Another New Day–Again!

Michaela says goodbye. Friday, New Day co-host Michaela Pereira called it quits: Now, Chris Cuomo is the last original co-anchor left standing. CNN honcho Jeff Zucker can try again to make that winning team that can give Fox & Friends a run for the money–or, at least, come in a respectable second.

Last week, CNN seemed to want to ease Michaela out the New Day door unlike its ceremonious ditching of another original co-host Kate Bolduan when she was on maternity leave by Zucker: Nevertheless, the slow sendoff of Michaela from New Day seemed like a painful display of inane maudlin, mawkish sentiment. The shtick appeared to be a pouting Chris about Michaela “abandoning” the show; a reveling Michaela in the “pain” that her departure caused Chris; and a laughing Alisyn Camerota at their silly departure dance.

Before Michaela exited the stage, she may have been billed as a coequal anchor but the loyal New Day viewer knew the pecking order: Chris was the alpha male; Aly was the alpha bitch (in a good way); and Michaela was still along for the ride. It did not go unnoticed by ND fans that prime anchor Chris would open the show in the first hour; secondary host Aly would intro it the second hour; and Chris would lead in the third and final hour: Tertiary anchor Michaela would tend to do the personal interest stories and racially sensitive ones.

Now that Michaela has “left the building,” the auditioning will begin–hopefully, for both males and females. Early Start co-hosts Christine Romans and John Berman would be a good place to start: No-nonsense Christine guest co-hosted ND predecessor American Morning regularly and quick-witted John Berman is oft a guest co-host of New Day. Of course, Aly and Chris might be a good duo a la Kiran Chetry and John Roberts (the last official co-hosts of AM).

Good luck, Michaela, as you move to HLN to host your own to-be-announced morning show! And, good luck Aly, Chris, and Zucker as you craft anew a New Day!

Alluring Aly’s Anniversary

Comely Camerota: “Can’t believe it’s already my one year #CNNannniversary[:] it’s been a terrific first year.” And, it has been–with New Day co-host Alisyn Camerota doing what she does best, resurrecting moribund cable news morning programs (a la her second and third stint at Fox & Friends Weekend). Aly to the rescue: Aly’s cool and Aly’s hot!

When New Day replaced American Morning (soon after Kiran Chetry‘s tearful namaskaar), CNN put beefcake Cuomo scion Chris on to co-anchor the show with tyro Kate Bolduan and sweet third wheel news reader Michaela Pereira. It never quite worked with Chris leading the pack as the alpha male with puppy Kate yapping for his affection and second wife Michaela seeming to just want Big Love or peace, joy, and happiness–not that there is anything necessarily wrong with that. When Kate got preggers, the ND viewer could sense that Kate’s tearful goodbye may have been forever (with Zucker itching for a winner in the morn).

Subsequently, Aly began filling in for Kate. Even the casual viewer could sense a whole new dynamic–where the boy was not the boss anymore: The girl was even if she did not necessarily let him know it. Like his Pop or his brother, Chris plays partisan style: And, Aly plays it fair. Poor Michaela seems to opine from the peanut gallery.

With Aly at the helm, it is indeed a New Day at CNN. A good day!

Cuomo: Demonize Concerned Non-Vac Parents

“Not…inform the ignorant.” New Day co-hosts Alisyn Camerota and Chris Cuomo battled on CNN Tonight on whether the measles vaccine should be mandatory.

When host Don Lemon posed the question to Chris, he answered with an unqualified, “Ah, Yes! They should be…We have enforcement issues with schools…that have allowed exemptions….”

When Don winnowed Chris’ “short answer” to a simple “yes,” Aly replied, “I say it’s impossible because there are exemptions and we don’t want to do away with those exemptions. Some are for religious purposes–the Amish don’t get immunized, for instance, and every school makes an exemption for…[a] medical exemption.”

Elaborating, Aly said, “If you have a child, for instance, I’ve interviewed scores of these people: I have been covering this immunization measles case for a long time. There are parents whose first child was vaccine injured: they don’t want to vaccinate their second child. They don’t have to: Schools don’t make them vaccinate their second child.”

Querulously, Don queried, “Do you have the right to endanger someone else’s kid because you don’t want your kid to be vaccinated?”

With a mite too much machismo, Chris exclaimed, “No, you don’t have the right!” Pointing at Aly, he disdainfully declared, “And, also, Alisyn’s answer is a little, you know!”

Uncowed by her Italian stallion ND hubby, Aly defiantly riposted, “Go ahead! Try it! Bring it out! Bring it on!”

Realizing that he was no longer lecturing a compliant Kate Bolduan but rather a combative Camerota, Chris dialed it back, saying, “You’re answer is the same as mine. He [Don] said, ‘Should it be mandatory?’ Yes! Unless, of course, there is a proviso in there; of course, if you’re kid is immune compromised or if it’s an infant.”

In answer to a somewhat chastened Chris, Aly answered, “Yeah. Well, that’s how it is right now. That’s how it stands right now.”

Chris riposted, “Right…and that’s what I’m saying. That’s what it is. So, it comes down to enforcement.”

Sounding chauvinistic, Chris continued, “Where I think that you get a little outside the box on this–because, obviously, we’ve been talking about it on the show so much is–I think you have to be careful not to inform the ignorant on this.”

Subsequently, after Chris and Don dogmatically argued for vaccination, Aly reasoned that there were “many layers to this.” When Don declared, “People aren’t not [sic] vaccinating because they’re concerned about their immune system: They are, they’re doing it because of a faulty report, bad science,” an undaunted Aly answered, “Some, some are doing it that way. Everybody has their own reasons. Some people are doing it because they know somebody who they believe got injured by a vaccine….That’s why this is happening!”

Animatedly, Chris retorted, “Yes, parents think that they shouldn’t give vaccines: they’re wrong! So, don’t give credibility to their position!”

Calmly, Aly reasoned, “Yes, but this is the problem with what you are saying: You also can’t sweep it under the rug. I hear people say all the time say, ‘These anti-vaxers, they’re crazy: they’re wearing tinfoil hats….In other words, you’re a flat-earther if you have any questions about it.”

As Don compared “these anti-vaxers” to “climate change people,” Chris indicated that they were worse. Sounding a tad like Tony Soprano, Chris continued, “You are right: you can’t just tell somebody they’re stupid and expect them to change because this is not an intellectual position, it’s an emotional position for parents so you have to appeal to them on that level: With raised eyebrows and a menacing look, he added, ‘But, they also have to know there’s a price.'”

Turning to Don, Aly demanded, “How does demonizing them help?” Interjecting, Chris exclaimed, “It helps a little bit. There should be a price for their position!”

Sorry, Chris. Aly is right: Demonizing concerned anti-vax parents is not the answer. And, no one, including you, has a right to make these parents pay “a price for their position”!

*CNN New – 02/05/15 (10:48 p.m. ET).

 

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.]

Aly & Chris: Dawn of a New Day?

James Earl Jones’ voice silenced. As rumors swirl over New Day host Kate Bolduan‘s possible ouster from her CNN morning anchor chair, ND host Chris Cuomo and ND guest anchor Alisyn Camerota introduced themselves and New Day in a whole new way Thursday and Friday. Gone was the daily dulcet baritone introduction of James Earl Jones teasing, “This is New Day with Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan, and Michaela Pereira!” Instead, it was either Chris or Aly introducing each other and ND to the viewer. No mention was made of Michaela: But, perhaps, more tellingly, no mention was made of Kate either–seemingly, for the first time since she left on maternity leave.

When Kate tearfully took her maternal sabbatical and deemed it “super, super, super bittersweet” (09/19/14), the author wondered whether she was also actually getting a divorce from her ND hubby, who reportedly had informed CNN honcho Jeff Zucker “that Kate Bolduan is not a good fit for him and he wants someone new.” Perchance, she was indeed taking that fateful step–whether she knew it or not.

Reportedly, Zucker is mulling Chris’s purported suggested amid a marked increase in ND ratings since Kate’s hiatus from New Day. As the new diva on the ND divan for the last two months, Aly is proving that she may well fit the bill.

ND’s Aly: “Two Weeks!”

Camerota’s “New Day” turns to night too soon? For the last three weeks, new CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota has ruled the roost on the New Day divan in the absence of Kate Bolduan who is away on maternity leave. She has shown her co-host Chris Cuomo what a real equal–or superior–looks like: In other words, the Italian stallion has more than met his match with his comely, perspicacious counterpart.

Monday, Kate returned to ND for her “Roots: Journey’s Home” story (which is a smart, delightful way that CNN has chosen to personalize some of its anchors to its viewers). In tow, Kate took her beautiful newborn Cecilia Eve to  the CNN couch: Of course, “uncle” Chris cooed and cooed over his co-host and neighbor’s firstborn beauty, as well he should. As the ND cast share the serpentine sofa, the contrast between the too oft callow Kate and the more seasoned Aly appeared all too palpable.

Perchance, Kate came back Monday to show that she is still a permanent co-host on ND. On Friday, Aly seemed to affirm that: When a Twitter follower asked, “Where did you go, miss your commentary” [sic], Aly answered, “Tune into @NewDay for the next two weeks!”

However, Aly may well have a longer stint on ND than she thinks. If CNN chief Jeff Zucker decides to suspend or even can embattled Carol Costello for her controversial Schadenfreude of late, he may keep the current winning team on ND–and give new mom Kate a later, more convenient slot on CNN Newsroom.

CNN’s arousing espresso? Aly in the a.m.!

Fox (Aly) & Friends Weekend Reunited

Dave Briggs: “Reunited & it feels so good.” Yesterday, whilom Fox & Friends Weekend team of co-hosts Alisyn Camerota, Dave Briggs, and Clayton Morris got back together: Unfortunately, for their F&FW fans, it was only for lunch. Excitedly, Aly Tweeted, “Guess who I had lunch with? #reunited IMG_0199.JPG.” Subsequently, she posted a pic of her, Dave, and Clayton, posing happily together.

Inexplicably, Aly deleted the pic of the reunited erstwhile F&FW three amigos later. Perchance, she (or CNN) did not want her fans to get too nostalgic for the good old days of Aly reining on the F&FW curvy couch with her boys at FNC. After all, she has moved on to CNN–and has been ruling the New Day divan with Chris Cuomo and Michaela Pereira of late. And, now that ND co-host Kate Bolduan is on maternity leave, Aly may be taking over more permanently.

Happily, for partisans of the penultimate F&FW iteration, current “NBC Sports guy” Dave Briggs provided two fab photos of him and his buds, CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota and still FNC F&FW co-host Clayton Morris [pic1, pic2]. In his Tweet (including a great selfie seemingly shot by Clayton), Dave proudly declared, “Peaches & Herb sang it best, “Reunited & it Feels so Good…”

So good to see you all reunited, too, Dave–if only for a repast.

[Author’s aside: Not too surprisingly, Clayton did not RT the photos of him, Aly, and Dave back together again: After all, he assuredly wants his F&FW fans not to look back too fondly on his former “Friends” and to transition their affections more completely to his new ones, Anna Kooiman and Tucker Carlson.]

Aly & John: Sitting in a Tree?

Camerota and Berman: a TV coupling in the making? With New Day co-hosts Kate Bouldan and Chris Cuomo away, Aly and John finally met up and did play–at least, a little this morn. And, apparently, they have all week to develop some real chemistry.

In the wee hours of today, Aly teased, “If only I knew @JohnBerman better. He seems like a great guy. Oh well.” Two hours later, she revealed that she would indeed, reTweeting, “@ChrisCuomo and @KateBouldan [sic] are off this week, so @JohnBerman and @AlisynCamerota are joining @MichaelaCNN to hold down the #NewDay fort! Waxing waggish as usual, John ejaculated, “I have a blind anchor-date with @AlisynCamerota on @NewDay. They say you never get a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression. I’m screwed.”

As if. CNN’s resident bad boy had to settle for some platonic love today. And, the sweetest thing Aly said to John this morn was “John, great to be with you” as the second hour of ND commenced.

But, tomorrow is a whole New Day!

 

Kate Bolduan: Out at New Day?

“No, not yet!…I still need him here for a little while longer.” Yesterday, New Day co-host Kate Bolduan appeared to let viewers in on a little secret, i.e., that she may not be Chris Cuomo‘s co-anchor for much longer on CNN’s early morning news flat liner. Perhaps, CNN honcho Jeff Zucker has given her the news: According to FTVLive last month, its sources disclosed that Chris told CNN honcho Jeff Zucker that “Kate is not a good fit for him and he wants someone new.”

During a segment on Obamacare, political commentator Will Cain used the “you” as a pronoun for government in answer to a query from Chris.* Chuckling, Chris replied, “From now on, every time you’re here you call me “government. That’s my new nickname.” As Cain remarked that he was using the proverbial “you,” Chris jested, “You can call me “Guv.”

Smiling, Cain riposted, “Are you announcing something today?”

Grabbing Chris’ arm, Kate interjected, “No, not yet!…I still need him here for a little while longer.”

For Chris and/or Kate’s acolytes, the question is “how much longer, Zucker?”

*New Day – 11/21/13 (@ 6:33 a.m. ET)

BP “To The Couch” Walk: New Day Stupid?

Polluting America’s Gulf: Polluting CNN’s airwaves? Lampooning themselves unintentionally a la a Saturday Night Live spoof, CNN New Day co-hosts Chris Cuomo, Kate Bolduan, and Michaela Pereira made a mockery of themselves and their show today anew with their diurnal “To The Couch!” walk sponsored by BP in the penultimate block of ND. After Kate announced that they would be making their odd amble to ND‘s version of F&F‘s “curvy couch” for John Berman‘s “Award of the Day” segment, an actual ad sponsored by BP began to air in a split screen alongside with Chris, Kate, and Michaela strolling to the sofa.

It was embarrassing and absurd. When the author saw this inanity of a crass commercial during ND itself for the first time a while back, he thought it was a lame joke or, perhaps, a jejune jab at F&F‘s famed “curvy couch.” But, it was not to be: It was actually a legitimate commercial. Yikes! It was especially jarring since CNN’s American Morning (an earlier ED iteration) co-hosts Kiran Chetry and John Roberts had covered the 2010 BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico with exceptional reportage and sincere sensitivity.

Whenever this viewer watches Chris, Kate, and Michaela stroll to ND‘s “curvy couch” as the ad voice-over proclaims the merits of BP, he remembers the pollution from that oil company spill that savaged the Gulf of Mexico, its marine life, and the economic livelihoods of so many Gulf states natives. And, those images now spill over onto a seemingly much too cavalier New Day itself.

Scrub well with Dawn, ED, and start a whole new dawn!

Oops! Michaela Pereira’s Number Revealed!

Smart watch: dumb reporter? Today, New Day news anchor Michaela Pereira fell victim to the “eye of the camera”–and a CNN colleague’s naivete. In a segment on Samsung’s soon-to-be-released smartwatch, business correspondent Zain Asher gave Michaela and her New Day co-hosts Kate Bolduan and Chris Cuomo a revealing demonstration of what the smartwatch can do. After taking a photo of Kate and Chris, Zain called Michaela: when she did, the camera’s eye closed in on the face of the watch clearly showing Michaela’s phone number [(3**) 2**-***2] for approximately three seconds.*

When Michaela’s number appeared on the screen, Chris slyly interjected, “Why does Michaela have a 1-900 number?” Playing along with his futile attempt at legerdemaine, Michaela smiled suggestively and rolled her eyes racily. Then, when her phone began to ring, Michaela exclaimed, “Oh, there’s a phone call for me! I wonder who that could be!”

After today, that phone call could be from any of Michaela’s New Day fans. But, poor Zain should not feel too bad: she’s not the first one on CNN’s premier morning show to make that mistake. When John Roberts co-anchored American Morning (a New Day precursor), the veteran newscaster called Kiran Chetry on air with his cell phone and similarly displayed Kiran’s number for the world to see. Consequently, Kiran had to change her number: And, doubtlessly, so shall Michaela.

Smile, Michaela! It’s time for the “good stuff.” Time for your free upgrade!

*Early Day – 09/05/15 (@ 8:41 a.m. ET)

[Author’s aside: Obviously, Carpe Diem did not publish Michaela’s full phone number for privacy purposes.]

Cuomo Tweaks “Really Dumb” Carlson Twerk?

Flexin’ Fetchin’ Gretchen: “This [twerk] seems more like a hula!” Yesterday, CNN’s New Day co-anchor Chris Cuomo appeared ready for bear as he took aim at his FNC Fox & Friends rival Gretchen Carlson seemingly Friday. On the very day after the Huffington Post mocked Gretchen for her twerking a la Miley Cyrus on air Thursday, Chris seemed strangely eager to get in a sharp jab at Gretchen.

When a ND story on the birth of panda twins in Atlanta began to wrap Friday, Chris stammered, “I don’t believe, I think it’s really dumb when you see these newscasters trying to twerk.”* Pointing his finger at his audience for added emphasis, he continued, “But, I do believe it is not done very cute and we should try best panda sound.” Smiling dismissively, his co-host Kate Bolduan riposted, “I can not believe [that] you made a twerk/panda reference!” Paying her little mind at most, Chris answered, “Of course, when you see them trying that, you’re like, ‘why are they doing that?'”

Perhaps, Chris, Gretchen is twerking toward that full twelve years for F&F as “king of the hill.” Who knows? If Kate follows suit, she might well give ND, at least, a fighting chance against FNC’s inimical juggernaut.

[Author’s aside: Gretchen’s quote in the subtitle was the remark that she made after briefly trying to twerk, supra.**]

*New Day – 08/30/13 (@ 7:46 a.m. ET)

**Fox & Friends – 08/29/13 (@ 7:48 a.m. ET)

“New Day”: New Dawn or New Dud?

Chris, Kate, and Michaela: CNN’s New Day morning team brings a brighter dawn to their viewers–at least, for now. Gone are the too oft surly Soledad O’Brien and her Starting Point panel of milquetoast toadies (and the subsequent SP fill-ins): And, in their place are three sunnier replacements, alpha male Chris Cuomo, tomboy beauty Kate Bolduan, and the engaging BBBW Michaela Pereira. And, thankfully, for three full hours for those sick and tired of the schizophrenic Early Start/Starting Point (two hour/two hour) start to their CNN day.

For early morn viewers wondering who in the world the new CNN honcho Jeff Zucker’s tyro trio were, they introduced themselves to each other and to viewers in their respective profile segments (vids): Chris’s “Poseidon Adventure”; Kate’s “Skeet’r Shoot”; and Michaela’s “Soccer Mom.” It was almost an homage to FNC’s Fox & Friends: i.e., an acknowledgment that morning news TV should be informative, informal, and personal if it is truly to resonate with its audience.

However, the personal chemistry among Kate, Chris, and Michaela does seem somewhat forced at times, e.g., Chris requesting and receiving a kiss from Michaela and their subsequent group hug at the end of Michaela’s “Soccer Mom” segment. Nevertheless, the three seem to genuinely like other.

Still, Chris seems to be the wild card: He’s the baritone Cuomo scion that sometimes seems somewhat solipsist but is trying hard to mingle with the masses. Hopefully, he can. But, for future reference, as Kate seemed to sense, he probably should not tell aurally challenged, camera-curious three-year-olds–even if in jest–that he won’t abide their stealing “[his] camera” or his “single.”* [Video.]

As Ad Age noted, the results for a New Day were mixed in its debut week (June 17-21). It did edge out its HLN sibling in the ratings and was leaps and bounds above Soledad’s cellar status in the same time period in 2012: However, New Day was trounced by FNC’s Fox & Friends and lost to MSNBC’s Morning Joe.

A New Day: a new dud? It could yet be: But, CNN fans are hoping New Day is truly a new dawn. Leading that chorus, former American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry wished her a.m. “successors” well, saying, “Good luck guys!! The hours are a bear… But the experience is priceless. Godspeed!!!”

*New Day – 06/21/13 (@ 5:28/5:49)

AM’s Roberts: RED-Blooded

“Your going to get me in trouble with the wife here, Tom.” Oh!Anna again, John? Apparently, engaged American Morning co-anchor John Roberts just can not help eying the spy, Anna Chapman, Russia’s sexy supposed spook. Eight days ago, fiancee Kyra Phillips, host of CNN Newsroom, gave John grief about his apparent fascination with the ravishing red-headed Ruskie. Today, former F.B.I. Assistant Director Thomas Fuentes joined in the jibing at John.

During a segment entitled “A Spy for a Spy: Russian and U.S. negotiating swap,” Fuentes opined that some of the purported Russian spies may not want to return because, in part, they may get bad reviews from Russia’s “KGB.” When John countered that some Russian spies were on postage stamps, Fuentes explained that their mission might be deemed a failure because they had not procured any state secrets. Then, Fuentes nettled, “And, I know, John, it’s breaking your heart to see Anna Chapman go back but I think you’ll see her on the talk show circuit in no time and these guys will be celebrities once this all settles.”*

Chuckling while reddening, John responded, “You’re gonna get me in trouble with the wife here, Tom.” When the interview ended, guest co-host Kate Bolduan teased, “I think someone’s blushing: Something I’ve always tried to do, and Tom Fuentes is the one that can accomplish it.” Chagrined, John good-naturedly conceded, “Yes! My face is now the color of Anna Chapman’s hair. Imagine that!” Writhing in amusement, Kate laughed, “Oh, my god!”

John, surely, not the Coolidge effect already!

*American Morning – 07/08/10 (@8:16 a.m. ET)

Dead Show Airing?

A.M.: R.I.P.? After noting that American Morning co-hosts John Roberts and Kiran Chetry have seldom been seen behind the AM desk together lately and that a host of substitute co-anchors have been paraded before the AM audience, last week Carpe Diem asked, “AM: Shake-up Looming?” Yesterday, TheWrap.com answered in the affirmative–or, at least, indicated that it appears to be in the works. According to media expert Dylan Stableford (former Mediabistro.com managing editor and contributor to Salon, New York, and Rolling Stone), an inside source indicated that “CNN is testing a concept that would include personalities with dueling political ideologies and opinions” for “a new morning show pilot.”

Apparently, CNN/US prez Jon Klein has finally taken the blinders off. After trying to revitalize American Morning’s anemic ratings three years ago by bringing in seasoned journalist John Roberts and Fox News’ rising star Kiran Chetry, Klein’s endeavor has met with dismal disappointment. In fact, based on TVbytheNumbers.com’s figures and the author’s calculations, the total viewer ratings of 2010 (1st quarter) are identical to those of 2007 (1st quarter). Even more troubling, TheWrap.com reports that Nielsen numbers show that AM has declined 30% in 2010 in both total viewers and the prized 25-54 demographic.

According to Stableford, it is unclear what the purported changes mean for Roberts or Chetry. In the last few weeks, Roberts has been temped for by T.J. Holmes, Jim Acosta, and Christine Romans whereas Chetry has been filled in for by Sara Sidner and Kate Bolduan. In doing so, Klein has seemed to substitute AM regulars for Roberts and new faces for Chetry. Perhaps, he will keep this part of his formula but acribe to a more provocative, zanier, and, yes, “Friendlier” approach. [N.B. Roger Ailes’ Fox & Friends shellacked Klein’s American Morning by 4:1 (overall viewers) and by 3:1 (25-34 demog) in the latest numbers (03/09/10)]

As to Roberts and Chetry’s respective futures, a Klein canning could actually inure to their benefit ultimately. Roberts would be in a position to stake his claim anew to Uncle Walter’s seat if the old Tiffany network does not renew Katie Couric’s costly contract. And, Chetry may finally find redemption with her many fans at the top-rating cable news network if she is but granted Ailes’ absolution.

[Author’s aside: Since Chetry’s absences have been fewer than those of Roberts, Klein may be considering whether to keep Chetry. If so, he could use the former Fox & Friends (First & Weekend) co-host to guide CNN’s version of FNC’s morning news juggernaut.]

Hat tip to J$P (Johnny Dollar’s Place).