Tom Brokaw Becomes Russert’s Interim Replacement
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News,
While NBC has yet to name a permanent successor to Tim Russert, the network has now devised a consistent schedule for its Meet the Press position. Instead of relying on several people to fill the Sunday time slot, only one man will now lead the program through at least the November election: Tom Brokaw.
Brokaw, the former anchor of Nightly News, was the person tapped to helm the show the weekend after Russert’s death. (Brian Williams hosted Press yesterday.) This will be veteran journalist’s first regular position on NBC since stepping down from his daily job in 2004.
In a statement Sunday, the 68-year-old said he hoped to carry on where Russert left off. “Tim made ‘Meet the Press’ the center of the universe for informative and lively discussions of public affairs, particularly the exciting 2008 campaign for president, and I intend to continue that commitment to our viewers.”
Hollywood Reporter
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Brian Williams Takes a Turn on Meet the Press
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News,
Although the network is smack in the middle of an exciting political year, NBC has decided against making rush decisions on its empty posts.
After Tim Russert’s passing last Friday, Tom Brokaw assumed the role of guest host on Meet the Press. Now the current anchor of Nightly News, Brian Williams, will have his turn this weekend. (He was only asked to do the job this Thursday.)
For now, it appears temporary substitutions are something we’ll have to get used to for the weeks to come. (The situation feels similar to when Roger Ebert first began his medical absence from Ebert & Roeper.)
The network knows Russert’s shoes - on the set and in the Washington bureau - will be hard to fill and it’s not a decision anyone wants to take lightly. As NBC News’ president (Steve Capus) put it, “Tim left us as he was at the top of his game. It took someone with Tim’s enormous skills and qualities as a human being to juggle all those things and do so brilliantly.”
Hollywood Reporter
Tim Russert’s Son Speaks About His Father
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News,
Earlier this morning, Luke Russert took time out to talk with Matt Lauer about his his dad. Tim Russert, former host of NBC’s Meet the Press, passed away just two days before Father’s Day.
The 22-year-old, who recently graduated from Boston College, demonstrated great poise and spoke articulately about his parent and friend. I’m sure somewhere out there Tim was feeling quite proud.
Friday Ratings: CW Actually Posts a Win
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Drama, Prime Time, Sci-Fi/Horror, Specials, Sports, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, Ratings,
Okay - so it wasn’t exactly a win. And it really wasn’t by much. But this is the first time I can recall ever saying CW was tied for the lead in the overnight demos. (It shared the honor with ABC.) CBS, meanwhile, was yesterday’s most-watched network.
8pm
- Ghost Whisperer* (1.0/4 in 18-49) had 5.1 million spooked.
- Approximately 4.9 million laughed along with America’s Funniest Home Videos* (1.4/6).
- Most Outrageous Moments* (3.93 million, 1.1/4) was down about a 1/2 million.
- Friday Night Smackdown (3.86 million, 1.3/5) pumped up 3.86 million.
- FOX‘s airing of Hollywood Homicide (0.9/3) pulled in 3.49 million.
Click to continue reading Friday Ratings: CW Actually Posts a Win
Programming Insider
Sunday’s Plan for Meet the Press
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News,
Although plans for Meet the Press’ future is still unclear, NBC has announced how it will address Tim Russert’s recent passing on tomorrow’s show.
This Sunday, veteran journalist Tom Brokaw will make another special appearance to helm the weekly program. (The former Nightly News anchor was also the one who informed the viewers Friday about his colleague’s death.) During the Father’s Day edition, Brokaw will spend the hour paying tribute to the highly-respected political analyst.
On a side note, Russert’s personal physician, Dr. Michael Newman, confirmed that his patient died as a result of a heart attack. Ironically, the 58-year-old - who was known “to have asymptomatic coronary artery disease” - reportedly passed a stress test back in April and even worked out on a treadmill earlier Friday morning.
TV Guide
Meet the Press’ Tim Russert Dies After Heart Attack
Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: NBC, News,
Tim Russert, host of Meet the Press, died Friday. He was 58 years old.
While his network has not officially released the details, the New York Post claims the journalist died after suffering a heart attack at NBC News’ Washington Bureau. Russert worked there as the bureau chief.
Time recently named Tim one of the ‘World’s Most Influential People’. The magazine praised the news analyst for being one “among the most astute, discerning and relentless pursuers of truth in the nation.”
Russert joined the NBC News family back in 1984 and was Meet the Press’ moderator since 1991. No immediate announcement has been made about the fate of his program.
MSNBC
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