Megyn Kelly: Jon Stewart “Mean and Unfair”

“What? Was that out loud?” Apparently, America Live anchor Megyn Kelly is no big fan of Daily Show host Jon Stewart, who has taken several acidic shots at her (e.g., her maternity leave and contraception coverage positions). In fact, Megyn dubbed the Comedy Central comedian “mean and unfair.”

In an AL panel discussion on the wisdom of President Obama’s appearing on comedy talk shows, Megyn questioned whether Jimmy Fallon would aggressively challenge the President on the issues in his appearance tonight on Fallon’s Late Night show. One of the panelists, humorist  Scott Blakeman responded, “I don’t know, but…Jon Stewart–who took my comedy class actually and he’s…a great guy…and Jon is a liberal like myself–gave…the hardest interview [that] President Obama has ever had….So, comedians can ask even better questions that even journalists sometimes.”*

With a sardonic smile, Megyn stammered, “I think, just FYI, I think, I think Jon Stewart needs to go back to your class and needs a refresher on how to do comedy, on how to do comedy–as opposed to being mean and unfair.”

In response to Megyn’s acerbic remarks, Blakeman insisted, “No, no, he’s great. He’s great. He’s very funny.” Continuing, he maintained, “No, no, he’s very funny. He’s a nice Jewish guy like me.”

Sensing that Blakeman’s adamant defense with unassailable by her distaff suasion, Megyn sweetly smiled and coyly chuckled, “What? Was that out loud? Huh? What? Sour grapes, anyone?”

Grapes or not, Stewart’s disses have seemingly left a sour taste in Megyn’s mouth.

*America Live – 04/24/12 (@ 2:38 p.m. ET)

“Don’t Sleep with T. J. Holmes”: BET or Marilee?

BET’s T. J. Holmes is not returning to CNN as he puckishly indicated Wednesday on Twitter: Rather, the former American Morning Adonis is staying with BET and he will finally have his new show. Yesterday, BET announced the advent of T.J.’s provocatively-dubbed program, Don’t Sleep with T. J. Holmes, to its advertisers at a Los Angeles preview for its advertisers yesterday according to Richard Prince’s Journal-isms. In a show promo, BET described Don’t Sleep as a comedic/political program (akin to Comedy Central’s Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and promised viewers that it “is not your mama’s late-night talk show.”

Congratulations, T. J.!

[Author’s aside: Re the mention of “Marilee” in the title of this article, Marilee nee Fieburg is the name of T. J.’s beautiful beloved “Mrs. Holmes.”]

F&F: Doonesbury Dudes

Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy have made the funny papers! Today, during his promo for his Fox News Sunday show on Fox & Friends, Chris Wallace alluded to this distinction when he commended F&F co-anchor Brian for his “shout-out” from Doonsebury. For F&F fans who may have missed Wallace’s oblique reference, Garry Trudeau has spoofed F&F’s coverage of the Tiger Woods saga this week. In so doing, he “featured” Brian Monday through Thursday, and mentioned Steve today. (Links: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.)

The author is surprised that co-host Gretchen Carlson has not yet been given a starring role in the progressive comic strip. Perhaps, Keith Olbermann’s “Second Worst Person in the World” and Jon Stewart’s dumbing-herself-down dame will make her grand entrance next week.

“No, I’m Not Dumbing Myself Down!”

After not responding to earlier bad press, Fox & Friends co-anchor Gretchen Carlson answered her latest “tormentor,” Jon Stewart today. Five days after the Daily Show host accused the Stanford alum and classical violinist of dumbing herself down for her Fox News audience, she replied not so obliquely during her show.*

When she introduced a segment entitled “Decade’s Most Obsolete Items,” she stated, “This’ll make you feel really old ’cause a lot of this stuff is technology-based driven: This always affects me.” Then, marveling, she asked, “Did you know…that the fax machine is almost obsolete? I’m just getting around to figuring how to actually use it.” Apparently, remembering John’s acerbic assertions, she quickly added, “And, no, I’m not dumbing myself down!”

In response, Gretchen’s guest co-host, Peter Johnson, Jr., laughed knowingly and heartily. As co-anchor Steve Doocy stoically tried to segue to the next item (telephone answering machine), Gretchen stared straight into the camera and simply smiled. As if to say, are you listening, John?

*Fox & Friends (12/14/09) – @8:36 a.m. ET

A.M. Mammary Memories (More of Zain)

American Morning co-host John Roberts ribaldly recalls yet again Zain Verjee’s ample melons. After a Jeanne Moos segment featuring Improv Everywhere singing in a store’s produce section, co-anchor Kiran Chetry commented, “That never happens at my grocery store. How about you?” Randily John replied, “Well, there was that time Zain Verjee appeared in the produce department of a store.”

[For the reader who may not recollect, Zain Verjee appeared on an American Morning “Great Grocery Challenge” segment memorialized by Jon Stewart on his Comedy Central Daily Show. As she was interviewed by guest co-host Kyra Phillips in the produce aisle, Kyra racily remarked, “Nice melon [pause] behind you there!” Also present, a suddenly reddened John whirled around in disbelief and declared, “Whoa!”]

Looking lustily up with almost a leer, John chortled, “I remember fondly back on that.” Grinning, Kiran risquely added, “That’s right. It made everybody very hungry for watermelon, right?” John smiled broadly, chuckled, and remained wisely silent.*

Well, it is that frisky early A.M.!

AM – 10/27/08 (6:55 a.m. ET)

Zain’s “Nice Melons” Remembered

Yesterday American Morning co-anchor John Roberts had fond memories of CNN reporter Zain Verjee’s ample melons in the fresh produce department over a year ago (as memorialized by Jon Stewart’s Daily Show)*. As John introduced a segment with CNN correspondent Ed Henry who was similarly situated in a Bristol, VA, Krogers before Obama’s healthcare meeting, John and guest host Carol Costello could not repress a knowing hearty chuckle about Kyra Phillips’ naughty aside to Zain.

As Ed’s report ended, John was a bit more forthcoming. Trying to keep a straight face, John asked, “What about melons, Ed? Do they have any melons there?” Then he laughed lustily. Ed replied, “You know, John, I just don’t want to go there. Just can’t go there.” John responded, “We need Zain Verjee to do that part of the story.”

To the audience, Carol commented, “Inside American Morning joke but, boy, was it funny!” John added, “It hearkens back to a year ago actually.” For the rest of the story, see Carpe Diem’s “Kyra: ‘Nice Melons.'”**

*http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-june-18-2008/moment-of-zen—nice-melons

**https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2008/06/14/kyra-nice-melons/

Kiran: Underneath My Skirt

“Could have gotten ugly”? Many of Kiran Chetry’s admirers would dare to disagree. Like the famed burlesque star Sally Rand, American Morning’s Kiran Chetry may have disabused many of her fans of the mystery of distaff delight. Apparently, no more popular Fox & Friends YouTube moments for now.

After a segment airing the “Moment of Zen” from Comedy Central’s the “Daily Show with Jon Stewart” showcasing Richard Simmons amorously kissing Kiran’s foot, AM co-anchor John Roberts asked, “Did he just snap or what happened?” Kiran explained, “Well, he’s Richard Simmons.” Roberts randily further queried, “A foot kisser?” Kiran replied, “Apparently. He would not let go.”

Then she added, “The…good news is that I had on emergency bike shorts underneath my skirt because it could have gotten [sic] ugly.” When Roberts feigned embarrassment, Kiran tittered, “Too much information?” Roberts responded, “Just a bit.” Laughing, Kiran replied, “You just never know if you’re going to trip in the studio: you’ve got to be covered. I hope that’s not the next moment of Zen.”

Kiran, emergency biking shorts? Sounds like Chris has given you some Zen Depends. You and Janelle may well want to reconsider that netherwear choice.

“If you’re going to trip in the studio,” you might as well look good in the video.

https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/cinderella-kirans-youtube-moment/