Video: Shep Smith apologizes for Fox’s lack of balance
posted at 9:26 pm on October 27, 2009 by Allahpundit
Did anyone see this live? HuffPo and Weasel Zippers picked it up but I’m having a hard time believing the video edit didn’t omit some important detail. Is this really how it happened? If so, what exactly is Shep’s problem? Does “fair and balanced” now mean interviewing both candidates at the same time? If Carl Cameron nabs an interview with Harry Reid about the public option, I’m pretty sure he’s not required to go sprinting down the hall to make sure he gets some comment from Mitch McConnell before the bit airs. And given the left’s demagoguery of Fox, how do we know that Corzine isn’t boycotting the channel altogether? Are Republicans now personae non grata if their Democratic counterparts unilaterally decide that FNC isn’t worth their time? What’s this about, seriously?
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Comment pages: 1 2 3 4 Next »
Time for Shep and Redeye to swap timeslots.
crosspatch on October 27, 2009 at 9:27 PM
When will Shep mention his unbalanced mind ?
William Amos on October 27, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Either Ailes gives him his walking papers or he becomes a Fox turncoat and goes to CNN.
One of the two will happen.
ThePrez on October 27, 2009 at 9:28 PM
I Second This
alexraye on October 27, 2009 at 9:28 PM
What a disgrace to Mississippi.
kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 9:29 PM
Shep…you short-term job at MSNBC awaits…go there right away.
AUINSC on October 27, 2009 at 9:29 PM
That was really odd. So any time they interview someone from one party, they have to interview someone from the other, or apologize?
BadgerHawk on October 27, 2009 at 9:29 PM
I didn’t see it because several months ago I started turning the tv completely off when Shep Smith’s shows are on.
KittyLowrey on October 27, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Maybe if the dems called back and arranged a meeting, they would be interviewed. So far the dems are ignoring Fox…
right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 9:30 PM
F^*k Shep…
Roc on October 27, 2009 at 9:30 PM
P*SSY!
SouthernGent on October 27, 2009 at 9:30 PM
Weird.
I mean, if the Dems aren’t talking to Fox News, Fox News can’t show interviews with Democrats — it just kinda works that way.
tigerinexile on October 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Was Shepard Smith in control when he committed aggravated battery with a motor vehicle?
MadisonConservative on October 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Shep need to go back to liberal Oxford Mississippi and drink a hot toddy. He is such an ass.
The reason they don’t have Corzine on is he won’t give interviews.
roux on October 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM
Dude?
Weight of Glory on October 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM
I figured out why he did this
Obama’s new Media Czar Shep
William Amos on October 27, 2009 at 9:31 PM
what an idiot
jp on October 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM
The evening shift is going to get scrambled. I think Shep knows he’s going to be looking for another job soon. Can’t hurt if he loads up on some Fox hate if he’s soon to be submitting resume’s to MSNBC and CNN.
Beck can’t be contained any longer at 5pm – he’s gonna have to bust out of there and into prime time. Megyn Kelly may be moving up too. I’m thinking Greta and Shep may be in the gunsights.
I never watch Shep anyway – he’s an egomaniac.
HondaV65 on October 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Shep why in the hell don,t go on over to MSNBC ?Your just mad that fox is going to replace your 7pm slot next year with Beck.
thmcbb on October 27, 2009 at 9:32 PM
Shep Smith is a putz. I always watch my DVR’d Glenn Beck at 7.
ctmom on October 27, 2009 at 9:33 PM
Who?
Oh yeah. FNC’s resident puppet liberal now that Skeletor is gone.
Lehosh on October 27, 2009 at 9:33 PM
OK, I did just watch the clip, though. I can very easily see Smith doing this just as presented. The only thing edited out that I can see is the actual short impromptu interview Chris Christie did with the Fox reporterette and this took Shep completely aback and wouldn’t have happened. This is why I don’t watch the asshat.
KittyLowrey on October 27, 2009 at 9:34 PM
I am weary of this drama queen.
Go-for the love of God-go!
jjshaka on October 27, 2009 at 9:34 PM
shep who?
ted c on October 27, 2009 at 9:34 PM
yeah, i saw this live. yeah, that’s what happened.
obviously the main point was Corzine not responding to FNC request. the Shep line was gratuitous, and i thought wtf?
(although, i don’t remember the part where he said “if he was in charge…”…but he definitely apologized.
r keller on October 27, 2009 at 9:34 PM
The video looked a little sliced and diced to me, but
Shep is still a jerk.
joedoe on October 27, 2009 at 9:34 PM
i cant stand this guy, looks like an alien too.
he is likely praying to teh one to forgive him for being associated with FOX
what a tool
ginaswo on October 27, 2009 at 9:35 PM
CTMOM – me too!! I DVR Beck and play that in place of sheppie the orange liberal apologist.
Ris4victory on October 27, 2009 at 9:35 PM
maybe he thinks he can swing voters away from chrsitie and earn The Ones gratitude
he’s dreamin about it I betcha
ginaswo on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Shep only cares about balance when the scale isn’t tipped toward liberal.
anXdem on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
i also felt bad for the reporter…she had done her homework. Shep was totally out of line.
maybe he is hoping someday to get another job in the MSM/Obama Admin
r keller on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
As soon as Beck and Special Report is over I always turn to local news.
I cannot stand this Moron he is almost as bad as Whorealdo, why don’t the two of them skip off to CNN and start up their own show’s?
I’m sure they could get lots of folks to come over and maybe increase cnn viewership from 200 to 300.
How about Shep Smith and Jerry Rivers, Whorealdo, “All Day, All Gay”?
dhunter on October 27, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Shep’s been off the reservation for some time now. I’ve seen comments here over the past few years alluding to that fact, as well as while talking with people in person.
I’ve stopped watching his segments because I can’t stomach his style any longer.
madmonkphotog on October 27, 2009 at 9:37 PM
shep lives in the village. He has to survive. But I don’t watch him any more
mytralman on October 27, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Fox does need more ‘balance’, as in female. Put one of the Fox female newscasters in that time slot. That would break up the all male shows between 5 & 10 PM. Sorry Shep, you need to go.
b3026 on October 27, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Are you all seriously missing his sarcasm? He has always been a sarcastic ass. He is mocking those that call FOX unbalanced.
I’m not a Shep fan, but this was sarcasm smartassery!
Jay on October 27, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Standing in front of a full length mirror in his prettiest outfit: “Press Secretary Shepard Smith!”
ThePrez on October 27, 2009 at 9:38 PM
I dunno folks. Shep is way too full of himself, too be sure, but I think that was an attempt at humor, or sarcasm, or something.
SagebrushPuppet on October 27, 2009 at 9:38 PM
I guess Shep got a tingle up his leg.
txag92 on October 27, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Whaaaaaaaaat?
OneGyT on October 27, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Yeah, I always thought Shep was an evil robot plant. Now, I’m sure.
cynccook on October 27, 2009 at 9:39 PM
If that was an attempt at sarcasm, Shep should stick to reading news.
kingsjester on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 PM
This will make his boyfriend very happy.
jukin on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Odd
BrideOfRove on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 PM
“multiple requests and will let you know when comes through”, so shouldn’t talk to any one if the other one is too busy??? So should have never talked to McCain because Obama wouldn’t come on? Wouldn’t democrats love that.
I remember when I first saw him during the Katarina coverage, he was bitching about how the government needed to do more and I turned to my husband and said “what a dick, how many times do you have to say mandatory evacuation and it still be the governments fault?” He was a dick-for-brain then and still is.
momof2 on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 PM
No way, Shep I can see go, but Greta is an asset…she is a liberal that is fair, and a liberal who gave Palin a fair shot.
Shep sees Beck moving into his slot, and Shep is on the way out…
right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 PM
It’s time to have Stossel replace Smith at 7PM. I am sick of this bozo and his ploy to become the liberals’ favorite. If he so wants to be the boy toy of the left, get the hell out of Fox News and go to NBC.
cubachi on October 27, 2009 at 9:40 PM
bye bye Shep…. May you rest in misery.
suzyk on October 27, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Eyeliner poisoning.
Let this be a lesson to all the young bi-curious boys.
Itchee Dryback on October 27, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Shep’s still steaming because the Dems dissed him in front of his DU base.
Connie on October 27, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I’ll go along with this as long as S.E. Cupp gets a permanent slot at the end of the couch.
(I’m a red blooded American boy and damned proud of it)
turfmann on October 27, 2009 at 9:41 PM
That is what I first thought…it was at a place where he knew she couldn’t interview Corzine…so it could have been a shot at Obama…
right2bright on October 27, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Time to go back to the department store floor, Shep. Your time as a real person is over.
theaddora on October 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
The only thing that Shep does well are his commentaries during live car chases. Other than that he sucks.
Guardian on October 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I’d like to go with that explanation. as the apology just seems to odd on its face to be serious. But it didn’t sound very sarcastic.
BadgerHawk on October 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
They’re waiting with open arms at MSNBC.
PaCadle on October 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I did not watch this during his 7 pm show, however, it wouldn’t surprise me if this is how it went down. Shep has proven over and over again that he is one sorry anchoress. I CANNOT figure out why FOX keeps him on. Pink slip quick, please Roger.
DrStock on October 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Shep?
Is he the last replacement Stooge for Shemp?
profitsbeard on October 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
I think Sheppy must have received a memo informing him Beck will be moving into his timeslot and Shep was getting the weekend after hours anchor job.
This tool is getting old. I never watch the blithering idiot anymore.
David in ATL on October 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Talk about about someone being one fry short of a happy meal,the hamburgalar has absconded with the little plastic kiddie-prize Shep called his brain.
Archimedes on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Blanche DuShep
Terry_Dyne on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
When will Shep be interviewing the phantom multiple victims of the Katrina/Superdome phantom rape rampage?
Stephen M on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
The writings is on the wall, time go shep.
Amadeus on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
I think Roger Ailes has found himself his left hand man- As long as FOX has Shep acting like a tool, they really can be “fair and balanced”. I hate Shep, but it makes sense.
anniekc on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Ailes needs to take shrimp boy to the wood shed.
Why am I not shocked?
Valiant on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Ole Miss graduate….
EnochCain on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Reporter says that they have “multiple requests” in for an interview with the Dem, so obviously the Dem is dissing FNC.
Nothing for anyone to apologize for when a pol refuses to be interviewed, so the apology makes zero sense. It’s all kinda jerky, nasty cutting by the person piecing together, who know what Smith really said and in what context.
obladioblada on October 27, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Shep just feels more comfortable around folks from Nancy Pelosi’s stomping grounds, so he’s trying to keep his options open. IYKWIMAITYD. NTTAWWT.
OhioCoastie on October 27, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Thirded.
I saw this live, but was working on a paper at the same time, so I missed what his problem really was. And truthfully, I didn’t much care. He’s such a fairer-and-more-balanced than thou diva-drama queen.
jtownsley on October 27, 2009 at 9:44 PM
I watch Lou Dobbs or Andy Griffith reruns. Hell, I would rather watch the old tv test pattern.
joedoe on October 27, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Megyn Kelly and Beck are the only ones I care about anymore on Fox. Cavuto is even bugging me. Otherwise – I use Rush and the internet to be my own person.
suzyk on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Sarcasm from Shep? Nah. Sarcasm requires an actual sense of humor.
anXdem on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
In addition to being a jackass, Shep also undercut his colleague, a Fox News reporter who got a nice scoop in real time.
Jerk.
BCrago66 on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
If that was really unedited garble Sheppy
should just resign and go over to Air America.
Bye Bye
Texyank on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I think Lou Dobbs would be an excellent replacement for Shep. It is time for Shep to go back to his old college job.. sitting in some bar drinking beer.
Dire Straits on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Haven’t had a chance to read previous comments, so this may be redundant. But I think I see what Smith is saying. He isn’t complaining about the lack of balance at Fox. As a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite. He’s obviously surprised — hence the “wow” — that an opposing view wasn’t presented. You’re only surprised when something you normally expect does not occur. In other words, he’s accustomed to the fact that Fox News is “fair and balanced”. HuffPo either misses the point, or intentionally doesn’t provide context.
under on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
Why hasn’t Shep married? Hmmmmmm
suzyk on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
I agree. Shep is nothing if not a smart ass.
Sic Puppy on October 27, 2009 at 9:46 PM
So,the Democrats will probably win!!Ugh!
Going back in time,to WW2,Shep Smith is a special war
correspondent on Okinawa,
“Well,it looks like the Jap’s are gonna win,so,hey,can
I get an interview with the Japanese General”!
-(Snark).
canopfor on October 27, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I watched it live. I got the impression that Shep thought they were going to interview Corezine right after Christie. But was informed that Corezine had declined the interview and did not send anyone to represent. This is why he apologized. It’s all much to do about nothing imho.
McBaine on October 27, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I’m starting to agree with you, but the “wow” part seems honest.
battleoflepanto1571 on October 27, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Didn’t see it, but perhaps Corzine is following Obama’s lead and won’t interact with Fox and Shep is saying this tongue in-cheek in reference?
Just trying to find alternate explanations that aren’t pie in the sky.
Red Cloud on October 27, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Sounds like Shep is shopping for a spot on another network. That is exactly the sort of drivel you would expect to see on CNN or MSNBC or even one of the Broadcast networks like ABC, NBC, or CBS. Problem for Shep though is that if he leaves FOX his viewership wont probably wont follow him to his new gig.
Personally I say give Shep’s 7pm slot to Beck and move Shep back to 5pm.
Hellrider on October 27, 2009 at 9:48 PM
Sooo much like his hero, the “O”: Pretty face, clean, articulate and ……. hollow. Someone who epitomizes the “ME” generation. Damn cryin’ shame…. I raised kids like this and I can’t understand how it happened!! The schools, me or something else??
PaCadle on October 27, 2009 at 9:48 PM
This tool is getting old. I never watch the blithering idiot anymore.
David in ATL on October 27, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Dittos . . . .
Texyank on October 27, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Shep who?
texanpride on October 27, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Yeah, Shep. That’s the problem.. You aren’t in charge!
The real question is whether or not you are “balanced.”
Star20 on October 27, 2009 at 9:49 PM
I Third this :-)
Waste of that slot. Redeye will be fun in that slot. Good start to the night. Seriously…
antisocial on October 27, 2009 at 9:50 PM
The Fox mole!
He has such a “holier than thou” attitude. I can’t even stand to watch or listen to him anymore! What a “useful idiot”.
As for Cavuto, I pretty much have always liked his show but…his constant tacky references, and “no-class” comments about the wealth of some of his guests, is really embarrassing.
hopefloats on October 27, 2009 at 9:50 PM
Why hasn’t Shep married? Hmmmmmm
suzyk on October 27, 2009 at 9:45 PM
suzyk: Maybe he doesn’t want to share his wardrobe closet
with a women,jus sayin!:)
canopfor on October 27, 2009 at 9:50 PM
When Democrats get over themselves and start making themselves available again to FNC, then Shep won’t have to make such weird statements in the first place.
I am no Shep hater, but c’mon…
itzWicks on October 27, 2009 at 9:50 PM
I’m not a fan of Shep, but yes, he was being sarcastic. He always throws some sort of sarcasm out there.
redridinghood on October 27, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Naaaah.
You’re seeing what you want to see…Shep always does this super cheesy goofball grin when he’s trying to be ironic. He’s very serious here…just like he was during that pathetic Katrina coverage thing he did.
It’s real…no cuts or faux context…this is how it happened.
Like I said…he doesn’t fit and he knows it…time to move on to greener (or bluer) pastures.
AUINSC on October 27, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Geeeeeeezzzz! So much Shep hatery.
I don’t know how this all got started, (Katrina?) but I think that he’s getting a bad rap. He’s always used sarcasm and doesn’t seem to feel that it’s necessary to explain himself. I would agree!
C’mon people, he was joking!
Vince on October 27, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Some of you folks need to have your sarcasm detectors checked.
I think he was clearly poking fun at the current attack on Fox. However, I don’t think he realized that in doing so he was actually going to be making the reporter look silly. I don’t think that was his intent.
SillyRyno on October 27, 2009 at 9:53 PM
I think he knows he and Beck are trading places and he ain’t too happy about it.
Diogenes of Sinope on October 27, 2009 at 9:53 PM
I think you are right. But I still like Lou Dobbs better.
Dire Straits on October 27, 2009 at 9:53 PM
Red Eye Rules!
canopfor on October 27, 2009 at 9:54 PM
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/dsmithmug1.html
joedoe on October 27, 2009 at 9:54 PM
Haven’t watched Shep since he committed journalistic malpractice while covering Katrina. I hadn’t noticed it until then, but he’s sorta whacky. He’s angry in an I-drink-too-much-alone kind of way.
Rational Thought on October 27, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Comment pages: 1 2 3 4 Next »