Anna, Maria, & Greta Gone

Wow! Two days, three Foxes out! Monday, Fox & Friends Weekend co-anchor Anna Kooiman had her final sendoff (vid) as she departed the F&F curvy couch on her cross-country trek before going Down Under to be with her Aussie hubby Tim Stuckey (pic). Tuesday, FNC meteorologist Maria Molina said goodbye to her F&F fans (vid) as she returns to Central Michigan University to continue to pursue her PhD in “Earth Science.” Yesterday, Greta van Susteren left her On the Record fans without so much as an adieu, leaving temporary fill-in host Brit Hume to remark at the end of the show, “Finally, a word about Greta van Susteren….She has left Fox News, saying, ‘Today, the place just didn’t feel like home anymore.’ I count Greta a friend, and I’m sorry to see her go. All of us here certainly wish her well: She made a big contribution, and we will miss her!”

[Author’s aside: Gretchen Carlson, Roger Ailes, Andrea Tantaros, Jedediah Bila, Anna Kooiman, Maria Molina, and Greta van Susteren gone–so quickly: Crazy!]

F&F Fox Ainz: Feels the Love

Elisabeth: “Congratulations…can’t wait to see u shine!” Coronated today as Fox & Friends latest queen, Ainsley Earhardt was feeling the love from her female friends and colleagues. Predecessors Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Gretchen Carlson and frequent fill-in Anna Kooiman congratulated her heartily and/or offered their friendly advice. Furthermore, The Five co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle and On the Record anchor Greta van Susteren weighed in for good measure.

Early this afternoon, Elisabeth Tweeted, “Congratulations to my #SisterInChrist & #SweetFriend @ainsleyearhardt on the @foxandfriends news!! This #CBO can’t wait to see you shine!” Offering her encouragement and a helpful hint, Gretchen added, “Congrats to my friend @ainsleyearhardt on being new @foxandfriends host-u will be great! Always set 3 alarms!” Frequent fill-in F&F co-host (and F&FW permanent co-host) Anna Kooiman who seemed to have a real shot at the F&F weekday spot graciously chimed, “Congratulations @ainsleyearhardt on the @foxandfriends hosting gig! It’s a good one!!”

On The Five, co-host Kimberly Guilfoyle announced Ainz’s new position on the F&F weekday curvy couch and added, “We’re super excited for her: There’s isn’t a person in the building that isn’t happy for her….This was always your dream….Congratulations.” On On the Record, anchor Greta Van Susteren exclaimed, “I am thrilled for Ainsley. And, I am also thrilled for her co-hosts, Steve Doocy and Brian Kilmeade….[C]ongratulations to Ainsley on the new gig!”

Break a leg, Ainsley!

H/t J$P re The Five vid.

Prann Returns: Still Unlisted!

Anna Kooiman: “Welcome back from maternity leave!” Saturday, Fox & Friends Weekend co-host Anna Kooiman so welcomed FNC reporter Elizabeth Prann back to Fox News after her maternity leave. The proud mom said that the baby girl of her and her “crazy hubby” [pic] weighed 20 pounds: When probed further, she “conceded” that her baby weighed only eight pounds at birth.

Yes, the blond-haired beauty is back at FNC: So, why doesn’t Fox News acknowledge her?  Over two years ago, Carpe Diem noted that the flaxen-tressed lovely was not on the Fox News’ “All Anchors & Reporters” list: Today, she is still not on that list.

Strange. Maybe,  Elizabeth’s former boss, Greta van Susteren, will go to bat for her. Or, at least, her hubby Baltimore Oriole pitcher Darren O’Day should call foul!

[Author’s aside: For an archival post that lists Elizabeth as a “Washington-based correspondent for Fox News Channel (FNC), link here.]

Eric & Greg: “Boobs on the Ground”?

Greta: “Ouch! Oh, man!…They’re going to get into so much trouble over that one!”* Yesterday, The Five co-anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle saluted a true “femme fatale,” U.A.E. ace Major Mariam Al Mansouri (during the “One Last Thing” segment): The U.A.E.’s first female pilot, who serves as squadron leader, led the American/Arab air strikes as she and the boys wreaked havoc on ISIS on the Syrian front. Instead of celebrating the Major in a part of the world where a woman sometimes cannot even drive and oft has to hide behind a burka, Kimberly’s co-hosts, Greg Gutfeld and Eric Bolling, acting like puerile, pubescent schoolboys, took cheap misogynistic shots.

After Kimberly had lauded Mansouri a/k/a “Lady Liberty” for “raining hell down on ISIS,” Greg jejunely jested, “The problem is after she bombed it, she, she couldn’t park it.” Chuckling, a less than clever Eric punned, “Would that be considered ‘boobs on the ground’ or no?” As Kimberly looked down in incredulity, even the ever bawdy co-anchor Bob Beckel looked on in disbelief, exclaiming, “Did you just say what I thought you said!””

“Boobs on the ground,” Eric? No, just boobs on The Five. And, not the nice kind.

[Author’s aside: The subtitle, supra, refers to the final segment on On the Record with Greta Van Susteren last night: As the show concluded, Greta remarked, “And, live TV, well it can be unpredictable like the discussion on The Five today about the U.A.E.’s first fighter pilot bombing ISIS. Ouch!” After playing the clip of The Five segment describing the aforementioned juvenile exchanges, Greta remarked, “Oh, man! Do you think that the gents on The Five minus Bob should get a do-over on that one? They’re going to get into so much trouble over that one!”]

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

Who’s That Girl? Elizabeth Prann!

“FOX News reporter by day; baseball wife by night; [and] Darren O’Day’s #1 fan.” That “big-haired” blond beauty being battered by Hurricane Isaac as she covered the “himacane” in New Orleans today for Fox News is Elizabeth Prann–an FNC reporter without a bio. In spite of FNC’s websites claim of a list of “All Anchors & Reporters” she is not listed: ergo, the author will attempt to provide a soupcon of her info to her FNC fans.

According to a recent Tweet by Elizabeth, her hometown is Aurora, Colorado (within the Denver metropolitan area). Furthermore, Gainesville Today reported that the University of Florida alumni majored in journalism, played lacrosse, and, to boot, found future hubby, Baltimore Oriole pitcher Darren O’Day–in freshman speech class. Upon her graduation in 2006, Elizabeth served as an assistant to On the Record anchor Greta van Susteren for two years. Subsequently, she became a reporter in Panama City, Florida, for NBC affiliate WJHG. In February of 2010, Elizabeth returned to her FNC family as an Atlanta-based correspondent.

For a vid clip of Elizabeth today, link here.

Sarah Palin: Dick “Never Misfires”

Greta: “He’s not afraid to say things about the women.” Former Vice President Dick Cheney got “b*tch slapped” tonight on On the Record for his dis of the former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as a “mistake” re her selection by 2008 Republican nominee John McCain as his running mate–by both Palin and host Greta Van Susteren. As if the blow-back from his daughter Liz were not enough for the “best VP ever.”

During her interview of Palin, Van Susteren gave the GOP base fave a chance to hit back hard at the Bush establishment’s Darth Vader. She asked, “Dick Cheney…said some words that he didn’t think that you were a particularly good choice 2008….Your response to Dick Cheney?”*

Grimacing and arching her eyebrows, Palin inhaled deeply and caustically said, “Well, seeings how Dick there.” Appearing to feign to catch herself in reverence for her ailing elder, Palin sarcastically continued, “Excuse me, Vice President Cheney never misfires, then evidently he’s quite convinced that what he had evidently read about me by the lame stream media…what I believe is a false narrative…and that’s a shame so he characterized me as being a mistake.”

Sympathetically, Van Susteren acerbically added, “I might note that Vice President Cheney took a little bit of a slap at Condaleeza Rice in his book, saying she got all teared up….He’s not afraid to say things about the women.”

And, these women are not afraid to say things back about “the man.”

*On the Record with Greta Van Susteren – 07/31/12 (@10:07 a.m. ET)

Update: Vid via Realclearpolitics.com.

“Barracuda” Palin Bites Gingrich Back

“What in the heck did you mean?…Bless [your] heart.” Possible GOP Prez candidate Palin bit back hard against Newt Gingrich last night for his acerbic criticism of her four months ago in the aftermath of the Tucson shootings. In an interview with Greta van Susteren on On the Record, the former Alaskan governor was asked whether the media challenge of Gingrich for his recent attack on House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan’s Medicare plan (as “radical change” and “right-wing social engineering”) was right.* Palin replied, “[T]he media…we all have a right to ask Speaker Gingrich, ‘What in the heck did you mean that Paul Ryan’s budget plan is “radical” or “social engineering”?’ No, what is ‘radical’ is not proposing a plan to counter Obama’s budget plan that has us on the road to bankruptcy.”

Subsequently, Van Susteren observed that another GOP 2012 candidate, former PA Sen. Rick Santorum, should be grateful that the Gingrich controversy overshadowed his comment (that Sen. John McCain, Palin’s 2008 GOP Prez running mate, did not understand torture). Smiling sardonically, Palin answered, “[W]hat I thought after the whole Newt Gingrich thing in these last twenty-four hours, Greta, was bless his heart and every other good old boy’s heart that’s in that political game in the Beltway. They don’t really know any more than the rest of us.”

Seemingly, still smarting from Gingrich’s acerbic counsel to her after she accused her media critics of “blood libel” (after they seemed to insuate that she bore some responsibility for the apparent assassination attempt on Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-AZ),” Palin sniped, “Greta, it was Newt Gingrich who told me in January of this year Sarah Palin needs to slow down and really think through what is that she has to say. Well, you know, he, he stumbles, too. We all stumble: We all have our strengths and our weaknesses.”

With a bloodied Gingrich in the GOP waters, a hungry Sarah Barracuda was more than ready to feed.

*On the Record with Greta van Susteren – 05/19/11 (@ 10:08 p.m. ET)

Rove Laughs at Trump: But, Huckabee Doesn’t

On Fox & Friends Weekend this morning, Karl Rove, Bush’s “Architect,” continued to deride the GOP’s new front runner, Donald Trump: But, strangely, he was rebutted by none other than Trump’s biggest GOP competitor, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. After calling Trump “a joke candidate” with “weird conspiracy theories” last night on On the Record with Greta van Susteren, Rove not only defended his caustic comments but also attacked Trump further as a “birther,” a big Democratic supporter, and an “interesting guy with a bad hair” deal on F&FW this morning. Later, during the program, Huckabee strongly defended his maverick Republican rival against the GOP establishment attack dog.

During the FNC contributor’s usual weekend appearance on F&FW, Rove was asked by co-anchor Dave Briggs why he had called Trump “a joke candidate” on Greta last night.*  Rove replied that “these early polls” simply showed that still non-anchored Republicans had “sorta flocked” to this “interesting guy” and, to boot, derogated Public Policy Polling (the group that had conducted the poll showing Trump with a nine-point lead over his closest competitor Huckabee) as a “Democrat outfit in North Carolina that does a notoriously bad job of polling in Republican primaries.”

Following-up Briggs’ query,  F&FW guest co-host Juliet Huddy asked, “Would he be a good President?” Derisively, Rove replied, “Not after what he’s done over the last couple of weeks. Look, he’s embraced this ‘birther’ thing. He had a lot of problems to begin with.” Elaborating, Rove harrumphed that Trump had given $196,000 to Democrats including Harry Reid, John Kerry for President, and Joe Biden; had called Pelosi great; and had given money to the last two leaders of the Democrats in the House. Concluding, he continued, “Look, if he’d gone out there and said, ‘I’m gonna fix our economy and I know how to create jobs and I’m a businessman and here are the five things I’m gonna do.” When Huddy countered, “Don’t you think people already assume that he can do, that that’s what he’s gonna do,” Rove sneered, “No, no! Look, look, look! All they know him [sic] is he’s an interesting guy who’s got a bad hair deal.”

Shortly thereafter, when Governor Huckabee appeared on the show, he was queried about Rove’s remarks by Briggs. Introducing the topic, Briggs said, “Karl Rove was just here and he called him [Trump] last night ‘a joke candidate’ [and] ‘inconsequential’  [and] he stuck by that this morning. Then, he inquired, “Does he have a realistic chance, Donald Trump, at winning this thing? Because, look, it might spike you early on, this ‘birther’ thing but, long term, when you get to a general election, is he a serious candidate?”

Coming to Trump’s defense, Huckabee answered, “I don’t think the ‘birther’ issue is a good issue. I don’t think it is lasting. It’s got him a lot of, maybe, attention. I don’t agree with it. But, I don’t think [that] people are rallying behind Donald Trump because of the ‘birther’ issue.”

Surprised, Briggs, replied, “No, you don’t?” Shaking his head, Huckabee answered, “No, I don’t.” Probing, Briggs inquired, “Then, why do they?”

Sounding almost like a supporter, Huckabee replied, “Because they know him. They feel like he’s a tough-minded, no-holds-barred business guy that would be tough with China, tough with the Saudis, [and] tough with the rest of the world.” When co-host Clayton Morris interposed, “And he’s got a popular television show what’s also helpful,” Huckabee added, “And, he knows how to fire people!”

Of course, Rove was smart enough to get ‘W’ elected twice: Nevertheless, his political acumen has been questioned of late by the right as he staunchly defends the GOP blue bloods against the insurgent blue collars. Perhaps, like the Tea Party, Rove may deem Trump “not sophisticated” enough to represent the Republicans. However, if Huckabee is right, “Bush’s Brain” may want to think again.

*Fox & Friends Weekend – 04/16/11 (@ 8:16 a.m. ET)

Megyn & Kirsten Make Up

Catfights to pillow fights? Perhaps, heeding that seductive slogan of peace, “Make love not war,” America’s Newsroom Megyn Kelly and Kirsten Powers appeared ready to sheath their claws and to mew together anew last night on FNC’s American Election HQ. Over three months ago,  the FNC blond beauties had a vicious scratching session during an alleged Black Panther voter intimidation segment. However, last night, the feisty felines appeared on the same set and seemed rather ready to let bygones be bygones.

When Kirsten concluded her AEHQ segment with fellow guests On the Record anchor Greta van Susteren and former Senator Rick Santorum, she segued backed to co-anchors Megyn and Bret Baier at another table.* (Perhaps, not inadvertently, Kirsten and Megyn sat at opposite ends of the two tables.) After Kirsten’s toss, Megyn playfully demanded an answer about the purported Black Panther voter intimidation.* Initially, Kirsten looked surprised but then laughed heartily in reply. Chuckling, Megyn smiled warmly back at her. Joining in the fun, Brett jested that the two gals should be kept apart, and Santorum sportingly stretched out his arms between them as if to do so.

All is well again at their FNC home, apparently. No more catfights! But, pillow fights are another matter altogether.

*American Election HQ – 11/03/10 (@10:49 a.m. ET)

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.

AM Shake-up Looming?

Almost three years after CNN/US prez Jon Klein brought in John Roberts and Kiran Chetry to replace American Morning co-anchors Miles O’Brien and Soledad O’Brien because of flagging ratings, it appears that he may be considering a similar shake-up. When Klein announced the change on April 4, 2007, AM total viewers averaged 372,000 (in 2007 first quarter) according to Broadcastingcable.com. Today, AM total viewers remain unchanged at 372,000 (in 2010 first quarter through March 1, 2010) according to TVbytheNumbers.com’s figures and the author’s computations.

In the last few weeks, Roberts and Chetry have been seen less and less together behind the AM desk. When either has been absent, it seems that the present one has been paired with a new guest co-anchor. In fact, Klein and/or AM EP Jamie Kraft have paraded before their audience a long list of fill-ins, e.g.,  regulars like T.J. Holmes and Christine Romans, a less frequent guest co-host (if ever before) Jim Acosta, and first-timers Sara Sidner and Kate Bolduan* as if it were an AM casting call.

If indeed Klein is considering such a change, it might actually inure to the benefit of both Roberts and Chetry. In re Roberts, perhaps, he will finally get his dream job that he lost to Katie Couric, i.e., the CBS Evening News anchor seat. (Was it he, rather than Anderson Cooper, who was reported talking with CBS executives about an anchor role as CBS News is cutting costs and Couric’s reportedly $15-million-per-year contract is set to expire in barely more than a year?) As to Chetry, maybe, FNC Senior Veep of Programming Bill Shine will let bygones be bygones if his former Fox & Friends (First and Weekend) co-host will embrace FNC anew (as her platinum standard vis-a-vis CNN as  her “gold standard”): Shine surely needs Chetry to add to the depth of his bevy of brainy beauties, especially if its rising star Megyn Kelly replaces Greta van Susteren on On the Record.

Perchance, Klein could jump start AM’s ratings with a new cast. And, simultaneously, Roberts and Chetry’s respective careers to boot. A possible win-win-win.

*American Morning – 03/04/10 – @5:59 a.m. ET [To guest co-host Bolduan, Roberts remarked, “Good to have you with us this morning. Your first day on dawn patrol.”]

Another Leg Up

In her debut as lone anchor on her new FNC show, America Live, Megyn Kelly fans were not disappointed.* Fresh from a maternity leave of four months, the “old” Kelly was back: smart, sharp, and sexy. Apparently, Fox News Senior VP of Programming Bill Shine decided not to mess with her winning formula.

In promos for American Live, FNC had presented its star, Megyn Kelly, much too somberly.* I.e., this Ms. Kelly would be a SERIOUS newsMan much like some of her male-mimicking counterparts in the old media. Happily, the previews did not match the style nor the substance of its brainy, blond beauty.

Yesterday, from matching wits with cam-ham lawyer Gloria Allred to waxing maternal about her newborn son Yates, Megyn seemed to navigate with comfort the gamut of a “working” woman’s duties. Dressed is a rather conserative red dress (high-necked & knee-high), she still was fun and frisky with liberal shots of her long legs throughout the show. Megyn was not afraid to be herself: professional mom and married hottie.

In other words, the lovely legal eagle acquitted herself well yesterday. The latest step up for FNC’s rapidly rising star on the FNC ladder. What’s next? Hm. N.B. As the New York Times reminded readers Sunday Greta van Susteren’s current contract expires at the end of this year.

* Vid links: via Johnny Dollar’s Place (J$P).

Aly: Scott Brown Girl?

Is Fox & Friends co-host Alisyn Camerota, the Bristol Bay Babe, becoming a Scott Brown girl? Yesterday, she interviewed Amber Lee Ettinger who famously had a “crush on Obama.” Today, Aly expressed her own enthrallment with Obama’s potential GOP counterpart, the newly elected Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown.

In a segment entitled “Scott Brown’s Sit-Down” (featuring footage of Barbara Walter’s interview of Brown on This Week), Aly declared, “People are so entranced, frankly, by Scott Brown right now ’cause he seems like a regular guy. He’s so interesting.” Co-anchor Steve Doocy interjected, “Entranced?” Aly replied, “Yes.” Steve teased, “You’re eyes are getting heavy? That kind?” Appearing to be only jesting somewhat, Aly rejoined, “Entranced, yes. I’m hypnotized by him, actually. And, it’s just because of the [halting pause]. Steve prompted, “Cosmo?” Grinning, Aly agreed, “Cosmo thing.”

Aly seems to be only following in the coquettish ways of the Obama Girl. Hopefully, she will not proceed further into the seductive paths of another former morning news show (Today) co-host, i.e., the aforementioned Barbara Walters. She, too, had a certain something for another married moderate Republican Massachusetts Senator, Edward Brook. But, she did something about it.

By the way, Aly, if Brown can use his nude Cosmo pictorial to help capture his Senate seat, surely, you can parlay your sexy bikini pic into “bigger and better” things. Gretchen’s seat? Or, even Greta’s?

Megyn Kelly: Afternoon Delight

In less than two weeks, America’s Newsroom co-host Megyn Kelly is getting her very own FNC two-hour program according to Mediaite. On February 1st, Megyn’s still unnamed show is slated to replace Fox News’ Live Desk which is co-hosted by Martha MacCallum and Trace Gallagher. In turn, Martha will take Megyn’s position on AN.

The move by FNC Senior Programming Veep Bill Shine came as little surprise. More a month ago, when Martha began regularly filling in for Megyn on AN and recently re-signed Juliet Huddy began ably subbing for Martha on LD, the author opined that Shine might be preparing to give Megyn Kelly her own show upon her return from maternity leave. (Apparently, he indeed was.) However, the author assumed that Megyn might replace Greta van Susteren on On the Record if she did not re-up with Fox News (as suggested by the New York Times) or, maybe, Shepard Smith on one of his two daily p.m. shows to provide better representation for women in the p.m.

Instead, Megyn got the Live Desk slot. Why? Perhaps, Shine has determined that Greta is still in the FNC fold for the foreseeable future and that Shep can keep his two programs for the time being. And, perchance, with Martha’s move to AN being such a success and Juliet Huddy’s sudden disappearance from LD and the Fox universe, Shine was presented with an unexpected void at LD and a golden opportunity to fill it with Megyn’s own two hour show.

Regardless, the lovely legal eagle deserves her own show. Not only is Megyn smart, sharp, and sexy, but also she has shown that she can best even FNC’s ratings king Bill O’Reilly on his own show in a battle of wits, reason, and panache. Congrats, Megyn!

FNC’s Musical Chairs?

For Martha MacCallum, Juliet Huddy, and Megyn Kelly, it sounds as if the music has begun. Strangely, Fox News seems to have anchor Martha MacCallum in every chair but her own on Live Desk this week. Monday it was Fox & Friends: Tuesday, Wednesday, and today, it’s America’s Newsroom.

Perhaps, FNC Senior Veep of Programming Bill Shine is taking advantage of the remainder of Megyn Kelly’s maternity leave this year (from America’s Newsroom) to see if he can adjust the roster to accommodate his returning star Juliet Huddy. Evidence of such a move may be Shine’s moving Martha this week to Fox & Friends Monday and then to America’s Newsroom Tuesday-today even though she is currently the Live Desk co-anchor. Filling in for Martha on LD Monday-Wednesday and returning Friday, has been re-signed Juliet Huddy. (Ailes’ new Energizer bunny Alisyn Camerota is scheduled to fill in on LD today.)

If Martha settles in well with co-anchor Bill Hemmer on AN and Juliet with co-host Trace Gallagher on LD, Shine would be able to free up his rising star Megyn Kelly to host her own show. As has been rumored, she could replace Greta van Susteren in the evenings if Greta does not re-up. On the other hand, Megyn could allow Shepard Smith to concentrate on just one show instead of the two that he hosts each week day (Studio B and the Fox Report): if she did that, she would be give women greater representation on a male-dominated afternoon and evening schedule. (Of eight shows, all of the anchors are men save one, Greta van Susteren, who hosts On the Record.)

When the music stops in January, look around and see if everyone has a chair, and, if so, where exactly they are seated.

O’Reilly: Dobbs 2B “Semi-Regular”

After his abrupt but “amicable” adieu to CNN last Wednesday, Lou Dobbs, gave his first TV interview to Bill O’Reilly, FNC’s ratings king, on his eponymous show tonight. In turn, O’Reilly provided the heretofore last surviving original CNN anchor with a fair and friendly interview, asking Dobbs about immigration, the “birther” movement, future plans, etc. At the end of the interview, O’Reilly remarked, “I’d like you to come back…on a semi-regular basis. Would you be willing to do that?” Without hesitation, Dobbs declared, “It would be my honor.”*

CNN may have been happy to see him go since it reportedly ponied up $8 million to see him leave with 1 1/2 years left on his contract. However, it appears that FNC may be just as eager to start its romance with the controversial host.

Watch out, Greta!

*The O’Reilly Factor – 11/16/09 (@8:11 p.m. ET)

Update: Cf. Carpe Diem’s F&F: Dobbs Factor Semi-Regular.

PAB: The Beck Girl

Is a sexier side of Patti Ann Browne, Glenn Beck’s headline reader, being revealed for the FNC viewer? The summa cum laude NY Institute of Technology of NY alum has seemed to shed her modest, mousy mien and embraced a saucier, edgier aura–at least, at night on Red Eye. With her ribald commentary and more daring wardrobe, she, FNC, or both appear to be trying to raise her profile.

If so, it appears to be working. As she continues to develop a faithful Red Eye and Internet fan base, she is enjoying success with the Glenn Beck Show. In fact, it won the cable news key viewer demographic (25-54) last Wednesday and last Thursday (including the O’Reilly Factor even though it is not in prime time: Perhaps, she is helping spike those ratings somewhat.* As an aside, her most recent appearance on Red Eye was such a hit that host Greg Gutfeld gleefully replayed footage of her daring display of decolletage the very next night.

Today, Patti Ann filled in as co-host of America’s Newsroom for the gorgeous gravid Megyn Kelly. Perhaps, she is being groomed to take Megyn’s place during her maternity leave. Or, even longer on AN if Greta Van Susteren’s contract is not renewed.**

*http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/08/27/big-beck-goes-over-3-million-viewers-beats-oreilly-in-demo-cable-news-ratings-for-wednesday-august-26-2009/25541

**http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/25/business/media/25greta.html

Megyn’s Prime Time Ego?

America’s Newsroom co-host Megyn Kelly has not only a turgid tummy but also, apparently, an ego to match. Prime time on her mind?

Today after a Michael-Jackson-death story with former LAPD detective Mark Furman and an intervening segment, Megyn displayed an NYPD shirt and said, “Let’s just show them [viewers] what we’re doing. Mark [Furman] is still here…and his wife’s name is Kelly. And he has gotten [sic] Sean Hannity and me to sign a shirt for his wife Kelly.* What a sweet husband [Mark] you are!

Seemingly surprised by Megyn’s remark, Mark meekly replied, “Ah! Thank you.” Megyn laughed, “He didn’t ask for you, Bill.” When Hemmer retorted, “Oh, that’s okay,” Megyn answered, “Just kidding: we’re gonna do that next.”

Despite Megyn’s follow-up response, her first one sounded more sincere. And, pregnant with meaning. Perhaps, she deems herself more than ready to follow Sean into the prime time line-up and give birth to her own show if and when Greta van Susteren’s contract is not renewed.

*Sean Hannity’s autograph declared “To Kelly A “Great American” Sean Hannity,” whereas Megyn’s  proclaimed, “Kelly’s Rule! You go girl–xoxo Megyn Kelly.”

**https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/all-about-megyn-fox-redux/