There are few, if indeed any, more dynamically divisive figures in our mediascape than Roger Ailes, the head of Fox News. Yet one thing cannot be denied: from scratch he has built Fox into a juggernaut even as he has transformed himself into “The Most Powerful Man In News.” Such was the title of the cover story I was flattered to be called upon to photograph for NEWSMAX magazine.

In person, he is very low key, yet very personable and easy to work with. Not insignificantly, even the most casual observer would easily note that he is much liked and respected by everyone who works at the network -- from general staff to top anchor. On top of it, he is a FANTASTIC and humorous storyteller. Knowing a bit of his background, I asked how he had come to work with Richard Nixon. His face instantly lit up and he told me: “Now that’s a great story!” It was a simple twist of fate. He was the producer in the early days of The Mike Douglas Show. And as so often occurred: there was a booking anomaly. So he instructed a production assistant to place two guests into any two but very separate waiting rooms. So Richard Nixon, went into one; Tina the Snake Charmer into another (Ailes was afraid Nixon might scare the snake). Shortly thereafter, Ailes, looking for a quiet place to work on the script walked into the room with Nixon, who he had to calm down by explaining the power of television and who, as a result, he subsequently came to work for. Ailes said he could just as easily have chosen the other room. And today he would probably be working as a top circus promoter. Such, he said, is life.

Tags: Roger Ailes, Fox News

Neither Newsmax Editor Ken Chandler & Writer David Patten quite knew what to expect but an interview with Fox news and talk show host, Sean Hannity, was set for March 14, 2011 at Fox Studios in New York DURING the time of Hannity's primetime show. The evening ended up being a testament to the seat-of-the-pants facility that is a key to the man's success. He was open to any and all questions before, during and after the show which, by happenstance, coincided with the tsunami in Japan (resulting in the evening's program schedule being thrown out the window for live coverage from correspondents in Japan). Hannity was a totally gracious host, generous with his time and was also very straightforward and forthright in his responses to Patten's timely questions on a vast array of political topics. Genetically upbeat, he introduced anyone and everyone who came by, from Vincent Buddy Cianci the former mayor of Providence RI, to a tour group from Indiana, all while managing and probing a constant influx of information on the devastation on the opposite side of the globe. Live TV at its best as seen from behind the scenes.

Tags: Sean Hannity, Fox News