On his CNN media news program “Reliable Sources,” Kurtz offered his side of the story on what led to the mea culpa in the first place: Deadline pressure and his own lack of due diligence were to blame for his erroneous report last week that NBA player Jason Collins, who had just come out as gay, didn’t disclose that Collins his prior engagement to a woman. Collins had, in fact, been open about the engagement, mentioning it in a column for Sports Illustrated.

On Friday we questioned whether Kurtz would cover his own ass by covering his own ass on the show. He did. And for the occasion, CNN brought in NPR’s David Folkenflik and Politico‘s Dylan Byers to probe him.

There was plenty of in-house love for Kurtz. In a separate segment on the show, attorney Lisa Bloom was on to discuss coverage of the Jodi Arias case. Before offering her legal analysis, she said she would take a second to “go off script.” She praised Kurtz for “raising the bar” for journalistic accountability (while rattling off her own media resume).

“Kudos to Howard Kurtz,” tweeted Kurtz’s CNN colleague Piers Morgan. “He took his Jason Collins-clanger on the chin today like a Mike Tyson right hook.”

The compliments also poured in from elsewhere. FNC anchor Greta Van Susteren wrote on her Gretawire blog that everyone should “stop slapping Howie Kurtz.”

“Not one of us is perfect.  We all make mistakes,” Van Susteren wrote. At the start of the year, Kurtz had to offer a separate apology for wrongly attributing a quote to Van Susteren about then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

At TVNewser, our sister site, Gail Shister wrote after the apology that she hopes CNN head Jeff Zucker will continue to support Kurtz.

On the other side of the fence… continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

“Thank you NRA,” tweeted Town Hall Editor Katie Pavlich. Mediaite‘s liberal columnist Tommy Christopher inserted himself into the debate, saying, “Yeah, thanks for the next dead children. And the previous.” What followed was a back and forth that rivals one of the famous Piers Morgan-Dana Loesch shootouts.

“Really Christopher? You’re still pulling the ‘you want dead children’ card?” replied Pavlich. “Grow up.”

Christopher argued that background checks on gun buyers and limits on gun magazines are reasonable forms of regulation on firearms. He continued to say that Second Amendment enthusiasts were insensitive to children killed by guns.

“Nice, keep playing that card,” Pavlich said again. “And just for your information, my ‘high capacity’ magazine is standard protection against bad guys, like [Jared] Loughner.” Loughner was sentenced to life in prison after shooting up a political rally in Arizona in 2011.

“I’d respect you more if you just admitted that your reloading convenience is more valuable than saving one kid,” Christopher replied.

It was a downward spiral from there. continued…

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Emily Miller

Her segment with Cooper and Democratic Strategist Cornell Belcher was relatively tame, save for a few interruptions and exasperated sighs here and there.

During one of the livelier moments, Cooper, who argued at length for gun control, explained his impartiality. “The thing I don’t understand– and I asked the NRA this and I don’t take a position on this,” he said, “I’m not– it’s not my job. I’m not Piers Morgan here…” Miller jumped in here to say “Thank God.”

Morgan, whose own CNN program airs after Cooper’s (a re-run of 360 airs again after Morgan’s show), has been one of the most outspoken and aggressive TV personalities to call for more gun control since the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary school.

Full video of Miller on “360″ here.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Of all the crazy denials that rolled in over Twitter this weekend, this one takes the cake — or the fruit — depending how you want to look at it. But in retrospect, maybe when “fastcatmiles” (a.k.a. Connor Thompson of the U.K.) asked CNN’s Piers Morgan the following question he should have left well enough alone.

@piersmorgan why u not reply to me pears?

— Connor Thompson (@fastcatmiles) March 25, 2013

To which “Pears” actually replied: “Because I’m not a fruit.”

But that’s not the worst of it. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

There are 17 days left on Roland Martin‘s CNN contract. But the powers that be appear to be shutting it down early. With his contract ending April 6, some producers have been informed not to book him, FishbowlDC has learned. We knew something was awry when we noticed Martin hadn’t tweeted his usual #bringthefunk alert on Twitter that he’d be appearing on Erin Burnette’s “Out Front,” which he hasn’t done in a month. On Wednesday he tweeted that he did Canadian TV. The Canadians can find time to bring Martin’s funk, but not CNN?

Let’s get this straight. That semi-usual appearance he had on Thursdays during Carol Costello‘s slot? Gone. It’s been three weeks since he appeared on her program and months since he appeared on “The Situation Room.” He was also non-existent during CNN Inauguration coverage in January. A final appearance on his close friend, Soledad O’Brien‘s program, which ends next week? That appears to be a dead end proposition, too.

Martin’s fierce Twittering following is not pleased. “I’m certainly going to miss you on CNN,” wrote Pasadena, Calif. resident Carolee Reed. “I cant believe that the two people who always kept it real are leaving.” (Person number two being O’Brien, she explains.) Ebony Shamberger, a UNC J-School student, was dumfounded. “Leaving CNN on April 6 — what?” she wrote in response to Reed.

Martin isn’t the only one being given the shaft. continued…

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“I tried to get him to ride in a tank with me,” she told FishbowlDC at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md. “I love Piers. He and I joke. We go to war on air but we get along off air.”

Loesch has had heated battles with Piers on his CNN show over gun control regulation. Even so, she asked him in late January over Twitter to go “joy riding” in a tank. He declined.

“A smaller one, so it’ll be cozy,” Loesch said of the tank. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

When was Morgan seen nude? In a 2009 fast food promo, wherein he posed a la former Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) wearing only a chunky gold necklace, a rug to cover his English meat and sex appeal fit for a Burger King.

And just this morning singer Justin Bieber snapped a photo of himself lying in a strikingly similar pose. Where was he? London! Bieber reportedly passed out during a concert and was rushed to a nearby hospital. Once he came to, he did what any ignorant 19-year-old dummy would do. Upload an image of his bony body to Instagram.

Today, we pair Morgan and Bieber: British brothers, at least for today.

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Many reporters, editors and producers have had at least one experience with Rudolf, whose bio indicates that he lives in Chicago. He regularly tweets at news figures, typically in the evening and with arbitrary capital letters punctuating his tweets.

Just last night, Rudolf tweeted at:

• The Daily Caller Editor-in-Chief Tucker Carlson (“Do you like Appearing on ‘Red Eye’ with Greg Gutfeld on ‘Fox News Channel’? Is the Story involving NJ Sen Menendez not true?”)
• BuzzFeed‘s Dorsey Shaw (“Your Replying to my tweets, now. Want to Chat about Political TV Cable News & Issues in the Media?”)
• CNN Contributor Ana Navarro (“Do you enjoy being a CNN Political Contributor? Will Rodman be a Special Envoy to N. Korea with his connection to the Leader?”)
• MSNBC’s S.E. Cupp (“What’s it like being the Conservative on MSNBC’s ‘The Cycle’ with Liberals/Progressives Weekday Afternoons discussing Politics/Media”)
• Mediaite‘s Tommy Christopher (“Any Interesting Posts or Stories I should Read at ‘Mediaite.com’ Web Site this Monday?”)
• D.C. Bureau Chief for BuzzFeed John Stanton (“Describe what it’s like being the DC Bureau Chief of Buzzfeed.com?”)
• Piers Morgan Tonight E.P. Jonathan Wald (“You have got me Curious, Jonathan! Very Interesting Forum about HBO’s ‘The Newsroom’ last night with P. Morgan Moderating.”

Rudolf also sends out tweets soliciting potential chat buddies, though to no one in particular. A typical one goes: continued…

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Old habits do die hard.

Zeke Miller announced yesterday on Twitter that after 14 months, it was his last day reporting for BuzzFeed. “I’m taking a much-needed and delayed post-campaign break over the next few days,” he said.

It came as somewhat of a surprise that he was leaving BuzzFeed, where he became a star reporter in the presidential election. But it was even more of a surprise that he’d be taking a “break.” He sends out tweets faster than the time it takes Piers Morgan to snap a selfie at the… well, anywhere.

One wonders what Twitter would be like without Miller rapidly sending out quotes from White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. Or bits of President Obama‘s schedule as they come into his email. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

“It’s all about willpower. … I became a vegetarian. I started working out.” — MSNBC’s Al Sharpton last night on how he shed pounds to Ed Schultz. Schultz began the segment on New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie‘s weight issue by telling Sharpton, “You used to be one big dude.”

Writer has “terrifying flashbacks”

“Watching the Buick commercial where the dance instructor pairs the tallest girl with the shortest boy is giving me terrifying flashbacks.” — Megan McArdle, special correspondent for Newsweek/The Daily Beast.

Scarred for life?

“No breast slips…no nipples, no thongs. They’re keeping it clean.”– NYT Communications Asst. Jordan Cohen‘s mom to Jordan regarding the Grammys.

The self-aware blogger 

“I have been venting in about 6 people’s text messages today. I need to sit down and woosah.” — Javonni Brustow, blogger.

TV reporter finds his inner Britney Spears

“Close call at gym. Britney’s ‘Gimme More’ came on. Started shimmying my shoulders. Caught myself before anyone noticed, I, I think.” — ABC7 reporter Stephen Tschida.

Politico reporter gets in Jose Canseco’s virtual grill

Jose Canseco: “Your value is not how good you are it is how you make others better.”

Jake Sherman, Politico: “Is this why you deceived mlb by doing steroids?”

Shhh cabbie!

“I am not in the mood, talkative cab driver.” — The Daily Caller Taylor Bigler.

The Piers & Dana Show and meet the new members of the FishbowlDC Fan Club Board. continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

WISH YOU LIVED HERE? “My view while riding the Bay Trail today.” — Markos Moulitsas, editor of Daily Kos, who lives in Berkeley, Calif. and is a weekly columnist for The Hill.

“Because I was wrong at the top of the lungs,” — GOP Pollster and Pundit Dick Morris‘s explanation for why he was canned by Fox News, as told to CNN’s Piers Morgan last night.

Journo Love

“I am always in awe of the gorgeous & talented [PBS Political Director Christina Bellantoni] @cbellantoni, looking ravishing in blue tonight as a co-host of this Congressional dinner.” — Roll Call‘s Meredith Shiner. The Washington Press Club Foundation Dinner was held last night. CBS Chief White House Correspondent Major Garrett was the emcee.

“Politico girls wear color.” — Politico‘s Ginger Gibson, who appeared in the above photograph with her coworkers Rachel Bade (center) and Juana Summers (right) at the Washington Press Club Foundation Dinner.

Ouch!

“Would have been far more fun to have actual polling experts make fun of Dick Morris instead of someone who clearly knows nothing. #thisisCNN” — Media Matters’ Justin Whitehouse, reacting to Morris’ appearance last night on CNN.

And now, a little praise for Piers

“Thanks to @piersmorgan for broadcasting my tweet: ‘If Dick Morris can be fired for being wrong and dumb, that means no pundit is safe.’” — Politico‘s Roger Simon.

The roller coaster continues…

“You’re all part of the problem, people tweeting about Dick Morris. Just know that.” — Logan Dobson, research analyst, The Tarrance Group, a GOP polling firm.

“Dick Morris is still an asshole who needs a good solid ass-kicking #CNN” — GOP Consultant and HuffPost and StoneZone blogger Roger Stone.

How often does Gavin Newsom Google himself?

“Never. For me, digging into all the negative stuff out there is just too distracting.” — California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom in a Politico “Answer This” questionnaire by Patrick Gavin in which he also admits that he never skimps in cost on hair gel. Hey, at least he admits it. Read the full interview here.

Politico Playbook publish time: 9:13 a.m.

Wanted: Publisher

“WWR seeks publisher to turn history tweets into a book of colorful presidential stories/facts. Big marketing platform. westwingrpt@gmail.com” — Paul Brandus, author of WestWingReports, columnist, The Week.

Cat defiance

“Cat blatantly peed outside litterbox in front of me. Dislike of emergency litter (dirt) or anger over yesterday’s vet visit?” — Anneke Green, former TWTer who now works for the White House Writers Group.

Conservative Radio Host Laura Ingraham: “Dept. of Who cares? What’s on Michelle Obama’s playlist?” Ingraham was reacting to this feature in People mag.

Speaking of FLOTUS…

“Last week, we picked Napa cabbage in the garden. Now, we’re using it to make kimchi in the kitchen. Make it at home.” — First Lady Michelle Obama.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

“You can suck my ass.” — E!’s Chelsea Handler to CNN’s Piers Morgan last night after he suggested she wasn’t a very good interviewer and saying, “I can help you.”

Uh oh.

“Unusually high number of critical replies to my column today from folks who haven’t read/understood it. Maybe my fault.” — NationalReviewOnline‘s Jonah Goldberg.

Reporter encounters stinky train

“A @wmata train filled w/ wet sheep would smell less like wet sheep than one filled with drenched people in suits.” — Dave Levinthal, senior political reporter for Center for Public Integrity.

Columnist gives props to Stewart for interviewing skills

“Points to Jon Stewart for being tenacious in his questioning of Al Gore about Al Jazeera.” — Politico‘s Roger Simon.

Editor blames mullet hairdo

“It’s always the people with mullets who break out the checkbook at the grocery store.” — Fox News Contributor and RedState‘s Erick Erickson.

Journo mixes up days of week

“Informed sources tell me that today is in fact Wednesday. Everything else about the last tweet was right though.” — National Journal‘s Scott Bland, who had written, “On Tues, Patrick Murphy appeared in a House Maj PAC video. On Thurs, he sent a fundraising email deploring the Citizens United ruling #FL18.”

Unimportant Q to Ponder: “There’s your friend. You guys speaking these days?” Anonymous journalist to FBDC last night at The New Republic launch party glancing toward Slate‘s Dave Weigel at the other end of the frigid room. More on the party coming up…

Politico Playbook publish time: 6:51 a.m. Morning Oopsy: While Playbook’s author screams loudly in his first item that he was “exclusively” reporting the upcoming Gridiron dinner speakers, the news of Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar being among the speakers was reported three weeks ago. Gov. Bobby Jindal as the GOP speaker was new. A special Happy Birthday to Politico‘s media writer Dylan Byers, whose birthday was exclusively reported in Playbook this morning. We’re even giving him these special chocolates.

 Senator brushes off reporter

“Tried to speak to Sen. John Kerry after his farewell speech but he wouldn’t let me finish the question.” — The Daily Caller‘s ambush video reporter Nicholas Ballasy.

Freelancer regrets uncontrollable tweeting… continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

The topic: Gun control.

More details to follow.

AC360′s Town Hall: Guns Under Fire airs at 8 p.m.

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

“No one cares what’s said on Sunday talk shows, Martha.” — NPR’s Steve Inskeep on the ABC “This Week” roundtable, joking to host Martha Raddatz. The joke is in reference to Sec. of State Hillary Clinton‘s remarks before Congress last week in which she said appearing on Sunday talk shows is not her preferred way of spending her Sunday mornings.

Reporter robbed of copy of Advise and Consent

“To whoever stole the $3 copy of Allen Drury’s Pulitzer-winning but out-of-print Advise and Consent off my doorstep: I hope you enjoy it.” — Kasie Hunt, political reporter, NBC News. Hunt told FishbowlDC the book was in a box from Amazon. So far, no leads.

Senator’s parents are named what? 

“In his opening remarks, Biden took note of the presence of the senator’s parents, Moon and Verna Landrieu, as well as many of their nine children and 37 grandchildren. ‘I love these Landrieu family gatherings,’ he said.– A weekend White House VPOTUS Pool Report referring to Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.).

Comedian puts McCain on level of Applebees

“Dear @ThisWeekABC : Bragging about an ‘Exclusive’ interview w/ @SenJohnMcCain is like bragging you scored a table at Applebees.” — Lizz Winstead, comedian and co-creator of “The Daily Show.”

The Geek Squad

“Sitting behind @daveweigel. I can see his computer screen. It’s just a waterfall of raw code like in the matrix.” — NationalReviewOnline‘s Jonah Goldberg in reference to the most wildly popular Boybander around town outside WaPo‘s Ezra Klein. Slate‘s Weigel was spotted at the National Review summit Friday night, where he was standoffish.

Important Q to Ponder: “Which interview serves up more softballs to Obama, TNR or 60 minutes?” — Blake Hounshell, managing editor of Foreign Policy magazine.

Time for better dreams?

“My dream on my next trip to New York: meeting @chrislhayes. My likely reality: missing #uppers because I stayed up too late.” — Jesse Taylor, founder and editor of Pandagon.net. He was previously an internet consultant for Jerry Springer‘s political group, Make Ohio Blue.

Journo irritated by weather

“What the hell is that symbol on Monday, & why will it be 70 one day, snowing 2 days later?”– PBS Political Director Christina Bellantoni.

Spotted: Radio host for 94.7 FreshFM Tommy McFly in the toiletries isle at Target in Columbia Heights.

Unnecessary Tweet of the Day

“Anyone else realize New York is sexist? If there’s a Man-hattan shouldn’t there be a Woman-hattan???” — Ron Meyer Jr., spokesman for American Majority Action.

Peter Ogburn and Eddie Scarry contributed to this report.

Convo Between Two Journos… continued…

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.