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!

Melania Nude: America’s Carla Bruni?

The “First Hottie”! And what’s wrong with that? For two days straight (NSFW Sunday pics, Monday photos), the New York Post has posted pics of the GOP nominee Donald Trump‘s gorgeous former model wife Melania in her birthday suit (obscured by the usual censoring graphics). Like Jackie O. (a seemingly sexy naturalist–at least at the pool), she is fabulously beautiful and exudes a certain sensuality that would captivate the American public.

Aptly, Trump adviser Jason Miller declared, “Nothing to be embarrassed about with the pictures–she’s a beautiful woman.” The Donald himself said, “Melania was one of the most successful models and she did many photo shoots, including for covers and major magazines.

Yes, the photos might be a mite racy of the beautiful Godiva in the nude–by herself and in the embrace of another lovely lady. But, Melania’s detractors should understand that she was modeling for a French gents’ mag. The photog remarked, “I think it is important to show the beauty and freedom of the woman, and I am very proud of these pictures because they celebrate Melania’s beauty. And Melania’s proud hubs The Donald remarks, “Melania was one of the most successful models, and she did many photo shoots, including for covers and major magazines. This was a picture taken for a European magazine….In Europe, pictures like this are very fashionable and common.”

The comely Melania is veritably a Venus. And, if her hubby succeeds, she may be America’s version of France’s former fine first lady Carla Bruni (NSFW pics).

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!

Anna Oops: Not “In Full Disclosure”

“According to the Daily Caller…a reliable news source.” Gretchen Carlson/Derek Jeter redux? Unfortunately, for Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Anna Kooiman today, she followed in the faux pas of erstwhile F&F (weekday) co-anchor Gretchen Carlson. Like Gretchen who failed to mention that her husband Casey Close was the agent of Derek Jeter in her 2009 F&F hagiographic interview of the New York Yankee superstar, Anna cited the Daily Caller as a “reliable news source” this morning without so much as mentioning that her co-host Tucker Carlson was its founder and current editor-in-chief.*

During a segment on Homeland Security (re a Border Patrol policy advising agents to not engage “rock throwers”), Anna remarked, “According to the Daily Caller, it says that.” Interrupting her, F&FW co-anchor Tucker Carlson smiling chimed, “A reliable news source.” Grinning, Anna stammered, “A reliable news sources, yes, ah, that, that these, uh, uh, uh, new standards essential match those of advocacy groups who, who think that policing our borders is not a good idea.”

Not a good idea, Anna? A good idea would have to reveal that your co-host Tucker is the founder and editor-in-chief of your source. Also, Tucker, a good idea would have been to reveal that you were the authority for Anna’s assertion. And, Clayton Morris, as the now oldest denizen on the F&FW curvy couch, a good idea would have been to step up to the plate to insure full disclosure to the F&FW viewer.

“In full disclosure”: F&FW is sorely missing its captain.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 02/09/14 (@ 7:11 a.m. ET).

Aly: “Tucker Carlson Here with Us, of Course!”

Unless Bill Shine rolls the dice again. Perhaps, no more needed to be said by Fox & Friends Weekend “regular” co-host Alisyn Camerota. For Tucker Carlson, the Daily Caller co-founder, who made his debut on F&FW as a FNC contributor almost four years ago, it seems that the die is cast: I.e., Alisyn Camerota, queen of the F&FW curvy couch, signaled strongly today that Tucker is indeed erstwhile F&FW co-anchor Dave Briggs‘ permanent replacement.

Almost a month ago, F&FW‘s “After the Show Show” producers appeared to hint that Tucker would replace the recently departed Dave Briggs as the new F&FW co-host when they presented a brief A.S.S. intro of him: During that program, Aly and guest co-anchor Mike Jerrick strongly suggested that Tucker would be the F&FW co-host in the new year 2013. Moreover, approximately, three weeks ago, Aly indicated that Tucker was being “hazed” as a “new co-host” when he haplessly was the “coughing victim” during an F&FW “Fighting the Flu” segment. Furthermore, about two weeks ago, Tucker seemed to be given equal status with Aly and co-anchor Clayton Morris as a F&FW chryon introduced the three as a apparent team at the start of each hour. Last weekend, when Tucker and Aly were off (and subbed for by Mike Jerrick and Anna Kooiman, respectively), it appeared that Tucker may have simply been co-host of the month (January 2013) to the author: However, Aly seemed to try to put that thought to rest today when she introduced her two co-hosts in the second hour, saying, “Mike Jerrick in for Clayton. Tucker Carlson here with us, of course!“*

Caveat: Tucker has not been added to the Fox & Friends Weekend website profiles alongside Aly and Clayton nor has he been included as an FNC “On-Air Personalities: All Anchors & Reporters.” Perhaps, Bill Shine, FNC’s Executive VP of Programming, may want to roll again if the reserved, awkward Tucker is not well received by F&FW fans. Or, perhaps, if Aly is allowed to leave the ship that she has saved for bluer waters, e.g., F&F weekday (if Gretchen Carlson gets her own FNC gig or her contract is not renewed) and Shine decides to start afresh–again.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 02/09/13 (@ 7:32 a.m. ET)

F&FW 2013: Tucker Time? Shhh!

Alisyn Camerota, Clayton Morris–and Tucker Carlson? With nary a word Saturday, Fox & Friends Weekend producers seemed to be sneaking Daily Caller co-founder Tucker Carlson into their permanent co-anchor roster to replace recently departed Dave Briggs. Only a week earlier, co-host Alisyn Camerota told Tucker that he was enduring a “sort of hazing” that F&FW did to its “new co-anchors” (when he had to brave an automaton’s emetic expectoration during a “Fighting the Flu” segment).

Yesterday, at the start of each hour, instead of the usual presentation of all three co-hosts by one of the permanent ones, Tucker, Aly, and Clayton uttered not a syllable of introduction. Rather, they let their individual chyrons do the talking, “Tucker Carlson, Alisyn Camerota, [and] Clayton Morris” as if to indicate all three co-hosts, including Tucker, were now equals in a new F&FW iteration. In an apparent attempt to distract their long-time viewers from these new odd introductory voids, respectively, they discursively discussed, Aly’s being “slaphappy,” Aly’s “beloved assistant,” Andrew Dice Clay‘s F&FW intro, and Clayton’s at-home “Superman” garb.

Since Dave left the show on New Year’s Eve 2012, Tucker has taken on his mantle without fail in the New Year 2013. The only exception has been F&F‘s January 20 special edition when FNC  “scrambled” their F&F “A-Team” co-hosts Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade to join Aly for Inauguration coverage a la 2009.*

F&FW 2013? Apparently, it’s now Tucker time!

*F&FW – 01/20/13 (@ 8:15 a.m.) – [Referring to himself, Steve, and Aly, Brian remarked, “That fact (Vice President Biden’s swearing-in) does not elude…Bret Baier who is scrambled on a Sunday like us because of [this] historic day in Washington.” (Italics added for emphasis.)]

FNC’s Preview “View”?

“Power Panel”: Foxes’ View! On America Live yesterday, anchor Megyn Kelly introduced the new all-woman “Power Panel” to discuss View-like issues (rape by lying, advertising to teen mothers, and being nice in embarrassing situations). On Megyn’s panel were Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Alisyn Camerota, Fox News contributor and conservative columnist Andrea Tantaros, and frequent FNC guest and senior writer of the Daily Caller S.E. Cupp. Not only did these smart, sassy, and sexy ladies address issues oriented toward the gals, but also they exuded an irresistibly alluring pheromone for the guys, too.

Does Fox News have plans for this particular bevy of beauties? With five solo male anchors (Shepard Smith, Neil Cavuto, Glenn Beck, Bill O’Reilly, and Sean Hannity) and only two solo female hosts (Megyn Kelly and Greta van Susteren), it may well intend to transform this potent Power Panel “pilot” into an hour-long program that would foster more gender equality in FNC’s line-up. To make room for it, FNC could replace Studio B with Shepard Smith in the afternoon with the Power Panel and elevate Shepard’s standing to the other male solo anchors by transforming the Fox Report with Shepard Smith into his eponymous Shep Report.

If so, perhaps, the Power Panel might be more aptly named the Foxes’ View.