The Megyn Kelly-Jane Fonda drama, explained
MEGYN Kelly issued a pretty intense clap-back against Jane Fonda on her NBC show Monday morning - the kind of researched, public dressing down you’d expect to see on a cable news show, not a network morning show where cheery banter is more the norm.
In just three minutes, the former Fox News host managed to go from addressing a plastic surgery-question tiff to lambasting Fonda’s Vietnam War history and questioning the actress’ patriotism.
“When she first complained publicly after the programme, and repeatedly, I chose to say nothing, as my general philosophy is what other people think of me is none of my business,” Kelly said, referring to Fonda’s remarks about a September “Megyn Kelly Today” interview. “However, Fonda was at it again last week, including here on NBC, and then again elsewhere, so it’s time to address the ‘poor me’ routine.”
Kelly played clips of the actress talking about her appearance and showing photos of her in Vietnam. Some members of the studio audience could be heard laughing at times, as Kelly’s tone ping-ponged between snarky and serious.
While she said it was okay Fonda chose not to talk about it with her, Kelly said, “I have no regrets about that question, nor am I in the market for a lesson from Jane Fonda on what is and is not appropriate.”
“After all, this is a woman whose name is synonymous with outrage,” she added.
Okay, let’s step back. How did we get here?
Fonda, along with co-star Robert Redford, appeared on Kelly’s NBC show the week it premiered. The actors were there to promote their new movie, “Our Souls At Night”, about a widow and widower.
During the interview, Kelly told Fonda, she was an “example to everyone in how to age beautifully and with strength and unapologetically.”
“You admit you’ve had work done, which I think is to your credit, but you look amazing,” Kelly said. “Why did you say - I read that you said you felt you’re not proud to admit that you’ve had work done. Why not?”
“We really want to talk about that now?!” Fonda replied, looking incredulous.
“One of the things people think about when they look at you is how amazing you look,” Kelly said.
“Well, thanks. Good attitude, good posture, take care of myself. But let me tell you why I love this movie we did, ‘Our Souls at Night,’ rather than plastic surgery,” she said as Redford laughed at her overt pivot.
Kelly’s show had already been getting pretty harsh reviews. USA Today called the premiere “awkward”. The Washington Post’s TV critic Hank Stuever described the debut as “a morning-show Bride of Frankenstein.”
Plus, Kelly had faced backlash earlier that week for a comment she made during a segment about the Will and Grace reboot. But the Fonda interview went viral. The actress’ expression as Kelly formed her words became the stuff of memes and a new GIF to add to the library.
Shortly after, ET Canada interviewed Fonda and asked her about the cringe-worthy moment. “Given the fact that we don’t have a lot of time and Bob is right here, it’s a weird thing to bring up, whether I’ve had plastic surgery or not,” Fonda said. “I have, and I’ve talked about it, but it just seemed like the wrong time and place to ask that question.”
The actress and co-star/friend Lily Tomlin went on the “Today” show on Jan. 16 to talk about their Netflix series, Grace and Frankie.
Hosts Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie laughed along with the guests and asked how long they’ve known each other. Fonda tried to give a year, and Tomlin quipped, “I think before your first facelift.”
“Never mind! Never mind!” Fonda interjected. “We don’t need to hear that.”
“I was just kidding,” Tomlin said. “Who are you,” Fonda asked, “Megyn Kelly?”
The hosts, Tomlin and some guy on the set cackled with laughter. They all managed to move on to another topic, but remember, these are Kelly’s co-workers.
The show’s Twitter account even posted video of the exchange: