"Replacing" Russert: Contenders, Pros and Cons

[DeepModem Mom]

Media Bistro: Tuesday Jun 17, 2008
"Replacing" Russert

....DAVID GREGORY:

PROS: One of the "safer" choices. He's hosted it before. He's not wedded to another NBC/MSNBC show. Perhaps more than anyone else, Gregory's got that Russert-like inquisitive demeanor. His chances of getting the gig are high when you consider that his main NBC/MSNBC competitors for the job either have no realistic shot (Matthews/Olbermann/Scarborough) or are too old to build a franchise around (Brokaw).

CONS: He's the Pete Sampras of television...good at everything but you just can't bring yourself to truly adore the guy (Go Agassi!). That tough guy/inquisitor demeanor can look disingenuous when you then see how Gregory chameleons into whatever show he's on ("Today": Dancing / "Race for the White House": Hyper, cheesy). If Russert was the Boy from Buffalo, then Gregory is the Dude Who Always Dreamed About Making It In D.C. And, besides: Who wants to replace Rockstar Russert with a "safe choice"? (Although, being a safe choice has always worked out for the Goo Goo Dolls.)

CHUCK TODD:

PROS: Todd's got a bit of Russert's universal appeal -- and some of Russert's adorable nerdiness, too --despite not yet being a household name. Most Washingtonians (and reporters, especially) have a favorable view of him and almost everyone tips their hat to Todd's outside-of-the-box political analysis and quick ascension at NBC. He's enough of a young, fresh face that "Meet" could/would-be-smart-to launch a 20 year franchise around the guy, and with Russert having hand-picked Todd to join the NBC team, there's a bit of an "anointed one" mystique to Todd. Picking Todd might also help blunt the "Why Didn't They Pick Me?!?" anger of shunned NBC colleagues Matthews, Gregory, Brokaw, Scarborough, Olbermann, etc. by signaling that, Hey guys, it's not you ... it's us: We've decided to go in an entirely different direction.

CONS: He's the "Little Miss Sunshine" of this scorecard: He ought to get the Oscar, but you know he won't (damn you, Departed). TV news is not known for taking such bold chances on the new guy. Todd's primary skill set on television thus far has focused on the micro-political and its not clear he can (or want to) do what Russert did: Speak to the issues of ordinary Americans (political junkies love him because he seems to speak to us). We've yet to see any of Russert's Tough Guy-ness from Todd, which brings us to perhaps Todd's biggest weakness: TV position jockeying isn't for nice guys.

CHRIS MATTHEWS....

TOM BROKAW....

GWEN IFILL....

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS....

BRIAN WILLIAMS....

ANDREA MITCHELL....

Not serious contenders / not even worth considering: Keith Olbermann, Joe Scarborough....

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlDC/television/replacing_russert_87296.asp#more

[Captain Hilts]

1. Gregory: Karl Rove's dance partner. nt

[TwilightGardener]

2. I like their take on Gregory--they have him nailed. Gwen Ifill is the best choice.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. A pretty positive take on her from Media Bistro --

PROS: Like Russert, she's smart, self-assured and tough. In other words, she'd be very good at the actual job. Like Russert, she's well-liked and isn't as drawn to the Georgetown cocktail scene. And then there's that whole black female thing, which could prove especially symbolic in an election year that so excited Tim thanks, in part, to formidable black and female candidates.

CONS: ls "Meet" confident enough in its ratings empire to install its first female host (see: CBS, Couric)? What kind of damage will NBC create internally by going outside the network to replace Russert? Does Ifill want to move from the low expectations game (read: PBS' NewsHour) to what will be one of the most scrutinized transitions in recent television history?

[rosesaylavee]

7. I think she is the most capable of any listed

I think she is right-leaning but overall, I think she is fair. Probably more fair and definitely more journalistic than Russert.

Couric is just window dressing. Gwen is the real deal.

[electropop]

3. Gannon/Guckert

Somebody with more credibility like that.

[gratuitous]

4. One of those toy birds that repeats what you say

Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush.

[Gato Moteado]

5. KO would be awesome......

....if cheney's staff accidentally booked him on the show because they remember it being a good show for filthy dick, KO would mop the floor up with that bald head.

[Richardo]

8. I want the originial format, dammit: a 4-5 member panel of *reporters* conducting a press conference

That's where the title "Meet the Press" came from in the first place. The 'Press' is not represented by one person. Either change the format or change the title.

:rant:

[DeepModem Mom]

11. I agreed with you on that over in the Media Forum, Richardo --

and I still think it might be the best thing to do.

[moreno]

9. Chris Matthews by far

Chris is the only other guy that will go after you like Russert did. To me he is the best choice to take over that position.

[DeepModem Mom]

12. He would make it an interesting hour, moreno -- welcome to DU!

[moreno]

14. hello

Hi

[Captain Hilts]

13. Why, he'll even call the female guests insulting names! Can't top that! nt

[MadinMo]

10. Gwen Ifill, hands down.