At THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media event in New York City on Wednesday, FNC chief Roger Ailes had choice words for Gawker, saying: "What is Gawker? Is that that pornographic website?" The gossip site has long been a critic of his channel and recently hired an anonymous Fox employee to pen a column ripping the organization; said employee soon outed himself online after Fox News discovered his identity, and promptly fired him.
From the red carpet of THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media event in New York, The View's Barbara Walters dropped some names of who she would like to interview. The Pope, anyone?
Morning Joe's Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski weighed in on George Zimmerman being charged with the second-degree murder of Trayvon Martin. "I wonder why it took so long," Scarborough said at the party for THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media. "Obviously you don't want to pre-judge anybody and you're innocent until proven guilty. But, that said, the police were guilty of being extraordinarily insensitive."
Hoda Kotb, who anchors the fourth hour of Today alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, agreed with THR's selection of lead anchor Matt Lauer for the cover of the "New York Issue" featuring the most powerful people in media.
"First of all, how hot is Matt Lauer?" she said. "I mean, let's just begin with that. That's just terrific. … It doesn't surprise me one bit. I don't know that there's a better interviewer in the country right now on television."
George Stephanopoulos of Good Morning America praised Katie Couric's recent stint filling in for co-anchor Robin Roberts."It was a lot of fun to work with her. She had not lost a step in six years off. And you know, I just feel so blessed. Because I get to work with Katie Couric for a week, and then go back to my regular partner, the superb Robin Roberts. And it's a great privilege to be able to sit next to her every day," gushed the GMA host, ever dlplomatic.
Jeff Fager, CBS News chairman and executive producer of 60 Minutes, honors Mike Wallace in a manner the brash late newsman would have appreciated: with the unvarnished truth. "He was tough. I mean, he was a prick. In person too," said Fager. "And that's what we loved about him. Everything he felt, (it) just came right out of him. And he was a wonderful reporter who really just wanted to get to the truth. That was his motivating role in life. 'Just get me to the truth,' and one way or the other, he found out. He got to the truth."
Steve Kroft, Jeff Fager, Hoda Kotb, Roger Ailes, George Stephanopoulos and Charile Rose discuss the death and legacy of CBS news legend Mike Wallace.
From Johnny Depp and Jack Nicholson to the Pope and the Queen of England, Charlie Rose and other guests at the party for THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media talk about their dream interviews.
Honorees Katie Couric, Bill O'Reilly, Barbara Walters, Wendy Williams and more stepped out at the Four Seasons Grill Room as The Hollywood Reporter feted the 35 Most Powerful People in Media.