Media Monitor: Backstage Pass
In our third installment of "Backstage Pass," we headed over to "The Fox Experience," FNC's home base in Denver.
8/26, 11:30 am MT: A sit-down with Jon Scott, co-anchor of FNC's "Happening Now."
Born and bred in Denver, Scott returns to his hometown for his first convo since joining FNC 12 years ago, when the cable news net first launched. Utilizing his knowledge of the area, Scott has added to FNC's convo coverage by providing stories with local flavor. Today, Scott worked on a story about Hillary Clinton's speech later tonight coinciding with the 88th anniversary of women's suffrage, and how CO was the first state to grant women full voting rights. A fan of the climate and friendly people, Scott is pleased to see Denver getting worldwide recognition as the host city.
More after the jump, including pictures.
(KATHERINE LEHR)
As for the biggest story of the Dem convo, Scott says it is the division between the supporters and camps of Barack Obama and Clinton. Scott: "Does it exist? Yes, it does. ... Why are Hillary Clinton supporters making ads for John McCain?"
Most surprising aspect of Scott's first convo: The amount of money invested by the DNC, media outlets and all parties involved.
Scott's favorite local food/restaurant: The pizza at Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs, CO (He even took two FNC bookers to the spot).
Number of "Fox & Friends" hosts spotted: Two. Brian Kilmeade shouted to Scott from across the newsroom during the interview and Steve Doocy was seen with his son, Peter Doocy (famous for asking McCain why Clinton was "hitting the sauce" during a taping of MSNBC's "Hardball" college tour).
8/26, 12:30 pm MT: Tour of the facilities with FNC VP of News Editorial Product Jay Wallace.
"The Fox Experience" is housed in Braun's Bar & Grill, which is adjacent to the Pepsi Center and inside the security perimeter. With 350-400 staff spread throughout the three-floor building (restaurant included), "The Fox Experience" is used strictly as a workspace by FNC, Fox Business Network, local affiliates and FoxNews.com.
Wallace, who attended the '00 and '04 convos, says coverage is no longer just a prime-time event. Unlike broadcast, the cable nets’ volume of material is "unbelievable." The biggest wrinkle in the Dem convo coverage, Wallace says, is Obama's decision to deliver his acceptance speech at Invesco Field on 8/28 p.m. The change in location considerably alters the already-set budget and requires double the manpower. Wallace said most nets "gasped" when hearing the news.
Scott at work:
"The Fox Experience":
