The Ticker: Kagan, Kaplan, Friel…

> In addition to a new role contributing to Oprah Radio, Daryn Kagan writes this week for U.S. News and World Report about her recent trip to Africa. “Off I went for one of the most meaningful Christmases of my life, just after the U.S. elections, during a real period of hope in Kenya,” she writes.

> Huffington Post has the video of Rick Kaplan’s appearance during last weekend’s HBO airing of “Your Welcome America.” Find out why Will Ferrell (playing former Pres. George W. Bush) nicknames Kaplan, “The Liar.”

> Courtney Friel starts her Q&A with SoupCans with this answer to how she got the Fox News job: “Well…I went on a date with Roger Ailes.” Of course, she continued, “I’m joking!! Actually — the process was pretty standard. My agent sent FOX a DVD.” She also talks about her husband, Carter Evans (who works at CNN) and puts to rest rumors of a feud with Julie Banderas.