"Meet The Press" Successor To Be Named Soon, Short List Includes Gregory, Ifill, Mitchell, Todd

NBC executives are closing in on a decision about who will take over "Meet the Press," its venerable Sunday morning political talk show, with the announcement coming possibly on Dec. 7.

According to network sources, that may be Tom Brokaw's last day on the air as interim moderator of the program, a post he assumed after the sudden death of longtime host Tim Russert in June.

People close to the process said that they did not yet know who would be ultimately named to the job, arguably Washington's most powerful journalistic perch. The deliberations have been closely guarded by NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker and NBC News President Steve Capus, who have not yet made a decision, said spokeswoman Allison Gollust.

Barring a last-minute surprise, network insiders and television news observers expect the new moderator -- or moderators -- will be drawn from a short list of candidates that include NBC chief White House correspondent David Gregory, PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, NBC chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell and NBC political director Chuck Todd. Dark horses include CBS anchor Katie Couric, whose name was floated in internal discussions, according to two sources, but is apparently not interested.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Jhart320]

Gregory is a very poor choice. I hope they make the right decision and pick Todd.

[thecanadian]

Todd says it like it is!

[Jhart320]

Todd is best choice...NO to Gregory

[westendsunset]

Please NO Gregory! He can barely make it with his show...how is he ever going to succeed at MTP? Also, no to Ifill based on her ridiculous VP debate performance. My vote is for Todd and then Mitchell!

[MNmommy]

Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill Ifill

[MNmommy]

And NOT Gregory or Mitchell.

Blech.

[kmarko]

I have always thought that Chuck Todd was the natural successor to Russert, even before Brokaw was named interim host. I recall Todd from his days doing reports for Washington Journal from the Hotline and have always felt he was a rising star in the constellation of political journalists. Sure, he's young, but I think that's part of the appeal; he brings a fresh perspective and some of that youthful inherited wisdom cum skepticism that could help keep the Washington insider-caste honest.

...now, I wonder what ever happened to Vaunghn Ververs (another ex-Hotliner)...

[DrDemon]

I'm hoping Gwen Ifill gets it.

[Jessegirl]

Remember when TIM brought out actual flip-flops and showed them to Romney
during an interview?
Oh man!!!!!!!
That was the best!!!!!
Now which of these "bore-masters" is going to be like that?

[Jessegirl]

Please be Gwen!!!!!!

[Jessegirl]

I changed my mind.
Todd would be better...more 'pep' in his step. Much needed especially for Sunday morning.

[lisa58]

Ifill or Todd - Mitchell and Gregory don't know how to ask a question.

[smoothsmitty]

I really believe that Rachel Maddow, Chuck Todd and Lester Holt would be great !!! This would reflect a seriously new Meet the Press.

[lovethesinner]

Even if all these strong professionals were put together or used as a panel, I'm not sure you'd end up with anything even close to what Tim Russert brought to an interview. There really isn't any one person with his unique blend of intellect, humor, and "every man" common sense character.

[maxfax]

This is the best they have? Yuck, better to cancel MTP.

[Jessegirl]

lol

[StephenDedalus82]

Ifill or Todd. No Gregory, he's boring.

[ymuttley]

denis leary someone wrote,thats pretty good actually hahhaahh,wouldn't that be cool? But really My choice is either Gwen or Chuck Todd,these two at least are pretty fair,No tp Mitchell,and double no to gregory,he spent almost the entire election trying to get someone to say crappy things about Obama,so he could add to it.

[bungalow]

Two words: Ted Koppel.

[Jessegirl]

Hey we got Obama....we couldn't be that lucky.