Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
I do not watch much television. We have an old set that belonged to my mother. When she died almost twelve years ago, it ended up with us. It is good now for use with the VCR, and that is all -- which suits us well. Our kids read for recreation, and they read a lot.
Occasionally, I see television -- in airports, in hotel rooms, and the like. Until quite recently, I was struck with two facts: the talking heads on CNN, apart from Wolf Blitzer, are pretty (the women and, alas, the men), and they are very, very sleek. On Fox, they seemed much less so, a bit rough around the edges. I figured that Fox was cannily angling for a blue-collar demographic -- for the folks who listen to and love Rush Limbaugh.
The other day, however, I caught a glimpse of Fox News, and the women reading the news were, well, not to put a fine point on it, downright foxy -- which left me wondering. Has Fox, having conquered the blue collar demographic, begun gently moving upscale? Perish the thought!
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Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
I was never aware of a time when the Fox women weren't foxy. But like you, I don't watch much TV, so maybe I missed something.
As far as I knew, the women of the legacy media were well-groomed and well-dressed, but not necessarily pretty, while the Fox women were babes.
May '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
I don't watch much TV either. I get my news online and stream Netflix through my Xbox 360.
Fox has always hired pretty women, as I recall. I'm fairly certain at least a couple of them have been former models, but those were used for morning shows. Megyn Kelly, on the other hand, is very easy on the eyes but also brilliant and experienced. She's the rarest sort of TV analyst: the kind humble enough to actually listen to contrary views and respond directly to them.
Good or bad, appearance and charm do have an effect on ratings, I'm sure. But most of Fox's foxy ladies are fairly good reporters and analysts. Some of their staffing has gotten better since the network's beginning. Kelly is an example. John Stossel is another.
It's the guests who are the problem. Many Fox hosts have a bad habit of inviting people with contrary views who are unwilling to argue, but instead merely deliver prepared tag lines and shout.
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
About an hour from now, I'll be heading over to Fox. I'll ask. Making clear, of course, Paul, that the man who wants to know owns a television dating from the last century.
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
You mean, the last millienium.
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
I beg to differ that Rush and Fox were/are aimed at the blue collar crowd. There are plenty of professionals like myself who listen to Rush and watch Fox News.
I admit that some of the programming on Fox can be a bit low brow (Hannity and Fox&Friends come to mind) but much of it is what John Derbyshire refers to as middle brow. Rush - who, lets face it, has the best political instincts in the pundit business - also has a program I would consider middle brow.
I also admit that there isn't much high brow stuff on TV or the radio but that's okay because I believe middle brow is where it's at.
Long live the middle brow!
Jun '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
I'm into my fifth year now without a television. Nor do I have a cell phone, IPad, IPod, or even a laptop. In addition to being a mugwump, I am a Luddite.
As for the babes at Fox News, I'm quite certain none of those women look as good in person as they do on the tube. Few celebrities do. The television world is phony to its platinum-dyed roots. Reason enough to give it up.
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
Frozen Chosen:
Long live the middle brow!
Long live the middle brow! Better than a unibrow!
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
In my case, my Ludditism is the reason I have a laptop. If I'm feeling hostile to my computer (which, with my incompatibility with technology, happens often), I can easily take a laptop off my desk and shove it the drawer. On the other hand, a full-size computer just sits there when you don't want it around, occupying space on your desk and... lurking at you.
I do not like technology that lurks at me, and if I had a full-size computer, it'd only be a matter of time before I lost my temper with it and threw it out the window.
Edited on Sep 14, 2010 at 4:39pmMay '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
FC is correct. See: http://www.quantcast.com/rushlimbaugh.com#demographics for some factual specifics. Suffice to say that Rush's program attracts an older, Whiter, more male, more affluent, and more highly educated audience.
May '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
I hereby refudiate your comment by noting that Julie Baderas, of Fox News, has been around for a while. Megyn Kelly, too.
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Frozen Chosen:
Long live the middle brow!
Long live the middle brow! Better than a unibrow! · Sep 14 at 4:29pm
I have one of those too but I shave it into 2 eyebrows (I admit I have a touch of metrosexual in me)
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
I didn't realize Ricochet accepted smoke signals...
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
Frozen Chosen
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Frozen Chosen:
Long live the middle brow!
Long live the middle brow! Better than a unibrow! · Sep 14 at 4:29pm
I have one of those too but I shave it into 2 eyebrows (I admit I have a touch of metrosexual in me) · Sep 14 at 4:44pm
A kid in my high school did a biology project on measuring the distance between peoples' eyebrows. I remember remarking as he measured me, "You know you're not going to get very accurate biological data by measuring the space between eyebrows on girls."
On the other hand, measuring women's eyebrow fashion through time could make an interesting sociology experiment. Did you know that Mona Lisa has no eyebrows whatsoever? They plucked 'em clean off in those days.
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
On the other hand, measuring women's eyebrow fashion through time could make an interesting sociology experiment. Did you know that Mona Lisa has no eyebrows whatsoever? They plucked 'em clean off in those days. · Sep 14 at 4:58pm
Glad I didn't live in those days - the no eyebrow look on women doesn't do it for me, even if they use an eyebrow pencil...
May '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
Jack Shafer on Fox and its blondes.
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
Yeah Glistening Truth !!
May '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
This thread must be really depressing for Rob.
Jun '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
Aaron Miller
This thread must be really depressing for Rob. · Sep 14 at 7:29pm
Why would Rob find it depressing that people are turning to the alternative media? Seems to me that it's an encouraging trend. Maybe even a business opportunity. *Wink*
Aug '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
Fox does have more than its share of gorgeous blonde women, and several show up on Red Eye regularly to be witty and charming. But there's a real shortage of redheads, Molly Line being a stunning exception.
May '10
Re: Is Fox News Getting Foxy?
~Paules
Why would Rob find it depressing that people are turning to the alternative media? Seems to me that it's an encouraging trend. Maybe even a business opportunity. *Wink* · Sep 14 at 7:44pm
I can cite two examples, actually: Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog and The Guild. The Guild is into its fourth season, so they must be making some money.
If Rob can figure out how to design TV-style entertainment specifically for iPhones and iPads, he'll be rich. Mixing passive viewing with optional interactive features is what I'd do.
But in the interest of keeping this thread on topic!