Summary: Tucker: Meet Tucker Carlson Behind the Scenes by Chadwick Moore

Tucker: Meet Tucker Carlson Behind the Scenes by Chadwick Moore is a biography of the controversial and influential conservative TV host Tucker Carlson. Based on exclusive interviews with Carlson and his family, colleagues, and enemies, the book reveals the personal and professional stories behind his rise and fall in the media industry.

If you want to learn more about the book and how it explores the life and career of Tucker Carlson, from his childhood and education, to his print and TV ventures, to his recent departure from Fox News and his plans for the future, please continue reading the rest of the summary. You will find fascinating insights and anecdotes that show the different sides of Carlson, as well as the challenges and opportunities he faced in the changing landscape of American politics and culture.

Tucker (2023) chronicles the life of influential conservative TV personality Tucker Carlson. Sourced from personal interviews with Carlson himself, as well as those with his family and colleagues, it traces his story from childhood to his recent departure from Fox News.

Introduction: A panoramic view into the life of Tucker Carlson.

“Good evening, and welcome to Tucker Carlson Tonight!”

That distinct voice has reverberated through the households of Fox News viewers for years now, becoming so iconic that both ends of the political spectrum could recognize it without even glancing at the TV screen. That’s how meteoric Tucker Carlson’s rise has been. A conservative and political commentator, Carlson is renowned for his unapologetic stances on a plethora of political and societal matters, many of which he tackled on his recently concluded signature Fox News show Tucker Carlson Tonight.

In this summary to Tucker, we’ll delve deeper into his life and uncover what shaped and defines the man who is Tucker Carlson.

Inside Carlson’s home and school life

On May 16, 1969, in the Mission District of San Francisco, Tucker McNear Carlson was born to Lisa McNear Lombardi and Richard “Dick” Carlson. Lisa was the daughter of a cattle heiress, and from one of San Francisco’s most affluent families. Dick, on the other hand, was an orphan working as a local TV reporter. The couple tied the knot in 1967 and had two boys, Tucker and his younger brother Buckley.

The Carlsons divorced nearly a decade later, in 1976, after Lisa proved unsuited to motherhood. Not only did she lack interest in her kids, but she also grappled with substance abuse issues. Consequently, Dick gained permanent custody of the boys, and Tucker and Buckley lost contact with their mother. In time, their dad found love again, and married Patricia Swanson, whose family owned the Swanson frozen food company. Patricia legally adopted the boys after the marriage, changing their family name to Swanson McNear Carlson.

Despite the upheaval brought by the divorce, Tucker adjusted well to the new family setup. School, however, presented a set of challenges. He had little enthusiasm for traditional learning, partly because of his severe dyslexia. Nonetheless, he shared his father’s passion for reading, which became his primary source of education.

During his high school years, he attended the Rhode Island boarding school St. George’s. Here, he became known as a boy with a sharp wit, eloquence, and a penchant for provoking his opponents, whether in informal debates in dorm rooms or formal ones with the debate team. His talent for writing was evident, too. In fact, he would often pin editorials about faculty decisions on the bulletin board for the entire school to see.

It was also at St. George’s that fate introduced Tucker to Susie Andrews. Although their budding relationship faced opposition from Susie’s parents, love found a way. They continued their romance in secret throughout college, with Tucker at Trinity and Susie at Vanderbilt. Choosing love over traditional paths, they left college prematurely and got married. The two are still happily in love to this day, blessed with three daughters and a son.

Carlson’s print media ventures

Having been exposed to his dad’s life as a journalist, Tucker Carlson had always felt drawn to the field. He landed his first job in print media the summer before his college sophomore year. His dad’s connections managed to secure him and his friend Neil Patel an internship-like job at La Prensa, a prominent Nicaraguan newspaper. During this stint, the pair traveled across communist Nicaragua and got to see the impact of communism on its people.

A few years later, Carlson began his professional career in print media with an assistant editor position at the Washington-based Policy Review, a magazine published by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. He started out fact-checking articles until he was eventually asked to write a piece for publication. What he came up with was a 9,000-word article titled, “How to Close Down a Crack House in Your Neighborhood,” showcasing his knack for long-form journalism.

Shortly after, he left Policy Review to take a reporter role at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock, Arkansas. However, the allure of Washington drew him back when businessman Rupert Murdoch started the conservative magazine the Weekly Standard. It was here that Carlson developed his distinctive voice and writing style, and before long, other publications took notice.

One of his memorable pieces was about James Carville. In the article, the political strategist was depicted as reptilian, but with undeniably charismatic qualities. Despite the candid portrayal, Carlson and Carville became close confidants. Carlson also covered other political figures such as George W. Bush, calling him an “easily distracted frat boy,” and John McCain, whom he described as a “happy warrior” with self-doubts.

Carlson’s talents eventually led him to become a contributor to mainstream publications, one of which was Esquire. He did a piece for the magazine recounting his travels in Africa with Al Sharpton, which earned him a National Magazine Award nomination. It was that same magazine that sent him to Iraq in 2003. The experience solidified his stance against war and neoconservatism, and he penned the article “Hired Guns” for all the world to read.

Suffice it to say that by 2004, Carlson had made a lasting impression on the print industry – but in television, he was only just getting started.

Carlson’s rise in the world of TV broadcasting

After establishing himself in the print medium, Carlson conquered TV broadcasting. His foray into broadcasting began unexpectedly in 1995 when he was asked to comment on the O.J. Simpson trial for the show 48 Hours on CBS. He was working at the Weekly Standard then, but was not particularly familiar with the case. However, because everyone else was still at lunch when the call came, he stepped up to take on the task.

This accidental entry into TV media led to greater opportunities. By 2000, CNN reached out to Carlson to co-host its new show The Spin Room alongside liberal commentator Bill Press. Originally designed to cover just the 2000 election, the show extended its run for several months until it was canceled in 2001.

This, however, didn’t slow Carlson’s momentum. He and Press soon found themselves on CNN’s flagship debate show, Crossfire, where liberal and conservative pundits sparred over current affairs. Simultaneously, he anchored a weekly segment on PBS titled Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered.

After Crossfire ended its run in 2005, Carlson transitioned to MSNBC with his very own show, The Situation with Tucker Carlson, later shortened to Tucker. But after nearly three years, and amid MSNBC’s shifting ideological landscape and a decline in viewership, the show was dropped.

In this interim, Carlson, alongside college buddy Neil Patel, founded the conservative online publication the Daily Caller. The site went live in 2010, and by then, Carlson had already begun his tenure with Fox News, appearing on Fox & Friends Weekend in 2009. His individual prominence at Fox led to Tucker Carlson Tonight, which debuted in November 2016 and drew an impressive 3.7 million viewers on its debut. He then moved to different time slots in the following months until finally settling in at the influential 8 p.m. slot, replacing the O’Reilly Factor after its surprise cancellation in April 2017.

Carlson was originally broadcasting the show from the Fox News bureau in Washington, DC, but ultimately decided to set up a studio in the village of Bryant Pond in Maine following a distressing attack on his DC home by anti-fascist protesters. He also occasionally broadcast from his Florida home.

From 2017 onwards, Carlson truly began to make his mark in the TV industry.

Themes and issues

What viewers loved about Tucker Carlson was that he often addressed issues that not many mainstream TV hosts dared to talk about on air.

One of his most contentious stances centered on COVID-19. Carlson openly questioned the narratives presented by the government and the World Health Organization, claiming that the death toll was actually substantially lower than what was reported. He also strongly criticized how lockdowns and vaccine mandates were infringing on people’s fundamental freedoms. Additionally, Carlson expressed reservations about the safety and efficacy of mRNA vaccines, and urged people not to get the shot.

Then, there was the war in Ukraine. He had witnessed firsthand how much chaos the American intervention in Iraq produced, and he was fiercely opposed to the United States government getting into the same situation in Ukraine. To get his point across, Carlson frequently took aim at pro-war senators like Lindsey Graham on his show. However, his stance contrasted with what was being said at Fox News more broadly and in editorial pieces found in other Murdoch-owned outlets such as the New York Post and the Wall Street Journal.

Another notable controversy Carlson talked about on his show was diversity and the relocation of immigrants. He argued that while politicians champion the idea of diversifying America, they only ever bring immigrants to already diverse cities, such as New York, Chicago, and Washington. As an alternative, he proposed relocating immigrants to areas like Pitkin County in Colorado, which has a smaller black population, or the affluent Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, which he claimed was home to only white billionaires and celebrities.

On the topic of immigrants, Carlson came under fire for saying that the US was made “dirtier” by their presence. Critics quickly labeled his comments racist. Carlson tried to clarify that his focus in the remark was on the environmental repercussions of illegal immigration at the southern border, particularly the accumulation of trash in the southwestern deserts, which could damage the environment and harm wildlife.

On and off air, he also frequently discusses the topics of government intrusion in people’s lives, the effect of people’s actions on the environment, and Western culture’s attack on traditional manhood.

Regardless of the criticisms and backlash, Tucker Carlson continues to spark discussion, prompt debates, and critique issues from various angles. He sees these discussions as more than just a job – to him, they’re a way to shift the conversation.

Carlson behind the scenes

The thing about Tucker Carlson is that he is unapologetically himself both in front of the camera and away from it. What he says on air is the same as what he says after the cameras stop recording. In this vein, the lines between personal and professional often become blurred.

For one, Carlson has a habit of sharing his personal phone number with almost everyone he encounters, whether that’s a beat cop in his neighborhood or a waitress from a restaurant he dined in. They typically text him local news stories, links to tweets, and other insights that he might then use in his broadcasts. Around 400 people contact him regularly, and he makes sure to respond to them when he’s able.

Carlson is also someone who puts an emphasis on personal relationships, and hates how political differences can easily fracture even long-time bonds. He has personally felt the sting of such divisions, one of the most notable of which was with the late P.J. O’Rourke. He met O’Rourke while in Nicaragua some years ago, and the author had served as Carlson’s mentor. Unfortunately, the divergent political stances they took during the Trump era led to a rift between them. Carlson admits he holds no animosity, and remained fond of both O’Rourke and his wife despite their opposing views.

Because of the effects of politics on family ties and friendships, Carlson brands politics as evil, and he sees relationships as far more important than political affiliations.

In his earlier days, Carlson was no stranger to alcohol, normally downing four shots of vodka for breakfast. However, he has since turned over a new leaf and has maintained his sobriety for over two decades now. His personal struggles with alcohol have fostered a deep empathy for those battling addictions. This understanding and compassion has led him to regularly employ individuals emerging from rehab, extending opportunities ranging from groundskeeping roles to security positions.

Carlson’s enthusiasm when it comes to political and societal hot-button issues is palpable. Whether on or off the air, Carlson is magnetically drawn to individuals who, with conviction, voice their beliefs, regardless of popular opinion.

The end of his Fox days, and the beginning of a new era

In the ever-evolving world of TV broadcasting, everything is subject to change.

However, Carlson didn’t realize he’d experience such change right in the middle of his workday on April 24, 2023. Hours before he was due to go live, a call from Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott turned his life upside down. She informed him that they were pulling the plug on his show, offering him no explanation.

Leading up to this development, there had been a series of controversies surrounding Carlson that likely contributed to his show getting axed. One such issue was his text messages, uncovered amid the Dominion Voting System vs. Fox News defamation case. The electronic voting company sued Fox for erroneously claiming their machines had compromised the integrity of the 2020 presidential election. Carlson deduced that his removal might have been part of Fox’s strategy to settle with Dominion, a claim Dominion promptly refuted.

There was also his stance on the war in Ukraine, which didn’t align with Rupert Murdoch’s views. Other theories swirled around his firing: his overt religiosity may have irked Murdoch, or perhaps accusations of a hostile work environment were at play, sparked by a lawsuit from a former booker, Abby Grossberg, who Carlson claims never personally interacted with him.

Post-exit, the repercussions for Fox were significant. The network saw a sharp decline in its stock value, to the tune of nearly a billion dollars, and viewership for Carlson’s former timeslot plummeted as well.

In the meantime, Carlson was swift to pivot. Days after his exit, a video clip emerged on Twitter at the same time his Fox show would’ve been aired. In it, Carlson promised viewers that they’d hear from him soon. Soon after, he debuted a new rendition of his show on Twitter. His executive producer at Tucker Carlson Tonight, Justin Wells, said they were aiming to develop the new rendition into a full-fledged media enterprise in the future.

Whatever the future holds, it’s a safe bet that conservative viewers will keep their eyes peeled for Tucker Carlson’s next venture.

Conclusion

Tucker Carlson has become synonymous with bold conservative beliefs. He has effectively established himself as a prominent presence in both written and televised media, with his career punctuated by both fervent support and pointed criticism. While often polarizing, his contributions to journalism and political discourse have been undeniably pivotal in sculpting the contemporary climate of American mainstream media today.

About the Author

Chadwick Moore

Genres

Biography, Politics, Media, Journalism, Conservatism, Nonfiction, History, Culture, Current Affairs, Personality

Review

“Tucker: Meet Tucker Carlson Behind the Scenes” is a biographical book written by Chadwick Moore that provides an in-depth look into the life and career of Tucker Carlson, one of the most prominent conservative voices in the United States. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at Carlson’s personal and professional life, including his upbringing, his early career in journalism, and his rise to prominence as a television host and political commentator.

The book consists of 12 chapters, each focusing on a different aspect or stage of Carlson’s life. The chapters are:

• Chapter 1: The Making of Tucker. This chapter introduces Carlson’s family background, his early years in California and Florida, his boarding school experience in Rhode Island, and his college years at Trinity College in Connecticut.
• Chapter 2: The Rise of Tucker. This chapter covers Carlson’s entry into journalism, his first jobs at Policy Review and The Weekly Standard, his marriage to Susan Andrews, and his rise to fame as a co-host of CNN’s Crossfire.
• Chapter 3: The Fall of Tucker. This chapter recounts Carlson’s downfall at CNN, his failed attempt to launch a new show on PBS, his feud with Jon Stewart, and his departure from MSNBC.
• Chapter 4: The Rebirth of Tucker. This chapter describes Carlson’s comeback as a contributor and later a host on Fox News, his launch of The Daily Caller website, and his transformation into a populist and nationalist voice.
• Chapter 5: The King of Cable News. This chapter details Carlson’s success as the host of Tucker Carlson Tonight, the highest-rated show in cable news history, his influence on politics and culture, and his challenges and criticisms from both the left and the right.
• Chapter 6: The Man Behind the Desk. This chapter reveals Carlson’s personality, values, beliefs, hobbies, habits, and quirks, as well as his relationships with his family, friends, colleagues, and enemies.
• Chapter 7: The Family Man. This chapter focuses on Carlson’s marriage to Susan Andrews, his four children (Lillie, Hopie, Buckley, and Dorothy), and his extended family (his mother Patricia Swanson, his father Richard Carlson, his brother Buckley Swanson Peck Carlson, and his stepmother Patricia Hearst).
• Chapter 8: The Friend. This chapter explores Carlson’s friendships with various people from different backgrounds and walks of life, such as Neil Patel, Brit Hume, Stephen Hayes, Mike Rowe, Dave Rubin, Glenn Greenwald, Jimmy Dore, Jesse Watters, Greg Gutfeld, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Mark Steyn, Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, Dave Portnoy, Joe Rogan, and Donald Trump.
• Chapter 9: The Foe. This chapter examines Carlson’s enemies and rivals from both the left and the right, such as Jon Stewart, Brian Stelter, Don Lemon, Rachel Maddow, Chris Cuomo, Ana Navarro, Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Meghan McCain, Bill Kristol, David Frum, Max Boot, Jennifer Rubin, George Will, Mitt Romney, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and Anthony Fauci.
• Chapter 10: The Fighter. This chapter analyzes Carlson’s style of debate and argumentation, his use of facts and logic, his appeal to emotion and humor, his rhetorical devices and techniques, and his strengths and weaknesses as a communicator.
• Chapter 11: The Thinker. This chapter discusses Carlson’s views and opinions on various topics and issues, such as immigration, trade, war, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, terrorism, Islam, race, gender, abortion, gay rights, transgenderism, climate change, coronavirus, vaccines, masks, lockdowns, big tech censorship, social media addiction, corporate power, elitism, populism, nationalism, conservatism, liberalism, socialism, and democracy.
• Chapter 12: The Future of Tucker. This chapter speculates on Carlson’s future plans and prospects, such as running for president, starting a new network, writing a book, or retiring from media. The book also includes an introduction, a conclusion, an acknowledgments section, a bibliography, and an index.

The book covers Carlson’s early years, including his childhood in a politically active family, his time at Trinity College, and his early career as a reporter for CNN and other media outlets. Moore also delves into Carlson’s personal life, including his marriage and family, and explores the controversies and challenges that have arisen during his career.

The book also provides insight into Carlson’s political views and how they have evolved over time, as well as his approach to journalism and his perspective on the media landscape. Moore draws on extensive interviews with Carlson and other sources to provide a nuanced and balanced portrait of the man behind the public persona.

Overall, “Tucker: Meet Tucker Carlson Behind the Scenes” is a well-researched and engaging biography that provides a comprehensive look at the life and career of Tucker Carlson. The book is well-written and easy to follow, with Moore’s clear and concise prose making it accessible to readers who may not be familiar with Carlson’s work.

One of the strengths of the book is Moore’s ability to provide context and background information that helps readers understand the political and cultural landscape in which Carlson operates. Moore also does an excellent job of exploring the controversies and challenges that have arisen during Carlson’s career, providing a balanced and nuanced perspective on the issues.

One potential criticism of the book is that it may be too focused on Carlson’s personal life and controversies, rather than his professional achievements and political views. However, Moore does an excellent job of balancing these different aspects of Carlson’s life, and the book provides a comprehensive and engaging look at one of the most influential figures in conservative media.

In conclusion, “Tucker: Meet Tucker Carlson Behind the Scenes” is a well-researched and engaging biography that provides a comprehensive look at the life and career of Tucker Carlson. The book is well-written and easy to follow, and offers a nuanced and balanced portrait of one of the most prominent conservative voices in the United States.

The book is recommended for anyone who is interested in Tucker Carlson, conservative media, American politics, or current affairs. It is an informative and insightful read that offers a rare glimpse into the life and mind of one of the most prominent and provocative figures in American media.