Tucker Carlson's Wrong Number

Gives Out Fox News Number As His Own; Fox Fires Back

(CBS/AP)  Conservative CNN commentator Tucker Carlson's snide humor backfired on him — and his wife.

While defending telemarketers during a segment on "Crossfire" last week, the bow-tied co-host was asked for his home phone number. Carlson gave out a number, but it was for the Washington bureau of Fox News, CNN's bitter rival.

The bureau was deluged with calls. To get back at him, Fox posted Carlson's unlisted home number on its Web site.

"Carlson, apparently confused, mistakenly gave out the number of the Washington bureau of Fox News Channel, which received numerous phone calls," the Web site read. "After numerous callers made clear they had intended to reach Carlson, Fox News felt obligated once again to get the facts right and correct Carlson's error."

After his wife was inundated with obscene calls, Carlson went to the Fox News bureau to complain. He was told the number would be taken off the Web site if he apologized on the air. He did, but that didn't end the anger.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Carlson called Fox News "a mean, sick group of people."

Fox spokeswoman Irena Briganti said Carlson got what he deserved. "CNN threw the first punch here. Correcting this mistake was good journalism."