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Jane Skinner Leaving Fox News: “I’ve Decided To Take A Break From This Business”

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» 43 comments

Fox News anchor Jane Skinner announced at the end of her program, Happening Now, this afternoon that she would be leaving the network effective immediately. “I’ve decided to take a break from this business,” she said.

Skinner has been with FNC since 1998.

“This is my last day on the air at Fox,” she said, citing family reasons. Skinner’s husband, Roger Goodell, is the commissioner on the National Football League. She said he “has a job even busier than mine” and her “twin daughters, who have even busier lives still.”

“To do justice to this new life I’ve decided to take a break from this business,” said Skinner. “I want to be sure to thank our boss Roger Ailes for his understanding and for all these incredible opportunities.”

“We are going to miss you like oxygen,” said her co-anchor Jon Scott, fighting back tears. (Janice Dean stopped by for the announcement as well, crying.)

The circumstances call to mind when another daytime anchor left FNC five years ago – Linda Vester. She said at the time she was leaving DaySide to go on a one-year maternity leave, but never returned to the business.

Skinner didn’t mention a replacement replacement – she closed the show by saying viewers would see Scott tomorrow and adding “we’ll see you at the Super Bowl.” The official press release from Fox News follows the video of Skinner’s farewell.

> Update: Our Q&A with Jane Skinner

Video:

JANE SKINNER STEPS DOWN FROM ANCHOR ROLE AT FOX NEWS

FOX News Channel’s (FNC) Jane Skinner announced today on Happening Now that she would be stepping down from her position as co-anchor of the top rated daytime news program.

In making the announcement at the conclusion of today’s show, Skinner said, “It’s been a thrill to have been a part of FNC’s success over the past 12 years. My talented co-workers have shown how hard work and a great attitude pays off. However, my life has changed significantly in those 12 years, in wonderful ways that have created new responsibilities. I added a husband who became the NFL Commissioner and who has a job even busier than mine, and twin daughters with lives even busier still.”

She continued, “To do justice to this new life, I have decided to take a break from the business. I want to thank [FOX News Chairman & CEO] Roger Ailes for his understanding and for all the opportunities he has given me. I wish everyone at FNC continued success.”

A replacement for Skinner has not been named. Jon Scott will continue to co-anchor Happening Now joined by a variety of FNC’s news talent in the interim.

Roger Ailes, Chairman and CEO, FOX News, added, “Jane is a talented journalist and has been a loyal employee who has risen to every challenge presented to her over the last 12 years. We respect her decision and she will always be a member of the FOX News family.”

Skinner joined the network in 1998 as a general assignment reporter and has co-anchored FNC’s two-hour signature daytime news program, Happening Now since its 2007 inception. Previously, she anchored the afternoon edition of FOX News Live and before that she hosted and produced the popular “Skinnerville” segment on Studio B with Shepard Smith.

Prior to FNC, Skinner held an array of reporting and anchoring duties at various local news stations. She was a freelance reporter at NBC’s flagship station WNBC-TV in New York and before that, served as the primetime anchor for WITI-TV (FOX) in Milwaukee, WI. She was also a general assignment reporter for KMOV-TV (CBS) in St. Louis, MO and WCSH-TV (NBC) in Portland, ME.

FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour general news service covering breaking news as well as political, business and entertainment news. For over 100 consecutive months, FNC has been the most-watched cable news channel in the country. Owned by News Corp., FNC is available in more than 90 million homes.
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  • Bootleghaircut

    JANE. IS ONE OF THE WORST AT HER JOB WHICH IS WHY SHE’S BEEN LANGUISHING IN MID DAY HECK TIMESLOTS.

    AND SHE’S NOT SEXY ENOUGH FOR BILL-O TO HAVE HER ON EVEN HIS QUIZES.

    HER ONLY SAVING GRACE WAS SHE WAS BETTER AT READING THE TELEPROMPTER THAN MARTHA MCCALLUM.

    MARTHA HOWEVER BEING A HOT BLONDE GETS GUEST SHOTS ALL OVER FOX.

    SAD

    BUT GOOD LUCK JANE

    NEXT TO GO(HOPEFULLY)

    ALYSIN CAMMEROTTA….EWWWWW

  • scristanti

    I agree , she was so boring, and alysin should be next. I like Megyn but she has her own show, also like kimberly, there are many that are better then jane, but she is not going to be bored, her husband the nfl commissioner? not shabby

  • Thomas G Williams

    Maybe she is just being nice or she wants to make sure she gets her 401K out of there before she cuts loose with an expose’ interview with ROLLING STONE, or maybe she just wants to have time with family and friends or maybe she just cant stomach FAUX anymore, besides I dont think she was BLOND enough for FAUX and she was never mean spirited enough for the format of FAUX.

    Anyhoo it is short notice and at a time when FAUX seems to be going insane in other time slots with the partisan over the line attitude.

  • Bootleghaircut

    MEGAN KELLY

    I DON’T LIKE HER POLITICS BUT I LIKE HER STYLE. I HEARD SHE WAS A PRETTY
    CAPABLE PROSECUTOR AS WELL.

    I LOVE WATCHING HER ARGUE WITH O’REILLY CAUSE SHE WON’T LET HIM TALK
    OVER HER AND GETS IN HER POINTS IN A CIVILIZED BUT RAISED VOICE MANNER.

    JANE WAS JUST READING THE SCRIPT-NO HARM NO FOUL-BUT NOT TOP SHELF.

    CAN WE BRING BACK CATHERINE CRIER? SHE WOULD BE A GOOD FIT FOR THE FOX
    BLONDES.

    I’D RATHER WAKE UP TO HER THAN CARLSON ANYDAY.

  • notsofast

    CAN WE BRING BACK CATHERINE CRIER?”

    LOL

    What a joke she was.

  • MichelleF

    Good luck to you Jane! Enjoy your time with the twins!

  • notsofast

    Hey, CNN just hired Spitzer, FOX, hire big Al!

    “UNE 24–In a bizarre statement to police, the Oregon woman who claims that Al Gore fondled and groped her during a massage session described the former Vice President as a giggling “crazed sex poodle” who gave a “come hither” look before pouncing on her in a Portland hotel suite. In a taped January 2009 interview with cops, the 54-year-old woman, a licensed masseuse whose name has been redacted from police records, read from a lengthy prepared statement that detailed her alleged October 2006 encounter with Gore at the Hotel Lucia. “

  • Jeff DIme

    Krakauer come on kid, you should know that Jenna Lee is going to replace Skinner. She is the regular fill-in anchor for her, even though Harris Faulkner is the “Breaking News Anchor” on the show. She has really gotten good on fox business, and developed more of a personality doing the Imus show. I am sure she will love the new hours.

  • Big_F-ing_Deal

    Jane wasn’t enough of a right wing scumbag for Fox news. She had a conscience, so she had to go.

    I remember her early days sparring with Shep. Those two had great chemistry.

    Good for you Jane. You were too good for that network.

  • Bootleghaircut

    I remember her early days sparring with Shep. Those two had great chemistry

    TRUE

    SHEP IS STILL THE MAN

  • ImNotBlue

    Bootleghaircut says:
    June 24, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    O’Reilly has Skinner on weekly. So I guess that makes you WRONG, even in caps.

    Shocked… I am just shocked.

    Thomas G Williams says:
    June 24, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Hey look… Thomas used “FAUX” instead of “FOX!” Wow… never seen that before!

    And speaking of things “never seen before,” Thomas gives his review of FNC’s lineup… a network he almost certainly has never seen, or wouldn’t have written such foolish and incorrect things.

  • Bootleghaircut

    LEARN TO READ PLEASE.

    “QUIZZES”

    EVEN IN CAPS; GET A LIFE

    I KNOW YOU’RE STILL SMARTING FROM LAST NIGHT EMBARRASSING ROW
    BUT NOW YOU’RE TRYING JUST A BIT TOO HARD.

    NOT. IN. MY. LEAGUE. CHUMP. .

  • notsofast

    Jane is a true American.

  • Fox News: We proudly pander to Teabaggers

    Jane Skinner must have gotten tired of working for filthy lying scumbags.

  • notsofast

    Damn, she worked for you??

  • valkyrie101

    The whole point is that she is going to publish a book about the inner workings of the Murdoch boys club.

  • Big_F-ing_Deal

    The funniest was when she appeared on The Factor. She often disagreed with O”Reilly and sat through his constant interruptions with a bemused look on her face that said, “I can’t believe I have to deal with this asshole”.

    I felt kind of sorry for her.

  • ImNotBlue

    Bootleghaircut says:
    June 24, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    LEARN TO READ PLEASE.

    “QUIZZES”

    HA! So even though O’Reilly has the same two people weekly for that segment, you’ve decided who should be where and when! HA!

    Just admit it Boots, you got caught lying again.

    EVEN IN CAPS; GET A LIFE

    Actually, I think the reason why you write in caps is because you don’t quite grasp the whole computer thing. That’s why you put all those returns at the end of the your lines, and your formatting is off. You haven’t figured out “text wrap” yet.

    It’s a computer, not a typewriter.

    I KNOW YOU’RE STILL SMARTING FROM LAST NIGHT EMBARRASSING ROW

    The one where you had to run away because you couldn’t answer my question? Yeah… ouch… that stings. HA!

    NOT. IN. MY. LEAGUE. CHUMP. .

    Well, that’s true. But lose the caps, try to type coherently, and do a little critical thinking, and maybe one day you’ll move up.

    valkyrie101 says:
    June 24, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    Even though, all her statements show the opposite.

    Any evidence for that… or (once again) just making stuff up?

  • Thomas G Williams

    Imnotblue: Really? are you serious do you think I NEVER SAW FAUX? That I have no idea how partisan they are? You are aware are you not that there are sites dedicated to EXPOSING THEM AND THE LIES THEY TELL? NO I DO NOT WATCH FAUX NOW, I seek out LEGITIMATE sources for NEWS and INFORMATION

    DONT TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, they told a federal court that they engage in COMMENTARY ABOUT THE NEWS and not THE REPORTING OF THE NEWS.

    They told another court that they report the news in a manner that SERVICES the desires of their audience to have the news in a format that supports their beliefs and views.

    THEY told another court that they present a POINT OF VIEW about the news and that it is best defined as OPINION PRESENTATIONS and should not be considered as being a SOURCE FOR NEWS but as a companion to a particular interpretation of the NEWS as it is reported by OTHERS.

    They have allowed their on air talent to engage in on air partisan position advocacy that supports conservative political views ONLY.

    JUST BECAUSE YOU LIKE TO BE DECEIVED AND FORCE FED A POINT OF VIEW IT DOES NOT GIVE YOU A RIGHT TO CLAIM THAT THEY ARE NOT PARTISAN OR DECEPTIVE OR JUST OUT AND OUT LYING.

    Nor do you have a right to challenge my POINT OF VIEW or my OPINION about FAUX, they prove I am right in my belief every single second of every single day.

  • notsofast

    Thomas G Williams says:

    And Thomas, you watch MSNBC without any skepticism.

    You are a true BHO shill.

    Shill, baby, shill!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Larry-Gibby/1360313052 Larry Gibby

    Some very revealing low-budget, mean-spirited, ignorance laden commentary here today. Swollen with self importance, are you, folks? Look up the meaning of subjective. What a bunch of bums.

  • valkyrie101

    Blue,
    I suppose it was just satire. But come to think of it, I bet she DOES do that. We will wait a few months and see if I am right.

  • ImNotBlue

    Thomas G Williams says:
    June 24, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    Your unsubstantiated “evidence” proves nothing.

    Furthermore, do you complain the same about other networks… or just the ones you disagree with politically?

    valkyrie101 says:
    June 24, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    I suppose it was just satire. But come to think of it, I bet she DOES do that.

    Gotcha… you said something baseless… and now play the “satire card.” But since you apparently still think it will happen, explain yourself. WHY do you think that will happen? What is the basis of this belief?

  • Thomas G Williams

    Notsofast: No I do not watch MSNBC except for clips of a particular story every now and then. I do not listen to CONSERVATIVE talk radio, cause that’s the ONLY option in my market besides NPR and state PUBLIC RADIO which I do listen to except for MARA LIE-A-SIN who I turn off as well as JUAN WILLIAMS.

    And as for being a SHILL you seem to be that so do not label me.

    There are only TWO people on FAUX as talents that I have LIMITED respect for, O’Rielly who every now and then has some glimmer of being honest and that aint often enough and Shepperd Smith who pounded his desk and shouted down that braying pack of hounds at FAUX “WE AS AMERICANS DO NOT TORTURE AND IF ANYONE HAS DONE THIS OR AUTHORIZED IT THEY SHOULD BE PROSECUTED AND LOCKED AWAY FOREVER” and that gets him a PASS with me cause he is the only AMERICAN at FAUX who is a legitimate human.

    I do watch CURRENT, CNN, PBS, NBC, BLOOMBERG, BBC, CBS, NBC and C-SPAN.

  • notsofast

    Thomas G Williams says:
    June 24, 2010 at 3:54 pm Thomas G Williams(Quote)
    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    You are a sorry, pathetic lib shill.

  • Thomas G Williams

    Just STFU and do not ever think for one second that I would make a claim that I could not PROVE in a court of law, putting aside any satire or POV I express as an OPINION I DO NOT LIE OR TOLERATE LIARS and I do not have any respect at all for anyone who quotes FAUX as the source of a fact or the basis of an opinion.

    Every one has the right to an opinion, I have a right not to respect an opinion that is based on lies or deceptions or on mis-representations or out and out ignorance or stupidity or any delusional world views.

  • Thomas G Williams

    Notsofast: I will except your thanks for my service to this country in the US NAVY and after that STFU.

  • valkyrie101

    Blue,
    Not my problem if you are slow on the uptake.

  • notsofast

    homas G Williams says:
    June 24, 2010 at 4:07 pm Thomas G Williams(Quote)
    Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0

    Just STFU and do not ever think for one second that I would make a claim that I could not PROVE in a court of law”

    LOL

    You ARE a lib and are too ashamed to admit it like most lib shills here.

    Join your retched club of low-lifes, child!

  • notsofast

    Thomas G Williams says:
    June 24, 2010 at 4:09 pm Thomas G Williams(Quote)
    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    Notsofast: I will except your thanks for my service to this country in the US NAVY and after that STFU.”

    Oh, what a coward you are- if you were in the Navy, your were a cook, you repulsive, selfish self-promoting lib.

  • eagleeyenewser

    My money is on Shannon Bream for sure. She has been filling in lately on the anchor desk. Looks like she’s prepping for that role.

  • notsofast

    She is hot!

  • reggie45

    Jane is a class act! She will be missed dearly. She lit up my afternoons. It was always a delight to see her on TV. I think she made a very admirable decision but I’m going to miss her.

  • eagleeyenewser

    I agree with you. I looked forward to seeing Jane each day. Sounds like she made the right move though considering her personal obligations – being the first lady of football and married to such a powerful man! I just hope Shannon Bream can pick up where Jane left off.

  • Pablo

    valkyrie101 said:
    The whole point is that she is going to publish a book about the inner workings of the Murdoch boys club.

    The whole point of what? Your imagination?

  • Pablo

    Roger Goodell is a very, very lucky guy.

  • ImNotBlue

    valkyrie101 says:
    June 24, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    Blue,
    Not my problem if you are slow on the uptake.

    I guess that’s it then? You’ve made your statement based on nothing, and hope everyone else just runs with it? It’s my fault for asking you to explain yourself?

    Gotcha. My mistake. Next time, I should realize your crossed finger wishes, are the same as “predictions,” even when there’s nothing to support them.

  • CarlaC

    Not only is her husband lucky but her kids are. It’s so great to hear that mothers are cutting back at work to raise their children. I loved Jane though and I’m very sad I won’t be seeing her on my favorite news channel anymore. But I understand. She seems like such a nice person, as I heard Shepard saying yesterday.

  • Jeff DIme

    Do you people watch fox news? She has been mailing it in for years now. She was probably gonna get forced out anyways in a few years. She was def stuck in that slot, and not going anywhere. You people need to use some more common sense.

  • Pablo

    Mailing it in, Jeff? They sure did a fine job of making it look like she was on set doing the straight news anchor thing. I suspect she wasn’t trying to go anywhere, what with the plum gig and the happy, growing family. I know this seems crazy, but sometimes women like being able to focus on raising their kids and stuff. And given her husband’s completely awesome job, I suspect Jane is a very happy person right now. Good for her, and I hope we haven’t seen the last of her.

  • brusema7

    eagleeyenewser said:
    My money is on Shannon Bream for sure. She has been filling in lately on the anchor desk. Looks like she’s prepping for that role.

    I agree, Shannon would be a great replacement!

  • LA screenwriter

    I don’t know why people have to bag on her in such a mean spirited way. It’s pretty PITIFUL when someone chooses to move on, for their own personal reasons, and yet those on the Left feel it’s equivalent to a door being cracked open a bit, so they can now rant about Fox News yet again.

    Here’s an astounding notion. For once, how about subscribing to the rule of Occam’s Razor, where the most obvious answer IS the answer? Translation: with 2 kids at home and her husband being the NFL commissioner (and with the new pre-season just around the corner), perhaps she simply wants more time at home with the family. Hell, given her husband’s job…as well as the income she’s probably pulled down for the last few years at Fox…I’m sure the family isn’t hurting for money. For that matter, did anyone consider that maybe…just maybe…she and Goodall might even want to have another kid? GOSH! Imagine that! One member of a wealthy couple putting their career on the side, so the family can grow or at least one parent is continually at home, to give the kids some kind of emotional anchor. Heaven forbid more parents should assume the responsibility of doing THAT.

    As for a replacement, DON’T make it Courtney Friel, who Fox tried to ram down everyone’s throats by declaring her (at one point) “the face of Fox News”. She’s pretty — but she’s also married and talks about it waaaay too much on the air — almost as if constantly bragging about how “hot” she and her husband are as a young, partying New York City couple.

    I vote for more Ainsley Earhardt who is a total BABE. Or bring back Laurie Dhue, who had the greatest lips and longest, luscious legs in the history of TV news. Mmmmm….

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-McNaught/100001113295570 Steve McNaught

    Shannon Bream or Jenna Lee should replace Jane. True, Jane was better at reading the teleprompter than, say, Martha MacCallum. But that’s not fair to Jane because MacCallum is dumb and has the worst voice. Courtney Friel is stupid and looks like a hooker. I didn’t think MacCallum or Friel looked that great on the street. That’s telegenics for you.

    I vote Bream or Lee because that’s when I take my coffee break.

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