Posted on 03/04/2007 6:04:53 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
Fox & Friends Weekend hasn't lost Kiran Chetry -- it's gained Ainsley Earhardt. The recent FNC hire began her tenure on this weeend's shows, and by all appearances has made a smooth landing. Sandwiched between the "Kelly Brothers," Kelly Wright and Greg Kelly, one of the first stories the trio discussed this morning was the results of the presidential straw poll at this weekend's CPAC conference in Washington.
Kelly Wright described Mitt Romney's straw poll win as a surprise "because of his Mormon background," then added that "he isn't running to be chief theologian, he's running to be chief executive officer of the United States." Observed Earhardt: "a lot of people were skeptical about [Romney] but many people after hearing him speak at the CPAC conference yesterday, many people were calling to say he's going to be the top candidate." Ainsley also made reference to Newt's relatively strong showing of 14% despite the fact that he won't join the race, if at all, until at least September.
View video here.
My two cents say that while Romney's win was mildly surprising, this was after all not an evangelical gathering but a conservative one. Among the frontrunners, McCain wasn't present and Rudy is openly liberal on the social issues. Mitt's win thus shouldn't be much of a shock. He also was apparently the best-organized candidate at the event, the halls and corridors thronged with T-shirted supporters.
But back to Ainsley. I bit of Googling unearthed this article, which reveals that she comes to FNC from KENS TV in San Antonio, Texas. A reporter there writes of the move:
Aside: As for the headline -- yes, I know that Ainsley's last name isn't spelled quite the same as that of the famed flyer, Amelia Earhart. A little aviation license on my part, so to speak.
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
New-FNC-host ping to Today show list.
I have to admit that it is disconcerting to see Kiran Chetry on the Clinton News Network these days.
What happened to Courtney Feil?
Did they dump her already?
She's certainly gotten my attention.
What a shame! I really liked her.
Don't watch it!
I found her personal web page in which she describes herself as a "fill-in anchor" at FNC, so presumably we'll be seeing her from time to time.
http://www.courtneyfriel.com/
Oh no! That sucks, big time.
I wondered what happened to Kiran,but CCN?? gag.
(I was hoping she was on vacation )
In an earlier segment intro, Greg Kelly introduced her as our "co-host for the day".
She had a contract dispute with FNC and was abruptly let go. Apparently FNC didn't feel that she and her agent handled things in an appropriate manner.
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21265848.shtml
I watched Ainsley yesterday & now, this morning and I am quite impressed.
I didnt know she worked in San Antonio.
I havent seen hide nor tail of Chris Knowles since the flap over his wife's contract.
I guess he departed, too?
Looking it up on the internet, it appears so. His biography seems to be gone from their site and a few sites say they parted amicably.
There must be a little more to the story.
If Kiran was that happy at FNC, she should have fired her agent first!
And how that abominable Greta manages to hold down the worst hour on cable is beyond me.
Greta covers crime and legal issues quite well. IMO
Well I for one am glad Kiran is gone. What a motormouth. Now if they'd just get rid of Gretchen who's also a motormouth.....both of them were grandstanders who wouldn't let anyone else finish a sentence. Ainsley seems to be just fine as was E.D., Alison Camarota and a couple of the others.
"Greta covers crime and legal issues quite well. IMO."
I agree. I used to write Greta off, buying into the image of her as a biased liberal. I rarely watched her, but when I began to in recent weeks, I found her truly "fair and balanced." She plays it down the middle, asks appropriate questions, and doesn't try to grandstand or overly promote herself. She's won my respect.
Have a look at this story and be sure to follow the link to the letter FNC sent Kiran's agent. To say they didn't part on amicable terms is an understatement.
http://www.postchronicle.com/news/original/article_21265848.shtml
Yep, been through the PDF and saved it for the next time one of my reps get on my nerves. ;-)
Is it possible you're thinking of the results of the Spartanburg, SC straw poll?
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=:ePkh8BM9E2IF2mHAAqLyDFhBVBKEVwKkwHYB2akQoVwIlWHAArPRSOBQ0_H5PMImKvttznDddvcRBwCyAg7Y/0-1&fp=45ea4fc25b6d4857&ei=sN_qRcOENK2esQGtweXiBQ&url=http%3A//www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/politics/16822592.htm&cid=1114143030
I found her to be in over her head. She did not exhibit the ability to talk at ease like Kelly and Kelly and several times I observed Greg Kelly jump in to save her from herself.........
Darn. Chetry was hotter than a chicken pot pie. This gal is just OK.
However, IMO the guy got it right regarding Gretchen Carlson. It pains me to watch Fox and Friends now. But the arrogant way he put it .. unbelievable.
And thanks for the info :-)
While Greta's show is sometimes inane, she doesn't give me high blood pressure attacks like some of the other people on FNC. Compared to Nancy Grace-less, Greta's a gem.
LOL....I always want to call Gretchen....Gretched! And she is!!!
Middle of the night counting brought McCain from far down int he pack to the lead! LOLOL......shades of the Iowa caucus. And of course, the media ignores the fact that Romney bussed in oodles of supporters and did lots of show prep.
Another good thing about Greta, beside the fact that she covers legal issues well, is that she does not come across as a liberal, and she appreciates the military.
Who is Chris Knowles's wife? Apparently I am way out of the loop!
Ainsley Earhardt?? Is she, the #3 or the #8? :>)
I used to write Greta off, buying into the image of her as a biased liberal.
Greta moved over to Fox from the Clinton News Network.
I remember she came on after some facial surgery, and many were making fun of her here at FR.
I to was skeptical of her at first, but she has proven to be in the fair and balanced column, most of the time.
Ok...got it I googled. I had no idea he and Kiran were married!
I thought she was over her head, too and it was painful to watch. Decided to skipp F&F when she was on so I missed the new gal this weekend. I hope she does well and I can bear to watch again.
For those wondering about Chris Knowles, FRper Anita posted last Sunday IIRC that he and Fox had an amicable parting as he realized Kiran's behavior and comments were out of line.
How can you be unfair and unbalanced when you never cover anything but the crime of the week?
"I remember she came on after some facial surgery, and many were making fun of her here at FR."
Looks like it didn't take....! One another subject, Geraldo "The Fake", still has a job.
>>>Ainsley mentions that the two people with whom she would most like to have dinner are Jesus and Ronald Reagan
Smart girl. I'm sure neither would allow a dinner guest to run out of bread or fish.
Yep, Chris Knowles the weather guy is married to Kiran Chetry.
I didnt know it until just a couple of months prior to Kiran having her baby.
You'd have to buy an 'n' ;-)
WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!? Kiran Chetry left for CNN? Oh man, this just turned into a bad day. I loved that girl and she left for the Clinton News Network. Talk about turncoat!
" It pains me to watch Fox and Friends now.'
I've cut back from the full three hours to just F&F First. And it's still too much. What damaged the show for me was the new 'let's be silly' production values where the weather segment is twice as long because of the crosstalk, giggling replaces what was already commentary-lite, and their personal lives require frequent airing with more giggling.
Replacing Chetry with Gretchen almost blows the deal for me. It won't be long 'til they're off my TIVO, I think.
I agree. I never understood the liberal tag she had around here. Not that I doubt she's a liberal (I assume everyone's a liberal until they prove otherwise) but I didn't pick up on it from her shows.
I hope that Kiran learns for this but she's now made the mornings less bearable for lots of Kiran fans.
I've seen Chris Knowles on Fox several times since Kiran left. Mentioned it to my hubby just a couple of days ago.
Kiran had a baby? She was pregnant? I don't ever recall seeing her pregnant! Did she gain more than 2 pounds? Wow..
Greta's crimes of the week are made worse by the fact that they are all tabloid news. Fox & Friends provides more coverage into topics like the Libby trial, Sandy Burglar, and other issues that actually do have an impact on the country.
Well, that's news to me. I know that after their daughter was born & Kiran returned to Fox & Friends, Chris started doing the news in the evening shift. But I havent seen him on TV since the flap with Kiran, her agent and her immediate departure.
Yep, Kiran had a baby girl - probably a year ago now?
Alison got herself pregnant again and she had a baby, too. She is still away taking care of baby, evidently.
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