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!

Wine & Pate: Tucker is Okay!

No bow tie: It’s Friday night–and it’s FNC. On this latest Friday night on Hannity as guest host, Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Tucker Carlson reminded this viewer of his old CNN Crossfire days when he represented the right–except he was not sporting his obnoxiously effete, elitist bow tie of olden times. Instead, his F&FW experience has seemed to illuminate the Daily Caller co-founder and editor-in-chief that it is well and good to utilize logic and reason in polemics but, if he is truly  to engage Everyman/Everywoman, he must eschew his natural tendency not to reveal things about himself on air but rather to embrace a more vulnerable approach–and, yes, even to eat food on air.

Tucker has come far on FNC: The F&FW fop sits more comfortably on the curvy couch; he has seamlessly seized the alpha male mantle from co-anchor Clayton Morris; and he seems to connect more easily with the alluring Anna Kooiman. Now, Tucker pontificates with confidence; Clayton opines deferentially; and co-anchor Anna Kooiman coos with confidence.

And, as long-time F&FW fans miss the erstwhile ensembles, they may begin to more fully embrace the “new faces” of FNC’s early weekend morn. Political pundit Tucker “ain’t” too bad, and tech geek Clayton may pass muster: But, sorry, boys, the vivacious vixen Anna is the real draw!