Bob Out Again: Juan In!

Five: About time? The Five co-host Bob Beckel, the liberal buffoon–who was “likeable enough” as former President Obama might characterize him–was fired Friday, allegedly “making an insensitive remark to an African-American” who reportedly “came to service his computer,” telling [him] that he was leaving his office because he is Black [sic]”: Ironically, unless The Five finds a fill-in, he will apparently be permanently replaced by his alternate liberal co-host, the very likable, knowledgeable African-American Juan Williams who lost his job at NPR for an allegedly “insensitive remark” about Muslims on FNC (O’Reilly Factor.) You cannot make this stuff up.

Self-admitted former substance abuser Bob was known for his cursing and crudeness on The Five but he was like the drunk on the bar stool next to you that amuses you as long as he does not spill beer on you or grab your girlfriend in a fresh fashion. But, he seemed to have a good heart as he mentored those who suffered from substance abuse.

Sometimes Bob’s tomfoolery made for good TV: But, when Juan Williams rotated in for him, the viewer wondered why Juan did not have the liberal seat full-time. In 2015, Bob was let go from The Five with former FNC honcho Bill Shine, saying, “We tried to work with Bob for months, but we couldn’t hold The Five hostage to one’s personal issues. He took tremendous advantage of our generosity, empathy and goodwill and we simply came to the end of the road with him.”  In 2017, Bob returned to the show: FNC chief Rupert Murdoch remarked, “Bob was missed by many fans of The Five and we’re happy to welcome him back to the show.

The author initially found this account re Bob highly suspect. The he remembered that Bob had referred to Chinese as “Chinamen,” a term which he understands that some consider derogatory and others may not. Regardless, it seemed to indicate an insensitivity in that regard. As to the aforementioned account re his latest termination, Bob appears to have crossed the Rubicon re racial remarks in seeming to question the ability of the IT guy because of his race.

When The Five aired later on Friday night, Bob’s name and fate were noticeably not found anywhere on the lips of his co-hosts Kimberly Guilfoyle, Jesse Watters, Dana Perino, or Greg Gutfeld. However, where Bob had last sat was predictably Juan Williams. And, presumably, he will now finally be The Five‘s resident liberal.

O’Reilly Out: Carlson In

Five replaces Carlson; Bolling replaces Five; and Watters replaces Bolling. Yesterday, FNC honcho Rupert Murdoch “caved”: Joined his boys James and Lachlan in dethroning the King of Cable Bill O’Reilly (statement)–while O’Reilly was on vacation. And, O’Reilly did not get the last word on his once eponymous show last night newly named simply The Factor.

Rather, The Factor fill-in host Dana Perino solemnly declared, “Finally, tonight, it is the end of an era here at the Fox News Channel….Bill O’Reilly is leaving this chair and this network after more than twenty years. Bill has been the undisputed king of cable news, and for good reason: He is an incredibly talented broadcaster who raised the bar for interviewers everywhere; he has also held his staff to exacting standards in his quest to put the best possible program on the air and they are great; and you his audience responded in record numbers making The Factor the number one cable news show for more than sixteen years.” Trying to soften the blow to O’Reilly’s fans further, Dana declared, “In a memo to the staff today, Rupert, James, and Lachlan Murdoch who run Fox News described Bill this way, [saying], “By ratings standards, Bill O’Reilly is one of the most accomplished TV personalities in the history of cable news. In fact, his success by any measure is indisputable. We wish him the very best.”

Even though the Murdochs recently re-signed their FNC flagship anchor and top revenue generator to an 18-million-per-year contract, they decided to  jettison O’Reilly amid the continuing allegations of sexual harassment. According to the New York Times, Fox luminaries Rebecca Gomez (2011), Laurie Dhue (2016), and Juliet Huddy (2016) have received settlements: Furthermore, reportedly, erstwhile Outnumbered regular Andrea Tantaros‘s psychologist Michele Berdy said under oath that Andrea “complained to me about recurring unwanted advances from Bill O’Reilly.” To boot, the New York Daily News reported, “On the day before he [O’Reilly] was booted, a black colleague said a leering O’Reilly shamelessly ogled her cleavage and nicknamed her ‘Hot Chocolate.'”

Not amused, O’Reilly responded to his firing, saying, “It is tremendously disheartening that we [Fox News and O’Reilly] part ways due to completely unfounded claims. But that is the unfortunate reality many of us in the public eye must live with today. I will always look back on my time at Fox with great pride in the unprecedented success we achieved and with my deepest gratitude to all my dedicated viewers.” [For full statement, link here.]

As to O’Reilly’s dedicated viewers, they will now have “a new evening and prime time lineup” according to Fox News. As of Monday (April 24),  Tucker Carlson Tonight will replace the recently renamed O’Reilly Factor (to The Factor); The Five will follow with the usual cast of Kimberly Guilfoyle, Greg Gutfeld, Dana Perino, Juan Williams, and Bob Beckel with the addition of Jesse Watters to take Eric Bolling‘s middle chair (April 24); Bolling gets his own show in the old The Five slot at 5:00 p.m. ET (May 1).

Coaxing his own Tucker Carlson Tonight viewers to make the jump to the new time last night, Tucker concluded his show saying, “There is change coming to Fox News, the channel and to this program: Starting Monday, we are moving to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. You’ve made the journey with us from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: We hope you’ll come along once more and join us an hour earlier.” Graciously, he aptly added, “We’ve got big shoes to fill: We’re going to do our best.”

Indeed, Tucker does have big shoes to fill: Whether O’Reilly devotees will give Tucker that chance remains to be known. And, to whether FNC fans cotton to James and Lachlan’s kinder, gentler Fox News is another issue altogether: Their father Rupert had the Midas touch with his “Mad Men” mentality. Going PC may be FNC’s folly: Alchemy in reverse.

Aly: Where’s Roger, Fox?

You’re So Vain: I thought this Carly Simon story was about you. FNC’s Jessica Rabbit, er, Alisyn Camerota, Fox & Friends Weekend’s co-anchor, must have been wondering where her Roger (Friedman) was today as she read to her audience a debunked tale of whom Simon supposedly was serenading in her signature song, “You’re So Vain.”

Unfortunately, the F&FW producers appeared not to have vetted the account in boss Rupert Murdoch’s U.K. Sun. In that report, Simon was supposedly not singing about a former flame such as Cat Stevens, Mick Jagger, or Warren Beatty but rather her erstwhile gay Elektra record producer David Geffen because she felt that he was promoting rival Joni Mitchell more than her. However, FNC’s fired columnist Roger Friedman pointed out in his Hollywood Reporter article that Geffen was not yet her producer when she recorded “You’re So Vain.”

After the story aired, the author apprised F&FW of the discrepancy. Happily, the producers did not run it again. Regrettably, they did not correct the record either.

Fox (Prejean) & Friends

Look out 1989 Miss America, Gretchen Carlson: 2009 Miss California USA, Carrie Prejean, is replacing you! Albeit for only an hour–at least, for now. According to Washington Whispers (U.S. News & World Report), FNC inked the Miss USA runner-up and communications major to guest host for Gretchen on May 27 from 6:00-7:00 a.m. ET: The deal was finalized the very day (Wednesday) that Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump highly recommended that Rupert Murdoch hire the “great beauty” in an interview on Fox and Friends.

May 27: A real fox & Friends!

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/05/14/miss-california-on-cable-news-fox–friends-gives-carrie-prejean-her-chance.html

Al, thanks for the “heads up.”

FNC HD: Hostile Dastards?

Is FNC thwarting its viewers’ ability to skip ads and boring segments? Even though the author was able to fast forward through FNC HD programs, e.g., Fox & Friends and America’s News Headquarters, via the DirectTV DVR yesterday and today, he was unable to see the skipped material. I.e., when the “FF” button was pushed, the pic froze and the program began when “Play” was tapped: the intervening video was not displayed. The author has had no comparable problems with CNN HD.

If my personal anecdote is applicable to the new FNC HD experience of all its viewers (or even just its DirecTV ones), this viewer impediment does not bode well for the self-proclaimed “Fair and Balanced” network. It seems like an Orwellian machination not well suited to those who claim to hold high the principles of the Fourth Estate.

Rupert, Roger, are you hamstringing your viewers?

Finally, Directv FNCHD! [Update]

Update: What is the deal? This morning Directv’s FNC seems to be back in non-HD. Last night when I began to praise, apparently, prematurely FNC’s debut in HD, I TiVo’d Geraldo Rivera’s show to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. When I deleted it, the percentage available regained on my DVR indicated that it was indeed in HD. Today has been another story altogether.

2B FNCHD, or not 2B FNCHD? That is the question.

Earlier entry:

Today FNC finally went high def on Directv. For forebearing fans of FNC, it is indeed about time: The cable news network has inexplicably long ceded video superiority to CNN on Directv. Even when Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. controlled the satellite television company, Fox News did not avail itself of an HD channel even though its main competitor CNN did. With the recent debut of its new sister cable business news network FBN in HD, Fox News’ must have been shamed by its inferior visual content. Apparently, a little sibling rivalry did the trick.

Now when switching from a CNN program to an FNC one, the viewer will not feel as if his/her contacts got cloudy. For male fans of cable news eye candy, e.g., Alisyn Camerota, Megyn Kelly, and Domenica Davis, it will be sweeter. Yes, girls, you can see your favorite gents better too.

https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/cnns-leg-up/

CNN’s “Leg” Up

Thanks, ICN, for your “heads up” on CNN’s “leg” up on FNC on DirecTV. According to Swanni of TVPredictions.com, CNN took the lead in programming in HD while FNC “dragged its feet on the HD launch.” He added that FNC has now lost its favored status at a HD-capacity-starved DirecTV once FNC’s parent company, News Corp., ceded control of DirecTV to John Malone’s Liberty Media.

Since appreciation of distaff aesthetics has often led the way in technological progress in the visual media, it seems strange that Fox News is lagging so far behind CNN HD. Ironically, Rupert Murdoch’s cable news network, known for its unabashed celebration of the feminine form, e.g., in its selection of co-hosts, subject matter, and attitude, is following far behind in the footsteps of Ted Turner’s erstwhile jewel CNN, associated far too long with a stodgier, passe p.c. presentation of the news a la the dying dinosaur Big Three news networks. In CNN’s defense, it is slowly making progress in this regard, e.g., with its snare of Kiran Chetry as AM co-anchor, its choice of Janelle Rodriguez as AM executive producer, and its welcome embrace of a less sterile atmosphere.

Thus far, FNC has generally enjoyed a comfortable lead in the cable news race. However, how does it compare to CNN HD on DirecTV?

Links:
http://www.tvpredictions.com/dfox091608.htm
http://insidecablenews.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/no-fnc-hd-on-dtv/

Brian, The Donald Trumps Rupert?

FNC’s Fox & Friends co-host Brian Kilmeade put both his soccer feet in his mouth this morning. In teasing an ’80’s tycoon segment with Dave Ramsey, Gretchen Carlson mentioned Donald Trump. Brian ad libbed, “My favorite [tycoon].” Apparently, after a producer reminded him sub rosa who his ultimate employer was, Brian smiling recanted, “Or second favorite.” Or, Brian, did you remember that It’s How You Play the Game and that The Games Do Count? No need to risk a red card, eh?

Touche! Gretch Gets It Right!

FNC’s Fox & Friends co-host Gretchen Carlson got it right today. Yesterday the former Miss America gave MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann her salted saber when she derided him for calling her stupid and ending her tirade with “touche.” (“Touche” is an admission of defeat in a verbal exchange.) However, today at the end of a Hillary Clinton for Veep segment, Gretch redeemed herself. F&F co-host Steve Doocy thanked BET founder Bob Johnson for his appearance, noting that he was the only billionaire on the show today. Johnson responded, “Bring Rupert [Murdoch] in the room. Gretch replied, “Touche: thanks alot, Bob.”

Gretch, did you read yesterday’s entry?

Link: https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/ff-co-hosts-assail-olbermann

Alisyn: Doocy “Parroting” Clinton Campaign

Regretfully, pressing matters have precluded me recently from blogging: sorry, gals and guys. As I sat down this evening to begin to wade through my F&F backlog for an entry, serendipity struck: the segment “Can Hil Hang On?” in the very first minute of Fox & Friends First provided the following nugget. As a preface, you may have read in an earlier post, “Murdoch: Crazy Like A Fox” that Steve Doocy tends to echo Hillary Clinton’s talking points.

In the very first minute or two of today’s F&F First, the co-hosts discussed Hillary’s fate. In a segment subtitled “Can Hil Hang On,” Steve said that Hillary should fight it through, that he would ride “that baby” up to the convention, and that there might be an “October surprise.” To Steve Ali Camerota aptly replied, “That’s her campaign’s exact attitude: you’re parroting it perfectly.” Brian Kilmeade added, “Could we take Steve’s temperature?” Exactly.

Had the lovely Ali read my Rupert Murdoch article before using my exact description of Steve’s “parroting” of the Hillary Clinton’s campaign in the race against Barack Obama? Maybe: maybe, not. Regardless, she stated the obvious.

https://jakeho.wordpress.com/2008/05/02/murdoch-crazy-like-a-fox/

Murdoch: Crazy Like A Fox

Ever since Rupert Murdoch gave Hillary Clinton a big NY fundraiser, FNC has begun to cozy up to the former First Lady. On Fox & Friends, Steve Doocy parrots her talking points (e.g., “Why can’t he close the deal?”) and Gretchen Carlson echoes Hill’s spurious claim to the popular vote majority: Brian Kilmeade is the sole co-host who gives Barack Obama a break. Fox News has run the Rev. Jeremiah Wright sound bites ad nauseum and Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity continuously and shamelessly bash Obama.

FNC’s strategy has paid off. The once scorned network by Democratic presidential candidates has received kudos for being the fairest cable news network from PA Governor and Clinton supporter Ed Rendell and was lauded as “fair and balanced by Hillary Clinton Campaign Chair Terry McAuliffe. Furthermore, Bill O’Reilly got his much sought after Hillary Clinton interview which garnered sky-high ratings.

Is Rupert Murdoch really for Hillary? If FNC beats up the latest “candidate of hope,” maybe Obama will be so damaged that John McCain will win. To top it off, he’ll be in good stead with the Clinton machine. Crazy like a fox!