Brian Williams is temp replacement for Russert on 'Meet the Press' on Sunday
NEW YORK — NBC executives decided today that “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams will host “Meet the Press” this Sunday as the network ponders a permanent replacement for moderator Tim Russert.
After nearly a week of mourning the loss of Russert, who died of a heart attack on June 13 in NBC’s Washington bureau, the grief-stricken network news division began to focus on the difficult task of identifying his successor.
Aside from Russert’s role as the host of the most-watched Sunday political talk show, the 58-year-old served as NBC’s Washington bureau chief and the network’s go-to analyst of this year’s presidential campaign.
UPDATE:
In an interview this afternoon, NBC News President Steve Capus said he has not made any decisions about who will step in for Russert on “Meet the Press” beyond this week, much less how to fill the other roles he played at the network.
“Tim is truly irreplaceable, and there’s no single person who can step in and do all this,” Capus said. “So we have a considerable list of roles that need to be filled. We’re just going to take them one at a time.”
Sens. Lindsey Graham and Joe Biden, who were scheduled to be interviewed by Russert on “Meet the Press” last weekend, will be Williams’ guests on Sunday. It’s unclear who will host the program on June 29.
“Right now, we’re looking at it week by week,” Capus said. “Brian is enormously talented, and it seemed like a logical place to turn for this weekend. But I haven’t been able think beyond that.”
In the days since his death, the question of who will inherit Russert’s moderator chair has been the subject of intense speculation in the television industry.
NBC News Chief White House Correspondent David Gregory, PBS’ Gwen Ifill and MSNBC’s Chris Matthews are considered contenders. NBC Political Director Chuck Todd is also viewed as a possible pick.
At Russert’s memorial service in Washington on Wednesday, longtime anchor Tom Brokaw made a passing reference to the chatter, saying that Russert would have been impressed by the audience assembled in the Kennedy Center, which included “the powerful, the ordinary, and the largest contingent of all in this room, those who think that they should be his successor on ‘Meet the Press.’ ”
In the interview today, Capus noted Russert’s outsized role in the news division, saying, “I don’t think you can go long without having someone step in and take on those responsibilities.”
But he said he has not figured out how long it will take to settle on Russert's successor.
“Tim had a 12-year contract, and we always thought that that’s one area we wouldn’t have to think about for a long, long time,” the news president said. “Just even trying to fathom it and come to a decision point –- it’s impossible to switch gears and begin doing that. It’s just too daunting and too overwhelming.”
Still, Capus acknowledged that “our friend would have wanted us to get on with it, and we will.”
On Friday, Russert’s colleagues in Washington will gather outside the bureau to raise the flag back up from half mast, where it has hung since his death.
“We believe that it’s a sign that it’s time to let the mourning give way to going forward,” Capus said.
-- Matea Gold
I know he doesn't have the political chops that Russert had, but I think Matt Lauer should have a shot at the job. He is a good interviewer and is similar to Russert in grace and class, and can hold his own with an interviewee.
Posted by: Rhonda S | June 19, 2008 at 12:12 PM
I agree that Matt Lauer might be a good person to be rotated through, if that is what NBC plans to do. I'd also like to see Bryant Gumbel given a shot at moderator.
Posted by: Jeannie Newman | June 19, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Get Chris Matthews. He's got the right stuff.
Posted by: John Oldenkamp | June 19, 2008 at 12:53 PM
They should get Rachel Maddow to be the moderator. She is smart, fair, and a rising star.
Posted by: kc | June 19, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Ugghh...you've got to be kidding me about Matt Lauer. He's not politically-savvy and a terrible interviewer! Interviewing the latest celebrity vs. leading experts on economic policies are not the same thing.
Posted by: firecracker | June 19, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Matthews always strikes me as slightly on the dumb side. Likeable, in a big lunk kind of way, but always slightly off the mark. My vote would be for Andrea Mitchell and David Gregory co-moderating, and giving permaguests Rachel Maddow or Eugene Robinson the host chair at race for the White House.
It's fun armchairing the network decisions.
Posted by: DJ in LA | June 19, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Don Imus!
Posted by: Cardinal Egan the Vegan | June 19, 2008 at 01:17 PM
Chris Matthews.
Posted by: Marlon | June 19, 2008 at 01:27 PM
Chris Matthews you got to be kidding me. While I like Chris, he is nowhere as good as Tim was. No one is. However if there was one thing Tim excelled in is that he allowed the quest/guests to answer his questions without ANY INTERUPTIONS a quality that Matthews will never develop. Sorry Chris but I have turned your program off on many occaisions because of this terrible irritating habit.
Posted by: JimR | June 19, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Wow, you'd think this story would have run its cycle by now, but never underestimate the media's ability to report on the media.
Posted by: Holden | June 19, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Hillary Clinton
Posted by: Carol | June 19, 2008 at 02:04 PM
Rachel Maddow would be awful as moderator. The idea that she is even remotely fair is absolutely insane. As for Matt Lauer, he does not give very penetrating interviews, and I don't think that he has the discipline to do what Tim Russert did by way of research. David Gregory is incredibly goofy on Road to the White House, and we all know where his political sympathies lie. NBC made the mistake of sending most of their political team over to MSNBC and trying to make MSNBC the liberal counterweight to Fox. Now, they need to find someone who can at least pretend to be fair/moderate. They have Andrea Mitchell, Brian Williams, and Tom Brokaw in the organization. I don't know how good of a moderator Brian Williams would be, and I doubt he could do both Nightly News and MTP well. Tom Brokaw could never be a long-term replacement, and he really seemed to be enjoying his retirement (he came across as the referee when he was MSNBC, and he didn't seem to enjoy the gig). Andrea Mitchell is, perhaps, their best option.
Posted by: GER | June 19, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Chuck Todd would grow nicely into the seat. He was handpicked by Russert and has the same real guy thing. Williams is fine as an anchor but not loose and more of a suit. I love Chris Mathews but he's fine on his own show but talks over people. Not great for this one.
Posted by: Nemo | June 19, 2008 at 02:24 PM
I will not watch that cornball Brian Williams. Matt Lauer? Who would seriously watch that?
Matthews is too harsh and rambles...Chuck Todd and David Schuster are good choices. A Rachael Maddow and some moderate conservative might be a good duo.
Posted by: rfm | June 19, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Gwen Ifill. She has the experience, the balls, intelligence, relationships and respect. It is time to diversify the white male dominated news shows, with the right qualified people. She can take on all of Tim Russert's roles. And she be signed to a long term contract.
Posted by: Patrick Christofer Riley | June 19, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Charlie Rose. He's the best interviewer on TV, period.
Posted by: Brett | June 19, 2008 at 02:40 PM
FORGET IT NOOOOOOOOOOO BODY IS QUALIFIED TO TAKE TIM'S PLACE.
TIM WAS A RARE GIFT FROM GOD--HIS FAITH WAS REAL--HE WAS NOT AFRAID OR ASHAMED TO SAY ''I LOVE THE LORD--HALF OF THESE GUYS ARE AFRAID THEY WILL LOSE RATINGS IF THEY MENTION GOD--JESUS OR THE LORDS NAME.
LET'S HOPE THEY HAVE LEARNED THE MEANING OF INTEGRITY--HONESTY--TRUST
AND THE FACT THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL..TIM LEFT A VOID THAT CAN'T BE FILLED EVER.SUNDAY MORNING WITH TIM WAS LIKE GOING TO CHURCH--
YOU KNEW YOU WERE GETTING READY TO HEAR THE TRUTH. HE EARNED ECERY HONOR BESTOWED UPON HIM.SOME PEOPLE ARE SO EVIL YOU WONDER WHERE THEY END UP NOT SO WITH TIM--YOU JUST KNOW HE'S IN HEAVEN.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE
Posted by: SHIRLEY MILLER | June 19, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Gwen Ifill She is an impressive person and Tim Russert nurtured her career. It would be a very appropriate way to honor Tim and welcome her back to the network. And, in all candor, it would be nice to see the Sunday morning talk shows, long dominated by white men, finally include a woman of color.
Posted by: Jeff De Cagna | June 19, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Chris Matthews is horrible. All he does is talk over people, and there's no one in the room more important to Chris Matthews than himself. David Gregory?? Ugh. The reality is that NBC has very few GOOD choices. Chuck Todd is one of them. I agree with the above post that described him as an "everyday" guy. That is what made Russert so damn good. NBC, you have a tough call to make... sure hope you make the right one. Russert turned this program into the premier political interview on tv. Keeping that going is a tall order.
Posted by: jeff | June 19, 2008 at 03:46 PM
I would agree with those who suggested Chuck Todd or Gwen Ifill. Let's not turn this into a "Hardball", nor can it be a "Countdown" as it would be if Rachael Maddow hosted. This needs to be a fair show, with both sides trusting the moderator. Of course no one can fill Tim Russert's shoes. Perhaps NBC should just retire the brand and come out with a totally new Sunday morning show.
Posted by: GaryS | June 19, 2008 at 04:26 PM