Meet The Press

[JR1967]

This suggestion was on another thread, but what about CNN's Wolf Blitzer as a replacement?

 

[LKellerIII]

"This suggestion was on another thread, but what about CNN's Wolf Blitzer as a replacement?"

Except for the small problem that he works for CNN - and is a very high profile workaholic there. Wolf is on the air 6 days a week on CNN - including his own Sunday morning version of MTP. I doubt he would consider leaving unless NBC was going to give him a much bigger role than just one hour a week.

I'm aware that CBS often borrows CNN anchors, usually for 60 Minutes (Christiane Amanpour, Anderson Cooper) but I'm not aware that CNN shares with the other networks.

 

[Evangelist]

Why not Tim Russert's son?

I believe he is currently interning at ESPN. I'd say after a good few years, he could take over for Bob Ley as host of the network's "Outside the Lines" program...

Luke Russert seems to be a very nice guy and we know his parents have been justifably proud of him.

But he is a sports guy, not a news guy and just because his father was an excellent moderator doesn't mean he would be as well. If we bequeathed anchor chairs based on family ties, then Dean Reynolds should have been given the anchor chair at ABC when his father died. And Andrea Koppel would be anchoring Nightline.

Tim Russert spoke often of telling his son that he was loved but not entitled. I think making Luke host of MTP would go against what Tim believed.

 

[LKellerIII]

"Tim Russert spoke often of telling his son that he was loved but not entitled. I think making Luke host of MTP would go against what Tim believed."

Not to mention the fact that putting somebody so young and untested in that position would be ludicrous, regardless of his parentage. Sentimentality aside...

This kind of show (MTP, This Week, Face the Nation, etc.) has generally been moderated by proven network news veterans. The only two exceptions I can think of are Tim Russert and George Stephanopolous. But both of them came in with years of experience and credentials in politics, and were considerably older than Luke when they got their chance as the host/moderator.

 

[JeeperOne]

I hope it's not too soon to ask this question respectfully, and sorry if anyone's already asked, but I'm wondering who will now step in as moderator of Meet The Press. Whoever it is has some awfully big shoes to fill indeed.

It's a no-brainer that in the long term, it would be Chris Matthews who would take (And I think **SHOULD** IMO) Tim's place.

While it's true that Tom Brokaw could take his place in the interim, something tells me he doesn't want the job on a permanent basis.

As a sidenote, while there's also the syndicated show which Chris hosts and NBC News produces (With NBC Universal distributing it of course), that show can either A). Get a new host (Joe Scarborough comes to mind here) or B). Get axed completely (Especially since the vast majority of stations which carry the show are NBC stations and affiliates who simply and usually carry his show right after MTP anyway).

As for Tim's death....Well, it's sad. But when HE says it's YOUR time, it's your time. Know what I mean?

Just my opinion....

Cheers

Pat

 

[JeeperOne]

Hi everyone:

IMHO Chris Matthews would be a terrible replacement for Tim Russert.

Why do you say this?

One of the many things I enjoyed about Russert was that he allowed his guests to finish a sentence without interrupting the person speaking; a trait that Matthews unfortunately hasn't learned.

That's his style. That's what makes him a GREAT replacement for Tim Russert.

Keith Olbermann would be a better choise than Matthews.

Keith is too opinionated to replace Tim Russert (Especially when it comes to what anybody except Alan Colmes says or does on FOX News - And even then, there are times you can't even leave Alan out of the mix). Not only that, but (By his own admission), he isn't qualified to fill Tim's shoes.

My selection would be ( and this of course is a long-shot) former ABC reporter Sam Donaldson. Donaldson is known for asking tough questions of his guests, plus has prior experience being on "This Week."

Keywords here are LONG SHOT as there is NO WAY that Sam Donaldson would come out of retirement to host MTP even on an interim basis. If you're going to go that route, then I'd have to say that NBC would have a better chance of landing former This Week co-host Cokie Roberts instead.

Let's face it, no matter who NBC hires, that person will have huge shoes to fill.

Agreed.

Also remember that NBC has to find a Washington Bureau Chief, another job Russert held for many years.

Until NBC can find someone who's not only younger but has the qualifications, Andrea Mitchell can take that role in addition to her role as Chief State Department correspondent.

Just my opinion...

Cheers

Pat

 

[JeeperOne]

Some suggestions for Meet the Press Moderator

1. Charlie Rose (from PBS)
2. Lester Holt ( from NBC)
3. Eugene Robinson ( from the Washington Post)

Here's another name that just popped into my mind....

4. Stone Phillips (Former Dateline NBC co-host)

He could EASILY do the job. PLUS he's a household name.

Thoughts?

Cheers

Pat

 

[Mark Giardina]

Pat-

One main reason I don't think Matthews would be a good replacement for Russert is because Russert allowed his guests to finish their thoughts. Matthews does not. He constantly interrupts them, which I find quite irritating.

I believe that Lester Holt would make an excellent replacement for Russert after the election is over with. Brokaw meanwhile is the right choice as a fill-in for MTP until then.

Born in Buffalo myself when the Bills play this coming season I will think of Tim rooting for his team. Of course Tim wouldn't have liked the fact that, as another Buffalo native, I'm a Patriots fan. ;D But it sure as hell would have been nice to meet the guy, even for five minutes.