Brian Williams To Fill In On "Meet The Press" Sunday

NEW YORK — Top NBC anchorman Brian Williams will host the next "Meet the Press" but the network hasn't chosen who will permanently replace Tim Russert, an NBC News spokeswoman said Thursday.

The guests will be Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Joe Biden, D-Del., who had been lined up to speak with Russert last week.

Tom Brokaw was the host Sunday, two days after Russert died of a heart attack. The show was turned into a tribute to its longtime host.

Brokaw joked about jockeying for the job while speaking at Russert's memorial service in Washington on Wednesday, and the MSNBC cameras cut to a shot of Steve Capus, the NBC News president who will be making that decision.

NBC News reporters David Gregory and Andrea Mitchell are considered possible permanent choices, along with "Hardball" host Chris Matthews. Williams, anchorman of "NBC Nightly News," could do it but that would make for a tough schedule. There is also some sentiment toward having Brokaw, the longtime nightly news anchor, do the job temporarily.

It's an important decision for NBC, since "Meet the Press" was a clear leader in the Sunday morning talk show ratings, chiefly on the strength of Russert's personality. The show reportedly makes more than $60 million in revenue for the network and often had a waiting list for advertisers.

NBC also needs to find someone who will fill Russert's role as Washington bureau chief.

Comments

[dawn1041]

If any of these three people are chosen to replace Tim Russert's, I will no longer look at Meet the Press: David Gregory and Andrea Mitchell are considered possible permanent choices, along with "Hardball" host Chris Matthews. Williams, anchorman of "NBC Nightly News,"

Tim Russert's son, Luke would be a great pick!

[PineyWoods]

Why are people looking past Chuck Todd?

Todd's got a brilliant analytical mind and seems like he's absorbed Russert's lessons well. Why not give him a shot?

He may not be as flashy and polished as the others, but you know Russert, God rest his soul, pretty much looked like a bartender. But you could relate to him and he was brilliant.

Chuck Todd for Meet The Press.

As for Washington bureau chief, I'm rooting big time for Andrea Mitchell. She's earned it. Look at her resume. Plus she seems like a grown up voice on cable TV. She's the right person for it.

[Jezreel]

David Shuster would be better than Andrea Mitchell and much better than David Gregory. Chris Matthews seems constitutionally unable to let his guests finish a sentence. Brian Williams might be OK but Tom Brokaw would do a better job than Williams, I think.

[HeevenSteven]

I nominate David Shuster.

[HeevenSteven]

Oh good, I was afraid I might be tempted to watch; but Williams takes care of that problem.

[bigchris]

Williams Abrams and Gregory suck!! Get Brokaw to host the show and be done with it

[Cunningham]

How about NONE of the above?

I'd rather see Chuck Todd give it a try rather than Gregory, Mitchell, Williams, Matthews, or Brokaw.

[BlueOnBlue]

NBC should go back to the original Meet the Press format. For decades, the way it worked was that political guests would face a panel of correspondents, instead of just one interviewer. With this format, the host could be rotated among the participating newspeople or could be sort of the "chair" of the panel, as Lawrence Spivak was for years.

It was a good format.

[mfsomom]

Well, it had to be someone temporarily. I was sure it would go to Brokaw. MTP is my Sunday appt. TV, but if Chris Matthews takes over, I'll go elsewhere. His style and temperment do not suit the format. This is going to be a toughie. Impossible shoes to fill. I miss Tim tremendously. I think David Gregory may fit, even Andrea Mitchell. Why not Barnicle Tim's best friend? He has a similar style, and surely would be motivated to honor his friend by giving it his all. He is a smart man.....

I don't envy NBC, but I'll tell you, this election is SO important, they won't get a second chance to get it right.

[drzoon]

Lara Logan!

i just saw her on with Jon Stewart... and man, that lady is tough as nails and smart as a whip! i can't think of ANYONE who has that on ANY network except her!

i know she's at CBS... and is probably headed back to Iraq (where she has been for five years)... but i bet she is "get-able" for the right price!

[PineyWoods]

I bet she's gettable at any price. What the heck does she know about politics?

There are a lot of smart people who would suck on MTP. Not good enough to be smart ... have to be competent, too.

[Intelinside]

Why not Tim's wife and/or son?

[Illinoissuburbanvoter]

Brian Williams?

That's who they come up with?

You've gotta be kidding me!

They'd better not make this permanent, here come the "Saturday Night Live" skits.

He could never measure up to Tim Russert, however I'll watch this Sunday to see where he takes MTP.

[partyofone]

zzzzzzz

[SlappHappy]

I see Joe Scarborough ditched the crappy sweaters and was wearing a nice suit this morning. He must think he's still in the running.

[Illinoissuburbanvoter]

NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO SCARBOROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PKSSK]

Brian Williams is not even close to the caliber of Tim Russert. Brian cannot even look a democrat in the eye nevermind pretend to interview one. He, like Charlie Gibson, demonstrates his republican bias in every interview/debate/comment that comes out of his mouth. Chris Matthews could never do the job because he still has no clue that an interview means you ask a question and then shut your mouth so you can LISTEN to the complete response of the guest before opening your mouth with a follow up question.

The one person who could follow Tim Russert is Al Hunt of Bloomberg News. Like Tim, he has an extensive backgound in politics, he is briliiant, has integrity, fair minded and strong family values. Al Hunt is street smart , principled and honest, just like Tim.