Posted on 06/07/2006 5:55:04 AM PDT by Mike Bates
While some press attention has been focused on the seeming odd-couple of Rupert Murdoch raising money for Hillary Clinton, another fascinating relationship has apparently been developed between Fox News and Hugh Hefner's Playboy. Fox News' Neil Cavuto aired an interview with Hugh Hefner on May 4, on the grounds that the announcement of his "Playmate of the Year" was "business news," and Fox News anchor Shepard Smith is interviewed in the June issue of Playboy magazine.
Asked about Internet stories that "lack veracity" but which serve as news. Smith replies, "Swift Boats," as if the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth had been engaged not in getting out the truth about John Kerry's military career and dubious war crimes charges, but in smearing the Democratic Senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate.
I'm sure you all remember that Fox News is supposed to be the conservative channel.
SNIP
It is strange in the sense that Smith talks about his "group" at Fox News, which wants objective news coverage, and other nameless people who don't seem to agree. However, he denies Fox has a conservative agenda, says he's never been asked to push a conservative point of view, and that he loves and trusts Bob Schieffer of CBS News.
Except for the devotion to Schieffer and the smear of the Swift Boat vets, the exchanges are mostly irrelevant and beside the point, which is that a Fox News anchor had made Playboy into a "respectable" forum. I suspect it is part of the same plan that involved Fox News media personalities such as Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity interviewing Howard Stern, who has attracted millions of listeners by talking dirty. This is the kind of audience that is supposed to count.
(Excerpt) Read more at aim.org ...
Hired as a boyish-looking, pretty-boy commentator to appeal to the evening Oprah crowd, he's starting to pall over the long haul because there's not too much depth behind the facade.
Leni
In the case of Fox News, however, it's not so funny. The network has lost its way.
AMEN.
"Shemp (as Levin calls him) always reminds me of a perpetual frat boy."
Most frat boys don't wear womens underwear.
I watch bits of Fox & Friends during the week, then try to watch Brit Hume, but other than that, I turn to FR to get my news. I used to have my TV turned to Fox News constantly, but got tired of the monotony of Shep, O'Reilly, Hannity & Colmes and Greta.
Muskrat love, obviously..
The New York Times recently wrote that Kerry had asked that all his military records be released, but he's played games on the SF-180 (he signed it, but did he send it, and if so to whom) that it's hard to know what he's doing in that regard.
Sit Shep, sit! Good dog.
Or any book for that matter.
"Shepard Smith Smears Swift Boat Vets "
no surprise coming from egotistical punk
maybe he will switch his employment to CNN during this years hurricane season
A lap dog, no doubt.
Fox and Friends was once a decent morning news show. However, their primary focus would now appear to be the promotion of "reality" shows promoted by Rupert Murdock.
During the recent American Idol idolatry, F and F went over the edge. They lost me as a morning viewer forever.
To borrow from the Dix Chic, I am ashamed that Shepard is from the South. (in his case, Mississippi) Attended private school before going on to Ole Miss and leaving there without graduating. Somebody up there at FNC likes this pretty boy.
"Remember, it is a business, and someone is telling them how they can make the most money."
Gee. It was just a few months ago people were commenting just how FNS/right leaning media were taking all the $$ from the CNNNBCBSABC......
You got that right. I was turned off him before that but that display on the bridge was the last straw.
I remember when I first watched Fox&Friends and it seemed so fresh and innovative. I've probably viewed ten minutes of it in the last year.
Shepard Smith wears more makeup than Sharon Stone.
Parking Lot boy!
I've never like Sheepherder Smith since day 1. I'll never understand why they hired that drama queen. He belongs in L.A. TV covering car chases.
Isn't such a statement usually followed with the obligatory, "Not that there's anything wrong with that"? :)
They were...but now they have decided that a conservative point of view is not making them enough money any more, so they noted the change in wind direction, and tacked accordingly.
Conservativism was a good choice because there was a large market for it. There still is, IMHO, but if Fox continues to dilute its point of view like it has been, its ratings will drop.
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