Kennedy (commentator)

American political satirist, media personality

Kennedy

Kennedy in 2025

Born|

Lisa Kennedy Montgomery

(1972-09-08) September 8, 1972 (age 52)

Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

Education| Santa Monica College
University of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Occupation(s)| Political commentator
Game show host
Television personality
Years active| 1991–present
Political party| Republican (formerly)
Independent
Spouse|

Dave Lee

(m. 2000; div. 2017)​

[1]
Children| 2

Lisa Kennedy Montgomery (born September 8, 1972),[2] referred to mononymously as Kennedy, is an American libertarian political commentator, radio personality, author, and former MTV VJ. She is a commentator on Fox News Channel, a primary guest host of Fox's Outnumbered and The Five, host of the podcast Kennedy Saves The World on Fox News Radio and a columnist for The Daily Mail. Kennedy was the host of MTV's now-defunct daily late-night alternative-rock program Alternative Nation throughout much of the 1990s.[3] She hosted Kennedy on the Fox Business Network from 2015 to 2023.[4]

## Early life

[edit]

Lisa Kennedy Montgomery was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and raised in Lake Oswego, Oregon,[5] a suburb of Portland. Kennedy and her two brothers were raised by her mother.[6] She is of Romanian and Scottish descent.[7][8] She attended Lakeridge High School.[9] She attended Santa Monica College before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles; she later completed a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 2005.[10]

Kennedy interned as a DJ at KROQ radio in Los Angeles as a teenager.[11] She was known on KROQ as "the Virgin Kennedy".[12]

## Career

[edit]

Kennedy began her career as a VJ on MTV in 1992.[2][3] She hosted Alternative Nation from 1992 to 1997.[13] By 1995, she had become such a recognizable cultural figure that the sitcom Murphy Brown introduced a new character named McGovern, modeled after her.[14]

In 1999, Kennedy published her book Hey Ladies! Tales and Tips for Curious Girls, in which she incorporated a multitude of personal experiences.[15] That same year, she moved to Seattle to host The Buzz on KQBZ radio; the show was a mix of news, local issues, and comedy.[16] Kennedy left Seattle in 2001 to cohost a morning radio show with Ahmet Zappa on the Comedy World Radio Network, The Future with Ahmet & Kennedy, a similar mix of current events and comedy.[3] She later co-hosted a morning show with Malibu Dan, The Big House.[3]

Beginning June 3, 2002, Kennedy hosted Game Show Network's Friend or Foe?,[17] which ran for two seasons. On April 1, 2003, she guest-hosted the GSN show WinTuition as part of GSN's April Fools prank where hosts swap places, while the original hosts usually appear as cameos, and play as contestants in Lingo for charity.

She also hosted GSN's Who Wants to Be Governor of California?,[17] a televised debate among fringe candidates in the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election, such as actors Gary Coleman and Mary Carey. On July 3, 2003, Kennedy hosted a pilot episode for a proposed revival of Scrabble on GSN, titled Scrabble Challenge. The show was ultimately not picked up.[18]

Beginning September 23, 2005, Kennedy appeared as an occasional panelist on VH1's Best Week Ever and MSNBC's Scarborough Country. In October 2005, she became host of Fox Reality's Reality Remix until that series ended in June 2008.

In December 2007, she guest-hosted the evening show several times on Los Angeles talk-radio station KFI,[19] before being hired by the station for a regular Sunday-afternoon show.[20] In April 2008, she joined Bryan Suits as cohost of the Kennedy & Suits Show at that station through September 30, 2009. She hosted Music in the Mornings on KYSR in Los Angeles from 2009 until March 2014.[21]

Kennedy in July 2018

On January 18, 2011, she began appearing as Anthony Sullivan's assistant on PitchMen, looking for new inventions to promote in infomercials.

Kennedy joined Fox Business Network as a contributor in 2012. She co-hosted The Independents, a current-events and political discussion show, from its debut on December 9, 2013.[22] The show was cancelled in January 2015, but she continued as host of her own program, Kennedy.[23][24] Kennedy was put on hiatus March 13, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25] On October 19, 2020, the program ended its seven-month hiatus.[26] On May 31, 2023, Fox Business announced that it would be ending Kennedy after 8 years.[4] She continues to serve as a regular guest/host on Fox News.

Following the cancellation of Kennedy on FBN, Kennedy announced that her podcast Kennedy Saves The World would be putting out episodes Monday-Friday at 7 p.m. EST beginning on June 26, 2023.[27]

She is also a contributor to Reason.com and Reason.tv, and occasionally serves as guest host for Bill Carroll, John and Ken, and Tim Conway Jr. on KFI. She was a correspondent on the Fox Business talk show Stossel, and made occasional appearances as a panelist and guest host on Fox News' Red Eye. She makes appearances on other Fox talk shows, such as Outnumbered, The Five, and Gutfeld!.

Kennedy served as a regular host of Fox News Saturday Night from June 2023 through January 2024.[28]

## Politics

[edit]

Kennedy speaking with attendees at the 2019 Young Americans for Liberty Convention at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Kennedy is registered as unaffiliated.[29] She is a supporter of same-sex marriage,[30][31] and officiated at the wedding of fellow Fox contributor Guy Benson to husband Adam Wise.[32] She also supports privatization of Social Security.[33] She opposes the "war on drugs" and bureaucratic regulation.[34]

Kennedy described herself as an "ardent Republican" in 1994.[35] At MTV's 1993 Rock 'n' Roll Inaugural Ball for Bill Clinton, she chanted, "Nixon now! Nixon now!" whenever the Clintons went on stage.[36] Along with being a fan of Richard Nixon, she supported Dan Quayle and Bob Dole.[37] She was a speaker at the 1996 Republican National Convention.[38]

She later abandoned social conservatism, saying, "Social conservatism was really bringing me down, and I realized, as time went on, that I wasn't a Bush conservative. I was really a libertarian."[34][39] She was first introduced to libertarianism when Kurt Loder suggested she read Ayn Rand's Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology.[40] She actively supported Gary Johnson in both the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections.[41]

In March 2012, Reason published an article by Kennedy saying atheism is a religion on par with theistic religions.[42] In 2014, according to Robert Draper, her show is not pro-Republican; it "bash[es] not only 'Obamacare' but also the N.S.A., neoconservatives and social scolds."[43]

## Personal life

[edit]

Kennedy is divorced from former professional snowboarder Dave Lee; the couple has two daughters.[44][1]

Prior to 1995, Kennedy dated Goo Goo Dolls frontman and guitarist John Rzeznik.[45] The song "Name" was written about her.[46][47]

She has the Romanian flag tattooed on her left ankle,[48][34] and a pink Republican elephant tattooed on her upper left thigh.[38]

In September 2012, during an appearance on Red Eye, Kennedy said she had been diagnosed with celiac disease,[49] leading her to change to a more meat-based diet.

Kennedy is a triathlete.[50]

At the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards, Kennedy was involved in an on-air verbal altercation with host Roseanne Barr over a fellatio joke involving Rush Limbaugh.[51]

Excerpts from Kennedy's segment on Fox were featured in the "Now this" segment of the first episode of season 7 of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.[52]

## Publications

[edit]

* Kennedy (1999). Hey Ladies!: Tales and Tips for Curious Girls (1 ed.). New York City: Main Street Books. ISBN 9780385490948.
* Kennedy (2013). The Kennedy Chronicles: The Golden Age of MTV through Rose-Colored Glasses (1 ed.). New York City, New York: Thomas Dunne Books. ISBN 978-1250017475.

## See also

[edit]

* List of people diagnosed with celiac disease

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b @kennedynation (August 5, 2022). "Bro, I got divorced like 5 years ago" (Tweet) - via Twitter.
2. ^ a b Fernandez, Maria Elena (July 24, 2013). "I had such a warped self-image': MTV VJ Kennedy dishes on naughty '90s". NBCNews.com. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
3. ^ a b c d "Kennedy Montgomery". The Advocates for Self-Government. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
4. ^ a b Roush, Chris (2023-06-01). "Fox Business replacing "Kennedy" with "Kudlow" reruns". Talking Biz News. Retrieved 2023-06-01.
5. ^ Clark, Taylor (November 10, 2004). "The Veejay". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2008-02-16.
6. ^ "Romanian American MTV Anchor – When You Have A Big Dream In Life You Have TO Go After It". horainamerica.com. October 23, 2020.
7. ^ Mangu-Ward, Katherine (3 September 2017). "Interview: Kennedy". Reason. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
8. ^ "Kennedy Interviews Jack White". YouTube (iHeartRadio). 5 August 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
9. ^ Walsh, S. M. (2017-01-24). "Lisa Kennedy Montgomery: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
10. ^ "Gutfeld on the new Covid restrictions". Fox News. 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
11. ^ Babayan, Siran (2013-07-30). "Kennedy, the MTV VJ Everyone Loved to Hate, Has a New, Salacious Memoir". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
12. ^ "With an Eye On...: Kennedy commentary on MTV's 'Alternative' rocks the night away". Los Angeles Times. 1994-02-13. Retrieved 2020-04-16.
13. ^ "MTV turns 30: MTV VJs: Where are they now?". Daily News. New York City. 2011-08-01.
14. ^ Winslow, Harriet (May 7, 1995). "Actress Who Plays McGovern, 'Murphy Brown's' New Reporter, Has Real D.C. Experience". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
15. ^ Kennedy (1999). Hey Ladies!: Tales and Tips for Curious Girls. Main Street Books. ISBN 978-0385490948.
16. ^ Rahner, Mark (August 21, 2000). "Over coffee with Kennedy". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
17. ^ a b "FBN TV Personalities". Fox Business. Retrieved 2019-05-28.
18. ^ Wink Martindale (2025-04-30). Scrabble Challenge|Game Show Network Pilot. Retrieved 2025-05-02 - via YouTube.
19. ^ "Guest Host on Demand G". KFI. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
20. ^ "KFI Adds Kennedy". AllAccess.com. February 28, 2008. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
21. ^ Kennedy (March 24, 2014). "A Farewell from Kennedy". KYSR-FM.
22. ^ Welch, Matt (December 3, 2013). "Kennedy, Matt Welch, Kmele Foster to Launch New Nightly Fox Business Show Called The Independents". Reason.
23. ^ Steinberg, Brian (January 15, 2015). "Fox Business to Replace 'The Independents' With 'Kennedy'". Variety.
24. ^ Chariton, Jordan (January 15, 2015). "Fox Business Canceling 'The Independents' Hosted by 'Kennedy'". The Wrap.
25. ^ Palmeri, Christopher (March 13, 2020). "Fox Business Host Trish Regan on Hiatus After Virus Comments". Bloomberg L.P.
26. ^ Ellefson, Lindsey (October 15, 2020). "Fox Business Network Brings Back 'Kennedy' After 7-Month Hiatus (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
27. ^ "Starting Monday 6/26 my podcast..." Twitter. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
28. ^ "It's Fox News Saturday night at 10pET & I'll be hosting!..." Twitter. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
29. ^ "Can Kennedy be convinced to vote Trump? – Kennedy Saves the World". Fox Business. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22 - via YouTube.
30. ^ Grove, Lloyd (December 9, 2013). "Lisa Kennedy Montgomery on Her Path From MTV to Fox Business". The Daily Beast.
31. ^ Cupp, S. E.; Joshpe, Brett (20 May 2008). Why You're Wrong About the Right: Behind the Myths: The Surprising Truth ... Threshold Editions. p. 195\. ISBN 9781416563280.
32. ^ McDermott, Maeve. "Fox News contributor Guy Benson marries boyfriend, says Megyn Kelly brought them together". USA Today. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
33. ^ Cupp, S. E.; Joshpe, Brett (December 2009). Why You're Wrong About the Right: Behind the Myths: The Surprising Truth ... Simon and Schuster. p. 236\. ISBN 9781416563280.
34. ^ a b c Busis, Hillary (December 9, 2013). "Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, ex-VJ, talks libertarianism and Miley". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
35. ^ Grove, Lloyd (2013-12-09). "Lisa Kennedy Montgomery on Her Path From MTV to Fox Business". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
36. ^ Schwab, Nikki (August 8, 2013). "MTV VJ Kennedy recalls being an alt-rock Republican". Red Alert Politics. RedAlertPolitics.com.
37. ^ McNamara, Mary (2006-10-29). "Back as host, but it's a whole new reality". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
38. ^ a b "Kennedy – Libertarian". TheAdvocates.com. Archived from the original on February 11, 2005.
39. ^ Cavanaugh, Tim (Oct 25, 2011). "Reason.tv: Former MTV VJ and Radio Host Kennedy on Medical Marijuana, The Politics of Alt Rock, and How She Went From Conservative to Libertarian". Reason.
40. ^ "MTV Libertarians: Kennedy, Kurt Loder Talk Politics & the Golden Age of MTV". Aug 25, 2013. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22 - via YouTube.
41. ^ Chamberlin, Brett (September 19, 2012). "Yesterday's NYU Libertarian Event Was Sort Of Insane". NYU Local. NYULocal.com.
42. ^ Kennedy (March 10, 2012). "Atheism Is a Religion". Reason.
43. ^ Draper, Robert (7 August 2014). "Has the 'Libertarian Moment' Finally Arrived?". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved 1 May 2019. "Are you hungry for more liberty?"
44. ^ "Every Third Thursday-Secret-Stash-Snowboard-by-Signal Snowboards". YouTube. April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
45. ^ "Primal MTV veejay Kennedy shares the arduous travails of her fame and chastity". The Buffalo News. 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
46. ^ Kennedy, 1972- (30 July 2013). The Kennedy chronicles : the golden age of MTV through rose-colored glasses (First ed.). New York. ISBN 978-1-250-01747-5. OCLC 811597758.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
47. ^ Goo Goo Dolls Talk "Iris" and "Name," 30 Years of 'A Boy Named Goo,' & Plane Crashes. YouTube. 2025-05-07. Event occurs at 39:03.
48. ^ Pener, Degen (January 31, 1993). "Egos & IDs; Notes". The New York Times. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
49. ^ "I'm A Triathlete: Former MTV VJ Kennedy". Triathlon.competitor.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
50. ^ "I'm A Triathlete: Former MTV VJ Kennedy – Triathlete". Triathlete.com. 2013-01-14. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
51. ^ "Roseanne vs. Kennedy - 1994 MTV Video Music Awards". YouTube. 2024-09-04.
52. ^ "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver Season 7 Ep 1: February 16, 2020: Medicare for All |". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-07-21.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lisa Kennedy Montgomery.

* Kennedy on Twitter
* Kennedy at IMDb
* Reason.tv: Kennedy on Medical Marijuana, guns, alt rock and politics
* Appearances on C-SPAN

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