2 Hours, 2 Car Chases on FNC & HLN

Fox News and CNN Headline News covered two car chases for two hours on Tuesday afternoon. The first chase turned into a pursuit on-foot. “He knows he’s on TV. He’s playing for the camera,” former WV trooper (and frequent FNC car chase analyst) Ric Robinson said. FNC’s David Asman treated it like a sporting event, referencing the “great commentary” by the KTTV-TV pilot.

When FNC returned to Dayside with Linda Vester, CNN Headline News continued covering the chase. And then came a Fox News Alert: A second chase was underway nearby. “We don’t know what his intentions are,” the CNN Headline News anchor said, OBVIOUSLY. Both networks loved speculating about why the suspects were fleeing…

> Update: 2:02pm: “It’s interesting to note that the Headline News anchors have NO experience in covering this…FNC’s anchors are real pros in covering this ‘important’ event,” an e-mailer says.

> Update: At 2:20pm, the KTTV chopper had to refuel, so CNN Headline News changed to the KABC chopper. Headline News hasn’t taken a commercial break; FNC has been spending most of its time covering the Pope.