Did Megyn Kelly redeem herself with debut of TODAY?

Megyn Kelly’s transition to NBC hasn’t exactly been what the network execs had hoped for.

NBC offered Kelly a whopping $18 million salary, thinking they were picking up a cash cow in the former news host who had often held the #1 spot in ratings over at Fox News.

But Kelly’s disastrous interview of Russian President Vladimir Putin showed she’s not cut for hard-hitting journalism, and her prime-time program consistently lost to America’s Funnest Home Videos.

In an interesting change of direction, NBC has given Kelly an early-morning daytime show–Megyn Kelly TODAY. Kelly’s new gig is light-spirited, non-political talk show in the vein of Ellen and Live with Kelly and Ryan.

Kelly’s new program aired its first episode on Monday, allowing TV viewers to decide for themselves whether NBC’s interesting experiment in reinvention is worth all the promotion given to it.

The final verdict? Megyn Kelly TODAY falls flat.

Kelly began her new show with a long-winded introduction in which she rambled endlessly about her climb to the top (though she left out the part about her abrupt fall).

Alejandro Villanueva apologizes for not being a coward: ‘I’m embarrassed’ when I see the photo of me

The casual setting may hide Kelly’s deficiencies as a serious journalist, but they only highlight other deficiencies. Kelly comes across as try-hard, forced, and robotic.

The clear lack of charisma wasn’t lost on viewers, who lost no time in pointing out everything wrong with the latest addition to daytime television.

https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/912366477315051520

Kelly stumbled through awkward interviews with the cast of the popular sitcom Will and Grace.

At one point she was joined on the set by the cast of “Today,” minus Al Roker. Kelly went through the entire program sporting an $1,100 Gucci blouse and a $1,150 skin-tight pants.

Needless to say, Kelly was not well-received by the mostly liberal audience she’s trying to reach–the one she spent years alienating at Fox.

https://twitter.com/WesleyLowery/status/912368460985962496

Kelly’s first episode may have been an obvious debacle, but there were a few saving graces showing signs of promise. Despite assuring she’s “done with politics for now,” one of the better moments of the program was when Kelly temporarily went back into news mode, giving time to a Chicago nun who’s working tirelessly to clean up the streets of her city.

Watch LOUD BOOS from stadium of furious fans as owner Jerry Jones takes a knee with the Cowboys

In a moment that was actually slightly touching, Kelly told the audience about her deceased father’s role in her career.

“In the summers, we used to go camping and my dad would play his guitar and would sing John Denver around the campfire. Cue the tears. One of our favorites was Denver’s song Today – it’s about not wasting a moment. Making each day count. I didn’t really understand the message as a kid. But all too soon, I would come to understand.”

That bit helped show Kelly’s human side–something lacking throughout the rest of the episode.

Nevertheless, the former news host received some positive remarks and wishes from other media figures, including Jay Leno and former Fox News colleague Bret Baier.

If Kelly can pull the new show off, she will be the biggest transformation story in television history. If not (as seems most likely), Megyn Kelly’s rejection of her conservative fanbase will be the ultimate example of a simple rule: don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW

Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!

Success! Thank you for donating. Please share BPR content to help combat the lies.

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

BPR INSIDER COMMENTS

Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!

Latest Articles