FNC’s 10th: Another Roger Ailes interview…
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tim Cuprisin interviews Roger Ailes…
First off, let’s start with the fact that the 10th anniversary probably won’t see the launching of a news show on Fox’s broadcast network to rival the three network newscasts.
But if that did happen, “I’d have no problem putting Shep up against ‘em because I think he’d actually beat ‘em,” the Fox News Channel president says of anchor Shepard Smith.
“The problem would be the station lineup, the power of the stations in the market, the number of clearances you could get, the advertiser demand,” Ailes tells Inside TV & Radio. “There are a lot of pieces to this other than just who do you put out there. That would be the more important consideration.”
Bring it on, Roger! I have no doubt Shep Smith will be up there with the big boys now on NBC and ABC, along with the lonely girl, Katie.
Nice to know Fox has a man restlessly looking for good ideas all the time. This is one of them.
Comment by RGL — October 3, 2006 @ 12:05 pm
I know I am in the minority here but Shepard Smith gives me the creeps and I think he tries too hard to be funny and he just comes off phony and juvenile. I will take my man, Brit Hume, over all of them. Shepard Smith and Jane Skinner’s daily chats seem so phony to me. I have quit watching Shep in favor of the ever-rising Glen Beck and I see good things for him if he keeps having good guests.
Comment by sophia — October 3, 2006 @ 12:59 pm
Oh come on, Sophia, stop acting like a fuddy-duddy. Shep Smith a phony and juvenile? Did you stop taking your estrogen?
Glen Beck, also a conservative, is good, too, but to compare him with Shep is like comparing Al Franken with
Sean Hannity.
Comment by RGL — October 3, 2006 @ 1:53 pm
`You know, RGL, you may be right - Premarin here I come! No, it isn’t estrogen I need, it’s Brit Hume.
As far as Glen Beck, I think he’s gonna be better than Shep, kinda silly sometimes, yes, but so is Shepard Smith. G Block - what’s that all about?? Have you noticed Glen Beck’s ratings rising lately? Sometimes he is even beating Hardball, which, admittedly isn’t saying much, but give him time. Now, must go take my Premarin and Fosamax.
Comment by sophia — October 3, 2006 @ 2:18 pm
sophia - i watch fox all the time but share your view concernig shep i never watch him. i prefer bill hemmer over him he has more knowledge and professionalism. shep also thinks he is cute and he is not.
Comment by liz — October 3, 2006 @ 2:29 pm
Ladies, ladies, pipe down. These are all professional newscasters we are talking about. It is only a matter of time before Fox starts competing with Katie and Brian.
Shep is a star and FNC know it!
Comment by Mel — October 3, 2006 @ 4:03 pm
Sophia, I’m glad you are at an age where you can take your Premarin and Fosamax. How about a little Xanax to cool down that teen-age fervor for Glen Beck and appreciate better that dazzling idol from Mississippi? Don’t be too serious, Sophia. What’s more entertaining than going around the world in 80 seconds and taking a trip around America that you never see on any other channel? Oh yes, the G-Block, that’s the chatter in the entertainment world, served to you as it comes fresh off Hollywood, Las Vegas, or Cannes.
Sophia, that’s more than you can get out of Williams, Gibson, Couric, or Blitzer. I’m sure you are going to change your impressions of Shep, the next BIG STAR for Fox.
Comment by RGL — October 3, 2006 @ 5:11 pm
If I wasn’t such a skeptic I would think you are putting me on re your thoughts about Shep. Tongue in cheek, isn’t it?
Comment by sophia — October 3, 2006 @ 10:05 pm
Compare the “G-Block” to Countdown’s “Keeping Tabs.” Happy go lucky vs. bitter.
I wish they would stop overdoing Shep’s mascara. That’s one reason I watch him more when he’s on location.
If they did a broadcast station Fox Report, it may be only half of the stations for a while, but after a while, the ones who don’t carry it would see the increased ratings for Fox stations’ early prime news and other programming for the ones that do carry it. In a year it would be up to 90%.
Comment by erljr — October 4, 2006 @ 1:43 pm