The Gung-Ho Morning Gang (Wash. Post Slags Fox & Friends, FR Mentioned)

The Washington Post ^ | Friday, April 4, 2003 | Paul Farhi

[kristinn]

"Good Morning America" it isn't. Nor is it the "Today" show or CBS's "Early Show." This is not your everyday feel-good, rise-and-shine TV show by any means.

On Fox News Channel's weekday morning show, "Fox & Friends," they start out swinging. Just after coming on the air at 7 a.m. on Monday, for example, co-hosts E.D. Hill and Brian Kilmeade were off and galloping before the coffee was cold.

SNIP

The audience for "Fox & Friends" has grown so large of late that it has begun to rival the broadcast networks' venerable morning shows. Its war-spiked Nielsens are now almost identical to what those of CBS's "Early Show" -- the No. 3 wake-up program -- were in the week before the war started.

SNIP

In any case, Hill, Doocy and Kilmeade have solicited viewers to send in "patriotic" photos. They have given plugs for conservative organizations such as Free Republic.com, but none for any moderate or left-of-center outfits. Their guest list has ranged from those supportive of the war (think tankers Peter Brookes and Michael O'Hanlon) to those who are aggressively promoting it (Randy Scheunemann of the Committee for the Liberation of Iraq).

SNIP

[nutmeg]

Turning on FoxNews is the first thing I do in the morning and turning off FoxNews is the last thing I do at night.

Same here... FOX ROCKS! :-)

[Timesink]

I think MSNBC has helped to pump up the Fox numbers by pre-empting Imus in the Morning. I normally watch/listen to Imus, once pre-empted, I jumped to Fox.

One of a series of mindbogglingly stupid management decisions on MSNBC's part during this war. An equally silly move on their part: As of this morning, they're back to being a part-time news channel, airing mostly reruns from 11 pm eastern till 5 or 6 am.

Sorry guys, but during a war, especially during a war where half the action takes place in the middle of the night our time, taped news doesn't cut it.

[nutmeg]

She said that the way the developer acted, he must have been getting a kickback from the local cable company. He asked why they wanted DISH. When they told him to get FNC, he started to run FNC down. Her husband who is in construction and is 6'1" and 200 pounds of muscle, told the developer to STFU! The developer backed down. The dish receivers are all over this development in homes where people have moved in.

I love it! Great story, Grampa!

[nutmeg]

For as long as we could stand it, husband and I watched Walter Cronkite on Larry King the other night. Both of us were struck, looking back, at our own naiveness. We grew up believing Walter Cronkite was a straight shooter, only to find out in recent years, the man is a flaming liberal.

I can definitely relate to this statement. I grew up believing everything that "The Most Trusted Man in America" said. With the help of Rush's "Weapon of Mass Instruction", Free Republic and now Fox News, I have surely seen the light!

[nutmeg]

ping!

[nutmeg]

A few months back, Doocy walked over to the window where Zahn was doing a live broadcast. She turned around to see what was going on, and the expression on her face was priceless (i.e. not pleased. ha!) She eventually came outside to talk to Doocy, and tried to appear pleasant. F & F--the best!

ROTFL! I wish I had seen that! Short walk for Steve... CNN's window studio is only a block or two from FOX's... both are on Sixth Ave. (aka Avenue of the Americas).

[texasbluebell]

Old Television! Yeah, I remember.

That's something like Old Europe, isn't it? I sort of remember now.

[TC Rider]

The only thing I enjoy on MSNBC now is Joe Scarborough at 10 EST in lieu of Greta.

It's like they feel a need to flagellate themselves, since they canned DonaWHO.

[Fenris6]

"It also saves wear and tear on my remote control device."

I've deleted ABC/NBC/CBS off my remote. I get my news from FOX, and if I need to hear the latest liberal trial-baloon whine, I roll over to CNN for a few laughs.

[Fenris6]

"MSNBC has helped to pump up the Fox numbers by pre-empting Imus in the Morning".

Used to watch Imus. But now there is WAY too much dead air time interspersed with useless temper tantrums and sniping. Getting news from Imus is like getting stuck in traffic behind an 80 year-old Sunday Driver....you'll get there, eventually...

[TLBSHOW]

They have given plugs for conservative organizations such as Free Republic.com

oh my, the horror of it all....LOL

Looks like the left is sinking fast and they are not going to go without fights and smears......

[submarinerswife]

To para-phrase Jon BonJovi,
"They remind me of people who had too much to drink the night before.."

I love this show even on weekends. They don't kiss ass and the tell it like it is. That is why it is so vastly popular.

[The Wizard]

Go F&F, Go

[CheneyChick]

Yup, I love F&F, too. I get up at 5 or 5:30 here on the West Coast just to catch the last part of the show. Anyone who watches the other networks needs to add anti-depressants to their diet. God bless America. CC

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

I have not seen anything in this article or the post in general regarding lets say the doctored la times photo where it was made to appear that a us soldier was pointing his gun at civilians the post can go to hell

[Anamensis]

Turning on FoxNews is the first thing I do in the morning and turning off FoxNews is the last thing I do at night.

Week day morning routine: Turn on Fox, make coffee, feed cats, check Wall Street Journal opinion columns, check Townhall.com, check National Review online, and then get on Free Republic and stay there until I absolutely positively have to leave the house.

[arasina]

Hey, Washington Post and FOX News Channel rivals, no one is FORCING me to watch FNC. I actually enjoy it! And guess what, I don't watch any other news! I like Fox and Friends and don't give a hoot whether you think they're too patriotic or something. I watch them BECAUSE they're patriotic, just like me. People like to watch news shows that reflect their values and opinions.

You probably don't even listen to the results of your high-priced pulse polls and focus groups or you'd know why people are starting to turn to alternatives to "The Big Three" (funny how they still call themselves that when cable news has been available for so long) and alternatives to the Clinton News Network. If you care so much about the bottom line you'd update your 8-track to CD. MSNBC does seem to be getting the idea.

[PISANO]

I don't find ED Hill particularly bright, or Kilmeade for that matter.....

and how would you describe the inteligence of the perky one and baby boy Matt?

[arasina]

Have a segment every morning where they air clips of the Iraqi information minister.

Good idea. They could call it "The Latest Laughs from the Minister of Mis'n'Dis!" (Information)

[wardaddy]

Juan suffred slings and arrows on behalf of Clarence Thomas. I've always remembered that.