CNBCWOMEN.jpgIt seems like half of CNBC’s on air talent is on vacation this week. And, if you trust this story on today’s Page Six, it’s not a moment too soon.
The femmes have become a bit more fatale over at the business network, according to Page Six. There are apparently too many queen bees and too little honey in the hive of CNBC.

CNBC’S endless fawning over “Money Honey” Maria Bartiromo and her younger, fast-rising rival Erin Burnett has the network’s lesser-known finance femmes on the warpath.
A source says reporters including sexy blonde Melissa Francis, who covers energy, have complained to CNBC suits that while they get zip, Bartiromo and Burnett are treated like princesses – with massive promotion, regular gigs on the “Today” show and “NBC Nightly News,” perks such as limos and gushing quotes from network brass in newspaper articles.
“The catfight that started with Maria being jealous of Erin’s rise has spread down the line. Now all of the other female reporters are getting p – - – ed off,” our insider said.
“They’re going to management and telling them they want equal treatment – better public relations, better placement on the air. They are all being divas now. It’s gotten ridiculous.”

Page Six adds that “CNBC has muzzled Bartiromo, Burnett and Francis.” But an unnamed network flack denies everything. “That’s insane. It sounds like the jealousy is coming from outside the building,” the flack says.
This should probably be read with a bit of skepticism. To begin with, some of the details are wrong. Melissa Francis is the host of On The Money, not “an energy reporter.” More importantly, here at the DealBreaker Bunker we’ve got a pretty good idea about what goes on inside the Global HQ of CNBC and we haven’t heard anything about a “catfight.” The ordinary rivalry that goes on insider all networks—certainly. But this seems overstated.
After the jump, a very boring reading of the Page Six item and two crazed, conspiratorial readings.


First, the boring reading. You can probably safely read the story as using dramatic language to describe ordinary business negotiations at the network. Catfight=standard issue rivalry. Going to management=noticing that some others get perks and asking for them too. Under this reading, Page Six just sexed it up a bit.
The first conspiracy theory reading begins like they all do: following the money. We’re sure that executive at the soon-to-arrive Fox Business Channel—which is owned by News Corp, which just happens to own the New York Post—aren’t too broken up about trouble at their rival. Conspiracy minded readers have already started spinning a theory that the story was planted by Fox Business executives hoping to splinter CNBC. That’s a bit implausible, however, since we can’t imagine that anyone could succeed in poaching one of the network’s anchors by dreaming up a fight.
A counter-conspiracy theory has also been submitted by readers. This one holds that the entire “cat fight” story line was created by the women of CNBC themselves, hoping to scare better deals out of the network by scaring them into worrying that Fox might poach their top talent. Again, we’re skeptical about this one because, well, it’s way too complex. Too many moving parts. The sisterhood can’t be that strong, can it?
Melissa Francis won our most recent Reader Poll. Erin Burnett is also a favorite of readers. Maria Bartiromo, hasn’t faired as well lately in the polls, but she did score the first interview with Angelo Mozilo after Bank of America invested in Countrywide. Which probably made her feel better.
Not Enough Honey At CNBC [Page Six]

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Comments (48)

  1. Posted by Becjy Quick | August 29, 2007 at 2:50 PM

    Oh, you know it’s on with all those bitches!!! You go girls!!!

  2. Posted by JD | August 29, 2007 at 2:53 PM

    Catfish better shut up, she surely does not think that she is THAT special?

  3. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 2:59 PM

    Dealbreaker guys:
    Just FYI: the dealbreaker site does not display properly on my screen (I know my screen is not the latest hottest toy, but it’s not terribly old either). The ads push all the content way down on the page. Didn’t see this happening before today.

  4. Posted by Zbignew | August 29, 2007 at 3:02 PM

    Let me know when you get video of two or more of them scratching, slapping, and pulling each other’s hair and tearing each other’s clothes.

  5. Posted by John Carney | August 29, 2007 at 3:04 PM

    Anon, 2:59. Thanks! We’ll look into it.

  6. Posted by Blunt Smoke | August 29, 2007 at 3:14 PM

    Maria Bartiromo is not really even attractive, ok body i guess, u never really get to see it. I dont get why she is so popular, she’s probably just really slutty

  7. Posted by JD | August 29, 2007 at 3:23 PM

    Being “really slutty” is about all I need to give her my support.

  8. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 3:36 PM

    Anon 2:59 – same here. Solution: Scroll down.

  9. Posted by MSM Hack | August 29, 2007 at 3:42 PM

    Being “really slutty” has always been a character strength. But since i went to Catholic School, I know Maria has perfected faux-slutty, which is all promise with little delivery. (I don’t believe the nick name tale).
    What I really want to read about is Bess. Fuck the TV chicks, that’s so 20th century.

  10. Posted by MF | August 29, 2007 at 3:47 PM

    melissa francis used to have the energy beat, but it seems like she recently got a promotion. seems like a minor fact-checking problem.

  11. Posted by a. varner | August 29, 2007 at 3:51 PM

    this is what cnbc gets when they hire a bunch of bimbos to read the news. someone’s gonna be PMSing everyday. they have no leverage. what’s francis gonna do about it, jump to lou dobbs’ show? please.
    Just bring back ted david, joe kernen, and marsha mccallum (sp?).

  12. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 3:54 PM

    “what’s francis gonna do about it, jump to lou dobbs’ show? please.”
    Maybe jump to Bloomberg TV? …

  13. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 3:56 PM

    or fox business channel? I mean OTM (or her other gig, ATM) is really prestigious and all but come on, Fox Business Channel!

  14. Posted by Ron InsaneA | August 29, 2007 at 3:57 PM

    From Melissa Francis’ CNBC bio:
    Melissa Francis is the energy reporter for CNBC, covering issues surrounding energy including oil and gasoline pricing, supply and demand, and the large corporations behind these issues. Francis is based at the network’s global headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.
    Before joining CNBC, Francis served as a correspondent for CNET where she covered finance, technology and consumer products. During her tenure at CNET, she frequently provided reports for CNBC.

  15. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 3:59 PM

    i heard she loves A2M

  16. Posted by Mike | August 29, 2007 at 4:00 PM

    CNBC chicks are bleh…
    Becky has no body and bad snaggle teeth
    Erin has no body either and all this hype about her is getting annoying. She’s not all that.
    Maria is old news and she’s always covered up in a jacket but then you see her paparazzi photos and she’s showing her tits and stuff.
    Michelle probably has the best body on CNBC and even bigger tits then Liz but she needs to Ashley Simpson that nose.
    Trish Regan has a fat face and annoying screeching yelling loud voice. Pretty decent bod though.
    Melissa Francis I don’t really have an opinion on. Don’t know why I don’t have words to say.
    The best they have now is Margaret Brennen. Cute, banging bod and decent personality. Fox, If you are reading this, poach this one from CNBC.
    Liz was the best though, looks, body and a great personality. Hopefully we’ll be seeing her on 10/15 on Fox.
    Liz, Alexis Glick and Rebecca Gomez and poach Margaret Brennen from CNBC.
    WOWOWOWOWOW

  17. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 4:02 PM

    speaking of tasty bitches, what ever happened to alexis glick?

  18. Posted by old school | August 29, 2007 at 4:03 PM

    Anybody remember that hot Brittish chick that was on for a while about 6-8 years ago. Haines used to give her a lot of shit. She went to Sky Tv, I think(Don’t know what she did after that because of the restraining order)
    Kind of Posh Spice look……mmmmm, mmmmm.

  19. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 4:09 PM

    Glick is underboss at Fox Business News now

  20. Posted by Mike | August 29, 2007 at 4:11 PM

    Anon, Alexis Glick is over at Fox. She’s Director of Business News. 2nd in command to Cavuto and she’ll probably be anchoring too when FBN starts.

  21. Posted by Mike | August 29, 2007 at 4:14 PM

    old school
    Emma Crosby right?
    She has one big fatal flaw, no body, flat as a board

  22. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 4:16 PM

    agreed, emma crosby is/was one hot broad

  23. Posted by old school | August 29, 2007 at 4:18 PM

    Emma Crosby.
    I’m devastated, I found a pic. It’s sick what 8 years can do to a woman’s face, she’s done.
    I can’t believe I ever loved her….

  24. Posted by Mike | August 29, 2007 at 4:24 PM

    Murdoch owns Sky News
    If she and he wanted to, She could be in NYC right now getting ready for FBN. Not my type though.

  25. Posted by JT | August 29, 2007 at 4:38 PM

    Who was that blonde british slore on OTM the other night? She looked like she’d be alot of fun in that hot slutty british tourist sort of way I mean.

  26. Posted by Mike | August 29, 2007 at 4:46 PM

    That’s Mandy Drury. I think she’s Australian and she’s smart! Fluent in both Japanese and French. Nice bod too.

  27. Posted by anon | August 29, 2007 at 4:46 PM

    What about that mannish chick they have on Fast Money all the time?
    I’d love to see the balls she’s swinging.

  28. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 5:02 PM

    don’t forget the piece of ass katrina voss, even if she is totally jappy

  29. Posted by Reed Hypothecation | August 29, 2007 at 5:38 PM

    You know who pisses me off ? Maria Bartiromo. I liked her better when she was single and would show up to work on 1 hour of sleep looking like a Saigon hooker the morning the army left town.

  30. Posted by Reed Hypothecation | August 29, 2007 at 5:40 PM

    You want hot ? Google: Melissa Theuriau. That. is. hot.

  31. Posted by Oui Oui | August 29, 2007 at 5:59 PM
  32. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 6:11 PM

    Becky Jarvis’ name is nowhere to be found on this page. Why is that?

  33. Posted by anonymy | August 29, 2007 at 6:40 PM

    Some postings are rediculous.It makes me wonder if they visit porn sites too much or too less.
    These ladies in CNBC are there for financial news…It’s good to know they don’t have the “assetts” of pornies BUT they(CNBC ladies) have brains.Prompt business/financial reporting is not easy.
    Given that fact, they are there for those who are interested in stock market NOT porn market. Kudos to all financial anchors/reporters.I’m in the medical field,fortunately or unfortunately.

  34. Posted by anonymy | August 29, 2007 at 6:40 PM

    Some postings are rediculous.It makes me wonder if they visit porn sites too much or too less.
    These ladies in CNBC are there for financial news…It’s good to know they don’t have the “assetts” of pornies BUT they(CNBC ladies) have brains.Prompt business/financial reporting is not easy.
    Given that fact, they are there for those who are interested in stock market NOT porn market. Kudos to all financial anchors/reporters.I’m in the medical field,fortunately or unfortunately.

  35. Posted by Anonymous | August 29, 2007 at 7:32 PM

    A catfight battle royale at CNBC!!! I haven’t been able to get up from my desk all day…

  36. Posted by Anal_yst | August 29, 2007 at 7:39 PM

    Theres some boxing match @ Cipriani Wall St next week, that should def set the precedent for the CNBC Bitches Battle Royale, I say 2nd week in October, around when Fox Biz starts for maximum cross-promotion. Tell me you all wouldn’t be willing to drop bank to see that (preferably jello wrestling)?

  37. Posted by hugh hefner | August 29, 2007 at 11:00 PM

    Bangable chicks on CNBS:
    Rebecca Jarvis
    Erin Burnett
    Trish Regan
    Becky Quick
    Melissa Lee
    Bertha Coombs
    I don’t know what most people expect from candyland business reporting, but I like looking at these chicks during the day. Respek.

  38. Posted by Boing! | August 29, 2007 at 11:14 PM

    Oui Oui, is that Erin Burnett in that pic? She has a smokin’ hot bod! Wow!

  39. Posted by squeezeplay | August 30, 2007 at 12:02 AM

    First of all, they can all scratch each other’s eyes out but should realize the only one who mattered, La Liz, ditched this listing ship just in time. Watching these chicks battle it out is just a big mediocrity show. Can’t wait til Fox when hopefully Liz shows up again with Alexis and Gomez. Go go go!!!!

  40. Posted by Anonymous | August 30, 2007 at 12:20 AM

    hey anonymy, are you a heifer? the number one qualification for these broads to get hired at cnbc is to be relatively hot, not competent. there isn’t one ugly young chick on cnbc, while there are a number of completely homey dudes (o’brien, gasperino).
    these broads ain’t splitting the atom. the producer feeds everything to them. margaret brennan was asked an unscripted question one time and i thought her head was going to explode. probably gives great head, though.

  41. Posted by jack | August 30, 2007 at 12:24 AM

    anonymy, where’d you learn English, some Panama City sailor wanna hump-hump joint?

  42. Posted by Jawohl | August 30, 2007 at 12:28 AM

    Oui Oui, great work on the NSFW pic. Amazing nips on the French slut

  43. Posted by Mike | August 30, 2007 at 1:45 AM

    12:20 AM is right. That homer that double posted about the ladies being there for financial news and not eye candy is smoking some good weed. Why do you think the balding guys like Isana, Ted David and Tyler Mattison aren’t on air anymore?

  44. Posted by A1 | August 30, 2007 at 8:41 AM

    Sue Herrera is all mine…

  45. Posted by wee wee | August 30, 2007 at 9:20 AM

    anenome,
    Get real, that’s not porn, it’s art.

  46. Posted by Troy | August 30, 2007 at 9:21 PM

    Melissa Lee was in Closing Bell for Maria.That chick is smoking hot, too!

  47. Posted by Erin's boyfriend | August 30, 2007 at 9:30 PM

    She’s all mine! Sorry guys.

  48. Posted by JR | September 7, 2007 at 12:36 PM

    MAGGIE BRENNAN is the best at CNBC. She’s got a personality, looks fantastic and is smart. SHE without question is the new Money Honey. Speaking of the Money Honey … are you all kidding??? Virtually all of the female anchors and reporters at CNBC are much more talented … plus Maria is simply an ugly woman now way past her prime.

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