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Cable Guys Won't Likely Fill Russert's Seat

Execs don't want pundits messing with 'pristine' NBC News

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 16, 2008 3:12 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Early word on Tim Russert's Meet the Press successor focused on in-house candidates, like Chris Matthews, David Gregory, or Joe Scarborough. But one insider now tells Variety that there’s “no way” a cable personality will land the gig. NBC’s broadcast division would rather stay “pristine”—free from the punditry that hovers around MSNBC.

Of the three, former correspondent Gregory is seen as having the best shot, because he earned his reputation on network news, and hasn’t been in the cable game long. It will in any case be hard to fill Russert’s shoes—as other networks' attempts to catch him in the ratings have shown. Russert's closest competitor, ABC's George Stephanopoulos, trailed him by an average 1 million viewers.

Chris Matthews, left, hosts MSNBC's Hardball with, NBC News' political director Chuck Todd, center, and Joe Scarborough.
Chris Matthews, left, hosts MSNBC's "Hardball" with, NBC News' political director Chuck Todd, center, and Joe Scarborough.   (AP Photo)
The chair of late moderator of Meet the Press, Tim Russert, sits empty on the set of the show June 15, 2008, at the NBC studios in Washington.
The chair of late moderator of "Meet the Press", Tim Russert, sits empty on the set of the show June 15, 2008, at the NBC studios in Washington.   (AP Photo)
Luke Russert mourns his father, Tim Russert, who died of a heart attack on June 13, 2008, on the set of Meet the Press' Sunday, June 15, 2008, at the NBC studios in Washington.
Luke Russert mourns his father, Tim Russert, who died of a heart attack on June 13, 2008, on the set of "Meet the Press'" Sunday, June 15, 2008, at the NBC studios in Washington.   (AP Photo/Meet The Press, Alex Wong)
Betsy Fischer, Executive Producer of Meet the Press, tries to collect her thoughts prior to a taping June 15, 2008, at the NBC studios in Washington.
Betsy Fischer, Executive Producer of "Meet the Press," tries to collect her thoughts prior to a taping June 15, 2008, at the NBC studios in Washington.   (AP Photo/Meet The Press, Alex Wong)
Sources tell Variety that Chris Matthews might not be a top choice to fill Tim Russert's Meet the Press spot because of his well-known tendencies toward opinion.
Sources tell Variety that Chris Matthews might not be a top choice to fill Tim Russert's "Meet the Press" spot because of his well-known tendencies toward opinion.   (AP Photo)
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