeff to her fans–twice. If FNC co-honcho Bill Shine will not say it overtly yet, Abby came quite close this morn.

Promoting F&FW yesterday, Abby Tweeted, “My golden retriever George would like you all to know he’ll make his @FoxNews debut tomorrow morning at 9:50am in his Halloween costume.” And, he did in F&F‘s penultimate segment. As George walked the F&FW red carpet in his lobster costume, Abby gushed, “And, there comes my pup: There’s George!” As her pup tried to shake off his unwieldy canine garb, Abby laughed, “He’s not liking his costume very much!” Petting George to cheer him up, she exclaimed, “Hey, Buddy!”

Then, as George reached the end of his “‘dog’walk,” Abby proudly said, “Anybody who follows me on social media knows George.” Then, ever so nonchalantly, F&FW co-anchor Tucker Carlson queried, “Who…is walking George?” Pointing to George’s human escort, a smiling Abby proclaimed, “This is my husband Jeff!” Hugging her hubby, Abby said, “Welcome to, to Fox & Friends!”

Subsequently, in the final segment, Abby reigned from her central seat with hubby Jeff [photo] (with George at their feeet) as Tucker and fill-in co-host Pete Hegseth flanked them. Pointing to Abby, Jeff, and George, Pete remarked, “Look who we have here, two of the most…the three Huntsmans!” Embracing her guy, Abby anew announced, “This is is my husband Jeff!” Turning to her love, Abby remarked, “This your first time here–and you did it for the dog costume segment.” Answering his gorgeous gal, Jeff declared, “Well, I feel honored to be here. Honored to be here!”

“First time to be here”: Even if Shine explicitly said it, it appears that Abby now has three husbands–her two TV ones and her real one.

Update: This afternoon/evening, Abby responded to her fans requesting a pic of George in his lobster costume by providing this one.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Abby Huntsman!”

So introduced Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Tucker Carlson his lovely co-host Abby Huntsman. “Abby Huntsman,” echoed F&FW co-host Clayton Morris. For the first time since Fox & Friends weekday introduced her on October 7 with a chyron as “Abby Huntsman: Co-host ‘Fox & Friends Weekend,” F&FW did similarly today when it introduced the three co-anchors with their names and their respective Twitter addresses at the start of each of the first three hours.

Now, Abby seems all the more certain to have secured her place on the F&FW curvy couch. On October 7, F&F identified Abby as co-host of F&FW, supra: Later, that very day, Abby Tweeted, “Grew up watching @foxandfriends…was so humbled to join the crew this morning to celebrate 20 years for @FoxNews!” The next day, Fox News Tweeted, “TUNE IN: @HuntsmanAbby @TuckerCarlson and @ClaytonMorris host a jam-packed edition of @ffweekend now on Fox News Channel.”

After F&FW today, Abby Tweeted, “It’s official. I my job! #kennyloggins #footloose @ffweekend foxandfriends @ 1211 Avenue of… https://www.instagram.com/p/BLle0FMlyv. In response, a fan Tweeted,@HuntsmanAbby you are a great addition to #foxandfriends excellent work [thumbs-up emoji]: As if to remove any doubt as to her new status, Abby replied, “Thanks Lou!”

Abby, a “great addition” to F&FW? FNC has not made a clarion proclamation: But, it seems quite pellucid that Bill Shine has made his choice: I.e., Abby is the new “it” gal on the curvy couch. Seemingly, not overly cowed by her apparent predecessor beauty Anna Kooiman‘s fab “booty-shaking” prowess [vid links included], Abby is not afraid to dance to bumper music on the curvy couch–or even to do the polka on the patio [vid via J$P]!

To paraphrase Axl Rose [vid], welcome to the Gotham jungle (on the F&FW curvy couch), Abby! Beauty and the beast–er, beasts!

Maria Molina: FNC Loses Another Fox? [Updated]

Seriously?! According to FTVLive, FNC meteorologist Maria Molina is leaving Fox News and she will be announcing her exit early tomorrow morning. Reportedly, she is going to Central Michigan University to get her PHD, and she will be working at WJBK part-time in Detroit.

Maria’s departure falls on the heels of the vamooses of hottie Outnumbered co-host Andrea Tantaros, leggy lovely frequent Outnumbered co-anchor Jedidiah Bila, 2013 Miss USA Red Eye co-host Joanne Nosuchinsky, and Fox & Friends Weekend  co-anchor Anna Kooiman. Not to mention Gretchen Carlson: And, who knows about her purported supporter Kelly File anchor Megyn Kelly. At least, former Victoria’s Secret model The Five‘s comely Kimberly Guilfoyle, Fox & Friends First co-hosts lovely Heather Childers and beauty Abby Huntsman; and Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhart are still at Fox News–at least, for now.

Bill Shine, if you keep losing the “Foxes” post Roger, you will be left with only “Friends.” And, for FNC fans, this is not a good thing. Get it together!

H/t J$, for your “heads up”!

Update: Maria announced her exit indeed on Fox & Friends this morning at 6:32 a.m. ET. (08/25/16).  Fox & Friends Tweet (including vid): https://twitter.com/foxandfriends/status/768761326210473985.

“Aussie” Anna: Traitor! ;-)

What the h*ll is going on with Fox News now that Roger has left the building?! Hottie Outnumbered co-anchor Andrea Tantaros has left the FNC air, leggy frequent Outnumbered co-host Jedidiah Bila followed suit; and now the lovely Alisyn Camerota’s sexy successor Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Anna Kooiman is abdicating her reign on the curvy couch to follow hubby Tim Stuckey back to the “Land Down Under.” And, now fans are left only with brainy Tucker Carlson and nerdy Clayton Morris: What is the F&FW fan to do?

Who knows? Unless FNC boss Bill Shine brings back the thrice ruling queen of F&FW Alisyn Camerota (or her former F&FW co-host Nepali beauty Kiran Chetry), installs luscious F&F First newbie Abby Huntsman, or “steals” Greek goddess FBN:AM co-host Nicole Petallides, it may well be time to take the weekend off from watching Fox & Friends‘ weekend edition.

Bill, faithful F&FW fans do not watch four hours of the show for the “Friends.” No offense, Tucker and Clayton: But, they watch it mainly for the “Fox.” Make it happen, Bill!

As to F&FW‘s latest sweet, beautiful, vivacious “Fox” Anna, this evening she Tweeted, “Friends! I’m moving to Australia! My husband landed a new job in Sydney. So proud of him! But will miss you so much.” According to TVNewser, Anna’s last day is the 5th of September.

Thanks for the memories, Anna! You’ll truly be missed, too!

 

Smitten Ainsley Sexes It Up

For People Magazine’s “Sexiest Vet.” Yesterday, Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt was very demure for her fans but she finally showed some skin for her hunky guest, veterinarian Dr. Evan Antin. Yes, that South Carolina Southern belle was clearly smitten.

As Ainsley opened the show in the first hour, she tugged repeatedly at the hem of her dress–four times (a double tug, for good measure), to be exact–to make sure that it virtually hugged her knees. And, she demurely did so for almost the entirety of the show until she interviewed her beefcake eye candy [vid]: Then, she gladly bared her gorgeous gams for Dr. Antin, chyronned “‘Sexiest Vet Alive’: People Magazine Picks Out Hot Doctor.” No pulling down of the hem then: Perhaps, even a flirty hike!

The irony is that it was really no big deal. The Ainsley of old was never one shy of flaunting her sexy stems: But, when she joined F&F as its official co-anchor, she said that she could not fill very family-friendly Elisabeth Hasselbeck‘s shoes but she certainly seemed to try her best to follow in the footsteps of her predecessor who platonically deemed her co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade “brothers.” Likewise, Ainsley has seemed to try to tamp down the sexual tension that characterized F&F with “Foxes” E. D. Hill and Gretchen Carlson (not to mention guest co-hosts like Kiran Chetry, Alisyn Camerota, and Anna Kooiman) and their co-anchors Steve and Brian (who famously once swatted Aly’s lovely derriere).

For the reader who whines that Fox & Friends is strictly “NEWS,” s/he should remember that it is not. As the current senior executive vice president of FNC Bill Shine apprised the NYT, F&F “falls under the network’s entertainment umbrella and does not pretend to be straight news.” To whit, F&F is edutainment: Get the news with a fun, flirty twist to start your morn!

 

F&F’s Hasselbeck Out: Who’s In?

“I’m just waiting on a Friend!” Today, FNC announced that Fox & Friends co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck is on her way out and that she is expected to exit the early morn cable news champ in late December according to “Variety” magazine. Elisabeth, F&F fans barely knew you!

Only two years ago (September 16, 2013), sexy Survivor celeb and The View’s erstwhile conservative co-anchor Elisabeth became the belle of the ball, replacing flirty 1989 Miss America beauty, Gretchen Carlson, who never really seemed to quite click with her male co-hosts, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade. In contrast, Elisabeth was the sweet married hottie that put her boys on the curvy couch on notice from the start that she considered them brothers.

To the author who has followed F&F since the days of E. D. Donahey (a/k/a E. D. Hill), Elisabeth seemed like such a sweet, sincere soul that he could not easily snark or snipe at her–even when she became mawkish and maudlin. Nevertheless, she seemed like an odd choice for F&F‘s then EVP of Programming Bill Shine over the much beloved Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Alisyn Camerota who oft held court from the center seat on the weekend curvy couch when Gretchen was away. Of course, the long-time F&F fan was not overly surprised since Shine had similarly overlooked E. D.’s obvious successor, the smart, sexy, and charismatic F&FW co-anchor Kiran Chetry.

Perhaps, Shine will bring back comely Kiran: But, it is somewhat doubtful in light of the manner that Kiran was reportedly dismissed. If he is not ready to bring Kiran back into the fold, perchance, he will consider Aly who was always there for him on F&F First, F&F Weekend, and F&F weekday (as a sub, especially during the big news special editions). If Shine wants to stay with the Fox stable, he may want to consider Greek goddess Nicole Petallides who brings sexy back on FBN:AM on a daily basis (as F&FF once did).

[Author’s aside: Best of luck, Elisabeth! Hopefully, you will enjoy much joy, peace, success with the fam in the present and in your career in the future.]

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.]

Anna’s Holiday Hosts: F&F Fail!

Guest co-host Leland Vittert: “We may never leave!” Scary. Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Anna Kooiman looked ill at ease on the curvy couch sandwiched between F&FW virgin co-hosts Leland Vittert and Connell McShane. (Leland is a FNC foreign correspondent based in Jerusalem, and Connell is the FBN “Imus in the Morning” newsreader.) The ever gregarious Energizer Bunny tried her hardest to introduce the two newbies to F&FW fans and to create, at least, a modicum of chemistry. Anna succeeded–barely, to put it charitably.

The usual playful banter and racy double entendres that have been F&FW staples were not existent. Even the small talk among Anna, Leland, and Connell seemed strained and stilted. To make matters worse, Leland took a strange shot at his dad’s looks* and Connell delivered a gratuitous jab to Fox & Friends Weekend.**

Perhaps, FNC’s Bill Shine (or his underlings) decided that he could foist the two tyros on his most dedicated F&FW fans for a tryout (since they would probably watch no matter what): Well, this loyal F&FW fan did watch–and almost wished he had not.

The youthful Anna is great: But, she is no Alisyn Camerota who could carry F&FW no matter who her bookends were. F&FW fan favorite and FNC meteorologist Rick Reichmuth was on the set today and should have been the obvious choice to be one of Anna’s guest co-hosts: Together, he and Anna could have more successfully shepherded either Leland or Connell in his debut.

[Author’s aside: Re the provenance of the subtitle, Leland made his “threat” as Anna welcomed him and Connell to the third hour. Chiming in, Connell jested, “Right, you’re stuck with us, Anna!”]

*During a “Meet Leland” segment with baby photos, Leland bizarrely barbed, “I do look a little bit like…my father in those pictures. And, it’s a good thing that I now look like my mother: Otherwise, I would have a fabulous career…in radio.” (@ 6:34 a.m. ET.)

**In the “Meet Leland” segment, supra, (which included Leland’s war footage), Connell sarcastically commented, “Let me be the first to congratulate you on the promotion (to F&FW guest co-host) to now narrating dog video (earlier on F&FW) from…these frivolous foreign videos that we just looked at.” (6:34 a.m. ET.)

Anna K.: “In for Elisabeth”

The younger, fresher Gretchen? Today, Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Anna Kooiman once again filled in for the increasingly absent Elisabeth Hasselbeck on F&F. The North Carolina flirty fitness fiend [vid] is a delightful break from the overly earnest Lis who is quite keen on apprising her curvy couch mates Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade that they are like brothers to her and embracing every guest female as if they were sisters.

True or not, Lis seems like such a sweet gal that the author is rather loathe to diss F&F‘s latest leading lady: Nevertheless, he feels as if he should give the “cruel” critique. Rhode Island’s blond beauty got off to a good start with her fun athletic antics, competing for the eyeballs of America almost a la her Survivor persona in the first days of the show. But, lately, the ever clowning cutie seems to be trying to turn F&F into a coed The View.

In contrast, Anna offers a saucier, more vivacious view. If the F&F fan liked the older queen of the curvy couch, Gretchen Carlson, s/he probably likes Anna all the more. The gals are both blond, broad-faced, and somewhat thick-thighed beauties selected by Bill Shine: However, Anna seems less of the solipsist who appears ready to recite her curriculum vitae to her audience at each and every opportunity.

Stick around for a while on F&F, Anna: Ainsley can sub on the weekends. Or, Elisabeth, at least, play the coquette on occasion–even if you don’t mean it.

[Author’s aside: Title, supra, refers to Anna’s opening F&F line, i.e., “I’m Anna Kooiman in for Elisabeth Hasselbeck this morning.”]

 

Aly’s Back: Back Again!

Aly on New Day: Fox & Fiends? Today, former Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Alisyn Camerota vied with her FNC usurper F&F co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck: The erstwhile queen of the F&FW curvy couch had a new perch, i.e., one of the New Day reflecting-table chairs. Unfortunately, Aly could not do battle with Elizabeth on quite equal footing: After all, it was ND, the latest version of the CNN morning show that seems not yet to fathom that the dawn is a time for edutainment (not a boring retro rendition of “straight news”).

Inviting a former “fiend” into the CNN camp as ND began, co-host Chris Cuomo introduced Aly, saying, “We welcome Alisyn Camerota, joining us. Thank you for being with us this morning.”

In response to Chris (and newsreader Michaela Pereira), Aly exclaimed, “My pleasure! Great to be with both of you!”

And, it was a pleasure for the ND audience as well. At last, Chris’s match was sitting next to him–no schoolgirl who was continuously vying for his attention and approbation: This Italian lady in red was more than ready for Mario Cuomo’s media scion. Even though she playfully wondered if she could “remember how to do” morning TV in a Tweet to her followers, she proved anew that she has the “A” game for morning news–even if Bill Shine inanely snubbed her for his team.

As the show ended, Aly clearly had won Chris over: Like a schoolboy, he was giving Aly googly eyes (and bumping her affectionately), declaring, “It’s great to have you here, by the way.” Smiling at her new admirer, Aly answered, “Thank you so much. Great to be here. I’m going to see you guys tomorrow!” As if playfully pulling her pigtails on the playground, Chris responded, “What! I have to talk to management!” Coquettishly, Aly purred, “Can’t scare me away, Cuomo!”

“Guess who’s back: Back again!” Aly: at least, for tomorrow. And, hopefully, for a long time to come.

Aly to CNN! A la Kiran?

Fox’s finest foxes have left the building: But, the vixens did it different ways. Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Kiran Chetry was unceremoniously escorted out of the FNC den sans her personal belongings according to NYMag.com whereas whilom F&FW co-anchor Alisyn Camerota was given an “emotional @FoxNews send-off” with her belongings packed by her colleagues. Happily for their respective fans, they both subsequently found a home–at CNN.

As long-time Fox News viewers may well remember, Kiran was a rising star at FNC as co-host of both Fox & Friends Weekend (and Fox & Friends First) in 2006 and she was widely expected by her phalanx of fans to take over for E.D. Hill whenever she left her center seat on the curvy couch: However, FNC Senior VP of Programming Bill Shine dashed her and their hopes when he selected the rather awkward and too oft solipsist Gretchen Carlson for the position on September 22, 2006. Later, in early  2007, Kiran negotiated for a new contract with a high-powered agent who, according to FNC, wanted a term for Kiran to replace Gretchen by a certain date: Conversely, purportedly, she simply wanted a provision that she could escape her contract if she were not awarded that position by a certain date. Consequently, FNC cut off contract negotiations with Kiran in a royal row, and eager CNN’s Prez Jonathan Klein hired the prized journalist that day within an hour of learning of the “extraordinary circumstances.” (According to NYMag.com, a less impressed FNC had the Nepalese lovely escorted out of the building without her personal effects in her office and hubby FNC weatherman Chris Knowles had to “raid her office” to get them–before being “released from his Fox News contract” the very next day.)

Similarly, Kiran’s former FNC colleague, Aly, has been a shining star in the Fox News constellation, deftly doing double duty as the captain of Fox & Friends Weekend and ably subbing for Gretchen on the F&F “A-Team” at the drop of a hat during even the most momentous moments. When Gretchen renegotiated her contract and received her own show, viewers naturally assumed Aly would finally be coronated as F&F weekday queen. Using the same “wisdom” that inanely snubbed Kiran seven years earlier, Shine chose The View‘s discarded damsel Elisabeth Hasselbeck for the role over fan fave Aly: Shortly thereafter, he sent Aly “out to “pasture” with Bill Hemmer for a short while on America’s Newsroom and replaced her on F&FW with his new hire, Anna Kooiman. Subsequently, with Kiran’s purportedly ill-conceived forced exit in mind, FNC and Aly crafted a happier meme: Aly Tweeted a pic of her in her office with her files (with a sweet note that @lauraingle, @JennRiveraTV, and @rickreichmuth had helped her pack) and another of her in the hallway hugging one of many in a gauntlet of FNC colleagues. To any doubting Thomas,  she returned to the building to guest on Kilmeade and Friends, telling her fans, “I left on great terms. I love everybody here: I think the feeling is mutual. And, it’s fun to be back in the building.” But, not for long: On Monday, CNN Worldwide Prez Jeff Zucker announced that he had grabbed the “seasoned journalist with a great curiosity and passion for the news…[that]…has a presence on camera…[that]…is very hard to find.”

Who knows? Maybe, Aly and Kiran fans will be treated to a double espresso of the arousing Aphrodites in the morning. When one Twitter follower Tweeted, “You and @kiranchetrytv should team up again. You two were great,” Aly answered, “That would be a blast.”

Indeed, it would. Vintage Fox & Friends Weekend on CNN? Aly and Kiran: A real “New Day”!

[Author’s aside: It may be no anomaly that Kiran (CNN’s former American Morning co-host) made her return to the CNN morn Sunday on Reliable Sources as a guest journalist in a segment entitled “Women, TV News, and Attractiveness.”]

 

F&F Embarrasses Ailes?

Steve Doocy: “Shepard must be happy!” Almost two years to the day that Studio B anchor Shepard Smith announced that he could not show the Trampoline Bear vid anymore, Fox & Friends resurrected the odious decade-old footage of a black bear falling from a tree onto a trampoline and subsequently doing a hard head-first plunge into an unforgiving ground.* To make matters worse, they ran the seemingly sadistic footage twice.**

Perchance, it was the F&F producer who has an apparent fixation on the “wussification of America” that made the callous call. Regardless, it must embarrass FNC chief Roger Ailes who seems to have tried to embrace a more animal-friendly approach with glowing coverage of his now deceased friend‘s favored Westminister Dog Show at Madison Square Garden and his underlings’ F&F fun, informative F&F segments with famed wildlife advocate Jack Hanna–not to mention, their whilom “Good Shepard‘s” “Cool Critters” stories.

It’s time for Shine to have Ailes’ back re animal rights. And, it’s time for his rogue producers to end the Trampoline Bear airings. It’s been over ten years since it was news: Now, it should be history!

*Fox & Friends – 05/01/14 (@ 6:00 a.m. ET).

**Fox & Friends – 05/01/14 (@ 8:00 a.m. ET).

[Author’s aside: Re Steve Doocy‘s Shep quote, supra, he said that at the beginning of F&F‘s May Day show when co-host Brian Kilmeade joked that Russia had said that that “bear on the trampoline is now [America’s] ticket to space.”]

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).

Comely Camerota: CNN’s Catch?

Bathing beauty Aly: “For anyone wondering what I’ve been up to….” Today, Alisyn Camerota, the quondam queen of Fox & Friends Weekend‘s curvy couch got her fans attention with that Twitter tease that featured her in a sexy bathing beauty pose. She may have been more demure than her daring ’80’s bikini shot but the Bristol Bay Babe was just as alluring with her sexy come-hither pose. The catch? The former F&FW fox has jumped ship to CNN according to FTVLive.

For Fox & Friends viewers, Aly’s move should come as no surprise. FNC’s Senior VP of Programming Bill Shine has seemingly given his erstwhile best anchor the shaft: When he ditched Gretchen Carlson on F&F weekday, it appeared that the long-suffering three-time co-anchor of F&FW and frequent guest-host of F&F would finally get her due. Instead, the same genius that chose Gretch to be E. D. Hill‘s replacement on F&F over the eminently superior Kiran Chetry decided to go outside of the FNC family and choose Barbara Walter’s View outcast, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, rather than F&F fan favorite Aly.

Hopefully, CNN Prez Jeff Zucker will put Aly on against Lis in the mornings to jump start his moribund morning show New Day. Of course, Aly will be at a distinct disadvantage having to contend against Shine’s FNC juggernaut trio that also includes F&F Everyman Steve Doocy and Puckish wit Brian Kilmeade. Hopefully, Aly will join a cast including current Early Start co-host, wag John Berman, and another engaging gal or guy during the New Day time period: I.e., if the proverbial CNN stars are aligned propitiously, ND co-anchor Kate Bouldan, Michaela Pereira, and Chris Cuomo will find new places on Ted Turner’s network and Aly can usher in a new dawn to CNN.

Congratulations, Aly! And, good luck!

H/t, J$P!

F&FW’s Juliet Huddy: “The ‘Bitch’ is Back!”

“Blast from the past!” Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Juliet Huddy made a triumphant return today to the curvy couch that she once shared with Mike Jerrick and Julian Phillips in the early 00’s (and that she has eschewed as a sub of late). Taking the reins from the too oft diffident current co-anchor Anna Kooiman for the weekend, the former F&FW “alpha bitch” proudly introduced her appearance as a” blast from the past.”* And, so, it was.

Dressed in her ironically virginal white mini dress, Juliet held court with her boys du jour, Clayton Morris and Tucker Carlson. No awkward pauses, no alphabet soup, and no meek mien from this dirty blonde beauty: The brassy New Jersey broad Juliet appeared in sharp contrast with her more demure Southern belle successor Anna. And, maybe, she intended it that way–or, at least, Shine did.

From this viewer’s perspective, Anna’s absence appeared rather odd since she has been on the job for barely a month. Stranger yet, the usually chirpy bird neither Tweeted her followers nor alerted her Facebook friends that she would take flight from her perch so soon after alighting there. To boot, no mention was made today of the “for now” co-host on F&FW other than the one time Juliet simply said, “I’m Juliet Huddy in for Anna Kooiman” (at the start of the second hour).

The future of Fox & Friends Weekend may seem uncertain but its present is not. At least, for today (and tomorrow), to paraphrase Elton, FNC’s “alpha bitch” is back!** And, Anna’s gone for now.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 11/02/13 (@ 6:01 a.m. ET).

**Ibid at @ 9:59 a.m. ET.

[Author’s aside: After the show today, Anna posted two glam pics of herself: one with her “Mama Bear” and another with both her parents.]

Elisabeth Hasselbeck: Who Dat?

FNC’s debutante: courtesy of the curvy couch. Fox & Friends co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck made her debut on the show–and the network– almost two weeks ago. For many F&F viewers who expected F&FW co-host and usual F&F fill-in Alisyn Camerota to take her place on the curvy couch vacated by Gretchen Carlson, it came as a shock when FNC outsider Elisabeth was named the new co-anchor with Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy. Naturally, Executive Programming VP Bill Shine had to do some ‘splaining–or, at the very least–to introduce in some detail this new View gal to loyal F&F viewers: He chose the latter.

In so doing, Elisabeth was feted regally on set by Donald Trump, Sherri Shepherd, and Sean Hannity as they all effusively praised the new FNC celeb to her co-hosts and F&F fans. Attempting to endear Elisabeth further to their audience, Steve and Brian elicited bio details from the blond beauty. And for those viewers who have not seen her in Survivor, The Look for Less (Style Network), or The View, a closer look was surely warranted.

Ergo, during the course of this her inaugural show, Elisabeth and her co-hosts provided the following personal info. The athletic lovely played point guard at Bay View Academy (East Providence) and softball at Boston College; studied studio art at BC; met hubby Tim Hasselbeck (then future NFL quarterback) there and married him in 2002 after about five years of dating; and even designed shoes for a while (for Puma). Of course, they also reminded viewers that Elisabeth had been on the aforementioned shows. (On a more “intimate” level, the mother of three revealed to those who thought that she was a natural towhead that she had dyed her hair brown as a college sophomore or junior–or, not!)

Good start! And, good luck, Elisabeth!

Camerota Says Ciao

Aly: “I know it’s disruptive.” Today, Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Alisyn Camerota gave her F&FW fans a final farewell in “Say Goodbye to Aly” (a vid generated by now former co-anchor Clayton Morris). Apparently, acknowledging that her loyal F&FW audience may be miffed by her unexplained departure–yet another–from the weekend morning show (to the afternoon America’s News HQ with Bill Hemmer), the three-time co-host declared, “I do want to say to all of the viewers…I don’t make this move lightly….I love our dedicated fans…and I know its’ disruptive.” Unconvincingly, Aly added, “But…sometimes change is good.”*

And, Aly, sometimes it’s not. Food for thought, Shine: Future fourpeat?

* Say Goodbye to Aly – 09/28/13 (7:07/11:36)