Tom Brokaw Hosts Special Meet The Press, Honors Russert With Empty Chair, Video Montage (VIDEO)

This morning, NBC News opened its iconic Meet The Press show with a moment of silence and with the set dressed in what amounts to a "missing man" formation, honoring the life of Meet the Press host, Tim Russert. Tom Brokaw hosted today's special edition of MTP, which included a montage of some of Russert's great interview moments.

TOM BROKAW: "Our issues this Sunday." Tim Russert started every edition of Meet The Press with those four words. And those were the words he was preparing to record when he collapsed and died on Friday at the NBC studios in Washington. Now his moderator's chair is empty. His voice has been stilled. And our issue this sad Sunday morning is remembering and honoring our colleague and our friend with some of the men and women who worked with him and appeared here on Meet The Press, who knew him best and loved him most.

Watch Brokaw and the special Meet the Press panel remember Russert's life and legacy.

Read HuffPost's complete coverage of Russert's tragic death, including video tributes from his colleagues and details of his extraordinary life and career.

Comments

[vocalist]

I just wonder what Don Imus said about Tim. Russert was a regular on Imus`s show, particularly after he wrote his book, and with lot support from Imus the book became a best seller.
Then of course Imus entered the next phase of his life.

[elan4444]

Within a few hours of this man's passing, his colleagues were on the air, talking about his amazing career. One of them referred to how lucky the three of them were, just working class guys, how did they get so lucky to be in such privileged positions? He actually said "we married well," as one of the attributes. Married well? I didn't think that was a term anymore. Not since George Washington acquired property by marrying Martha Custis has that term been relevant. Certainly, we extend our condolences to the family, but I did think some of the comments were odd, and that the colleagues might have grieved privately instead of "instantly" giving us the news of his death plus remembrances. Just didn't seem right somehow.

[mergina]

I will miss Russert on the mtp show. gonna be hard to find a replacement.

[vocalist]

Not so hard if they look in the direction of Gwen Ifill.

[ScandalousCandice]

It was real tough seeing Brokaw choke up. You don't see that everyday. A seasoned ace like Brokaw in tears on air. That always gets me to cry is when I see men cry. Chuck Todd on Friday discussing the way he knew and was mentored by Tim Russert was tough too. He had red wiped eyes. And seeing Olbermann with a red nose and tired sad eyes like he had spent the whole day crying.

This has been a very surreal loss. I have never felt this sort of loss before for someone in the news. Even for a celebrity. Tomorrow should be tough seeing Luke on the Today show discussing his father. This family epitomizes the male family bonding of father and son. It's a classic all American family and it going to be hard to see him talk about it.

[Strywever]

You know what really touched me about this segment? Watching Brokaw choke up, then seeing his colleague Mike Barnicle step in to provide cover while Brokaw regained his composure. How well that moment revealed the mutual respect, admiration, and concern these hard-charging men have for each other! It was a lovely thing to see, and I like to believe Russert was warmed by it, as well -- wherever he is.

[HardLeft]

Classy show this morning. There's still a journalistic heartbeat at NBC.

[sayinisayu]

NBC really gave a great and deserving tribute to Tim. The emotion of losing a co-worker was very personal for me, God Bless Tim and his friends and family

[PaleMail]

MSNBC is into day 3 of "Rembering Tim Russert". Overdoing it I'd say. As an aside, will the station continue to tolerate Joe Scarborough and sidekick Mikka?

[vocalist]

I think CNN paid a much better tribute, more respectful .

[Ozy]

As with so many families on this small planet the fleeting spark of life we are so fortunate to have loving people to enjoy our brief existence with. We wonder why some of us must leave so soon.

I can only see societies glorification of one man's life shallow, when they’re many others for whom a breath is not whispered.

My empathy is sincere for all families.

When our children join those on a path of no return we may appreciate the fact that they are not alone on this journey. Our fallen treasures, from wars today, must be equally as respected as anyone in our family

The NBC network families have done a wonderful tribute to Mr. Russerts life and work.

Out of respect to honor Mr. Russert I feel All of our Families especially Network NEWS should use every means necessary to get the rules changed to require Our government to remove any and all restrictions on showing the coffins of our dead soldiers coming home and offer a prayer of tribute to respect on their service and honor their lives on this final journey as should have been done in the beginning.

Rest in peace Mr. Russert.

[kcam44]

I really did miss TIm this morning. It was sad not being able to watch him. God Bless Him

[ShockandAutism]

The word that keeps coming to mind whether talking about him personally or professionally seems to be decent. He was just a decent man.

Thanks for all your years of service to us. Thanks Tim.

[Irons]

I stopped watching Russert when the US didn't find WMD in Iraq and MTP treated it as a non-issue.

[scooperss]

Yep.

[XME]

In addition to his family, I find myself thinking of how interested and excited he was by politics and presidential elections, especially this year, and how sad it is that he won't be he to "see how it all turns out"...and to be a part of that on MSNBC on election night.

[Tages72]

Both major Spanish-language TV networks have mentioned Tim's death. Telemundo referred to him as a colleague, since it is an NBC affiliate. Univision (Telemundo's chief competitor) mentioned Tim twice on the day he died.

That's a first for these guys, I believe. Tim's appeal crossed over language barriers with ease.

Adios, Tim. Descansa en paz.

[justwaitandsee]

I was watching a tribute to Tim Russert Saturday morning on MSNBC and Joe Scarborough appeared to be interviewing for the job on Meet the Press… I got the strong suspicion that his Republican friends are privately pushing for him to pursue this job… And if ever there were a person who should never replace Russert it is Joe Scarborough.

…He actually had the nerve to compare his show to Meet the Press, trying to lead one to believe that Morning Joe had the same type of credibility and Integrity that Meet the Press has….You have got to be kidding… The way Morning Joe handled to Reverend Wright Story, Senator Obama’s “bowling” and intentionally misinterpreting Michelle Obama statement about being proud that Americans are getting involved in the voting process and in the same breath given major passes to Senator McCain’s confusion on Sunni and Shiites, his lack of economy experience, His Pastor (S) problems, His Second Wife Cindy’s admitted drug use and the fact she stole from her own foundation… Now can you imagine if Senator Obama had an affair with the woman who is now his wife, Joe Scarborough would have ran this story over and over again, and without acknowledging his own martial indiscretions with his first wife…. There is no way NBC can consider making Joe the hypocrite Scarborough the next anchor of Meet the Press.

[dayala]

I agree, Scarborough is a partisan hypocrite, it would be great to see a woman anchor take over after
60 years, I nominate Hillary Clinton, I think she'd be great, she's a lawyer and politician just like Tim was and boy will she have those Washington scoundrels sh*tting in their pants.

[PaleMail]

Weird how the boring pontificator, Joe Scarborough, fills up so much MSNBC onair space. I expect he'll be pink-slipped soon enough.

[TheImpaler]

Amy Goodman to host MTP. Just dreaming!!! Meet the Press was and, with “Reporters” like him, will always be a joke. With that said, my condolences to his family.

[ChurchAndState]

...............this f**ken sucks. Meet the Press is a staple of my DVR recording schedule. Couldn't watch it this morning. I was too bummed.