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Murdochs: Give Roger Ailes a Swift Kick to Curb on Front Page of Company-Owned New York Post

Roger Friedman
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Murdochs: Give Roger Ailes a Swift Kick to Curb on Front Page of Company-Owned New York Post

The Murdochs and News Corp are not subtle. When they want to ‘kill you’ they really go for it. And so they have on the front page of Wednesday’s New York Post, the tabloid they own. When Ailes was first sued by Gretchen Carlson, the Post avoided any mention of it. But once the Murdochs made up their minds to give Ailes the gate, all bets were off.

There’s no honor among thieves. Or lie down with dogs, get up with fleas. Ailes must be wondering what the last 20 years were all about. I’m not defending him. But isn’t this a little bit over the top coming from your own company?

Network News Expert: “Unlikely” Fox News Anchors Will Leave with Ailes, “Too Much Money” at Stake

Roger Friedman
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Network News Expert: “Unlikely” Fox News Anchors Will Leave with Ailes, “Too Much Money” at Stake

It’s “unlikely” that any of the star anchors of Fox News will be exiting with Roger Ailes when he leaves tonight or tomorrow.

“There’s too much money involved,” says a network news expert insider. “Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, Greta van Susteren– even if they have key man clauses they’re not going anywhere to start a new network with Roger Ailes.”{

Ailes, my source says, has no non-compete clause so he can go anywhere. But remember– Ailes foundered at CNBC before Rupert Murdoch came along with deep pockets. And the Fox anchors are paid handsomely. “They’re not just going to leave without a plan,” the expert says.

Think of O’Reilly in particular with complicated custody and divorce agreements. Also, there’s a loofah hanging over his head. Don’t think Fox wouldn’t leak the story of his sexual harassment lawsuit if he tried to follow Ailes out the door.

My expert says, bluntly, “This is the work of Lachlan Murdoch. He’s been waiting for this.” Lachlan was literally driven out of town — back to Australia– by Ailes years ago. And Megyn Kelly’s perfidy? “She didn’t feel supported by Ailes during the Trump fighting this year.”

Fox News Falls, Drudge Reports Ailes Ouster Complete with $40 Mil Payout, Era of Conservative TV News May Be Over

Roger Friedman
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Fox News Falls, Drudge Reports Ailes Ouster Complete with $40 Mil Payout, Era of Conservative TV News May Be Over

WITH UPDATES: Drudge has walked back the complete ouster, and included a defense of Ailes in regard to Kelly. But now you have the star of the network with an accusation against Ailes. That climate can’t last very long…

 

ORIGINALLY You may not realize this but 20 years ago, there was no partisan TV News. Roger Ailes introduced conservative  edge reporting to cable news and put Fox News on the map. He had Rupert Murdoch driving the car, no expense spared.

But now the Drudge Report is saying Roger Ailes has been ousted. Murdoch’s liberal leaning sons didn’t like him. Their former brother in law derided Ailes to the New York Times. Last week, Newt Gingrich left Fox News like a rat jumping ship. He knew the end was near. That’s why he’s Newt. He didn’t leave to be vetted for the Vice Presidency, trust me.

With Ailes out, the era of conservative TV news may be over. Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity may suddenly find themselves in uncharted territory. Megyn Kelly carried the brothers’ water. She is the new star.

Will Fox suddenly become actually fair and balanced? This would be such a sea change in their process, half the staff would have to go. I’m just waiting for Brian Kilmeade to break down on air and declare his love for Hillary.

Stay tuned…

Exclusive: Roger Ailes is Ailing, Megyn Kelly and Murdoch Brothers Make Final Move on Fox News Chief

Roger Friedman
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Exclusive: Roger Ailes is Ailing, Megyn Kelly and Murdoch Brothers Make Final Move on Fox News Chief

I worked at Fox News for 10 years, from 1999-2009. I heard a lot of things about Roger Ailes, and there were a lot of rumors in that building at 1211 Sixth Avenue. But systematic sexual harassment? If it was going on, it was kept very quiet.

Now New York Magazine’s intrepid Gabriel Sherman reports that Megyn Kelly, star of Fox News and Ailes’s most rising star, has accused Ailes of sexual harassment. She fessed up to the lawyers from Paul Weiss Rifkind, who are conducting the internal investigation against Ailes. Kelly has remained mum so far while the other women at Fox News have defended Ailes against Gretchen Carlson’s allegations.

The timing is perfect. James and Lachlan Murdoch want Ailes out. I’m told Roger is ailing by several people. He hasn’t been a presence since before Carlson filed her lawsuit. This is in the middle of a Republican Presidential convention. It’s like the Oscars for Fox News.

If– when— Ailes is ousted, who will take over? The betting is on Bill Shine. As one source says, “at least in the interim.” There was a big shakeup in April at Fox News, when Michael Clemente was demoted and Jay Wallace was promoted. John Moody, in and out of popularity, is not capable of running a news network. Shine, who’s been in charge of talent for years, would be the odds on favorite.

But again, what timing. Murdochs looking for a wedge, some leverage to finally oust Ailes. Kelly– who Ailes has been a public supporter of, particularly during the nasty period with Trump this year–speaks up to lawyers, who then leak the story so Ailes is completely finished. Mind blowing.

Stay tuned…

Rock Group Queen: “Unauthorised” Use of Song “Against Our Wishes”

Roger Friedman
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Rock Group Queen: “Unauthorised” Use of Song “Against Our Wishes”

Queen is angry. This is their Tweet:

PS Today is Brian May’s 69th birthday. Happy Birthday, Brian!

John Turturro to Direct All Star Remake of “Going Places” with Sarandon, Cannavale, Tatou

Roger Friedman
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John Turturro to Direct All Star Remake of “Going Places” with Sarandon, Cannavale, Tatou

Exclusive: John Turturro is going to direct his remake of “Going Places” after several years of planning.

I’m told the star of HBO’s “The Night Of” has lined up Susan Sarandon, Bobby Cannavale, and Audrey Tatou. Robert Salerno — with a long list of credits including “21 Grams” and “A Simple Man” — is producing.

The original 1974 French film was directed by Bertrand Blier and featured Gerard Depardieu, Jeanne Moreau, Miou Miou, and Isabelle Huppert. (I realize as I write this that no one in this generation has any idea how great this film was, or who those women are. They might know Depardieu, for the wrong reasons.)

Turturro’s take won’t be an exact remake, I’m told, but sort of his take on it.

Right now Turturro stars in HBO’s hit “The Night Of” and in the upcoming Robert DeNiro movie “Hands of Stone.” He’s directed a few beloved films including “Romance and Cigarettes,” and “Fading Gigolo.”

Queen’s Brian May Has Already Warned Donald Trump Not to Use “We Are the Champions”– But He Used It Anyway

Roger Friedman
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Queen’s Brian May Has Already Warned Donald Trump Not to Use “We Are the Champions”– But He Used It Anyway

Queen’s Brian May has already addressed Donald Trump’s use of “We Are the Champions.” He wrote about it on his website on June 8th, after our old pal Martin Lewis tipped off Queen’s manager Jim Beach:

“I’ve had an avalanche of complaints – some of which you can see in our ‘LETTERS’ page – about Donald Trump using our We Are The Champions track as his ‘theme’ song on USA TV. This is not an official Queen statement, but I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr Trump’s platform, it has always been against our policy to allow Queen music to be used as a political campaigning tool. Our music embodies our own dreams and beliefs, but it is for all who care to listen and enjoy.

Bri ”

But Trump used the song tonight anyway. He played it as he walked out on stage and at the end of Melania’s tribute to “Green Acres.” Not sure if Republicans and Trump realize Queen’s Freddie Mercury was gay and died of AIDS.

PS Howard Kaylan of the Turtles isn’t amused that Trump also used “Happy Together” tonight on the convention.

Watch a Clip from Donald Trump’s Long, Interesting History with Donald Trump

Roger Friedman
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Watch a Clip from Donald Trump’s Long, Interesting History with Donald Trump

Rudy and The Donald, circa 2000

Fox News on Brink: Murdoch Brothers’ Force Out of Roger Ailes Coming, No Defense from Megyn Kelly

Roger Friedman
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Fox News on Brink: Murdoch Brothers’ Force Out of Roger Ailes Coming, No Defense from Megyn Kelly

The word is sweeping through the media, led by New York Magazine, that Roger Ailes is out as head of Fox News. James and Lachlan Murdoch have quietly sanctioned the bad news and allowed it to spread. The party is over.

Of interest: there’s never been a defense of Ailes from Fox News’s biggest anchor, Megyn Kelly. Nothing. All the others spoke up, to varying degrees. But Kelly has remained mum.

Now the Ailes exit — in the middle of a presidential campaign–in the middle of the Republican convention. Just crazy. Don’t think it’s not orchestrated. If Ailes leaves Fox News, who would run it? There is no heir apparent. And the Murdochs have already signaled the end of nutty ring wing partisan broadcasting. With Ailes out, Fox broadcasters might start acting like human beings and saying sensible things.

The move to oust Ailes is bigger than what just happened in Turkey. When News Corp wants something done, they make sure it happens. The defense of Ailes has been minimal at best. But I know better than most– when they want you out, News Corp knows how to spread the word fast.

This is gonna be good.

Oh yeah– do I feel bad for Roger Ailes? I do, actually. We had ten great years and one bad day, when he was a coward. But for a decade he was a stand up guy.

Donald Trump’s “Art of the Deal” Ghost Writer Confesses He Wrote Book, Fears Trump Presidency

Roger Friedman
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Donald Trump’s “Art of the Deal” Ghost Writer Confesses He Wrote Book, Fears Trump Presidency

Tony Schwartz wrote Donald Trump’s best seller “The Art of the Deal,” published in 1986. He’s never spoken against Trump in three decades. But now he tells The New Yorker’s Jane Mayer that he fears a Trump presidency, that Trump is a liar with no attention span and an interest only in attention. Mayer’s story is quite an indictment.

I knew Tony Schwartz in the 80s, and I always wondered why he never broke ranks. He could have done it a long time ago. But he says to Mayer “I put lipstick on a pig,” he said. “I feel a deep sense of remorse that I contributed to presenting Trump in a way that brought him wider attention and made him more appealing than he is.” He went on, “I genuinely believe that if Trump wins and gets the nuclear codes there is an excellent possibility it will lead to the end of civilization.”

It’s a remarkable piece by Mayer, who is well respected. And it explains a lot.

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