June 22, 2008
NBC Taps Tom Brokaw For Meet the Press, For Now
NBC News just announced that retired Nightly News anchor and eminence grise Tom Brokaw will moderate "Meet the Press" through the 2008 election. NBC News president Steve Capus said, "A lot has been said in recent days about what 'Meet the Press' means to NBC News and to the nation. To have someone of Tom's stature step up and dedicate himself to ensuring its ongoing success is not only a testament to his loyalty to Tim, but his enduring commitment to NBC News and our viewers."
After MTP moderator Tim Russert's sudden death on June 13, there had been much speculation about who might fill the void. Page Six even suggested MSNBC's Chris Matthews was plotting how to land the job--at Russert's memorial service--and that fellow MSNBC personality Keith Olbermann threatened to quit if not named the new moderator, prompting Olbermann to blast the reporter behind the item and say he's not even qualified for the job. So Brokaw's appointment is probably a relief to many--and Newsday's Verne Gay outlined why he is right for the job last week.
Brokaw, who hosted a special edition of Meet the Press last week where friends remembers Russert, said, "I've been appearing on 'Meet the Press' since the days of Watergate when it was moderated by Lawrence E. Spivak right through the distinguished tenure of my great friend, Tim Russert, so I feel right at home. Tim made 'Meet the Press' the center of the universe for informative and lively discussions of public affairs, particularly the exciting 2008 campaign for president, and I intend to continue that commitment to our viewers."
Today, current NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams moderated "Meet the Press." After the jump, two videos of Senators Joe Biden (for Obama) and Lindsey Graham (for McCain) discussing off-shore drilling and public financing:
| 
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
[ report this ]
This is a very good call on the part of NBC News and will benefit everyone involved in the end. Brokaw seems generally well liked and deemed trustworthy. He has that anchor emeritus thing going for him. And since he already retired, he'll be immune from accusations of careerism. True, he'll be subbing Russert's manic enthusiasm for the events with a sort of detached gravitas, but Brokaw was the news division's best play.
[ report this ]
very good call! brokaw is a gentleman and great journalist... he also has a great voice.
[ report this ]
I thought Chris Matthews had the inside track for this but Brokaw gives the show that David Brinkley aura of gravitas...for now.
[ report this ]
how is the relevant for a supposed nyc blog?
[ report this ]
NBC News is based in NYC, NYC is a media town and Tom Brokaw is a media personality.
[ report this ]
good answer Jen
I was thinking David Gregory would be a good option as host too, but Tom Brokaw is a good choice for interim host.
[ report this ]
Please, please don't let it be Chris Matthews -- his voice is grating. My vote is for Chuck Todd.
[ report this ]
thank god it's not mathews. He's like the liberal bill oreilly. Keith olberman is too much of a hippy. I vote for Mo Rocca.
[ report this ]
A should-be dead white guy replacing a dead white guy. The shit never changes.
[ report this ]
Chuck Todd, it's my understanding, was Russert's hand-picked successor. It would not surprise me in the least if he got the job in the long run...as long as he shaves that pubey goattee...that goat is the anti-gravitas...
As for "fugothamist's" question of relevance: Thank god this website isn't all about new bars in Williamsburg where you can meet and try to sleep with trust-funded bohemians. God forbid we discuss something of relevance.
[ report this ]
Yeah, Chuck Todd doesn't come to mind right away...because of that damned goatee.