Toward the end of his show last night, Bill O’Reilly answered viewer emails all relating to the issue of the birthers. Then, he announced this: “By the way I think we’re going to have Lou Dobbs on this program tomorrow. That should be interesting.”
TVNewser has learned that Dobbs’ outside publicists pitched The O’Reilly Factor producers for the CNN host to appear on Fox News. FNC confirms this account.
It hasn’t been determined yet if Dobbs will appear on tonight’s show due to a scheduling conflict, but both Dobbs and O’Reilly producers are trying to find an agreeable date and time for Dobbs to guest on his cable competitor.
On his show Monday, O’Reilly defended Dobbs’ commentary, while discussing the situation with the head of the SPLC, a group that has called on CNN to remove Dobbs from the air.
(H/T: J$)
> Update: A CNN spokesperson tells TVNewser Dobbs will not be appearing on “The O’Reilly Factor” tonight.
> More: So what is the policy when it comes to booking one network’s talent on a competitor? Generally, it’s allowed when the anchor/host is publicizing a book. But in this case, it appears CNN execs were blindsided by Dobbs’ camp offering the CNN host as a guest on FNC. Which makes an appearance down the road still in the cards. That is, until cable news moves on from “the birthers” as a storyline. We’ll stay on top of the developments…