Lesley Stahl Replaces Grieving Brian Williams As Peabodys Host, Remembers Tim Russert In Opening Speech

CBS' Lesley Stahl was a last-minute replacement for NBC's Brian Williams as the host of the 67th Annual George Foster Peabody Awards ceremony at New York's Waldorf Astoria Monday afternoon. Williams' NBC colleague, Tim Russert, died Friday afternoon at NBC's Washington bureau, where he served as bureau chief, and Williams released the following statement:

I hope you can all understand the degree to which our NBC News family is hurting right now. This morning represents my first opportunity to see my friends and co-workers and speak with our staff, as I just returned from Afghanistan a few hours ago. Of course, what makes this so sad has a lot to do with what the Peabodys represent: we have lost a great practitioner of the craft. We've lost a great friend, a great man, and some of us have lost a partner. My congratulations to this year's recipients, my thanks to Lesley for being there -- and may God bless Tim Russert.

Stahl opened the awards with a tribute of her own to Russert, explaining how he was the first to call any time she had a good interview, even though he was her chief competitor. "With that in mind, let's do some back-patting of each other today at the Peabodys," Stahl said.

Her full comments:

He was the Washington Bureau Chief at NBC when I was moderating "Face the Nation," and if I did a particularly good interview the first person who would call me was Tim Russert. And it's small and it's insignificant to all of you but it's just one more little act of kindness and that was who he was. And as everybody in this room knows, there is no higher compliment that makes you feel better than praise from a colleague and from our peers. So with that in mind...let's do some back-patting of each other today at the Peabodys.

Previously: Brian Williams To Emcee Peabody Awards

Comments

[UpstateNY]

I guess this proves that newsmen are human - a good thing.

I congratulate Brian Williams on having his priorities straight. He knew where he was needed and he went there and did what needed to be done!

[gbht12]

Why such hatred. Brian was having a hard time presenting awards because of Tim's death. God, cut the guy a break.

America is one hate filled nation, I know everyone is angry after having a selfish pri*ck of a president but if everyone puts that anger toward voting this year, maybe we can have a landslide and put the sorry ass republican's out on their ass*es.

Have a heart, cut Brian some slack, I was very upset to hear about Tim. I watched him every Sunday. It was a very sad thing.

[Eric8869]

I'd take Leslie Stahl over Brian Williams anyday. Love her.

[useyourbrain]

Maybe NBC should try something really new and get an up and coming journalist without all the TV baggage. Someone like Dick Cavett would be great. Not necessarily him, but it doesn't even have to be a true journalist. But someone who is more "interested" than interesting themselves. Someone who can get a politician to open up without even realizing it. As it is now, these talking head shows are just live action press releases.

[politicod]

NBC has someone like that. His name is Chuck Todd. He is their political director. He was hired by Russert, is very smart, is an academic and is up to date on the "new politics." Whenever he is on the air NBC News breathes fresh air. It says a lot for Russert that he was able to identify this level of talent and bring it over to NBC.

[biglover]

Me too. I think she's a terrific interviewer.

[LollieDotCom]

We all admire Tim so much. I pray every single one of us put some teeth in our admiration by being more like him in whatever we can. I'm going to copy his favorite rules, values and beliefs in his book about Big Russ and keep em handy to keep me on track. I can't ever be like him. But I can be more like him than I am.

I think he should be made a saint. The one that watches over the fourth estate. The one I'll pray to for relevant truth and mass insights.

[useyourbrain]

STOP THE MADNESS!!!

Russert seemed to be a great father and human being and a relatively good journalist (but he played "gotcha" too often and to no good effect). But to have this media orgy of coverage and self-serving chest beating is enough.

Would they give 1/10 of this attention to the soldiers fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. But that wouldn't be about them, would it. Their public "grieving" is too self-serving. I feel embarrassed for them -- why don't they.

[esquire07]

Dead US Troops = Halliburton Profts = Money in Dick Cheney's Bloody Criminal Pockets.

The Press won't cover that, becuase the press is the Establishment. They have there greedy hand in the pot.

American's do not care about the dead or maimed troops.

[Village]

Brian Williams is working like mad to get at least one of Russet's jobs, and he can't be gone right now because someone might jump the line. Call me a cynic.

[elan4444]

Thank you Tom, for not rushing to the office to parade your personal feelings in front of the world.

[KarateKid]

Lesley Stahl should be the new moderator of MTP. i wonder if she can get out of her CBS contract. She should have been the anchor, not Katie Cutie.

[thankulord13]

Why would she leave 60 minutes? Sunday morning political show is not where I think she wants to end her career... 60 Minutes is a few steps up from MTP or any other Sunday morning show...

[KarateKid]

On MTP she would fly solo, as she would as CBS Evening News Anchor. She's one of 5 or 6 on 60 Minutes.

[SarahLee]

I guess the age of strong men has ended.

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

What a mean thing to say. I guess the age of gracious women has ended.

[cmdrgmh]

Brian and Tom both need to mourn. They havent been able to let thier feelings out yet. Tom did break down yesterday during MTP . They need to get it out now. Our hearts go out to all of the wonderful NBC and MSNBC Team.

[MyThought]

Brian Williams isn't much of a trooper is he.

[midwesthousewife]

Hmmm...let's see...he has lost a really close friend and colleague, just returned from a trip overseas, long flight, returning to a scene of grief. Have you ever been in such circumstances? Ever notice how people who have had a death in the family don't come to work for a week or so? Good for Brian to have his priorities in order!

[w&cheneysuck]

Well said!

[partisanpolitico]

Please tell me you were joking there. if you weren't, that might make the top ten douchey-ist comments on HuffoPo. My jokey radar is on the fritz so ......

[MarkInIrvine]

some people just don't have much empathy in them. too bad.

[aintnanny]

Who peed in your Cheerios this morning?

[jukesgrrl]

Let it be said that Lesley Stahl's always been a class act.

[Smirk]

She has been. And so has Mr. Russert.