Fox News Hounds CNN's Paula Zahn

AP ^ | October 6, 2002 | David Bauder

[Tancred]

NEW YORK (AP) - Shortly before CNN unveiled the new studio it had built in Manhattan for Paula Zahn's "American Morning" last month, a telephone rang at the desk of a reporter.

A publicist for Fox News Channel was calling. For anyone writing about Zahn's show, she wanted to point out how much better Fox's morning show, "Fox & Friends," was doing in the ratings.

With that in mind, CNN's new studio "is nothing more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic," Fox spokeswoman Tracey Spector said.

As digs go, this one was relatively mild. But it follows a pattern.

Ever since Zahn jumped from Fox News Channel to CNN last fall, her former employers have badmouthed her relentlessly. The jibes are sometimes brutal, sometimes humorous, and once even profane. The underlying message seems clear: It's not wise to cross Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes.

Zahn was host of a prime-time news hour on Fox News Channel last year when CNN weighed in with an offer she couldn't refuse — her own three-hour morning show, reportedly at twice the salary.

When Ailes learned of the offer, he fired her. CNN immediately signed Zahn, and put her on the air six months earlier than it had expected.

That dismissal is an important distinction to Fox. More than a year after it happened, network representatives called The Associated Press to complain that a story about Zahn did not say she was fired.

Ailes set a tone for the post-Zahn era with a comment that quickly became legendary, in part with the help of Fox's on-air personalities. In an article about Zahn's firing, he minimized how she had improved ratings in her time slot while at Fox News Channel.

"I could have put a dead raccoon on the air this year and got a better rating than last year," Ailes told The New York Times. "That's all just the growth of our network. All our shows are up."

Subsequently, the "Fox & Friends" anchors talked about Zahn on the air with a stuffed raccoon toy on the table in front of them. Fox anchor Steve Doocy, cameras in tow, presented Zahn with a gift basket including the stuffed raccoon after the new studio opened.

Ailes sued Zahn's agents, claiming breach of contract. A New York State Supreme Court judge dismissed the complaint in March.

"From the very beginning, this was a case of sour grapes by Roger Ailes," Zahn said at the time. "I am glad the judge saw it for what it was, and dismissed the suit as meritless."

During the past year, Zahn's "Fox & Friends" rivals have been her most frequent needlers.

In January, the disc jockey Mancow, a "Fox and Friends" contributor, called Zahn a "knucklehead." Because she's the enemy, he said, "I just want to punch her in the face."

Two months later, Mancow performed an on-air skit with an actor he said was portraying Zahn. He hit the actor in the face, knocked him down and shouted, "I'll kill you, Paula. We will kill you, Paula."

"That was great," anchor Brian Kilmeade said, although co-anchor E.D. Hill urged Mancow to stop as he kept pounding away. Hill has said that Zahn is host of a "bad program, but she's a nice woman."

Mancow also made an off-color remark about Zahn that refers to the anchor's hobby as a cello player.

When the CNN studio opened, trucks carrying Fox signs circled the Manhattan block around it. People distributing Fox merchandise and wearing Fox t-shirts passed by the studio window, according to CNN.

Last month, Fox News Channel spokesman Robert Zimmerman was quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Paula Zahn's supposed attempt at reinventing herself as a journalist is like putting a fresh coat of paint on an outhouse."

Zahn would not comment for this story, but her network came to her defense. CNN spokeswoman Christa Robinson said Ailes seemed obsessed with his lost anchor.

"At first it was somewhat amusing, but one year later it's getting old and, frankly, a little bizarre," Robinson said.

"Paula simply chose to leave Fox to join CNN," she said. "Given the success of her show and her reputation in the industry, I'm sure this was a disappointment for them. Their actions are deliberate, sad and speak for themselves."

A Fox News Channel spokeswoman, Irena Steffen, said that "we don't go out of our way to shoot at her."

CNN and Zahn have attacked Fox, she said, declining to provide examples. Both the "dead raccoon" and "outhouse" remarks appeared in stories after CNN statements defending Zahn's ratings and describing "American Morning" as a more traditional news show than its cable rivals.

"Why don't you ask why she's making a mountain out of a molehill?" Steffen said. "Why don't you ask why she's turning this around and why she's making herself into a victim?"

Steffen again pointed out the "Fox & Friends" ratings advantage. "As a former network star, it's sad Paula has sunk to this level, but we wish her well," she said.

The publicist turned down requests to talk to Ailes.

Some of the motivation here may be revenge from a former political streetfighter who hates to lose, particularly to chief rival CNN. Ailes retaliated months after Zahn's exit by plucking CNN's Greta Van Susteren to fill Zahn's old time slot.

Oddly, Ailes' best revenge may simply be the ratings; Fox News Channel passed CNN in average viewership earlier this year and hasn't given up the lead since.

It would seem to make all the trash talk redundant.

[Mr. Mojo]

My two favorite FOX babes are Patty Ann Brown and Laurie Dhue. I actually have a difficult time concentrating on what Laurie is saying, so I usually have to wait another half hour 'til the next update....and the the next half hour, etc.

[GUIDO]

Real tough guy, this Mancow. I've seen him on H & C a few times, and he's just an embarrassment --- rude, childish, and stupid.

I love MANCOW. The first time I ever heard him on Fox & Friends happend to be Hillary Clintons ? birthday. They mentioned this to him and his response was, "Oh really, how much does that add up to in dog years?" Not only I laughed but my 8yr old cracked up. He really detests jesse jackson, oj, clintons, ted kennedy. I really get a chuckle when I get to watch it.

IMHO LINDA VESTER is a very straight forward and intelligent woman. I really think this woman can interview anyone from politics, to wall street etc.. Of course I am a woman and probably one of few on this thread that is looking at these women for their brains not looks. She really impresses me. I may not have to agree with her on anything, but she is good.

[monkeyshine]

Yowza. Thanks for helping me figure out why I watch Fox News.

[Mr. Mojo]

He [Mancow] really detests jesse jackson, oj, clintons, ted kennedy

I detest them too, but so what? When Mancow says he'd like to punch Paula Zahn in the face, I take the coward at his word. ...And even if he's just kidding, saying something like that is in extraordinarily bad taste.

[bonesmccoy]

AZBushGal- Didn't know that stuff about Zahn...still she's cute when she smiles (of course I'm a guy!)...

Wondervixen- You are welcome... I knew there were real conservative women in this thread!

Speaking of women, I'm a guy... and I don't know about the women who watch FNC, but I also notice the lips of the women on FNC. How come they look so much more attractive than the women on CNN? MSNBC is kinda in the middle of the road, but that Nachman guy is not my speed! So, when you look at the promos of the FNC team and compare to Zahn or Banfield... what gives?

I think there must be a FNC lip color/glossy thing or something going on... I don't know what they're doing to their faces, but it does something on camera. Makes their lips highlighted or something. Look at the photos. I'm sure that there must be a makeup artist that Ailes hired to give the look. Maybe one of the Bush Babes can comment on why we think their lips look great.

This is the only photo I could find at MSNBC's own website! Sheesh!

I take it back... i just found this link via CNN.COM's search engine! HA HA HA


Here's some of the CNN women:
Connie Chung




OK... Now, look at Zahn's lips...

OK. GUYS. Scroll back up and look at the Fox Ladies... They all have better looking lips than the CNN/MSNBC crew.

I think Zahn brought the FNC lip thing to CNN. Look at her new CNN photo. What's up????

We guys are being manipulated in our weaknesses by the lip gloss person at FNC!

Can one of the ladies explain what is creating this phenomenon?

[bonesmccoy]

If I remember right, he was protesting some stupid thing and was stark naked (not a stitch of clothing on) parading around down town in an open courtyard in front of some office building. Really wierd.

[Capt_Hank]

I'm afraid after the makeup wore off, you would be calling a "Hitman". Good grief, what have you been smoking or drinking?

[RWG]

I get all my news from this website...so do I and when I drive back and forth to work the newscasts are like old news. Most of the talk shows I listen to generally repeat most the stories I see here in the morning before I leave for work. Sometimes, the lamestream media are days behind the information found on this site.

[ConservativeLawyer]

Ain't it great that all the attractive women are conservative!

Yes it is, including, especially, my wife!

[ConservativeLawyer]

IMHO LINDA VESTER is a very straight forward and intelligent woman. I really think this woman can interview anyone from politics, to wall street etc.. Of course I am a woman and probably one of few on this thread that is looking at these women for their brains not looks.

Linda Vester has brains AND looks. I'm sure I'm not the only guy who has noticed.

[Common Tator]

She made a career decision, leave her alone. Who wouldn't leave their current job for 3x's the salary and a better time slot?

Anyone with a brain would not quit Fox to go to CNN. YOu have to be real stupid to do that. I think Roger was mad at himself for hiring someone as stupid as Paula. Fox is the A team. CNN is a has been B team. Leaving the A team to go to the B team is bad if you are not able to beat the A team on the B team network.

Paula has better channel slots and more cable systems, but she is coming in with worse ratings than Fox.

The next CNN Boss (The third in 3 years) will fire her. He will call in the entire CNN staff and yell into a 1,000 watt amplifier, "If you can hear my voice you are fired."

Paula's days are numbered. She will soon be history. She will be toast.

Then she can go to parties and tell people, "Remember me? I used to be on national Television."

NEVER EVER quit the A team to go to the B team unless you are certain you can beat the A Team in the ratings. Coming in second only gets you fired.

As Bill Press can tell you the result of losing the ratings game on number 2 is a short spin on MSNBC at the bottom of the ratings. Then when MSNBC lets you go, you can join Alan Keyes as a representative of the history nobody knows.

[Nam Vet]

F+Friends during the week are great even tho' I don't see them much lately. I think Paula and Greta are/are the token lefties on FOX. As I recall reading years ago, Paula carries a ton of baggage professionally and personally.
I have a special spot in my heart for Patti Ann Brown. She's great. What a clean cut fox on FOX. Now if FOX would bring Cathryn Crier back they would make a clean sweep of the ratings. These Ladies have brains AND class (not to mention looks...an added benefit). I think FOX News is popular not only because they are balanced, but they all have fun and aren't constantly offended and sour.

Nam Vet

[ladyinred]

OMG! The propaganda machine of the DNC, the liberal media is now bashing Fox big time along with Bush! Whoo Hoo! They are bugging them aren't they? Fox and Friends is the best, but on so early here on the West Coast I don't see it too often. Paula, was no great loss to Fox, or a great improvement for Clinton News Network.

[HitmanLV]

Haha! You got me there, brother!

[HitmanLV]

Except for Paula those ladies leave me cold. ;-)

[Capt_Hank]

Did you notice that Diane Dimond is no longer on? They just vanish. If only the same would happen to "Geraldo The Fake".

[bonesmccoy]

What ever happened to Catherine Crier? Where is she at?

She had a lot of legal insight because of her background as a judge... any idea of where she went?

[Check6]

"Lovely to look at Paula, was not always lovely to listen to. Her left-ness was felt and heard in her voice and opinions. Paula is a socialist. CNN deserves her; she was misplaced at Fox. IMHO."

Agreed. I never watched her agani after a grossly disrespectful interview of GWB.

[Green Knight]

No pics of Kiran Chetry? For SHAME, people!

[sibb1213]

They are portraying her the victim, she is not!