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Politics | 12/02/2008 4:00 pm

Gregory In, Brokaw Bows Out on 'Press'

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP

Newsman David Gregory just got a new gig as the moderator of NBC’s long-running "Meet The Press." Well, that’s according to anonymous sources who say that the network will make it official later today.

The Sunday political gabfest has been hosted by the legendary Tom Brokaw since June, when longtime host Tim Russert died unexpectedly. A number of names have been thrown around since then, with insiders speculating that NBC would draw on staffers Andrea Mitchell or Chuck Todd, or even go outside the company to pluck Gwen Ifill from PBS.  

NBC News executives obviously had a lot to consider for filling Russert’s seat. First and foremost, the show’s a mainstay and has been on the air for more than 60 years. Their pick would have to have the personality, longevity and following to keep up "Press’s" appearance. Gregory’s covered Washington and White House politics for nearly a decade and most recently received his own MSNBC show, "Road to the White House," which became "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue" after the election.

For those of you who watched, we’re wondering, do you think Gregory’s got what it takes to replace the beloved Tim Russert? Or, for that matter, Brokaw?

16 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Belinda Joy
Boo!!!!!! Yuck!!!!! Lord please reincarnate my Tim Russert…I miss him so much!
By Belinda Joy on 12/02/2008 4:12 pm
Dee T
I agree. Tim Russert was a genuine class act. I don’t believe there is currently anyone who can meet his standards. Let’s give Gregory a chance- not sure about the “personality” comment in the article. He seems a bit dry and colorless. Brokaw needs to re-retire. His speech is becoming more garbled with age, which was very noticable during the presidential debate he moderated.
By Dee T on 12/02/2008 5:34 pm
Ms. Dee
Dan Abrams. Dan Abrams. Dan Abrams!!! He’s the only one who has the appeal and the work ethic. Dan Abrams!
By Ms. Dee on 12/02/2008 6:14 pm
Belinda Joy
Something tells me you like Dan Abrams Ms. Dee. LOL! I agree, he is great isn’t he?
By Belinda Joy on 12/02/2008 6:15 pm
Diana T
David Gregory is no Tom Brokaw. A very mediocre choice to my way of thinking.
By Diana T on 12/02/2008 6:28 pm
Bonnie Oliver
I think David Gregory is the best choice they have of all the NBC reporters. I would be surprised if he is able to maintain the support the show as seen over the years. However, I do wish him the best of luck.
By Bonnie Oliver on 12/02/2008 7:44 pm
immoddesta godessa
Hey Bill Clinton needs a job and the media exposure would almost stroke his ego! But seriously, except for her performance at the VP debate I am a fan of Ms Ifil
By immoddesta godessa on 12/02/2008 7:54 pm
rocky rocky
No one can replace Tim. Never mind his smarts. His personality filled the room — no, the house! He had and still has no competition. Will Gregory do an acceptably good job? He’s never impressed me with his ability to synthesize new information and draw uncommonly astute conclusions as Tim did…. Maybe he’ll grow into it. I wish him the best.
By rocky rocky on 12/02/2008 8:17 pm
Brooklyn Gal
No one can really replace Tim. And I was getting very upset with Brokaw’s manner on the show. I don’t know Gregory that well, so I will not judge him, but imagine the pressure he is feeling.
By Brooklyn Gal on 12/02/2008 8:23 pm
Oh! My Favorite
I’ve been watching David Gregory’s “Road to the White House” and “1600” and I’ve enjoyed him. He keeps the pace and volume of the discussion at a moderate level and he knows when & how to interrupt and change the subject. I haven’t enjoyed Tom Brokaw in Tim Russert’s seat, so I’ll give the new guy the chance to make it his own.
By Oh! My Favorite on 12/02/2008 9:49 pm
Rosanne Bellas
I was hoping that Andrea Mitchell would get the job.
By Rosanne Bellas on 12/02/2008 10:19 pm
Lizzie R.
I didn’t like David Gregory much earlier, but when he started standing up to Bush and questioning him at length I formed a new respect for him. It will be hard to fill Russert’s place, but I’ll wish him well and hopefully after a bit he will do as well in his own way.,
By Lizzie R. on 12/02/2008 10:57 pm
Elizabeth Bennett
Isn’t he the guy that danced back up for Karl Rove at the Correspondents’ dinner? Not that that should disqualify him, but I still don’t think he has earned his spurs. Besides one reason I have missed Tim Russert is that he just had that enthusiasm for politics and policy and the people involved in them. Brokaw has been so unhappy to be there, it has been discouraging to watch. Now who has earned those spurs? Gwen Ifill. [Right I know she is under contract to PBS, but I can hope.] Andrea Mitchell would be good if her husband did not present a conflict of interest. But then it is not my call, is it? I think it sounds like Gregory is just waiting for the lawyers to OK the paperwork. Maybe he will surprise us and be better than he has been in the past.
By Elizabeth Bennett on 12/03/2008 12:31 am
C jay
The network’s mistake was trying to replace Tim, which frankly, surprised me. Brokaw was at a serious disadvantage, due in part to the Network’s lack of creative staffing, if you will (in business, when we have a top program we don’t attempt to modify it after a crisis - it’s best to create a new venue), in part one may guess due to his closeness to Tim - not at all a fair time to put that on him. However, the entire venue needs to be studied before patching starts. Certainly, there are others who could chair such programming, and do a bang-up job.
By C jay on 12/03/2008 3:45 am
Belinda Joy
You know what made Tim so great as the moderator for Meet the Press? You never knew what his politics was. Not a clue. He was as unbiased and middle of the road in how he interviewed guests, discussed issues, neutral in every way. And that is something I miss terribly. I like Keith Olberman, Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough and Rachel Maddow, but I know their politics (and some I agree with and some I don’t). They wear them on their sleeves. It was refreshing to have the news reported on in the manner in which Tim Russert did absent all the slanted and personal opinions.
By Belinda Joy on 12/03/2008 9:56 am