The obligatory “Brit Hume stepping down at Fox News” post
posted at 5:35 pm on July 15, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Sources familiar with the situation say that Hume, 65, will give up his job as Washington managing editor and anchor of “Special Report.” They say he is near a deal to continue with Fox in a senior statesman role, not unlike that of Tom Brokaw at NBC, for roughly 100 days a year.
In his new role, Hume would be a senior political analyst, anchor special events, serve as a panelist on “Fox News Sunday” and occasionally substitute for the host, Chris Wallace.
He’ll be there through the end of the year so election night coverage should proceed as usual. I’m always surprised by how much respect Hume commands among conservatives, not because he doesn’t deserve it but because you’d think he’d be drowned out by the O’Reilly and Hannity megaphones. Not so; in my conversations with people, as genial, gentlemanly conservative journalists go, he’s second in esteem to no one but … Tony Snow, actually. Where are Fox viewers going to get their nightly shot of gravitas now? The closest to Hume in that regard is Wallace but I doubt he wants to do five shows a week. Bret Baier is solid but he’s not a trademark FNC personality the way the rest of the late afternoon and evening crew is.
Given how short the supply is of hard-newsy TV reporters with star power, I’m guessing they may tweak the show by cutting back on straight news reporting (they have Shep at 7 p.m. for that) and emphasize the panel format more heavily, a la Hardball. That way there’s less pressure on the moderator and they get to inject something new into that calcified 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. line-up that they’ve had forever. Commenters in our Headlines item are suggesting Ingraham and Mark Steyn, both of whom would be great but are probably too overtly partisan for the task. Any suggestions?
Update: Headlines comments imported.
Update: I just had a terrible thought.
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Oh man. I need more Shepard Smith!
lorien1973 on July 15, 2008 at 3:58 PM
That’s a shame, Special Report was the only good program on Fox.
Lance Murdock on July 15, 2008 at 3:59 PM
Fortunately, he’s not leaving all together and will continue commentary. Brett Baird (?) I think covers Fridays on Brit’s newshour, seems to be a good replacement. The thought of “Shep” as the head of the “all star panel” makes my skin crawl.
Marcus on July 15, 2008 at 4:01 PM
A former ABC correspondent who never hid his conservative views in his broadcast television days …
I remember when Brit was the White House correspondent (spell check!) and was the only one who didn’t come across as a leftist tool. We’ll miss you, Brit! Enjoy your semi-retirement.
Tony737 on July 15, 2008 at 4:01 PM
One less adult on cable news.
Mark1971 on July 15, 2008 at 4:02 PM
We need more intelligent men like you in broadcasting.Outstanding man. And he’s 65 years old. Well, enjoy more time with your family, you’ve more than earned it.
wise_man on July 15, 2008 at 4:02 PM
I say its time for Michelle Malkin to step into the scene at Fox.
William Amos on July 15, 2008 at 4:04 PM
That will bring the number of shows I will watch on FNC from 1 to none. I will miss him following his departure and retirement from FNC’s best show, but at least he will be seen and heard on occasion.
rslancer14 on July 15, 2008 at 4:04 PM
My bad news of the day. I just love Brit, he is fair, seems honest, and an asset to Fox. We have precious few like him on the tube.
L
letget on July 15, 2008 at 4:04 PM
Shep doesn’t strike me very political so I don’t think he would even want to be part of the panel.
terryannonline on July 15, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Too bad. He is the best at my weekday evening news.
jencab on July 15, 2008 at 4:07 PM
It has been only the presence of Hume and Krauthammer that I even watch Fox News.
Weight of Glory on July 15, 2008 at 4:07 PM
I love Brit Hume.
CP on July 15, 2008 at 4:09 PM
I loved watching Brit Hume reply to one of Juan Williams many screwball comments.
Krauthammer is also awesome.
Would love to see that as well.
wise_man on July 15, 2008 at 4:10 PM
3 things:
1. Brit was / is great.
2. He’s 65? I hope I age that well.
3. Read the comments on the article. This needs a “you stay classy” tag.
Example:
BowHuntingTexas on July 15, 2008 at 4:13 PM
I know. SOme of those moments are truly classic.
Weight of Glory on July 15, 2008 at 4:13 PM
Second that !!
Maxx on July 15, 2008 at 4:13 PM
You can’t leave Brit! All that’ll leave is Chris Wallace and a ton of fluff!
Skywise on July 15, 2008 at 4:25 PM
The disasters just keep on coming. Brit & the All Stars are the only thing going on these days!?
saus on July 15, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Y’know who I’d like to see take over Special Report? Mark Steyn. Seriously, I’d watch every night without fail. I LOVE Steyn.
I’ll miss Brit. Like others, he was the only reason I was still watching FNC at all.
aero on July 15, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Man, Brit was the bomb. Oh well, he’s earned his time in the pasture.
Spirit of 1776 on July 15, 2008 at 4:35 PM
Steyn filled in for El Rushbo last week and was awesome, funny forthright and well informed.
Michael Steele has filled in for Hewitt and Hannity, and he was great too. Steele is the anti-Obama; a self-made minority political figure who doesn’t play the entitled victicrat card at every turn.
O’Reilly (blowhard), Hannity (well-meaning lightweight), Greta (eek!) and Shep (clues at 11) serve up some pretty weak tea. Some fresh blood would help Roger’s brand.
At least there’s RedEye on the ole Tivo.
melkor on July 15, 2008 at 4:35 PM
I sent Brit a complimentary email once and he responded. He’s the only reason I watch Fox. What to do at 6p est…
swami on July 15, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Yup!
Special Report is the best News Broadcast on TV. Now I’m down to H&C… Depending on who replaces Brit.
Huge conservative shoes to fill however.
Swinehound on July 15, 2008 at 4:38 PM
I second the comment above – Special Report is the only Fox News worth watching (I don’t get home early enough to see Laura Ingraham’s new show).
There is no one close to Brit Hume on Fox, or on any other network.
Clark1 on July 15, 2008 at 4:41 PM
I’ll miss Brit. I think Brett Baird will be a fine replacement…or James Rosen maybe.
HawaiiLwyr on July 15, 2008 at 4:48 PM
I hope Fox News stays Fox News… “fair and balanced”. It’s been leaning to the left, at least to me, as of late.
madmonkphotog on July 15, 2008 at 4:50 PM
I agree, Brit Hume is the best. Let’s hope he gets bored with the time off and changes his mind.
xyan on July 15, 2008 at 4:51 PM
My dream team: Laura Ingraham and Mark Steyn doing the Huntley/Brinkley thing.
Lee on July 15, 2008 at 4:52 PM
I don’t blame him. I want to retire when I am 65 too. He’s been a great treasure. I’ll miss him.
crosspatch on July 15, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Special Report is the best News Broadcast on TV. It’s the only evening news I’ve watched for years. Now I may give up 6:00 news altogether.
No one comes to mind who can fill Brit’s shoes, although there are some who might grow into them… such as Mark Steyn.
I agree that FNC needs to develop some new talent. Laura is a good start, and we’re all waiting for Michelle to get her own show.
petefrt on July 15, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Let’s hope this putative Huckabee show isn’t on at 6:00 p.m. eastern. Robert Eugene Ailes has to be smarter than that.
flyfisher on July 15, 2008 at 4:58 PM
HOLY FREAKING COW! Have ya’ll read the comments from the WAPO posters?? The absolute vitriol is unnerving!
bernzright777 on July 15, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I meant Roger, not Robert. I have no idea where that came from.
flyfisher on July 15, 2008 at 5:04 PM
The vitriol on the left seems to be growing. It is scary.
flyfisher on July 15, 2008 at 5:05 PM
As long as Krauthammer keeps appearing on the panel I will continue to tune in to Special Report.
A voice of reason, who’s not afraid to say bullcrap to all the hoaxes the Dems try to pull off.
fogw on July 15, 2008 at 5:16 PM
I love the idea of Mark Steyn. If they can’t get the Global Content Provider,then Roger Ailes ought to replace Special Report with a simulcast of the first hour of Mark Levin’s radio show.
flyfisher on July 15, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Correctly or incorrectly, libs seem confident that they are about to take control of all three branches of government for the first time in a long time. Why are they getting uglier and nastier every day? You’d think they’d get condescendingly gracious, not meaner. They’re exhibiting cornered-rat type behavior, not the swaggering arrogance of those who believe they’re on the verge of victory. From the perspective of human nature and psychology, it doesn’t make sense to me, but I’m not a trained psychologist, and the psychology of liberals has always defied my understanding.
Entelechy, aren’t you a psychologist? Anyone else a psychologist or psychiatrist? Care to shed some light on this subject for us?
aero on July 15, 2008 at 5:23 PM
So long to the best newsman on tv, and the only real reason to watch fox news.
brak on July 15, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Some wise man once said, “Liberalism is a mental disorder.” I find it hard to argue the point.
flyfisher on July 15, 2008 at 5:30 PM
That’s a shame. Brit is the only thing I regularly watch on television news.
phronesis on July 15, 2008 at 5:31 PM
Never miss Special Report.
This is sad…for us.
BobH on July 15, 2008 at 5:41 PM
That’s the magic of Brit Hume. He is a fantastic moderator, and balances out the panel of Barnes, Kondracke, and Liasson/Krauthammer/Williams. It’s difficult to find someone who is as adept at moderation (and always ending with a hearty laugh.)
It seems like they’ve been grooming Brett Baier for the job. Personally, I think that John Kasich is the man for the job.
MB007 on July 15, 2008 at 5:42 PM
Ditto
Cicero43 on July 15, 2008 at 5:43 PM
AP, welcome back, Thank God you are back.
I missed you, hope your vacation was fun. :)
AprilOrit on July 15, 2008 at 5:43 PM
HOw depressing. :(
becki51758 on July 15, 2008 at 5:43 PM
JESUS NO!!
Zetterson on July 15, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Bloody F’ing hell, you made me look at a picture of Geraldo.
My eyes! My eyes!
pabarge on July 15, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Aww, what a shame. Brit’s awesome, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Who do I vote for as his replacement? Gutfeld, Schulz or Levy. ;)
mjk on July 15, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Perish the thought.
flip on July 15, 2008 at 5:47 PM
We need another Tony Snow/ Brett Hume.
I say we go with Michael Steele!
msipes on July 15, 2008 at 5:47 PM
Wash your brain out with soap – lye soap if possible.
Longhorn Six on July 15, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Not cool. This bites! I cannot believe we are stuck with Chris Wallace.
Ugh!
Branch Rickey on July 15, 2008 at 5:49 PM
I’m suggesting John Kasich from the heartland, but he’s got a full time finance job, lure him in anyway, he’s smart and he takes no crap like oreilly but without all the peacocking.
saus on July 15, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Sounds good to me!
Longhorn Six on July 15, 2008 at 5:50 PM
It’s good to hear that Brit will still be around, but it’s a real loss to all that he will step down from his daily duties. He is one of the true defenders of reason.
progressoverpeace on July 15, 2008 at 5:50 PM
smart guy :)
saus on July 15, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Please don’t remind me. Barf!
Branch Rickey on July 15, 2008 at 5:51 PM
I don’t think that Fox would be stupid enough to make that mistake.
At least…I certainly hope not.
It’s highly unlikely.
It might not happen.
It’s somewhat not possible.
Perhaps. Maybe. Feasible. Do-able.
:(
MB007 on July 15, 2008 at 5:52 PM
To me Special Report was Fox News – I have not watched any of the Alphabet networks news in years. Britt Hume was the best. This is very sad news.
Hilts on July 15, 2008 at 5:52 PM
STOP FRAKIN THINKING!!
Mazztek on July 15, 2008 at 5:52 PM
I nominate Byron York or Rich Lowry to replace Brit.
coffee260 on July 15, 2008 at 5:53 PM
could not agree more.
Brett Baier or Jim Angle might not be too bad at Special Report but it will not be the same without Brit!
Branch Rickey on July 15, 2008 at 5:53 PM
I met Brit coming off the DC shuttle at LGA. he is just nice as he seems.
drjohn on July 15, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Absolutely agree.
cs89 on July 15, 2008 at 5:54 PM
BRIT HUME FOR VEEP!!
I didn’t know he was 65. Let him relax!
I always thought he was scary smart.
Mazztek on July 15, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Anyone else already having “Grapevine” and the picture caption withdrawals?
Branch Rickey on July 15, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Can`t happen, not in my lifetime, IT CAN`T HAPPEN!
ThePrez on July 15, 2008 at 5:58 PM
I wish Julie Banderas had the experience to do Special Report!
Hilts on July 15, 2008 at 5:58 PM
Second the motion.
Branch Rickey on July 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM
that sux, gonna miss him :(
trailortrash on July 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Found the replacement.
They could do worse.
kirkill on July 15, 2008 at 6:00 PM
Nightmare would be more apropos. FOX News would lose me if they go down that road.
I have alot of respect for Brit Hume. I will really miss him. He is going to be hard to replace.
katieanne on July 15, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Must… satisfy… compulsion… to… comment.
Peanut butter!
That’s better.
Weebork on July 15, 2008 at 6:02 PM
John Kasich would burn me out on FoxNews in no time. The guy is just wired a little too tight. He’s even worse than O’Reilly in that no one can get a word in. The pickens are getting slim around there. The women are going to have to step up and rule the show. Megan would be my choice.
.
What a sad week this has been with Tony Snow passing, and now Brit hanging it up. I always thought if Tony had beaten the cancer he’d eventually make it back to FoxNews. I never saw him on CNN (for obvious reasons), but he was just a class act.
Chris Wallace is a good no $hit newsman, but that permanent smirk on his face drives me crazy. Yep, let the women rule. They all have the looks to keep my attention, and they’re always on top of the stories…
stacman on July 15, 2008 at 6:04 PM
I wonder if it would make a difference if we write Hume asking him to stay. A million emails would likely change their minds if they could be changed.
Honestly, I won’t be watching Fox , or any other television news, if he leaves. No one else is serious, intelligent and fair enough to warrant my attention.
The Apologist on July 15, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Allah your ‘terrible thought’ would work for me, as long as he is caged with Michael Savage every night.
Limerick on July 15, 2008 at 6:04 PM
You are a bad man.
A bad, bad man…
juanito on July 15, 2008 at 6:06 PM
I just had an evil thought…
Special Report with Karl Rove.
MB007 on July 15, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Is that what Shep does at 7PM Allah? God help us all then.
ShoreMark on July 15, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Both Baier and Rosen could do a good job although they may be a little too young. Michael Steele and John Kasich would be great too, along with Steyn, but probably too partisan-connected.
My first choice though is Wendell Goler. He’s got the gravitas factor going for him.
Gilda on July 15, 2008 at 6:08 PM
Liberals would be surprised as hell … but I strongly suspect if you quietly polled conservatives, you’d find that Hume and those like him are actually respected far more than the loudmouth punditry of radio and television. Especially if you polled conservatives over the age of 30.
Nothing against O’Reilly or Rush or Hannity … but to me, they entertain. That’s it. People like Hume and Snow are what conservatism is actually about.
And, uh, you can take that evil thought and put it someplace deep, dark, and ugly. Like Geraldo’s soul.
Professor Blather on July 15, 2008 at 6:08 PM
AAAAAIIIIEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
irishspy on July 15, 2008 at 6:09 PM
.
I agree! Michael Steele is a sharp guy and a really good debater who would fill in nicely and not take any crap from the whining liberals…
stacman on July 15, 2008 at 6:10 PM
O’Reilly is not a conservative.
Hilts on July 15, 2008 at 6:10 PM
U Magnificent Genius, 007!
Branch Rickey on July 15, 2008 at 6:10 PM
I strongly agree.
progressoverpeace on July 15, 2008 at 6:12 PM
John Kascih is a total bore.
Hilts on July 15, 2008 at 6:12 PM
WHAT!
Brit Hume! WAHHHH!!!!!!!
NO!!!!!!!!!!!
Chakra Hammer on July 15, 2008 at 6:12 PM
More seriously, I wouldn’t mind seeing Steyn replace Mort on the panel. The humor quotient would go way up.
irishspy on July 15, 2008 at 6:13 PM
BOOOOO!!!!!
Bad thought!!!
Pitiful demon, let your soul be saved! >:D
Chakra Hammer on July 15, 2008 at 6:14 PM
I’d like to see – or read – Steyn do just about anything. He’s probably the smartest conservative thinker on the planet – or at least the best at conveying his ideas. His writing is incomparable.
Plus, the whole looking like an Ewok thing is kinda cool.
Professor Blather on July 15, 2008 at 6:17 PM
WAAAAAHHHHHH
No more of the 2 most sintilating minutes in television
I really want to weep….
maybe he’ll just do those 2 minutes? PLEASE?
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on July 15, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Well as long a Shep broadcasts from the bridge in New Orleans, without showing the wideshot, I think FNC is in good shape.
tarpon on July 15, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Harris Faulkner, That way, the left wing could go all apoplectic with racist and sexist comments.
kirkill on July 15, 2008 at 6:19 PM
Ann Coulter would get huge ratings, but hardly a news show. I would also like to see Steyn.
Rode Werk on July 15, 2008 at 6:19 PM
How about John Gibson?
Big Orange on July 15, 2008 at 6:20 PM
As for that “terrible thought”, I’d pretty much have to use the iChip to block the FoxNews channel from myself.
kirkill on July 15, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Brit is a class act all the way — by far more gravitas then O’Reilly or Hannity. And Shep? He’s a bit of ‘tard if you ask me… a narcissistic drama queen who is only occasionally mildly amusing.
Allah — your horrible thought is indeed horrible… LOL
D2Boston on July 15, 2008 at 6:21 PM
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