At the time, Moody explained the bit by calling the program "an entertainment show that does some news," adding: "Some of the humor gets edgy."
The hosts embrace the program's light approach -- "Would you want to watch some boring old stodgy newscast?" asked Carlson -- but also defend their news chops.
"When we're interviewing Sen. Obama, I don't break into song," Kilmeade said. "When we're interviewing Sen. McCain, I don't tickle him. We're going to be serious at the right time."
On Thursday's show, they alternated between intense discussions of the campaign and teasing antics. After Kilmeade scribbled something on a piece of paper that he couldn't say on the air, Doocy stuffed the paper in his mouth.
Kilmeade noted that comedy programs such as "The Daily Show" often poke fun at "Fox & Friends," not realizing that the hosts are joking themselves.
"I mean, that's the way we are in real life," he said, gesturing to his co-hosts. "He's sarcastic, I'm sarcastic, Gretchen's got an attitude. They think they have the market cornered on humor, like we couldn't possibly be humorous on purpose."
Added Doocy: "We take the news seriously, but we don't take ourselves seriously."
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Gold is a Times staff writer
matea.gold@latimes.com
