We reported earlier this month that since taking over the 9 PM ET time slot from Megyn Kelly at Fox News, Tucker Carlson has provided the network with a surge in ratings. Well, it appears others are taking notice of the Fox host’s popularity, and it’s a bit surprising who they are.

During a segment on MSNBC’s Morning Joe today, the entire panel heaped praise on Carlson over the increased ratings he’s seen since taking over the hour. Willie Geist noted that he got his start with the network working as a producer for Carlson when Tucker had a program for MSNBC.

“I’m hearing, it’s shocking to me, that his numbers actually are far outpacing anything Megyn Kelly’s ever done over there at 9 o’clock,” co-host Joe Scarborough said. Geist added that “Tucker’s doing well.”

“America’s having a love affair with Tucker Carlson,” Mark Halperin stated.

After co-host Mika Brzezinski commended Carlson for being “quick and clever” and Scarborough expressed additional surprise about Tucker doing better than Kelly, Brzezinski apparently realized they shouldn’t be using airtime to compliment a rival.

“I might add that Rachel’s doing very well as well,” Mika declared, referring to Rachel Maddow, who competes head-to-head with Carlson. “Oh, Rachel’s doing great,” Scarborough added. Before going on to their next interview, Brzezinski called the panel “naughty.”

Besides the fact that Carlson faces off with the cable network’s highest rated program, The Rachel Maddow Show, Kelly is soon to be a colleague of those at MSNBC, as she left Fox News to join NBC News.

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Justin Baragona on Twitter: @justinbaragona

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