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Tonight the show airs from Washington, D.C. — I am headed back on a train after an early morning meeting. Last night's show was fun for me, I wanted to interview Bill O'Reilly on his new book, "Culture Warrior," but did not want to interview Bill by satellite. I wanted to be on the set with him. For some reason, Bill and I always have fun on air together — we agree on some things, not all, but we always have fun together even when we disagree. He is warring with what he calls "Secular Progressives" (he calls himself a Traditionalist) and his book goes into greater depth on the topics.
We have another "Crime Scene" special airing this weekend, called "Crime Scene: Gambling on Love" — it is airing this Saturday at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and midnight ET/9 p.m. PT and then on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. This is a bizarre criminal case and the reason we were out West recently.
By the way, we get many of our "Crime Scene" ideas from viewers. If there is a mystery crime in your hometown, drop me a line about it. I will read your e-mail and pitch the idea to my seniors. Of course I can't guarantee we will do it, but I will take a look at it.
Did you see our segment with "60 Minutes" Mike Wallace last night? Mike has always been very kind to me. We have never worked together, but he is always willing to help me. I love that we are friends. By the way, if you are a journalist and would like to indulge yourself in a sabbatical to study and think about journalism, you might take a look at the Knight Wallace Fellowships at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Here is the Web site: www.mjfellows.org/fellowships/index.html. If you click on www.mjfellows.org/comments/ you can read the comments of some — including ABC's Charlie Gibson — who have taken advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Professor Charles R. Eisendrath, who directs the program, is a former foreign correspondent for Time Magazine with broad experience in print, broadcast and online journalism.
I spent some time with Shep Smith yesterday when I was in New York City. I spotted him in the newsroom talking to Rick Leventhal. I teased Shep about a viewer complaint I received via e-mail about him. The viewer complained that Shep had a bite of a cookie at 1:30 a.m. -– on air — while covering the election returns. My view: leave Shep alone. If Shep wants to have a bite of something to eat when he is covering news in the middle of the night, let him. Big deal. I did tease Shep about the fact that I got the complaint and I was not the one who had the cookie on air. Incidentally, Shep neither admitted nor denied. And yes, from time to time the camera does catch us…
I also ran into Alan Colmes late afternoon, near the elevators in the building. We talked very briefly. He sounded pretty sick — I did not see him again or see Sean Hannity at all while I was in NYC. As you know their show is the hour before "On the Record," but their studio is in an adjacent building so it is not unusual for me not to see them. They have their own make up room and green room so even our guests don’t cross paths with their guests.
Now for some e-mails:
E-mail No. 1
Greta,
I agree with you. If I have done nothing wrong, I don't need an attorney, and especially not so soon. But, we must realize times are changing. There are corrupt cops, and if I were African American I would probably hire an attorney.
The problem with that is, most A. Americans can't afford attorneys, and more often than not, are the butt of the justice system — sad but true. Please tell me when you will be on, central time… Now I get your show at 9 p.m. and at 2 a.m. Will the change affect me in Texas? It would be great to see your show at an earlier time if I missed the 9 p.m. viewing. Two o'clock? Zzzzzzzzzzz — no way I can catch it that late/early in the morning.
Keep smiling :-)
Mary
E-mail No. 2
Hi Greta,
I got your joke. Raoul probably didn't at the time (my opinion). Maybe he was nervous or serious and didn't expect a joke on national TV. He probably got it when he thought back about the exchange.
He may be the divorce lawyer to the world, but I had never heard of him until last night.
James Vass
Waterford, MI
Best Fishes!
E-mail No. 3
Greta,
I watch your show nightly and have since you came to FOX/being a retired police officer, I am offended by the 911 call. No one needs to hear a small child ask about her mother and all the 911 call/just some is OK, but with the child, this is a heart breaker/I feel this is over the line for you and not good to your viewers.
Steve
ANSWER: Steve, in some ways I understand your view. But here is another thing to consider: The police released this and I suppose they want it out there for investigative reasons. Second, I really don't want to sugarcoat or edit an investigation (I also don't want to hurt an investigation.) I feel very bad about the details of this investigation, but I just don't think we should pretend it is anything but what it is. Perhaps the outrage will provoke someone who knows something to come forward... maybe I am wrong about this. Bottom line is that your point is one worth thinking about.
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