It’s funny that both of Jerry Seinfeld’s movies have been pegged to such high-concept premises, as the sitcom legend famously built his brand with a show about nothing. In fact, that might be the funniest thing about them. First came 2007’s deeply strange “Bee Movie,” in which Seinfeld — who produced, starred in, and co-wrote the project — voiced a honeybee who starts getting hot for a human florist. Now comes Seinfeld’s directorial debut, a sketchy and surreal business parody that re-imagines the rush to invent the Pop-Tart as if the rivalry between Post and Kellogg’s were as crucial to the future of western civilization as the Space Race or the Manhattan Project.
It’s the perfect streaming comedy for anyone who felt that “Oppenheimer” had too many laughs.
Why would an aging billionaire spend two years of his life — and an ungodly amount of Netflix’s money...
It’s the perfect streaming comedy for anyone who felt that “Oppenheimer” had too many laughs.
Why would an aging billionaire spend two years of his life — and an ungodly amount of Netflix’s money...
- 5/3/2024
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Richard Leibner, the prominent talent agent who transformed the TV news business by guiding the careers of such renowned broadcast journalists as Dan Rather, Diane Sawyer, Mike Wallace, Andy Rooney and Norah O’Donnell, has died. He was 85.
Leibner died Tuesday at his home in New York, UTA vice chairman Jay Sures announced. The agent started out in the 1960s at New York-based N.S. Bienstock, which was acquired in 2014 by UTA.
Leibner also signed and represented the likes of Morley Safer, Ed Bradley, Bob Simon, Steve Kroft, Bill Whitaker, Chuck Scarborough, Paula Zahn, Brian Stelter, Daniel Schorr and Fareed Zakaria before he retired in December 2021 after 58 years in the business.
“Decades ago, he made it his personal mission to see that big name news stars should be treated and compensated like traditional movie and television stars,” Sures told staffers in a memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
Born in Brooklyn,...
Leibner died Tuesday at his home in New York, UTA vice chairman Jay Sures announced. The agent started out in the 1960s at New York-based N.S. Bienstock, which was acquired in 2014 by UTA.
Leibner also signed and represented the likes of Morley Safer, Ed Bradley, Bob Simon, Steve Kroft, Bill Whitaker, Chuck Scarborough, Paula Zahn, Brian Stelter, Daniel Schorr and Fareed Zakaria before he retired in December 2021 after 58 years in the business.
“Decades ago, he made it his personal mission to see that big name news stars should be treated and compensated like traditional movie and television stars,” Sures told staffers in a memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
Born in Brooklyn,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The news of the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny very quickly put a focus on Tucker Carlson, the right-wing talk host who recently trekked to Moscow to interview Vladimir Putin.
Carlson told the Daily Mail today that “it’s horrifying what happened to Navalny. The whole thing is barbaric and awful. No decent person would defend it.”
In the wake of reports of Navalny’s death, Carlson faced another round of backlash after interviewing Putin last week and for subsequent social media posts. In them, Carlson trumpeted a Moscow subway station and a grocery store.
Former congresswoman Liz Cheney wrote on X/Twitter earlier today, “This is what Putin’s Russia is, Tucker Carlson. And you are Putin’s useful idiot. Same with you J.D. Vance and other Putin-wing Republicans who are working to defeat Ukraine in its struggle for freedom.”
Carlson posted his interview with Putin on X/Twitter on Feb.
Carlson told the Daily Mail today that “it’s horrifying what happened to Navalny. The whole thing is barbaric and awful. No decent person would defend it.”
In the wake of reports of Navalny’s death, Carlson faced another round of backlash after interviewing Putin last week and for subsequent social media posts. In them, Carlson trumpeted a Moscow subway station and a grocery store.
Former congresswoman Liz Cheney wrote on X/Twitter earlier today, “This is what Putin’s Russia is, Tucker Carlson. And you are Putin’s useful idiot. Same with you J.D. Vance and other Putin-wing Republicans who are working to defeat Ukraine in its struggle for freedom.”
Carlson posted his interview with Putin on X/Twitter on Feb.
- 2/17/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
An interview with the U.S. President in the hours before the Super Bowl has become a tradition in recent decades. Now that custom seems to be in danger of dying out.
President Joe Biden will not take part in an exchange during the pre-game festivities leading up to CBS’ broadcast of Super Bowl Lviii on February 11, CBS News confirmed. The Paramount Global news operation had been in discussions with the White House in recent weeks. Details about which correspondent might have been eyed for the assignment could not be learned, but the CBS News offer was believed to have been for a 15-minute interview, three or four minutes of which would have aired during the network’s pre-game coverage.
This will mark the second year in a row that President Biden has turned down the opportunity, which typically draws an audience of tens of millions, even in the hours before kickoff.
President Joe Biden will not take part in an exchange during the pre-game festivities leading up to CBS’ broadcast of Super Bowl Lviii on February 11, CBS News confirmed. The Paramount Global news operation had been in discussions with the White House in recent weeks. Details about which correspondent might have been eyed for the assignment could not be learned, but the CBS News offer was believed to have been for a 15-minute interview, three or four minutes of which would have aired during the network’s pre-game coverage.
This will mark the second year in a row that President Biden has turned down the opportunity, which typically draws an audience of tens of millions, even in the hours before kickoff.
- 2/3/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Can “King Charles” rule in the heady, competitive world of cable news? CNN will soon find out.
The new weekly one-hour program will debut Wednesday, November 29, at 10 p.m., and will be co-anchored by the unlikely duo of Gayle King, who still has her long-running day job at rival CBS News, and Charles Barkley, the outspoken sportscaster who remains a key element in the NBA coverage provided by CNN’s parent, Warner Bros. Discovery. CNN executives are counting on the pair to have freewheeling conversations about the biggest stories in the news cycle. “King Charles” is viewed as a limited-run series that will last at least through the first quarter of next year.
“‘King Charles’ is different than anything we have on CNN’s lineup,” says Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content development, in responses to questions provided by email. “It’s not a newscast,...
The new weekly one-hour program will debut Wednesday, November 29, at 10 p.m., and will be co-anchored by the unlikely duo of Gayle King, who still has her long-running day job at rival CBS News, and Charles Barkley, the outspoken sportscaster who remains a key element in the NBA coverage provided by CNN’s parent, Warner Bros. Discovery. CNN executives are counting on the pair to have freewheeling conversations about the biggest stories in the news cycle. “King Charles” is viewed as a limited-run series that will last at least through the first quarter of next year.
“‘King Charles’ is different than anything we have on CNN’s lineup,” says Amy Entelis, CNN’s executive vice president for talent and content development, in responses to questions provided by email. “It’s not a newscast,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
In August 2019, Robert De Niro sued his former assistant, Graham Chase Robinson, for binge-watching Friends on the job and stealing millions of frequent-flyer miles in what was suspected to be a prelude to a larger, bitter legal battle — a preemptive strike in anticipation of unsavory accusations to come. That came true two months later when Robinson filed her own lawsuit, near the precipice of the #MeToo movement, accusing De Niro of gender discrimination and retaliation, along with trying to convince the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office to prosecute her for stealing from the actor’s loan-out company.
The dueling claims, which were largely expected to settle, are now set to go to trial on Monday in New York federal court, with De Niro expected to take the stand after opening statements. He will testify against accusations that he oversaw a toxic workplace in which he underpaid Robinson, subjected her to vulgar comments,...
The dueling claims, which were largely expected to settle, are now set to go to trial on Monday in New York federal court, with De Niro expected to take the stand after opening statements. He will testify against accusations that he oversaw a toxic workplace in which he underpaid Robinson, subjected her to vulgar comments,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
If talk about another potential federal government shutdown — who’s to blame, what it could impact, how long it could last — makes your eyes glaze over, well, you’ve got company.
Bill O’Reilly flat-out refused to talk about the topic during a Wednesday appearance on “Cuomo,” Chris Cuomo’s NewsNation show, where the former Fox News host is a frequent guest.
“Look, it still means that the works got gummed up on Biden’s watch,” Cuomo said, responding to a caller who was asking whether the shutdown would affect polling. “And that may be relevant to people because they’re sensitive to problems. And the problem was on your watch. Bill?”
For perhaps the first time in his long broadcasting history, O’Reilly had no opinion.
“It’s too boring for me,” O’Reilly said flatly, after Cuomo threw a question to him about who’s to blame when the federal funding spigot gets turned off,...
Bill O’Reilly flat-out refused to talk about the topic during a Wednesday appearance on “Cuomo,” Chris Cuomo’s NewsNation show, where the former Fox News host is a frequent guest.
“Look, it still means that the works got gummed up on Biden’s watch,” Cuomo said, responding to a caller who was asking whether the shutdown would affect polling. “And that may be relevant to people because they’re sensitive to problems. And the problem was on your watch. Bill?”
For perhaps the first time in his long broadcasting history, O’Reilly had no opinion.
“It’s too boring for me,” O’Reilly said flatly, after Cuomo threw a question to him about who’s to blame when the federal funding spigot gets turned off,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
Former White House press secretary-turned-MSNBC anchor Jen Psaki torched Fox News and Rupert Murdoch after the announcement of his departure from the company on Thursday.
In announcing the exit, Murdoch appointed his son Lachlan in his place as chairman of Fox and News Corp. After decades of relentlessly building a massive media empire, however, Murdoch’s exit didn’t leave Psaki with high hopes for the future of Fox News without him.
“You can’t really talk about the right wing ecosystem in this country without talking about Rupert Murdoch, who announced this week that he’s retiring from his role as chairman of Fox and News Corp,” Psaki said on Sunday’s episode of “Inside With Jen Psaki.”
The MSNBC host continued, “But even if he never sets foot in his office again, he removes himself entirely — which, by the way, I’m very skeptical of — he’s...
In announcing the exit, Murdoch appointed his son Lachlan in his place as chairman of Fox and News Corp. After decades of relentlessly building a massive media empire, however, Murdoch’s exit didn’t leave Psaki with high hopes for the future of Fox News without him.
“You can’t really talk about the right wing ecosystem in this country without talking about Rupert Murdoch, who announced this week that he’s retiring from his role as chairman of Fox and News Corp,” Psaki said on Sunday’s episode of “Inside With Jen Psaki.”
The MSNBC host continued, “But even if he never sets foot in his office again, he removes himself entirely — which, by the way, I’m very skeptical of — he’s...
- 9/25/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
Fox News executive John Finley, fired last week after more than two decades with the network, was pushed out after a woman alleged she was sexually harassed and stalked, according to a Friday report by Mediaite citing sources it did not name.
The network said Finley was fired for violating company standards, but did not clarify what those standards were. “Fox News Media and John Finley have parted ways after an independent investigation concluded that he had violated certain standards of business conduct,” a Fox News spokesperson told TheWrap.
A recent investigation conducted by an outside law firm resulted in Finley being placed on leave from his role as executive vice president of development. He was subsequently fired.
Mediaite reports that a woman who was not an employee of Fox but has worked on projects for Fox Nation, which was helmed by Finley, had reached an undisclosed settlement with the network.
The network said Finley was fired for violating company standards, but did not clarify what those standards were. “Fox News Media and John Finley have parted ways after an independent investigation concluded that he had violated certain standards of business conduct,” a Fox News spokesperson told TheWrap.
A recent investigation conducted by an outside law firm resulted in Finley being placed on leave from his role as executive vice president of development. He was subsequently fired.
Mediaite reports that a woman who was not an employee of Fox but has worked on projects for Fox Nation, which was helmed by Finley, had reached an undisclosed settlement with the network.
- 9/15/2023
- by Natalie Korach
- The Wrap
NBC News may trump its rivals when it comes to interviewing a certain former Commander-in-Chief.
David Muir, Lesley Stahl, John Dickerson, Chris Wallace, Bill O’Reilly, Kaitlan Collins and Jim Acosta have all tried their hand at interviewing Donald Trump; lobbing questions at him; or moderating a debate or event in which his participation was key. Some have drawn blood and others have been bloodied (and some others left agog as Trump walked out unexpectedly). But anchors and reporters working for NBC News seem to have the most success at keeping him in line while trying to elicit big news out of him.
Kristen Welker has the next turn at bat. She has pre-taped an interview with Trump that is one of the main features of her first broadcast at the helm of NBC News’ “Meet The Press.” The NBCUniversal-backed outlet has already revealed that Trump told her he was...
David Muir, Lesley Stahl, John Dickerson, Chris Wallace, Bill O’Reilly, Kaitlan Collins and Jim Acosta have all tried their hand at interviewing Donald Trump; lobbing questions at him; or moderating a debate or event in which his participation was key. Some have drawn blood and others have been bloodied (and some others left agog as Trump walked out unexpectedly). But anchors and reporters working for NBC News seem to have the most success at keeping him in line while trying to elicit big news out of him.
Kristen Welker has the next turn at bat. She has pre-taped an interview with Trump that is one of the main features of her first broadcast at the helm of NBC News’ “Meet The Press.” The NBCUniversal-backed outlet has already revealed that Trump told her he was...
- 9/15/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
When Megyn Kelly launched a new podcast via her own production company in 2020, she feared it would have an audience of only two: her husband and her therapist. Three years later, her worries appear to have been unfounded.
In a sign of how her listenership has grown, she is extending a multi-year deal she has in place for the program to run first on SiriusXM — which has raised her visibility — that will keep her broadcasting “The Megyn Kelly Show” live on the company’s Triumph channel between noon and 2 p.m. eastern weekdays well through the 2024 election. Kelly expects to interview former President Donald Trump and play the exchange over the course of an hour on the September 14 edition of her program.
The situation seems to suit her. “I could never go back to having a boss. I don’t do well with bosses,” Kelly says in an interview with Variety,...
In a sign of how her listenership has grown, she is extending a multi-year deal she has in place for the program to run first on SiriusXM — which has raised her visibility — that will keep her broadcasting “The Megyn Kelly Show” live on the company’s Triumph channel between noon and 2 p.m. eastern weekdays well through the 2024 election. Kelly expects to interview former President Donald Trump and play the exchange over the course of an hour on the September 14 edition of her program.
The situation seems to suit her. “I could never go back to having a boss. I don’t do well with bosses,” Kelly says in an interview with Variety,...
- 9/7/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
“I know how to change bad news into good news,” Edward L. Bernays, the father of public relations, used to boast. Since he was a nephew of Sigmund Freud, I wonder how he’d find a positive mind-set among today’s practitioners of his craft.
During these times of gridlock, PR reps are widely forbidden from hustling the wares of their star clients. Further, free-spending corporate clients, once focused on image building, are now running for cover and laying off PR teams.
Sign of the times: The mega-publicized company WeWork that raised billions and helped foster its own TV profile has told its PR reps to confirm its last rites.
PR firms, like talent agencies, are laying off staff and canceling leases. Giant companies like Disney and Comcast confront a media landscape that has quickly turned from benign to belligerent. Even Target is taking a hit.
Publicists for the Magic...
During these times of gridlock, PR reps are widely forbidden from hustling the wares of their star clients. Further, free-spending corporate clients, once focused on image building, are now running for cover and laying off PR teams.
Sign of the times: The mega-publicized company WeWork that raised billions and helped foster its own TV profile has told its PR reps to confirm its last rites.
PR firms, like talent agencies, are laying off staff and canceling leases. Giant companies like Disney and Comcast confront a media landscape that has quickly turned from benign to belligerent. Even Target is taking a hit.
Publicists for the Magic...
- 8/17/2023
- by Peter Bart
- Deadline Film + TV
The only thing more extra than a surprise birthday party might be a surprise birthday party live on cable TV – and that’s what Chris Cuomo got to celebrate his 53rd.
“Cuomo” was setting up to take viewer phone calls on Wednesday night when producer Alexandra “Dusty” Cohen stopped the host cold:
“You’ve got to listen to me – this is important. It’s your birthday, and we’re not taking calls. You’re just gonna listen to me and be quiet,” she said, basically asking the impossible of the talkative NewsNation anchor. “We put something together for you because we love you. I love you. A lot of people love you. … Be quiet and take a look.”
The first face onscreen belonged to Bill O’Reilly, Cuomo’s longtime friend – and one of the former CNN anchor’s many close media pals with whom he doesn’t share political views.
“Cuomo” was setting up to take viewer phone calls on Wednesday night when producer Alexandra “Dusty” Cohen stopped the host cold:
“You’ve got to listen to me – this is important. It’s your birthday, and we’re not taking calls. You’re just gonna listen to me and be quiet,” she said, basically asking the impossible of the talkative NewsNation anchor. “We put something together for you because we love you. I love you. A lot of people love you. … Be quiet and take a look.”
The first face onscreen belonged to Bill O’Reilly, Cuomo’s longtime friend – and one of the former CNN anchor’s many close media pals with whom he doesn’t share political views.
- 8/10/2023
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
All week long, a culture war has been raging around country star Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town,” a turgid power ballad wrapped around an unsubtle warning to protesters and other outsiders: “Try that in a small town, see how far you make it down the road.” To many observers, that sounds uncomfortably close to the kind of threat that the Klan used to issue to civil rights activists, and that modern-day racists continue to spout today. The music video, which juxtaposes stock footage of Canadian protesters...
- 7/20/2023
- by Simon Vozick-Levinson
- Rollingstone.com
Jesse Watters’ debut as the permanent occupant of Fox News’ 8 p.m. hour gave the network a boost in the timeslot, versus the series of replacement hosts who have filled the time period since the cancellation of Tucker Carlson’s show.
Jesse Watters Primetime averaged 2.47 million viewers during the hour. That compares to the 1.66 million that Fox News Tonight averaged in June.
Still, Watters’ audience was less than the 3.1 million viewers that Carlson averaged in the time period last July. The network is obviously aiming for Watters’ audience to grow, as Carlson’s did after he replaced Bill O’Reilly in 2017.
Watters on Monday beat cable news rivals, including an MSNBC Joe Scarborough special, which averaged 1.29 million, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, which averaged 686,000.
In the adults 25-54 demo, Watters averaged 161,000 viewers, compared to 139,000 for MSNBC’s Scarborough and 120,000 for CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360.
Watters’ move was among a series...
Jesse Watters Primetime averaged 2.47 million viewers during the hour. That compares to the 1.66 million that Fox News Tonight averaged in June.
Still, Watters’ audience was less than the 3.1 million viewers that Carlson averaged in the time period last July. The network is obviously aiming for Watters’ audience to grow, as Carlson’s did after he replaced Bill O’Reilly in 2017.
Watters on Monday beat cable news rivals, including an MSNBC Joe Scarborough special, which averaged 1.29 million, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, which averaged 686,000.
In the adults 25-54 demo, Watters averaged 161,000 viewers, compared to 139,000 for MSNBC’s Scarborough and 120,000 for CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360.
Watters’ move was among a series...
- 7/18/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
For years, Jesse Watters has signed off his various shows on Fox News with the cringe-inducing catchphrase “I’m Watters, and this is my world.” And as of Monday night, Fox News did indeed become Watters world. Watters — who cut his teeth as a minion to Bill O’Reilly — has officially taken over Fox’s coveted primetime 8 p.m. time slot.
Watters’ ascension takes place almost three months after Fox News unceremoniously fired right-wing kingmaker Tucker Carlson. After weeks of auditioning potential replacements, Fox rearranged their existing primetime lineup – sans Carlson – into a new schedule.
Watters’ ascension takes place almost three months after Fox News unceremoniously fired right-wing kingmaker Tucker Carlson. After weeks of auditioning potential replacements, Fox rearranged their existing primetime lineup – sans Carlson – into a new schedule.
- 7/18/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Chris Cuomo said Karine Jean-Pierre is struggling as White House press secretary, in part because she lacks “certain relationships” with members of the media — but when guest Bill O’Reilly suggested he step in to save the day, the NewsNation host said no way.
“Kjp is not knocking it out of the park in that job,” Cuomo said on Wednesday night’s “Cuomo” during a spirited exchange with O’Reilly. “It takes a very specific kind of person to do that job effectively. When it comes to messaging from that pulpit, you’ve gotta have certain relationships with people in the media.”
Cuomo and the former Fox News host, author and podcaster were taking a caller’s question when they segued into Jean-Pierre’s tenure as press secretary and President Biden’s unprecedented refusal to take unscripted questions from members of the media.
“He has somebody who’s supposed to take questions,...
“Kjp is not knocking it out of the park in that job,” Cuomo said on Wednesday night’s “Cuomo” during a spirited exchange with O’Reilly. “It takes a very specific kind of person to do that job effectively. When it comes to messaging from that pulpit, you’ve gotta have certain relationships with people in the media.”
Cuomo and the former Fox News host, author and podcaster were taking a caller’s question when they segued into Jean-Pierre’s tenure as press secretary and President Biden’s unprecedented refusal to take unscripted questions from members of the media.
“He has somebody who’s supposed to take questions,...
- 7/13/2023
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
After a little more than two months of auditioning potential replacements for Tucker Carlson, Fox News has decided to simply reshuffle the deck. In the face of a network crisis, Fox is sticking with a game plan that had been in the works years before it decided to part ways with its main star — stacking its channel with a slew of Tuckeresque anchors and hoping for the best.
The network announced on Monday that it would not be bringing in any new talent to its primetime lineup, instead its current...
The network announced on Monday that it would not be bringing in any new talent to its primetime lineup, instead its current...
- 6/26/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Fox News unveiled a new primetime lineup, with Jesse Watters moving to Tucker Carlson’s old 8 p.m. Et time slot and Laura Ingraham slotted earlier in the evening at 7 p.m.
Hannity will remain at 9 p.m. Et, while Greg Gutfeld’s show will take over Ingraham’s slot at 10 p.m. Et.
The network also said that Fox News @ Night with Trace Gallagher would move to 11 p.m. Et.
The changes will be effective as of July 17.
A scheduling shakeup had been anticipated since Fox News pulled Carlson’s show in April, leaving the 8 p.m. Et hour with a series of rotating hosts as Fox News Tonight. Although the show has been winning the time period against cable news rivals, it has generally drawn about half of Carlson’s audience, while Newsmax has had a ratings bump during the time period and MSNBC has improved its performance.
Hannity will remain at 9 p.m. Et, while Greg Gutfeld’s show will take over Ingraham’s slot at 10 p.m. Et.
The network also said that Fox News @ Night with Trace Gallagher would move to 11 p.m. Et.
The changes will be effective as of July 17.
A scheduling shakeup had been anticipated since Fox News pulled Carlson’s show in April, leaving the 8 p.m. Et hour with a series of rotating hosts as Fox News Tonight. Although the show has been winning the time period against cable news rivals, it has generally drawn about half of Carlson’s audience, while Newsmax has had a ratings bump during the time period and MSNBC has improved its performance.
- 6/26/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox News has settled on its new primetime lineup, promoting Jesse Watters to the 8 p.m. slot vacated by the abrupt firing of Tucker Carlson, pushing the “Gutfeld!” late-night juggernaut an hour earlier to 10 p.m. and putting Trace Gallagher to the 11 p.m. hour, the network announced Monday.
Also on the movie is Laura Ingraham, whose “Ingraham Angle” has solidly won the 10 p.m. spot since its 2017 debut, with a shift to 7 p.m. to kick off the weeknight primetime lineup, taking over Watters’ most recent start time. Fox did not announce who might take over the midnight hour that Gallagher will be vacating.
“Fox News Channel has been America’s destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup,” Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said. “The unique perspectives of Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld will...
Also on the movie is Laura Ingraham, whose “Ingraham Angle” has solidly won the 10 p.m. spot since its 2017 debut, with a shift to 7 p.m. to kick off the weeknight primetime lineup, taking over Watters’ most recent start time. Fox did not announce who might take over the midnight hour that Gallagher will be vacating.
“Fox News Channel has been America’s destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup,” Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said. “The unique perspectives of Laura Ingraham, Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld will...
- 6/26/2023
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
Fox News is blowing up its primetime lineup in a dramatic reset following the ouster of Tucker Carlson in April.
The new lineup will see Fox News move Jesse Watters to 8 p.m., effectively replacing Carlson. Laura Ingraham, formerly the 10 p.m. host, will shift to 7 p.m.; and Greg Gutfeld will move to 10 p.m. Sean Hannity will remain at 9 p.m.
In addition, the 11 p.m. hour will now be the home to Fox News @ Night, the news program anchored by Trace Gallagher, which previously ran at midnight.
While the new schedule completely changes almost every hour of primetime, it also leans on familiar faces, a move that could help quell ratings concerns at 8 p.m. in recent weeks.
“Fox News Channel has been America’s destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup,” Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said in a statement.
The new lineup will see Fox News move Jesse Watters to 8 p.m., effectively replacing Carlson. Laura Ingraham, formerly the 10 p.m. host, will shift to 7 p.m.; and Greg Gutfeld will move to 10 p.m. Sean Hannity will remain at 9 p.m.
In addition, the 11 p.m. hour will now be the home to Fox News @ Night, the news program anchored by Trace Gallagher, which previously ran at midnight.
While the new schedule completely changes almost every hour of primetime, it also leans on familiar faces, a move that could help quell ratings concerns at 8 p.m. in recent weeks.
“Fox News Channel has been America’s destination for news and analysis for more than 21 years and we are thrilled to debut a new lineup,” Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott said in a statement.
- 6/26/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jesse Watters, the wisecracking conservative who got his start with man-on-the-street interview segments for Fox News opinion host Bill O’Reilly’s 8 p.m. program, is about to enjoy a homecoming of sorts.
Watters will take over Fox News’ 8 p.m. hour, assuming a role previously assigned to Tucker Carlson. The move is part of a broad overhaul of Fox News’ primetime schedule that takes place in the wake of Carlson’s sudden ouster and a subsequent decline in viewership at the Fox Corp.-backed outlet. Watters had previously led Fox News’ 7 p.m. show.
Fox News will also move Greg Gutfeld into the primetime block, giving him the 10 p.m. hour, while the current occupant, the conservative firebrand Laura Ingraham. takes up the reins of the early-evening 7 p.m. hour. Sean Hannity will keep his perch at 9 p.m., a slot he has held since 2017. Trace Gallagher’s late-night news program,...
Watters will take over Fox News’ 8 p.m. hour, assuming a role previously assigned to Tucker Carlson. The move is part of a broad overhaul of Fox News’ primetime schedule that takes place in the wake of Carlson’s sudden ouster and a subsequent decline in viewership at the Fox Corp.-backed outlet. Watters had previously led Fox News’ 7 p.m. show.
Fox News will also move Greg Gutfeld into the primetime block, giving him the 10 p.m. hour, while the current occupant, the conservative firebrand Laura Ingraham. takes up the reins of the early-evening 7 p.m. hour. Sean Hannity will keep his perch at 9 p.m., a slot he has held since 2017. Trace Gallagher’s late-night news program,...
- 6/26/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Fox News’ Jesse Watters is having a busy week, displaying all the talent that has led him to being the host of “Jesse Watters Primetime” and chief instigator on “The Five.”
Here’s a quick list. (1) He pissed on helping the homeless: “You can’t subsidize antisocial behavior you have to stigmatize it. These are people that have failed in life and they’re on their deathbed.” 2. He casually explained that Donald Trump was just “sifting through [documents] and determining which were personal and which were presidential.” 3. He compared not letting Rfk Jr. come on his show to making a girl beg for a date. 4. He misidentified “The Five” panel member Jessica Tarlov as “Katie.” 5. In another episode, Watters cut off Tarlov, aka Katie, and threatened to “smack” her with his copies of the Presidential Records Act.
This kind of behavior is not out of character for Watters, who said last...
Here’s a quick list. (1) He pissed on helping the homeless: “You can’t subsidize antisocial behavior you have to stigmatize it. These are people that have failed in life and they’re on their deathbed.” 2. He casually explained that Donald Trump was just “sifting through [documents] and determining which were personal and which were presidential.” 3. He compared not letting Rfk Jr. come on his show to making a girl beg for a date. 4. He misidentified “The Five” panel member Jessica Tarlov as “Katie.” 5. In another episode, Watters cut off Tarlov, aka Katie, and threatened to “smack” her with his copies of the Presidential Records Act.
This kind of behavior is not out of character for Watters, who said last...
- 6/16/2023
- by Stephen Rodrick
- Variety Film + TV
The battle between Tucker Carlson and Fox News is heating up.
The cable news network, which announced on April 24 that it had “agreed to part ways” with its star anchor, sent Carlson a cease-and-desist letter on June 7 over his newly launched Twitter show, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Fox News did not respond to a request for comment.
The letter arrived hours after Carlson’s first show posted on the social media platform on June 6. The episode, clocked at 10 minutes and 27 seconds, was taped in Carlson’s home studio in Maine and took swipes at everyone from Senator Lindsey Graham to Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the mainstream media. It has notched 114.8 million views so far. A second episode, which posted on June 7 and runs slightly longer at 12 minutes and 38 seconds, boasts 54.9 million views to date, according to Twitter’s own measures.
Fox is believed to be...
The cable news network, which announced on April 24 that it had “agreed to part ways” with its star anchor, sent Carlson a cease-and-desist letter on June 7 over his newly launched Twitter show, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Fox News did not respond to a request for comment.
The letter arrived hours after Carlson’s first show posted on the social media platform on June 6. The episode, clocked at 10 minutes and 27 seconds, was taped in Carlson’s home studio in Maine and took swipes at everyone from Senator Lindsey Graham to Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the mainstream media. It has notched 114.8 million views so far. A second episode, which posted on June 7 and runs slightly longer at 12 minutes and 38 seconds, boasts 54.9 million views to date, according to Twitter’s own measures.
Fox is believed to be...
- 6/12/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel and Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Update: Fox News issued another statement to address potential changes to its primetime schedule, this time on the status of Laura Ingraham.
A network spokesperson said, “Reports based on various tweets by left wing activists are wildly inaccurate — Laura Ingraham, the top-rated woman in cable news, is now and will continue to be a prominent host and integral part of the Fox News lineup.”
The latest Fox News statement does not address whether she will remain in her 10 p.m. Et time period, but the network statement is a pushback on social media rumors that she is exiting.
The speculation about Ingraham started after the Drudge Report, in its main headline, reported that Fox News was about to overhaul its primetime line up, with Hannity leading the 8 p.m. hour and shows hosted by Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld taking the later slots. That left the question of what would happen to Ingraham.
A network spokesperson said, “Reports based on various tweets by left wing activists are wildly inaccurate — Laura Ingraham, the top-rated woman in cable news, is now and will continue to be a prominent host and integral part of the Fox News lineup.”
The latest Fox News statement does not address whether she will remain in her 10 p.m. Et time period, but the network statement is a pushback on social media rumors that she is exiting.
The speculation about Ingraham started after the Drudge Report, in its main headline, reported that Fox News was about to overhaul its primetime line up, with Hannity leading the 8 p.m. hour and shows hosted by Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld taking the later slots. That left the question of what would happen to Ingraham.
- 5/17/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Sean Hannity opened his Wednesday midday radio show casually talking about Joe Biden’s handling of the debt-default crisis happening in Congress – but did not address a Drudge Report headline saying he was soon to move to Tucker Carlson’s old 8 p.m. Et slot as part of a major primetime shakeup at Fox News.
Drudge posted a banner headline on Wednesday claiming the exclusive, saying that “Hannity” would move to 8 p.m., and that Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Waters would be moving to join him in primetime. There was no attribution or additional information, however, and the headline linked to a Mediate write-up of the Drudge headline.
Fox strongly denied that any programming decisions had been made in the wake of Carlson’s ouster: “No decision has been made on a new primetime line-up and there are multiple scenarios under consideration,” Fox News said in a statement Wednesday.
Drudge...
Drudge posted a banner headline on Wednesday claiming the exclusive, saying that “Hannity” would move to 8 p.m., and that Greg Gutfeld and Jesse Waters would be moving to join him in primetime. There was no attribution or additional information, however, and the headline linked to a Mediate write-up of the Drudge headline.
Fox strongly denied that any programming decisions had been made in the wake of Carlson’s ouster: “No decision has been made on a new primetime line-up and there are multiple scenarios under consideration,” Fox News said in a statement Wednesday.
Drudge...
- 5/17/2023
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
Lachlan Murdoch declined to comment on Wednesday about what’s next for Fox News’ programming after the shocking ouster of Tucker Carlson, but the Fox Corporation CEO predicted that the conservative channel would do just fine without him.
“Our program decisions are made with the long-term interests of the Fox News brand and the Fox News business,” Murdoch said during MoffettNathanson’s Technology, Media & Telecom Conference. “So we make those decisions really thinking broadly or long-term in terms of what’s the best thing for the company … And we’ve done it before, right? Bill O’Reilly was a superstar, Megyn Kelly was a superstar, Glenn Beck was a superstar and we’re able to move forward with programming decisions that ultimately result in long-term growth and profitability of the business.”
Carlson and Fox parted ways on April 24, shortly after the company settled a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million.
“Our program decisions are made with the long-term interests of the Fox News brand and the Fox News business,” Murdoch said during MoffettNathanson’s Technology, Media & Telecom Conference. “So we make those decisions really thinking broadly or long-term in terms of what’s the best thing for the company … And we’ve done it before, right? Bill O’Reilly was a superstar, Megyn Kelly was a superstar, Glenn Beck was a superstar and we’re able to move forward with programming decisions that ultimately result in long-term growth and profitability of the business.”
Carlson and Fox parted ways on April 24, shortly after the company settled a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million.
- 5/17/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
After Tucker, a deluge of speculation.
Fox News Channel is considering “multiple scenarios” for its primetime lineup after the ouster of Tucker Carlson, with the network declining to comment on a recent report that veteran Sean Hannity might move into its primetime lead-off hour at 8 p.m.
“No decision has been made on a new primetime line-up and there are multiple scenarios under consideration,” Fox News said in a statement Wednesday. Since Carlson was ousted in late April, Fox News has filled his hour with “Fox News Tonight,” an opinion show that relies on a rotating array of hosts. Lawrence Jones, Brian Kilmeade and Kayleigh McEnany are among those who have filled the seat for a week.
Fox News issued the comment in the wake of The Drudge Report posting a plan it said could be underway: moving Sean Hannity to 8 p.m.; switching Jesse Watters, who has fared well at 7 p.
Fox News Channel is considering “multiple scenarios” for its primetime lineup after the ouster of Tucker Carlson, with the network declining to comment on a recent report that veteran Sean Hannity might move into its primetime lead-off hour at 8 p.m.
“No decision has been made on a new primetime line-up and there are multiple scenarios under consideration,” Fox News said in a statement Wednesday. Since Carlson was ousted in late April, Fox News has filled his hour with “Fox News Tonight,” an opinion show that relies on a rotating array of hosts. Lawrence Jones, Brian Kilmeade and Kayleigh McEnany are among those who have filled the seat for a week.
Fox News issued the comment in the wake of The Drudge Report posting a plan it said could be underway: moving Sean Hannity to 8 p.m.; switching Jesse Watters, who has fared well at 7 p.
- 5/17/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch compared CNN’s town hall last week with Donald Trump to Fox News’ post-2020 election coverage, the source of the company’s $787.5 million settlement with Dominion Voting Systems.
“Last week, we can look at it factually, CNN had a town hall with the former president where he made a lot of allegations about the [2020] election,” Murdoch said at the MoffettNathanson Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference. “…If you believe that it was newsworthy to have a former president, also a candidate for the next presidential election, if you believe that was newsworthy in 2023, well certainly it was newsworthy in 2020 to report on similar allegations.”
Michael Nathanson, who interviewed Murdoch, had asked him whether Fox News “would do anything differently to not place shareholders in future jeopardy of more litigation.” Murdoch, though, insisted that Fox would have won the case eventually.
Murdoch said that in the Dominion Voting Systems case,...
“Last week, we can look at it factually, CNN had a town hall with the former president where he made a lot of allegations about the [2020] election,” Murdoch said at the MoffettNathanson Technology, Media, and Telecom Conference. “…If you believe that it was newsworthy to have a former president, also a candidate for the next presidential election, if you believe that was newsworthy in 2023, well certainly it was newsworthy in 2020 to report on similar allegations.”
Michael Nathanson, who interviewed Murdoch, had asked him whether Fox News “would do anything differently to not place shareholders in future jeopardy of more litigation.” Murdoch, though, insisted that Fox would have won the case eventually.
Murdoch said that in the Dominion Voting Systems case,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch talked about his company’s recent defamation suit settlement with Dominion Voting Systems by pointing to CNN so far escaping litigation after holding a chaotic town hall with Donald Trump filled with alleged falsehoods about the 2020 U.S. election.
“How do we not get sued? It’s a great question. We could be CNN,” Murdoch told MoffettNathanson’s Inaugural Technology, Media and Telecom Conference on Wednesday during an appearance that was webcast.
“I haven’t seen a lawsuit yet. Maybe there’s one coming, but I’m not gonna hold my breath,” he added, arguing it was as newsworthy for Fox News to cover Trump’s “allegations” of widespread fraud in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 election as CNN did last week.
Murdoch insisted Fox Corp. settled the Dominion lawsuit at a cost of $787 million after the court limited the company’s ability to use...
“How do we not get sued? It’s a great question. We could be CNN,” Murdoch told MoffettNathanson’s Inaugural Technology, Media and Telecom Conference on Wednesday during an appearance that was webcast.
“I haven’t seen a lawsuit yet. Maybe there’s one coming, but I’m not gonna hold my breath,” he added, arguing it was as newsworthy for Fox News to cover Trump’s “allegations” of widespread fraud in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 election as CNN did last week.
Murdoch insisted Fox Corp. settled the Dominion lawsuit at a cost of $787 million after the court limited the company’s ability to use...
- 5/17/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On his Fox News program, Tucker Carlson would often declare himself “the sworn enemy of lying, pomposity, smugness and group think.” So now he wants to launch a show on Twitter?
The social-media platform has given millions of people the ability to express themselves and communicate in ways they never could before, but it has also become a haven for bullying, tribalism and disinformation. Carlson may become part of the venue’s latest effort to keep traffic flowing even as many advertisers keep more than an arm’s length away.
Figuring out how to handle Carlson could be one of the first challenges for Linda Yaccarino, who has been named Twitter’s new CEO. The former NBCUniversal ad-sales chief knows what it takes to line up blue-chip sponsorships at scale. But doing that on behalf of Carlson may be a mission impossible. His Fox News show suffered from a dearth of mainstream national advertisers,...
The social-media platform has given millions of people the ability to express themselves and communicate in ways they never could before, but it has also become a haven for bullying, tribalism and disinformation. Carlson may become part of the venue’s latest effort to keep traffic flowing even as many advertisers keep more than an arm’s length away.
Figuring out how to handle Carlson could be one of the first challenges for Linda Yaccarino, who has been named Twitter’s new CEO. The former NBCUniversal ad-sales chief knows what it takes to line up blue-chip sponsorships at scale. But doing that on behalf of Carlson may be a mission impossible. His Fox News show suffered from a dearth of mainstream national advertisers,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Tucker Carlson is not going down without a fight against his former employer, Fox News. After his ousting from the network, the former anchor is plotting revenge, which could involve starting his own media outlet, reports Axios.
Since he was pushed out at Fox, Carlson has fielded potential job offers from far-right networks Rumble and Newsmax as well as from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Carlson and Musk have even “had a conversation about working together,” Mike Allen reports. But Carlson reportedly cannot work for any competitor until his $20-million-per-year contract...
Since he was pushed out at Fox, Carlson has fielded potential job offers from far-right networks Rumble and Newsmax as well as from billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk. Carlson and Musk have even “had a conversation about working together,” Mike Allen reports. But Carlson reportedly cannot work for any competitor until his $20-million-per-year contract...
- 5/7/2023
- by Peter Wade
- Rollingstone.com
As Fox holds auditions for its recently vacated 8 p.m. timeslot, some hosts are pulling out all the stops to show the network that they are a worthy successor to former primetime racist Tucker Carlson. On Tuesday afternoon, host Jesse Watters, appearing on The Five, claimed that he could “just tell” if a person was an undocumented migrant.
“I saw, on the way into work, an illegal immigration family digging through the trash, looking for recyclables,” Watters said.
“How did you know they were illegal?” interjected co-host Jessica Tarlov.
“You can tell,...
“I saw, on the way into work, an illegal immigration family digging through the trash, looking for recyclables,” Watters said.
“How did you know they were illegal?” interjected co-host Jessica Tarlov.
“You can tell,...
- 5/3/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Fox News viewership in the 8 pm hour is thus far down at least 50% since Tucker Carlson’s ouster was announced on Monday and his eponymous primetime hour was in turn replaced with Fox News Tonight.
What turned out to be the series finale of Tucker Carlson Tonight last Friday drew 2.7 million viewers, whereas Fox News Tonight — which this week has been hosted by Brian Kilmeade — at last count drew 1.33 million viewers.
More from TVLineTucker Carlson Breaks Silence in Bizarre Fashion After Fox News Firing -- WatchLate-Night Hosts React to Tucker Carlson's Fox News Exit: 'What an Absolutely Delightful Shock This...
What turned out to be the series finale of Tucker Carlson Tonight last Friday drew 2.7 million viewers, whereas Fox News Tonight — which this week has been hosted by Brian Kilmeade — at last count drew 1.33 million viewers.
More from TVLineTucker Carlson Breaks Silence in Bizarre Fashion After Fox News Firing -- WatchLate-Night Hosts React to Tucker Carlson's Fox News Exit: 'What an Absolutely Delightful Shock This...
- 4/28/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
When Fox News anchor Brian Kilmeade signed on Monday night to fill in for the defunct “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” some combination of curiosity, lead-in and brand strength kept the network’s total viewers numbers in a dead heat with Carlson’s last show the Friday before.
But boy, what a difference a couple of days makes: While the 8 p.m. hour got 2.59 million total viewers on average on Monday, viewership dropped to 1.7 million viewers on Tuesday, and slid further to 1.33 million total viewers on Wednesday, falling just behind MSNBC in that time-slot, according to Nielsen live plus same-day figures.
Trend-wise, it’s ugly: That’s a 34% Monday-to-Tuesday drop, with another 22% slide from Tuesday’s numbers on Wednesday night. Comparing Monday to Wednesday, average total viewership evaporated by half.
It’s not hugely surprising, and certainly not a disaster for Fox News, which on its worst of nights is still the most-watched network in cable news.
But boy, what a difference a couple of days makes: While the 8 p.m. hour got 2.59 million total viewers on average on Monday, viewership dropped to 1.7 million viewers on Tuesday, and slid further to 1.33 million total viewers on Wednesday, falling just behind MSNBC in that time-slot, according to Nielsen live plus same-day figures.
Trend-wise, it’s ugly: That’s a 34% Monday-to-Tuesday drop, with another 22% slide from Tuesday’s numbers on Wednesday night. Comparing Monday to Wednesday, average total viewership evaporated by half.
It’s not hugely surprising, and certainly not a disaster for Fox News, which on its worst of nights is still the most-watched network in cable news.
- 4/27/2023
- by Josh Dickey
- The Wrap
In Tucker Carlson’s first on-camera appearance since being fired from Fox News, the former host did not mention his ex-employer at all. Carlson, filming in the one corner of his home studio not marred by Fox branding he’s no longer allowed to use, didn’t say anything to shed clarity on his situation — but he did suggest that his career infecting American minds with hateful poison is not over.
At 8:01 Pm, the time when just last week he would have been introducing his primetime Fox show, the...
At 8:01 Pm, the time when just last week he would have been introducing his primetime Fox show, the...
- 4/27/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Two days after Tucker Carson was suddenly pink-slipped by Fox News, the former cable host has broken his silence — at the exact same time that his long-running Fnc show would have aired.
“The thing you notice when you take a little time off is how unbelievably stupid most of the debates you see on television are. They’re completely irrelevant,” he began in a video missive posted online just after 5 p.m. Pt/8 p.m. Et Wednesday.
Lashing out at so-called “liars” and declaring “the iron law of the universe,” Carlson — who ironically just last week was the host of TV’s top-rated cable news show and among the most powerful people in television — postulated: “Our current orthodoxies won’t last. The people in charge know this, that’s why they’re hysterical and aggressive. They’ve given up persuasion. They’re resorting to force.”
He then offered: “Where can...
“The thing you notice when you take a little time off is how unbelievably stupid most of the debates you see on television are. They’re completely irrelevant,” he began in a video missive posted online just after 5 p.m. Pt/8 p.m. Et Wednesday.
Lashing out at so-called “liars” and declaring “the iron law of the universe,” Carlson — who ironically just last week was the host of TV’s top-rated cable news show and among the most powerful people in television — postulated: “Our current orthodoxies won’t last. The people in charge know this, that’s why they’re hysterical and aggressive. They’ve given up persuasion. They’re resorting to force.”
He then offered: “Where can...
- 4/27/2023
- by Tom Tapp and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox News executives have in their possession a dossier of alleged dirt on Tucker Carlson should he attack the network in the wake of his departure, eight sources at and close to the network tell Rolling Stone.
When Fox announced Carlson’s departure on Monday, the network presented the separation as amicable. But according to one former on-air Fox personality, the anchor and some of the channel’s top executives are parting ways on “the worst” and “messiest possible terms.” Indeed, in private communications released last month as part of the Dominion-Fox lawsuit,...
When Fox announced Carlson’s departure on Monday, the network presented the separation as amicable. But according to one former on-air Fox personality, the anchor and some of the channel’s top executives are parting ways on “the worst” and “messiest possible terms.” Indeed, in private communications released last month as part of the Dominion-Fox lawsuit,...
- 4/25/2023
- by Diana Falzone and Asawin Suebsaeng
- Rollingstone.com
Update: Brian Kilmeade made a very brief reference to Tucker Carlson’s exit as he opened the newly named Fox New Tonight.
“As you probably have heard, Fox News and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways,” Kilmeade said. “I wish Tucker the best. I am great friends with Tucker and always will be.”
Kilmeade then went into a segment on a whistleblower and President Joe Biden.
Fox News is planning a rotating series of hosts in the time slot until a permanent replacement is named.
Previously: Brian Kilmeade will host Fox News Tonight on Monday and is expected to address the exit of Tucker Carlson from the network.
Kilmeade, a host of Fox & Friends, is among a rotating group of hosts being planned for the 8 p.m. Et hour, with plans for a rotating series of personalities until a new occupant of the time slot is selected. Tucker Carlson...
“As you probably have heard, Fox News and Tucker Carlson have agreed to part ways,” Kilmeade said. “I wish Tucker the best. I am great friends with Tucker and always will be.”
Kilmeade then went into a segment on a whistleblower and President Joe Biden.
Fox News is planning a rotating series of hosts in the time slot until a permanent replacement is named.
Previously: Brian Kilmeade will host Fox News Tonight on Monday and is expected to address the exit of Tucker Carlson from the network.
Kilmeade, a host of Fox & Friends, is among a rotating group of hosts being planned for the 8 p.m. Et hour, with plans for a rotating series of personalities until a new occupant of the time slot is selected. Tucker Carlson...
- 4/25/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Tucker Carlson, the now-former Fox News primetime host, used to deride critics’ attempts to get his show cancelled.
“Trust me, it’s a constant assault. It’s a never-ending effort to take us off the air,” he told Variety in 2020. At the time, he said he was lucky to have “the support of the Murdochs,” including that of Rupert Murdoch, chairman of Fox News’ corporate parent.
On Monday, however, the pundit found he should have been watching his back. Murdoch, according to a person familiar with the matter, decided he could no longer support the popular conservative pundit. His son,Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, and Suzanne Scott, CEO of Fox News Media, made the decision to cut ties with Carlson on Friday, according to a different person familiar with the circumstances. Carlson’s exit was announced Monday morning.
Carlson, Fox News Channel’s most-watched primetime host, will leave the...
“Trust me, it’s a constant assault. It’s a never-ending effort to take us off the air,” he told Variety in 2020. At the time, he said he was lucky to have “the support of the Murdochs,” including that of Rupert Murdoch, chairman of Fox News’ corporate parent.
On Monday, however, the pundit found he should have been watching his back. Murdoch, according to a person familiar with the matter, decided he could no longer support the popular conservative pundit. His son,Fox Corp. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, and Suzanne Scott, CEO of Fox News Media, made the decision to cut ties with Carlson on Friday, according to a different person familiar with the circumstances. Carlson’s exit was announced Monday morning.
Carlson, Fox News Channel’s most-watched primetime host, will leave the...
- 4/24/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
It was over before it started. A freshly empaneled jury — and throngs of reporters — broke for lunch anticipating six weeks of trial, only to discover the parties had reached a settlement. The price tag? A staggering $787.5 million.
The deal ends a legal fight that began in March 2021 when Dominion sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, alleging the cable channel knowingly amplified “radioactive falsehoods” about election fraud made by Donald Trump and his supporters. Internal Fox News documents obtained by Dominion revealed panic over losing the Maga audience in the wake of Trump’s defeat. Company leaders chose to undermine the credibility of U.S. elections rather than risk the wrath of viewers.
I insisted from the outset that this case was fated for settlement. Fox News had too much to lose and Dominion too much to gain. But the case persisted, limping along to trial despite Judge Davis’ evisceration of Fox’s legal defenses weeks earlier.
The deal ends a legal fight that began in March 2021 when Dominion sued Fox News for $1.6 billion, alleging the cable channel knowingly amplified “radioactive falsehoods” about election fraud made by Donald Trump and his supporters. Internal Fox News documents obtained by Dominion revealed panic over losing the Maga audience in the wake of Trump’s defeat. Company leaders chose to undermine the credibility of U.S. elections rather than risk the wrath of viewers.
I insisted from the outset that this case was fated for settlement. Fox News had too much to lose and Dominion too much to gain. But the case persisted, limping along to trial despite Judge Davis’ evisceration of Fox’s legal defenses weeks earlier.
- 4/19/2023
- by Daniel Novack
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
No one knows humiliating Fox News settlements better than disgraced cable star Bill O’Reilly. The former Fox host — who was ousted from the network in 2017 after revelations that the network had secretly settled a series of sexual harassment lawsuits against him — has weighed in on his former employer’s massive payout to Dominion.
On Tuesday, Fox News agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million to settle a defamation case brought against the network. The company sought $1.6 billion in damages from Fox, claiming the network’s airing of conspiracy theories related...
On Tuesday, Fox News agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million to settle a defamation case brought against the network. The company sought $1.6 billion in damages from Fox, claiming the network’s airing of conspiracy theories related...
- 4/18/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
Fox News is facing another lawsuit, this time from one of its own producers. But during Wednesday’s episode of “The View,” host Joy Behar scoffed at the producer’s claims of sexism at the network, saying she shouldn’t have been surprised.
In her suit, Abby Grossberg — a senior producer who was responsible for booking arrangements for Tucker Carlson’s show — claimed Fox forced her to provide a misleading testimony in their defamation legal battle with Dominion Voting Systems, and that she witnessed several instances of sexist and antisemitic behavior from her Fox News co-workers.
“Wait a second. She works at Fox. She’s shocked by sexism?” Behar said. “How many people have lost their jobs over there? Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly, to name but two, for sexual harassment. I mean, that’s a little naive.”
Also Read:
‘The View’ Host Alyssa Farah Griffin Shocked by Nikki Haley...
In her suit, Abby Grossberg — a senior producer who was responsible for booking arrangements for Tucker Carlson’s show — claimed Fox forced her to provide a misleading testimony in their defamation legal battle with Dominion Voting Systems, and that she witnessed several instances of sexist and antisemitic behavior from her Fox News co-workers.
“Wait a second. She works at Fox. She’s shocked by sexism?” Behar said. “How many people have lost their jobs over there? Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly, to name but two, for sexual harassment. I mean, that’s a little naive.”
Also Read:
‘The View’ Host Alyssa Farah Griffin Shocked by Nikki Haley...
- 3/22/2023
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
Trump is expecting to be charged in relation to his 2016 hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels sometime this week. While the specifics of the indictment have not yet been revealed, Fox News is already working overtime to brand the investigation a witch hunt, an abuse of prosecutorial power, and a political ploy to prevent Trump from securing the 2024 nomination. But aside from playing its Trump-defense greatest hits, Fox has also resorted to airing every absurd argument their writer’s room can think of to defend the former president’s actions.
- 3/21/2023
- by Nikki McCann Ramirez
- Rollingstone.com
The battle for cable-news viewers is coming to March Madness.
CNN intends to run a new promo during the heavily watched NCAA men’s basketball tournament that throws a sharp verbal elbow at Fox News Channel and the legal defamation case filed against it by Dominion Voting Systems. The promos will air starting this weekend on TNT, TBS, TruTV and CBS, all of which carry the games under a joint rights agreement held by the owners of those networks, Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, which is also the parent of CNN.
Fox News Channel is not mentioned in the promo script, reviewed by Variety, but the references are clear. “What should you expect of a news network?” asks the narrator. “Some bury the truth, while we fight to reveal the facts. The only side we are on is yours.” Viewers see images of CNN correspondents and anchors such as Abby Phillip and Clarissa Ward.
CNN intends to run a new promo during the heavily watched NCAA men’s basketball tournament that throws a sharp verbal elbow at Fox News Channel and the legal defamation case filed against it by Dominion Voting Systems. The promos will air starting this weekend on TNT, TBS, TruTV and CBS, all of which carry the games under a joint rights agreement held by the owners of those networks, Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, which is also the parent of CNN.
Fox News Channel is not mentioned in the promo script, reviewed by Variety, but the references are clear. “What should you expect of a news network?” asks the narrator. “Some bury the truth, while we fight to reveal the facts. The only side we are on is yours.” Viewers see images of CNN correspondents and anchors such as Abby Phillip and Clarissa Ward.
- 3/18/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Paul Rudd is easily one of the most likable celebrities in Hollywood. When he first broke onto the scene in the 1995 teen dramedy, Clueless, fans found him witty and charming. He’s had a lengthy career as a funny man, nabbing the role of Mike, Phoebe’s husband on Friends, and portraying unforgettable characters in Anchorman, This Is 40, and I Love You, Man.
He became a bona fide movie star when he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ant-Man in 2015. While Rudd’s known for his youthful appearance and funny guy persona, not many people know about his heritage and how his family descended from Ashkenazi Jews.
Paul Rudd’s early life led to his love for all things Kansas City
In an episode of 'Finding Your Roots,' Paul Rudd learned that his parents are actually second cousins. Rudd responded to the discovery in typical comedic fashion: "Which...
He became a bona fide movie star when he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ant-Man in 2015. While Rudd’s known for his youthful appearance and funny guy persona, not many people know about his heritage and how his family descended from Ashkenazi Jews.
Paul Rudd’s early life led to his love for all things Kansas City
In an episode of 'Finding Your Roots,' Paul Rudd learned that his parents are actually second cousins. Rudd responded to the discovery in typical comedic fashion: "Which...
- 2/25/2023
- by Julie Rhoads
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
What the Fox is happening with the annual Super Bowl interview with President Joe Biden?
The White House on Friday night appeared to squelch any hope of the pre-game ritual taking place, noting that it had not signed off on any exchange between the president and any representative of Fox Corp., the media company with the broadcast network showing the Big Game.
“As we said earlier, we had arranged an interview with Fox Sports Host Mike Hill & Vivica A. Fox with the President ahead of the Super Bowl and Fox Corp had the interview cancelled. Fox has since put out a statement indicating the interview was rescheduled, which is inaccurate,” a White House spokesperson said.
The new statement adds another level of back-and-forth brinkmanship between the Biden White House and the company that operates one of its biggest critics, Fox News Channel.
The two sides had appeared to find common ground earlier in the day,...
The White House on Friday night appeared to squelch any hope of the pre-game ritual taking place, noting that it had not signed off on any exchange between the president and any representative of Fox Corp., the media company with the broadcast network showing the Big Game.
“As we said earlier, we had arranged an interview with Fox Sports Host Mike Hill & Vivica A. Fox with the President ahead of the Super Bowl and Fox Corp had the interview cancelled. Fox has since put out a statement indicating the interview was rescheduled, which is inaccurate,” a White House spokesperson said.
The new statement adds another level of back-and-forth brinkmanship between the Biden White House and the company that operates one of its biggest critics, Fox News Channel.
The two sides had appeared to find common ground earlier in the day,...
- 2/11/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
President Biden will sit for a Super Bowl Sunday interview with Fox Soul, Fox Corp. said Friday.
“After the White House reached out to Fox Soul Thursday evening, there was some initial confusion,” The company said in a statement. “Fox Soul looks forward to interviewing the President for Super Bowl Sunday.”
The decision caps off a confusing few hours, with the White House saying that it had booked an interview with Fox Soul hosts Vivica A. Fox and Mike Hill, only to have Fox Corp. cancel the interview.
Earlier in the day, breaking from tradition, the White House signaled Biden will not sit down for an interview with Fox News during the network’s pre-Super Bowl pregame show.
“The President was looking forward to an interview with Fox Soul to discuss the Super Bowl, the State of the Union, and critical issues impacting the everyday lives of Black Americans,” White...
“After the White House reached out to Fox Soul Thursday evening, there was some initial confusion,” The company said in a statement. “Fox Soul looks forward to interviewing the President for Super Bowl Sunday.”
The decision caps off a confusing few hours, with the White House saying that it had booked an interview with Fox Soul hosts Vivica A. Fox and Mike Hill, only to have Fox Corp. cancel the interview.
Earlier in the day, breaking from tradition, the White House signaled Biden will not sit down for an interview with Fox News during the network’s pre-Super Bowl pregame show.
“The President was looking forward to an interview with Fox Soul to discuss the Super Bowl, the State of the Union, and critical issues impacting the everyday lives of Black Americans,” White...
- 2/10/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When Super Bowl Lvii arrives on Sunday, Fox is prepared to broadcast hours and hours of the event, with all of the usual trappings — except, perhaps, one.
With just three days to go before the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the White House has yet to commit to the traditional interview between the President of the United States and the news division of the media company broadcasting the gridiron classic, potentially shunning a conversation that would be seen by one of TV’s biggest audiences. Fox News attached no conditions to the exchange according to a person familiar with the matter, which has been a staple of the event (more or less) since President Barack Obama started doing it in 2009.
A final decision has yet to be announced, and there is still a chance the conversation could take place.
With just three days to go before the Kansas City Chiefs square off against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the White House has yet to commit to the traditional interview between the President of the United States and the news division of the media company broadcasting the gridiron classic, potentially shunning a conversation that would be seen by one of TV’s biggest audiences. Fox News attached no conditions to the exchange according to a person familiar with the matter, which has been a staple of the event (more or less) since President Barack Obama started doing it in 2009.
A final decision has yet to be announced, and there is still a chance the conversation could take place.
- 2/9/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that Congress should investigate AT&T and DirecTV for their decision to drop Newsmax and, last year, One America News Network.
“I think there should be no ideological litmus test when you have these big companies that have the decision to make or break a news network, or any type of network,” DeSantis said. “They will give different rationales for why they don’t want to do it, but the reality is they have so much other content that is very lightly viewed, and they keep that on, and it seems it is the One America News and the Newsmax that are being targeted. So I think it does warrant an investigation.”
His comments at a press conference Tuesday are not much of a surprise, as the potential 2024 Republican presidential contender has seized on other instances of alleged corporate bias. In the case of the Walt Disney Co.
“I think there should be no ideological litmus test when you have these big companies that have the decision to make or break a news network, or any type of network,” DeSantis said. “They will give different rationales for why they don’t want to do it, but the reality is they have so much other content that is very lightly viewed, and they keep that on, and it seems it is the One America News and the Newsmax that are being targeted. So I think it does warrant an investigation.”
His comments at a press conference Tuesday are not much of a surprise, as the potential 2024 Republican presidential contender has seized on other instances of alleged corporate bias. In the case of the Walt Disney Co.
- 2/1/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.