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The New Host Of NBC’s MEET THE PRESS Is …

Published at:  Jun 22, 2008 10:45:02 PM CDT

I am – Hercules



Former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw will serve as “Meet The Press” moderator at least until we elect another U.S. president.

Brokaw succeeds Tim Russert, who unexpectedly passed away June 13.

“Meet The Press” is the longest-running show on television.

Read all of Variety’s story on the matter here.




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    Readers Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 10:46:19 PM CDT

    I thought it was nice to get Brokaw to do the Russert story.

    by chiahead

    And I'm all for him doing MTP.

    Miss Tim...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 10:48:18 PM CDT

    is this just a delay?

    by badmrwonka

    so they don't have to decide right away? Olbermann really wants it, but I'm sure he's too partisan. I doubt Brokaw gets the gig for the duration. Russert had an heir apparent, but he's a behind the scenes guy, so it'll be interesting to see if they honor Russert's wishes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 10:51:47 PM CDT

    I want Olbermann to Meet the Press

    by theredtoad

    Because one show with Keith Olbermann just isn't enough for me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 10:56:13 PM CDT

    Carrot Top!

    by br1947

    The one person who can unite the country, because we all fucking hate him.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 10:56:54 PM CDT

    I'd like Olbermann too

    by renonevada2000

    Too bad he has stated that he doesn't consider himself qualified and has publically announced that he is not going after the job. (Much to the annoyance of that idiot writer for New York Post's Page Six and anyone follish enough to believe her bunkum...)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 10:57:45 PM CDT

    Seriously tho, they should end the show.

    by br1947

    Let Brokaw carry it thru the election & finish Russert's work. Then let it go, start over, because Russert WAS 'Meet the Press'.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:00:43 PM CDT

    Yackbacker is right

    by nohubris

    This isn't too exciting at all.George Stephanopoulos is going to give Brokaw a real serious run for his money when it comes to election coverage.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:01:48 PM CDT

    Gwen Ifill

    by pabodie

    I like him, but he doesn't have the gravitas for this yet. I'd like to see Gwen Ifill do it. MTP host is the defacto dean of TV journalists. It ought to be someone with impeccable credentials as well as skill and acumen. Other candidates I'd hope will be considered: Joe Scarborough (an insider and watchable) and Fareed Zakaria (might be a bit too foreign policy-oriented for a general issues show).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:03:31 PM CDT

    Oops, "him" meant Olbermann

    by pabodie

    haste makes haste

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:10:13 PM CDT

    they should've gotten Bill Monroe back as moderator.

    by boomers_lips

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:14:01 PM CDT

    good move i think.

    by postalpez

    seems like a good fit.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:18:39 PM CDT

    Olberman

    by offensivename

    Olberman is much too biased for Meet the Press. I like the guy alright, but his views are extremely liberal and he lets his emotions show way too often to effectively host "Meet the Press" and keep it a nonpartisan show. That's why they're using Brokaw for the time being. He's a face people know, but as an anchor he's never been allowed to put his personal views into his work (unlike his counterpart Dan Rather). Another strike against Olberman is his background. While he's obviously been doing politics for a while now, the majority of his previous work was in sports. He's never been involved in politics directly or really worked as a field reporter as far as I know. That's probably why he said he wasn't qualified.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:19:22 PM CDT

    Olbermann saying he doesn't want it is bullshit...

    by big dumb ape

    He's just publicly putting on the airs that he doesn't want it or saying he's "not qualified" to cover one simple fact: He really did want it, but behind the scenes the NBC brass realized he's waaaaaay too partisan and divisive to give the job to.MSNBC is already under enough attack and scrutiny by other media outlets for tipping so far to the left in its political coverage and commentators, and I can assure you that internally the NBC News division is NOT happy being lumped in with them. In fact, many in NBC News consider MSNBC to be a bastard stepchild. So in the end, not only would putting Olbermann in center seat potentially cause more rancor within the respective news divisions, but it would definitely cut into MEET THE PRESS' ratings, which frankly are already going to take a heavy hit given the loss of Russert who really WAS the show, I mean if we want to be 100% honest about this. And you can bet the bank on this: NBC desperately wants to keep MTP ratings somewhat stable since -- politics aside -- the show brings in millions of dollars. And that's a ratings winner and a cash cow that NBC needs given how totally shitty all their other shows are doing.And by the way, I say all this with complete confidence given that I have close friends who work at NBC News, and I'm talking at high levels too...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:23:23 PM CDT

    This is just a stop-gap decision.

    by mr. nice gaius

    And a smart one. But it's kind of sad to think that the only NBC tele-journalist worthy of taking Russert's place (for any amount of time) is the SEMI-RETIRED Tom Brokaw.NBC is reeling from Russert's death. They really don't have a viable candidate that can succeed him at this time. Olbermann will not and SHOULD NOT do it. He is admittedly too partisan and would steer MTP into bobble-head territory. Same with Chris Matthews. Although he seems to have less of a partisan axe to grind than Olbermann, he's prone to running his mouth and making rather embarrassing statements.I've heard mention of guys like David Gregory and Chuck Todd (personally hired by Russert) being considered for the chair. However, I'm not sure either one of them has the overall journalism/TV personality package required for the job.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:36:35 PM CDT

    It also sad to think...

    by nohubris

    ...that during this election cycle on MPT, we'll be without the tough, cross examination-style questions Russert doled out.Brokaw is a stalwart anchor, but nowhere near Russert with respect to high-powered, deeply thoughtful, rapid fire questioning.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 22, 2008 11:54:41 PM CDT

    Mr. Nice Gaius

    by offensivename

    You're right about Matthews being much less partisan than Olberman and you're also right that he gets carried away sometimes and seems almost child-like, which I don't think would be a great fit for "Meet the Press" although I admitedly love him on Hardball. Chuck Todd or David Gregory might could pull it off, but I don't know if either of them really has the gravitas to pull it off. I especially can't see Chuck Todd going mano y mano with the most powerful people in the country. Maybe it's something they could grow into though. I'm sure Russert wasn't the standard bearer from day one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:09:59 AM CDT

    It'd be great if we could just keep Tom.

    by lyghthouse

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:10:08 AM CDT

    George Carlin R.I.P.

    by phil connors

    Would have been a great host for Meet the Press.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:14:19 AM CDT

    The first crash happened in

    by oquatanginwann

    bu bu bu bu Bukkake

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:15:29 AM CDT

    Carlin Died?!?!

    by thrillho77

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:20:32 AM CDT

    The third...

    by busdriverstu

    Carlin...that sucks. A giant in political news, a giant in film, and now a giant in comedy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:29:00 AM CDT

    Going to miss Carlin

    by dingleberry jones

    My old man and I used to watch the shit out of Carlin on old VHS tapes. It was some of the best times. We didn't even know the names of the specials, we just referred to them as "the one where he wore the green turtleneck" or "that one where he wore the light blue v-neck". Jesus, what a pisser. Going to miss you around here George.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:34:41 AM CDT

    are you guys shitting me?????

    by bacci40

    he was just bitching about the world...he cant be dead...please say it aint so...oh fucking christ...this is serious...im now officially going into a deep depression

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:41:20 AM CDT

    A fucking LEGEND is gone.

    by otm shank

    George Carlin was a hero of mine. Goddammit! Sir R.I.P.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:44:42 AM CDT

    didnt we all just get done crying for stan?

    by bacci40

    and please, no one post that abe vigoda laffs at you all...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:48:35 AM CDT

    He's an okay fill-in

    by throwmetheidol

    But for the longterm MTP desperately needs a new person under 50 to build for the future.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:59:12 AM CDT

    Brokaw is a marquee name...

    by dasinfogod

    ..but the baton should be passed onto Chuck Todd and probably will after the November election sweeps. He's got the Russert tie-ins but isn't quite "telegenic" enough yet, whatever the fuck that means. I'm guessing MSNBC will bring him more to the forefront in the months ahead, and if he develops a marketable style, they'll tap him after Brokaw steps aside. Or, you never know; Brokaw may pull a Bob Shieffer and just never go away once if he hits a stride... David Gregory is a dark horse, but he's got a lot of baggage leftover from the White House gig. We'll see...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 1:56:14 AM CDT

    Chuck Todd is great.

    by snakecharmer

    Chuck isn't a person who's seeking personal attention. Chuck, like Russert, is about the news and it's effects. Todd will grow into the position and continue to grow what Russert built. Williams did a good job this weekend. We'll see how Brokaw does.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 3:14:01 AM CDT

    Brokaw was the obvious choice, BUT...

    by mullah omar

    I doubt he'd have any interest in staying on long-term, but I guess you never know. And I imagine he saw this as kind of a duty to journalism and NBC, especially now that we're deep into the presidential race.


    Still, when I think of journalists who can effectively, aggressively, and fairly cross-examine leaders, I don't think of Brokaw. Russert really occupied a unique niche in journalism and filling his shoes in the long term is going to be tough.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 5:29:46 AM CDT

    Chuck Todd

    by zootrain

    As I was thinking about potential replacements, my thoughts were that Chuck Todd was the obvious choice. His only issue is that he doesn't exactly crackle with personality...but I think he would definitely get the job done.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 7:09:53 AM CDT

    Bu . . . Er . . . Boo . . . Uh . . .

    by nice marmot

    Bukake!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 7:42:17 AM CDT

    Tom Brokaw....

    by emeraldboy

    anyone who read his book. knows that is a really white picket fences kind of guy. He is a 100% conservative. hunter, fisher, shooter that kind of thing. In fact you could replace tom brokawwwww with a robot version and nobody would notice. He wouldnt ask any tough questions. except maybe to democrats. But not to republicans.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 7:43:52 AM CDT

    More like the OLD host of Meet the Press is

    by milton waddams

    Well,
    That should make the octogenarians who watch network news happy.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 7:50:40 AM CDT

    "Gerald Ford was mauled to death by a circus lion today ..."

    by behemoth

    "senselessly."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 8:11:14 AM CDT

    BROKAW KNOWS NO EQUAL

    by shigeru

    HE GOES HOME EVERY NIGHT TO KATIE COURIC AND TELLS HER TO MAKE HIM MUFFINS. WHEN THE ROBOT APOCALYPSE HAPPENS BROKAW WILL LEAD MAN IN HIS GLORIOUS REBEL UPRISING.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 8:40:52 AM CDT

    David Gregory

    by turd furgeson

    After the election, they should give the job to David Gregory. He's respected, sits in the front row at White House press conferences and has tons of experience. He also looks the part. he's also like Russert in that he can beat the shit out of an interviewee and not seem like an asshole.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 8:47:32 AM CDT

    What? No spoiler warning??

    by mondoz2

    Thanks guys, way to ruin the best show in history for me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 9:01:20 AM CDT

    NBC are ballless sacks of shit

    by itchy

    If they had any nutsack, they'd have taken the tired, venerable show in a new direction. They should have gotten Carrot Top to host it. I'd love to see Obama have to debate the issues of the day with that whack cracka.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 9:05:02 AM CDT

    Brokaw is no conservative

    by rowdyroddystriper

    I love how just cause someone comes from the Midwest and hunts they must be a conservative mouth breather. Brokaw is a Liberal just like the others, except he hides it better.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 9:16:22 AM CDT

    BOB COSTAS could do this

    by mullah omar

    Now THAT is a guy who is as sharp, articulate, and likeable as Russert was. Whether he knows much about politics or would ever be interested in abandoning sports for politics, I don't know. But he's finally somebody I thought of who at least has the right sort of presence to succeed with MEET THE PRESS.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 9:48:33 AM CDT

    no subject

    by justice41

    Charlie Rose is the best to take over this show. But they'll have to expand the hour to two just so Charlie can finish his questions.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 9:53:33 AM CDT

    David Gregory

    by luscious.868

    David Gregory is a jackass. You want a guy who has called into a TV show clearly either drunk of high?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-BbjUSAD6w

    Check that out and then tell me David Gregory is the guy for the job.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 10:09:00 AM CDT

    Brokaw will kill the ratings for this

    by emeraldboy

    show. due to the fact he is so stiff looking.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 10:18:25 AM CDT

    Olbermann is the worst name proposed thus far

    by arcadiands

    Meet the Press is about 'hard questions but fair questions' and not taking obvious political sides. Olbermann has CLEARLY taken a personal political side, and steers his show in that direction. He's incapable of being 'firm but fair', and would destroy Meet the Press.
    Brokaw is the right choice.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 10:19:54 AM CDT

    Stephanapolous?

    by arcadiands

    I think he's shown an ability to keep himself out of the interview and to offer a non-partisan program. If Brokaw is a place-holder, I think George Steph would make an excellent host.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 11:46:49 AM CDT

    Get Pat Buchanan

    by dave lister jmc

    ...then when someone disagrees with him they can yell, "WRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!!!"

    Meet the Press is now destined to become another partisan product of an NBC News wing this is more and more rapidly circling the drain.

    If Brokaw isn't careful, he'll get sucked down with it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 12:51:28 PM CDT

    How about..

    by don lockwood

    if he wasn't still doing Face the Nation, maybe NBC could get Bob Schieffer. CBS has kinda been pushing him out to pasture, but he's still got plenty of fire left. As for being too old, hell, Brinkley did the job over on ABC until he was in his late 70s.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 1:29:12 PM CDT

    I love Olbermann but even he's said...

    by filmcritic3000

    that he's not qualified for the job. I think Brokaw's the proper choice here.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 1:33:31 PM CDT

    Stephanapolous is doing This Week

    by _maltheus_

    And to his credit, the show has been edging out Meet the Press these past couple of years, IMO (and certainly better than when Asshat Donaldson ran This Week). The two shows are about equal in stature, the only thing that gave MTP a leg up was Russert, so why would Stephanapolous leave? I think that MTP will simply diminish in people's minds and the Sunday morning focus will end up on This Week.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 2:00:09 PM CDT

    Anderson Cooper?

    by snakecharmer

    I kinda like his show. It's one of the last shows that feels unbiased.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 2:14:25 PM CDT

    Anderson Cooper is a POS

    by _maltheus_

    Whatever your opinions are of Ron Paul, I can't imagine anyone defending Cooper's dirty Reagan Library debate where he'd ask McCain a question, let him answer for five minutes, then ask Ron Paul a question, and literally cut him off five words into a sentence, promised to get back to him in a couple of minutes and never did. It was absolutely the most shameful thing I've even seen from a presstitute (and that's saying a lot). It's little wonder that McCain is the nominee despite being so hated in the party. Anderson's treatment of Huckabee wasn't all that much better. Fuck that CIA asshole. Who's to say he ever even left?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 2:18:47 PM CDT

    And to quote a former CIA director...

    by _maltheus_

    As the late William Colby put it, "The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media." The only difference between then and now, is pricks like Anderson Cooper actually admit to it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 2:52:51 PM CDT

    They should get Ron Burgundy

    by dingleberry jones

    Just hearing him drop, "You're a dirty pirate hooker, you should go back to your home on Whore Island." on Senator Lindsey Graham would be priceless.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 3:03:31 PM CDT

    Hulk Hogan is going to Meet The Press Brother

    by gambit88

    Whatchu politicians gonna do when the thousands of hulkamaniacs run wild on you!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 3:53:38 PM CDT

    Good choice

    by freakemovie

    It'll be nice to see Brokaw back in a regularly scheduled capacity. I think Brian Williams has been rock-solid on the Nightly News as his heir, but Brokaw reminds me of my dad.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 4:10:59 PM CDT

    Psssh, Olberman

    by mikerotch75

    wouldn't be allowed to have conservative guests in-studio, for fear of them from being eaten alive.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 7:54:10 PM CDT

    Colbert

    by wash

    Nuff' said.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 8:48:58 PM CDT

    What's the deal with time slots of these Sunday shows?

    by anakin whoopass

    Why are Meet the Press, Face the Nation, and This Week the only network shows I know of that don't air at a uniform time across the country? Local affiliates put them in whatever time slot they want, even though NBC now has Sunday Today running live and it would be natural for Meet the Press to be live right after it. I don't get it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 23, 2008 10:01:42 PM CDT

    Mr. Sinister, you are correct, sir.

    by det. john kimble

    He's proven he's willing to ask questions that politicians are unwilling to answer.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 12:33:37 AM CDT

    Charlie Rose it by far the best interviewer and show

    by gqtaste

  • Jun 24, 2008 12:41:17 AM CDT

    Charlie Rose is the best choice

    by gqtaste

    He is fair and has class on par w/ the older Brokaw. And to the dude that said Tom is an elephant. Bullshit! Like the poster above stated. He simply hides it better and wrote one of the best books on our grandparents generation. And to the dude that said it's time to cancel the show FYI: this show has been on the air before you were born. Me too. It's been on the air for over 60 f'ing years. Late forties in fact, 1947. And have had ten moderators before Brokaw took the reins two weeks ago.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 1:28:09 AM CDT

    RIP TIM

    by ricardomontalban

    Enough already! Nobody gave Tim Russert a second thought when he was alive...And now all of a sudden he's a saint. I can't stand it! These 24 hour news channels have turned everything on it's head. Help!

    Hey movie/TV fans, check out this great new blog... find it at: thebitterproducer.blogspot.com

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 1:29:48 AM CDT

    Ummmmmm....

    by dvdhound79

    Shouldn't they hire someone that doesn't look like they're about to drop dead themselves?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 1:32:34 AM CDT

    What about Drew Carey?

    by ricardomontalban

    He's done a fine job filling in for Bob Barker... Just kidding :D

    Hey TV fans check out this great new blog called: thebitterproducer.blogspot.com

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 5:17:20 AM CDT

    I like Olberman to but .....

    by greatczarsghost

    Kieth is commentary and not right for Meet The Press.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 6:51:16 AM CDT

    I never followed Meet the Press

    by grammaton cleric binks

    and I'm not trying to be mean, but are we really shocked that an overweight person in a highly stressful job had a sudden heart attack? I wouldn't wish that on anyone, but I don't understand the surprise? The only reason Charles Kurault didn't die on the job is because it was a different era, and his stuff was more feature stuff unlike current minute to minute politics. Being a journalist is one of the most stressful jobs you can have when you are at the level this guy was. Same thing with Dave Thomas. I'm sorry he died, I loved Wendy's, but he was overweight, and I'm sure he ate a good portion of his product. From the commerials he seemed like a nice down to earth guy, but it really should not have been a shock. That's all I'm saying.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 7:45:58 AM CDT

    Why not Michael Bay?

    by milton waddams

    He sucks at everything else but keeps working. Why not try his luck hosting a political show? They are going to choose some leftest hack anyway.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 12:56:21 PM CDT

    Lou Dobbs

    by riskebiz

    To me, the only one out there who is like Tim Russert is Lou Dobbs. Tom Brokaw is fine, but won't do it past the election. NBC ought to see about getting Lou Dobbs from CNN. But it brings up a problem that there isn't anybody in network news these days that a commentator with an agenda. Russert and Dobbs are in the minority. Isn't there any up and coming newsman/reporter that could do it? Why is it that the bench is not deep when it comes to true and qualified news reporters?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 1:39:46 PM CDT

    Dobbs Doesn't Have an Agenda?

    by _maltheus_

    Wouldn't his agenda be illegal immigration? That's all he ever talks about now. I think he use to be an economic pundit at one time, but he's just that immigration guy, right? There really isn't a good replacement for Russert out there. No big deal though. They could always use a CGI Russert, I suppose.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jun 24, 2008 1:41:43 PM CDT

    Grammaton...

    by depalma25

    It's not that we are shocked you dumbass, it's that we're saddened. You never followed Meet the Press because you are an uninformed, uneducated douche bag. And then again, maybe not...but dude, you sure come off that way.

    Reply to Talkback

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