Fox Shake-Ups: Gretchen Carlson Gets $20 Million in Sexual Harassment Suit; Greta Van Susteren Takes Immediate Leave of Fox

I don't know why Greta Van Susteren is leaving. I gotta think that based on the timing it has to do with Fox's (assumed) admission of guilt in the sexual harassment suit filed by Gretchen Carlson, but that would just be speculation. Ed Morrissey (see link below) speculates that given that Van Susteren publicly defended Ailes, Fox's payout puts her in an awkward position. Not sure how, really. I guess because she's a feminist or whatever.

Here's he sketchy statement about it. Brit Hume (!) will be taking over her timeslot until they find a replacement. Though he says he's "happy" to fill the slot through the election.

Could he be? Guy retired from a daily show to just do occasional hits on other people's shows. Seems like a great gig to me (barely working, I mean). Is he really happy? Did he regret getting out of the game during a very interesting (if contentious to the point of toxicity) political season?

Meh, I don't think he's happy. I sure wouldn't be.

Meanwhile, here's that story about the sexual harassment payout jackpot.

She'll also get a public apology from Fox for the way they treated her.

Okay, but, seriously, her ratings were pretty low. Not saying that justifies sexual harassment, just not sure an apology is needed as regards that latter thing (letting her go). I don't know if the apology is meant to cover that. You tell me:

“21st Century Fox is pleased to announce that it has settled Gretchen Carlson’s lawsuit,” a statement from the company said. “During her tenure at Fox News, Gretchen exhibited the highest standards of journalism and professionalism. She developed a loyal audience and was a daily source of information for many Americans. We are proud that she was part of the Fox News team. We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect that she & all our colleagues deserve.”

Kinda sounds like it was worded vaguely, after fighting between lawyers, to sound like maybe they're apologizing for letting her go, while not actually saying that.

That was from Hadas Gold's story at Politico.

So yeah, definitely, if she was sexually harassed and it wasn't dealt with properly, an apology is due. But I don't think an apology is due for letting go a host that isn't bringing in ratings.

Not bein' a dick. Just keepin' it real.

Keepin' It Real

That thing you say to excuse yourself when you're bein' a dick.

See also: "I gotta be me."

posted by Ace at 04:02 PM

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