Tim Russert is irreplaceable. But NBC has to try anyway. So who is going to sit in the big chair now that Russert has gone on to a place where the Bills win the Super Bowl every year? Assuming that NBC looks in house for the next MTP host (which they should, NBC really does have the best political team in television) there about a half dozen possibilities (as I see it).
The Long Shots
Chris Matthews: Way too shrill for Sunday morning. MTP would plummet in the ratings.
Keith Olbermann: I love Keith, but this chair should be reserved for a traditional “objective” journalist.
The Real Contenders
David Gregory: If I had to predict, I’d say Gregory gets the nod. MSNBC handed him his own show earlier this year, and he’s done a pretty good job. He is, however, a little bland. Wouldn’t be my first choice, but wouldn’t be a disaster either.
Andrea Mitchell: She’d also be solid. But I don’t think she’s any special kind of talent. She is a great reporter and decent interviewer, but not a killer analyst.
Chuck Todd: Todd is my favorite pundit in the business, so of course I am rooting for him. The problem is, however, that he is still a little wet behind the ears in the TV business (Todd was Editor in Chief of the Hotline until last year). He is also less of an interviewer, and more of an analyst. MTP, of course, is the ultimate interviewer show. I’m not sure he’s ready for this job. Which means, in my view, the best thing to do would be to wait a couple of years for Todd to develop and, in the meantime, give the job to:
Tom Brokaw: Given the circumstances, I bet NBC could talk the legendary broadcaster into a short term gig. A two year stint while Chuck Todd gets some more TV seasoning sounds perfect to me.
UPDATE: I just watched this morning’s MTP, and I just wanted to add Gwen Ifill’s name to my list. She was a Russert protege and is one of the best journalists out there. I can’t believe I left her off this morning.
Loading ...
What about Gwen Ifill?
I can see the Brokaw-Todd scenario as the most likely.
It’ll definitely be a hard position to fill. And I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Brokaw complete the election cycle — and I think one of the saddest things is that Russert isn’t going to see this election cycle through November, especially since he’s been prominent in the coverage and on-air mourning of Russert.
I don’t think Keith gets a “Meet the Press”. And I think one of the tests of a journalist is how they do as the political cycles turn — and Olbermann has been strong with Republicans in power, but might not be as successful if/when the Democrats get into the White House.
The first person who jumped into my head was Matt Lauer. Don’t laugh. Yes, his experience on Today is a bit “lite” compared to MTP. But Lauer has always handled himself well in tense situations on that show. He is a solid interviewer. Plus, he makes it about the topic vs. about himself. MTP needs a person who is 95% journalist and 5% entertainer. Olberman is the reverse.
Although a different network, a very close 2nd for me would be Anderson Cooper. Although Cooper has a great thing going at CNN, and his forte is going on the scene with major events, he would be a solid replacement for Russert.
I’m not as big a fan of Chuck Todd — love his work, just don’t see this being the job for him. I share the dispassion regarding David Gregory.
I really like the analysis of Joe Scarborough, but he couldn’t do this job for the same reasons Olberman couldn’t.
My list includes Andrea Mitchell, Matthews, Olbermann, and Gregory. Chuck Todd is great, but he’s like Joe Nathan … a closer, not a starter.
Alas, like the sons of Vito Corleone, all are tragically flawed and will be unable to maintain the strength of Meet the Press in the near future. By the end of summer, “This Week” will have a chance to grab market dominance of Sunday morning.
Actually, the best idea from above might be to have Brokaw do a two-year stint until they develop the right talent in house or sign a superstar. He’d keep the show competitive. CBS News had success with that with Bob Schieffer when Rather left. I also think the network would be well served to find a woman to host the show. NBC and MSNBC continues to take a lot of heat, sometimes justified, from Clinton backers. Russert was, often unfairly, lumped in with Matthews and Olbermann as a “boys club.” That’s where Mitchell or Gwen Ifill become interesting candidates.
I would either take Brokaw or look outside of NBC. You want someone with gravitas during an election year.
All of Matthews, Olbermann, and Gregory have noticeable left wing bias that should be left out of Sunday talk shows. I’m not familiar with the NBC crew (I’m like the majority of cabe news fans who watch CNN or Fox News, but not MSNBC, and I don’t want any of the news coverage by local networks). I’m not sure NBC has a guy within that I know of who could carry on the legacy of MTP. In aspecific, no one will be able to keep it the most popuar Sunday show like Russert was able to.
I agree 100% Sean2,
To quote Tim Russert: “Oh, I think the Republican National Committee does a fantastic job with research. They send me stuff all the time and it’s always dead on.”
We need someone with that same exact opinion to replace him. They should consider perhaps Micheal Savage.
Great Job!
If Keith Olberman is a legitimate contender on this blog, then Savage might as well be added. They add the same value to American journalism. Keith Olberman on Meet The Press — are you serious?
DantheMan, I agree 100%,
Perhaps instead consider Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly, or Glen Beck. They are fair and balanced.
Everybody knows even Rush Limbaugh is more fair and balanced than Keith Olbermann is. If Rush wasn’t fair and balanced, nobody would listen to his show. The free market is fair and balanced.
Thank god there are people who hate Keith Olberman and everything he stands for who are willing to speak up!
Great Job!
Brokaw would be interesting and I would be totally fine with that for a short term gig but I think Mitchell is the most likely pick. She guest hosted it when Russert was gone.
I love Chuck Todd though. I hope he gets Russert’s gig as Washington Bureau Chief and after a few years takes over for Meet the Press.
TFRWG -
Read carefully and slowly. I’m NOT advocating for O’Reilly, Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck, or Savage. They would be horrible for a stand-up show like MTP. And I put Olberman right there in that category.
I wan’t someone completely impartial.
Sean2 -
David Gregory shows a left wing bias? Please. One encounter with Scott McClellan does not make a left wing bias.
Dantheman -
“If Keith Olberman is a legitimate contender on this blog, then Savage might as well be added. They add the same value to American journalism. Keith Olberman on Meet The Press — are you serious?”
Sometimes I wonder if you read my posts. Look at what I wrote…
“I love Keith, but this chair should be reserved for a traditional “objective” journalist.”
I listed Keith Olbermann because he has been floated elsewhere.
I’m thinking they might go out of the box and go with a rising star in market like NY, Philadelphia, Boston, or LA.
I recommend Eric Eskola!!
Dantheman, I agree 100%,
….and my point is:
Thank god there is only one Left wing extremist voice on cable news, Olberman.
We Republicans definitely own the microphone most of the time on talk radio and cable news.
The free market decided that for us. There is no other reason.
Great Job!
One word says it all, a word that handled things for Johnny, Merv, and Dave. That word, REGIS!
Of course you would forget Gwen Ifill and knock Andrea Mitchell, and name no other women. It should really be a man to fill that seat. It always has been — why make people uncomfortable? And it takes a man to be adequately authoritative for that job. There aren’t any qualified women, anyway.
Lisa -
I really resent any implication that I am a sexist. Also, you are wrong. The very first host of Meet the Press, Martha Roundtree, was a woman.
What about Mike Barnicle? It would be the ultimate redemption story for a guy that screwed-up, he has too much talent to be wasting away with a tabloid amd AM radio.
Gwen Ifill, absolutely. I vote Gwen.
Zack - there were more than one altercation between Stretch and several Bush press secretaries. For MSNBC, he is rather fair because the network has an admitted left tilt. But, as a news correspondent for NBC News, I’d like a bit more objectivity in his reporting before I see him try the impossible of filling Russert’s shoes.
I agree that Gwen Ifill would be the most logical choice for NBC to continue the proud history of Meet the Press. While everyone else has decided to shout louder (on the the left and right) and say more audacious things in order to gain headlines, Gwen has has been a steady, common sense moderator. Whenever I get done watching Washington Week I feel more educated and connected to the world of politics.
If it is not Gwen, I think we will see Meet the Press morph into more of a weekly magazine like This Week with George S. on ABC. This is something I hope NBC can stay away from. A weekly magazine would suit Chuck Todd and Anderson Cooper more. I like them both and think they are excellent and serious journalists yet I think the show needs to stay more focused. Eventually I think Chuck Todd would be an excellent Washington Bureau chief because of his depth of knowledge and diversity of interests.
I fear MTP will turn out to be like Nightline after Ted Koppell, a rather crappy news magazine (this time about politics) pandering to ratings. Chuck Todd would never allow MTP to be like Nightline but you get the point.
I would like to see someone from outside the beltway, not part of the Washington establishment. Someone who could give the show a more national, less provincial perspective.
tree right home minor yes yes
I love Lester holt who is dynamic and drop-dead gorgeous and can
hold his own with any man on the planet. MTP would rock with
Mr. Holt as moderator. He is my favorite, though I like
most of the other names mentioned. I am in his corner.
Lester Holt shows up all the competition and would be the perfect
choice for a permanent replacement of Tim Russert who would
approve because Mr. Holt is the consumamate professional.