Late in the 7:00AM ET hour of Monday's CBS Early Show, correspondent Michelle Miller reported on the "war of words" between actress Jennifer Aniston and Fox News host Bill O'Reilly over women having children without a man. Miller remarked that Aniston had "made a seemingly simple comment supporting the concept," while the "conservative" O'Reilly "slammed the actress" for doing so.
The report included sound bites of O'Reilly: "That's destructive to our society....She's throwing a message out to 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds, okay, that 'hey, you don't need the guy. You don't need the dad." Miller followed up by noting: "It's not the first time a political conservative has lashed out at an actress for supporting single moms. In a 1992 speech, Dan Quayle questioned the choices of fictional character Murphy Brown."
She concluded the story by touting: "Aniston fired back the latest shot at O'Reilly, telling People magazine, quote, 'Of course the ideal scenario for parenting is obviously two parents of a mature age, but for those who've not yet found their Bill O'Reilly, I'm just glad science has provided a few other options.'"
After Miller's report, fill-in co-host Chris Wragge jokingly declared: "Jennifer Aniston, how dare you?" He then argued: "I mean, it's just a movie, right, at this point? I understand, I guess, both sides, but I think it's a little much about-" Fill-in co-host Erica Hill interjected: "Much ado about nothing."
-Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here. [1]7:43AM ET TEASE
CHRIS WRAGGE: Up next, what did Jennifer Aniston say that set off Bill O'Reilly? We're going to tell you about their war of words when we return.
7:46AM ET SEGMENT
ERICA HILL: In her latest film, Jennifer Aniston plays a woman who takes an unorthodox route to single motherhood. Her defense of that character is now sparking a debate on cable TV. CBS News correspondent Michelle Miller has more.
JENNIFER ANISTON: So I would like you to be the first to know, I'm having a baby.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: Aniston vs. O'Reilly; War of Words Over Single Motherhood]
MICHELLE MILLER: In Jennifer Aniston's new movie she plays a single woman having a baby from a sperm donor. Last week, she made a seemingly simple comment supporting the concept.
BILL O'REILLY: That's destructive to our society.
MILLER: Conservative talk show host Bill O'Reilly slammed the actress during an edition of The O'Reilly Factor.
O'REILLY: She's throwing a message out to 12-year-olds and 13-year-olds, okay, that 'hey, you don't need the guy. You don't need the dad. Dad!'
ANISTON: I don't need a man to have a baby.
MILLER: While promoting the film 'The Switch,' she was quoted saying, 'women are realizing it more and more, knowing that they don't have to settle with a man just to have that child.'
O'REILLY: And that's where Miss. Aniston makes here mistake.
BONNIE FULLER [EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, HOLLYWOODLIFE.COM]: He really sets Jennifer Aniston up as somebody who is trying to destroy the fabric of our society.
MILLER: It's not the first time a political conservative has lashed out at an actress for supporting single moms. In a 1992 speech, Dan Quayle questioned the choices of fictional character Murphy Brown.
DAN QUAYLE: It doesn't help matters when a character who supposedly epitomizes today's intelligent, highly paid professional women, mocking the importance of fathers by bearing a child alone.
MILLER: Ironically, when it comes to her own life, Aniston and O'Reilly agree. She says just because her character is going it alone, doesn't mean she would.
ANISTON: She really feels that she wants a child more than she needs the man. Which I found quite interesting. I don't know if I would do it that way.
MILLER: Aniston fired back the latest shot at O'Reilly, telling People magazine, quote, 'Of course the ideal scenario for parenting is obviously two parents of a mature age, but for those who've not yet found their Bill O'Reilly, I'm just glad science has provided a few other options.' Michelle Miller, CBS News, New York.
HILL: There's never a dull moment, is there?
CHRIS WRAGGE: Jennifer Aniston, how dare you? [LAUGHS] I mean, you think any - I mean, it's just a movie, right, at this point? I understand, I guess, both sides, but I think it's a little much about-
HILL: Right. Much ado about nothing. We're probably not done with it yet. We'll hear a little bit more today. We've got you caught up, though, so now you can talk about it at the office this morning.