There’s a lot of rehash in the 10,000 word hash about Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes in next week’s issue of Rolling Stone, especially if you read this blog every day. While many outlets are focusing on this, there are a couple takeaways for TVNewser readers, including this about “Fox & Friends”
…the morning happy-talk show that Ailes uses as one of his primary vehicles to inject his venom into the media bloodstream. According to insiders, the morning show’s anchors, who appear to be chatting ad-lib, are actually working from daily, structured talking points that come straight from the top. “Prior to broadcast, Steve Doocy, Gretchen Carlson – that gang – they meet with Roger,” says a former Fox deputy. “And Roger gives them the spin.”
A Fox News spokesperson tells TVNewser, “This was one of the many inaccuracies in the article – Roger does not meet with the Fox & Friends hosts before the show and anyone who works here knows this.”
FNC did not comment or cooperate in any way with the Rolling Stone piece.
There’s also this bit, about the sincerest form of flattery, and Ailes’ response:
The phenomenal political power and economic prowess of Fox News has inspired imitation. In recent years, MSNBC has tried to refashion itself as the anti-Fox, with a prime-time lineup stacked with liberal commentators. Such contortions, say media veterans, only strengthen Fox News, emboldening Ailes to tack even further to the right. “He can say, ‘I’m not doing anything anyone else isn’t doing – I’m just doing it on the other side of the fence,’ ” says Dan Rather.
Ailes responds, “Dan Rather and I have been in the same business for years… but I’m still working because I’m the one who is sane.”