Replacing Russert: Williams To Host MTP This Sunday; Russert's Saturday Show Replaced By Doc Programming

No permanent decisions have been made about replacing Tim Russert as moderator of "Meet The Press," or replacing Tim Russert as NBC Washington bureau chief, or replacing him on his Saturday MSNBC show, or in any other of the many roles he held within NBC News — but still, Sunday is happening in two days, and there's an empty chair that needs filling. So, for this week, at least, Russert will be replaced on "Meet The Press" by NBC News anchor and managing editor Brian Williams.

No permanent decisions have been made, and the only other announcement that has been made about the show is two guests: Senators Lindsey Graham and Joe Biden, both of whom were supposed to appear on the MTP of June 15, 2008. The senators were slated for the first half hour, with a roundtable comprised of Dan Balz and John Harwood; no word yet on whether there will be a roundtable for this show or who will participate in it. Williams will be replaced on "Nightly News" tonight and tomorrow night by Ann Curry.

But what of Russert's Saturday show? He had taped his final show — also with Harwood — prior to his death last Friday, but MSNBC did not air it last week and will not air it this week. According to MSNBC spokesperson Jeremy Gaines, the timeslots will be temporarily filled as follows: Saturday at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 2a.m. ET - documentary programming; Sunday at 11 a.m. - live news.

Details to come when they are available.

Comments

[jaypem]

Katie Couric

[SoYaThink]

1. Not Brian Williams

2. Diane Sawyer

3. Matt Lauer

4. Luke Russert

5. Andrea Mitchell

6. Patrick Joseph Murphy

Let me explain #6 - I saw this "Patrick Joseph Murphy" on the The Colbert Report, back in April, and I was struck at how much he reminded me of a young Tim Russert's truth and integrity. Not just that - but he was a stunning personality - young (35ish), killer smart, journalist, an Iraq War Veteran who had just written a book, "Taking the Hill" . Check this kid out on the web . . . he is going places!

[BlueOnBlue]

"Check this kid out on the web . . . he is going places!"

He has already gone places. Patrick Joseph Murphy is a first term Democratic Congressman from Pennsylvania's 8th District.

I would think this will keep him to busy to moderate Meet the Press.

However, I agree with you that he's a great guy. I've met him and heard him speak to groups both small and large. He's got a good head on his shoulders. On the downside, he's a member of the Blue Dog coalition of conservative Democrats in the House.

[iswideopen]

I vote for Keith Olbermann. (he is fine tuning his skills and his tone). He would make Tim Russert proud. Americans could stay truthfully informed regarding politics.

[comingawakening]

Bill Moyers?
Phil Donahue?

[Candace8383]

MOYERS!!!!

[EricSaeger]

I was thinking Moyers, too. They'd never do it (or Donahue), but it's a fun fantasy.

Bet you it ends up being Mitchell.

[tlawson]

Andrea Mitchell: I like her but she is too emotional and conduct only softball interview. I want someone who can hold our leaders accountable. Not someone who can play nice with a good smile. I don't recommend her.

Dan Abrams: The clean cut guy. I like Dan but I don't think he wants that job. Having been a general manager before he knows the responsibilty that comes with money maker show which is MTP.

Brian Williams: The charming and polite brian. I like him too but I think he currently is satisfied with his show.

Joe Scarborough: The only punk at MSNBC who can't stand a female challenging him. That is childish. Walk away because you are being challenged by a female. He takes revenge on the poor Mika early in the morning. He is condescending and very often off the mark and topic in his analysis. I am looking forward to the day MSNBC will get rid of him. I am a man too and I don`t like a man who disrepect female. I don't recommend this guy.

Tom Brokaw: The wiser, I don't think he has the energy to put up with that show.

The person that I will seriously recommend MSNBC is "JOHN HARWOOD" from NYT and also works for MSNBC. This guy is good. I really like him. He is very objective, very polite, and always thoughtful in his intervention. This guy will be the best to handle that show.

Folks! Let's push for JOHN HARWOOD

[kroses98]

He is a LIGHTWEIGHT!

[tlawson]

Second part:


Andrea Mitchell: I like her but she is too emotional and conduct only softball interview. I want someone who can hold our leaders accountable. Not someone who can play nice with a good smile. I don't recommend her.

Dan Abrams: The clean cut guy. I like Dan but I don't think he wants that job. Having been a general manager before he knows the responsibilty that comes with money maker show which is MTP.

Brian Williams: The charming and polite brian. I like him too but I think he currently is satisfied with his show.

Joe Scarborough: The only punk at MSNBC who can't stand a female challenging him. That is childish. Walk away because you are being challenged by a female. He takes revenge on the poor Mika early in the morning. He is condescending and very often off the mark and topic in his analysis. I am looking forward to the day MSNBC will get rid of him. I am a man too and I have man who disrepect female. I don't recommend this guy.

Tom Brokaw: The wiser, I don't think he has the energy to put up with that show.

The person that I will seriously recommend MSNBC is "JOHN HARWOOD" from NYT and also works for MSNBC. This guy is good. I really like him. He is very objective, very polite, and always thoughtful in his intervention. This guy will be the best to handle that show.

Folks! Let's push JOHN HARWOOD :.

[susane07]

I think they should rotate it for a while and see who rises above the flock before naming a permanent replacement. I think Andrea M could handle it well. John Harwood is another good choice. Joe Scarborough, like Chris Matthews, interrupts people too often. Dan Abrams is simply too obnoxioius. Brian Williams could do a pretty good job but he may be too dapper. David G seems too reticent at times. Chuck T. could be good.

NBC/MSNBC must get more women and minorities in program leadership roles. It's too white bread.

[Daly]

Agreed. I'd even say go with someone bold enough to have their own mind... a la Lara L, Rachael M, in this case lets not recycle

[FreedomFriend]

Chuck T? The guy from Public Enemy? ; )

[tlawson]

Chris Matthews: definitely not Chris. I have never seen any TV journalist that cut off his own guess on the show. Chris makes me seek and plays too much politics instead holding accountable our leaders. He dimishes his guesses on the show by making some awkward remarks even with his colleague at NBC. I don't see him getting Tim chair. I know he wants that job but he will not get it. I will never recommend this guy for the job.

Keith Olbe....: He already took himself out of the list which I thought was smart. He said on his show tonight he is not qualify for the job and is not seeking it. He made those statements while responding to a gossip that him and Chris are seeking the job and if he does not get it he will quit MSNBC. I do like Keith though because not that I agree with his political views but he makes me laugh a lot with comments.

David Gregory: He is OK and can do the job. He can be tough in interview. The only problem I have with him and I don't think he has a lot of connections or sources around washington. That is what made Tim great. I will recommend her as the last choice.

[TNT2008]

David Schuster!

[nonofyabusiness]

Your kiddng, right.?I like David S. but not on MTP (Inside edition maybe)

[LiarLiarIraqsOnFire]

I'd love it, but it's not going to happen.

[liberalsrheros]

i stopped watching washington week on pbs, ecause ifil traffics in the same msm nonsense and beltway logic that helped us to this point.

[monac58]

Oh not Brian Williams! Talk about someone putting you to sleep. His voice is like a drone and he is too conservative to be a replacement for Tim Russert. They need to find someone who can keep his own personal political views to himself. That is something that Brian Williams is not able to do.

[Plus15]

Newsreader Brian Williams is a sad choice to follow Tim Russert as moderator of Meet the Press.
The fact that he has presented and proved himself as a right wing leaning partisan, check his blog comments and carefully slanted political story coverage, should disqualify him immediately.

His performance on the last Primary night surrounded on screen by Matthews, Olbermann and Russert with Brokaw popping up now and again illustrated his embarrassing shallowness and how little he belonged in that company of news people. Of them all he's the one clearly "cast" in the role.

Note: David Gregory is still licking the Bush Administration Kool Aid off his lips. MTP is not the best vehicle for the best Olbermann and it would show Matthews at his worst, flip flopping from guest to guest within the show and the subject for where reality and his notorious man crushes land. Agreeing almost always with the person infront of him no matter how madly contradictory to his last comment. Dan Abrams? he's got a long way to go, a lot of knowledge to absorb, his attempt at mimicing an Olbermann style show is often pathetic as he himself has said, he's not cool. His questions make him seem a political naif. Chuck Todd, numbers guy, political amateur.

NBC will have to go outside if they intend to continue Meet the Press at the level that it's at now. You need some gravitas, deep political knowledge and experience in the world.

[Liberoservative]

I vote for Richard Engel

[Eisen4Life]

I can't imagine they'd choose anyone besides David Gregory, Norah O'Donnell, or Andrea Mitchell.

[Plus15]

With Andrea Mitchell there's too much chance that it would make MTP the Mrs. Alan Greenspan Show.


Norah O"Donnell? You must be kidding, she's cast for looks. Watch her appearances on the Primary coverage and it was all a big snooze, time to go to the kitchen, a stage wait as we waited for the real coverage to return.

[Yuma]

Also, she is going to have another baby very soon.

[plebeianswillrevolt]

BiWi .... Not an impressive choice. Too damn polite to everyone. Great trait for a minister, or for an Undertaker, ... terrible for an investigative journalist.

In the days of softball PR journalist, I'm giving odds on Matt Lauer. (I am an Insider, so I know things you don't).

[dr4Will]

certainly hope the weak Williams doesn't become the permanent host--he is one of the media whores who pitch softball questions to get special favors from the guests and Bush