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Tim Russert's death could force NBC to revamp "Meet the Press." |
 | By Drew Olson   Senior Editor E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Drew Olson |
| Published June 15, 2008 at 4:33 p.m. |
|
I watched "Meet the Press" Sunday morning. I figured the entire program would be a Tim Russert tribute and it was just that.
Russert, who died of a heart attack Friday at age 58, was the driving force behind that program and NBC's political coverage. He was the guy assigning stories, making hires, editing copy, shaping coverage.
You could see that NBC's staffers were shaken by the loss and you couldn't help feel sympathy for them.
When the funeral is over and the tributes end, the folks at NBC are going to have to decide what to do with "Meet the Press." Russert, who anchored the show for 17 years, will be a tough act to follow. An interim host will be assigned, I'm sure, but you wonder if this is a chance to take the program in a different direction.
As much as I respected Russert's work and enjoyed the show, I wonder if it's time to explore adding different voices and taking us "outside the Beltway" in order to get context on what's happening in Washington. Maybe they could rotate the hosts, take the show on location or do regular "town hall" meetings were "average citizens" get to ask the questions.
It will be fascinating to watch the developments.
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2 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by local_yokel on June 21, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (report)
I agree with Drew. I hope NBC takes the show in a new direction. I am hoping for a panel of interviewers instead of just one host. I can see Tom Brokaw joined by Chris Jansing and David Gregory. Or, if Brokaw is not interested or unavailable -- or has simply moved on to other things -- I would include David Schuster(sp?). I am also hoping for a new set, just for a change. (The current set has always reminded me of the covers of Penguin paperbacks, such as the one on my bookshelf, the collected writings of Voltaire.) I thought NBC did a terrific job paying tribute to Tim Russert. Very classified and dignified (even if Mr. Olbermann, as usual, was just a bit too full of himself).
| Rate this: |
Posted by TosaJimBob on June 16, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (report)
I will miss him also. I'm guessing he was a Democrat, but the way he interviewed people you really couldn't tell....very aggressive....fair and entertaining...a great loss to this country and his family is in my prayers
| Rate this: |
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