Tucker-ed Carlson: TV Pundit Caught 'Dead Asleep' on Live News Program

Fox News analyst Tucker Carlson was caught napping during a live broadcast of Fox & Friends Saturday morning.

(Credit: Fox News via YouTube)

Carlson attempted no wild excuses, confirming his faux pas to Mediaite. “Oh yes,” he said. “Dead asleep.”

After the program returned from a commercial, cameras were rolling and Carlson was seen leaning back on the couch, eyes closed, chin to chest, hands folded on his lap.

“He’s really asleep,” cohost Mike Jerrick whispered, pointing at Carlson's motionless form as laughter from the crew was audible off camera. Cohost Alisyn Camerota, also giggling, asked if they “were being bad cohosts.”

Suddenly Carlson roused himself. “Good to see ya,” Jerrick said enthusiastically. “Welcome to Fox & Friends.”

“I know we’re not on television, so it doesn’t bother me,” Carlson said, assuming the show was still on a commercial break. But when he realized he was live, Carlson grabbed his coffee: “I’m just going to roll with it.”

(Credit: Fox News via YouTube)

A smiling-but-merciless Jerrick declared that it was the first time anyone ever fell asleep on air in the show's history. Carlson said he subbed for Hannity the previous night, saying it ran late, then had to rise early for Fox & Friends.

The show later rebroadcast the incident with the Eurythmics' “Sweet Dreams” playing in the background; Jerrick found a clip of the incident already posted on YouTube.

“It’s impossible to embarrass me,” Carlson said offhandedly. “I danced on television, so, what? You’re going to hurt my feelings? I don’t have any left.”

Here's the series of clips chronicling the entire ordeal:

(H/T: Mediaite)

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