Tim Russert Signing Off

(Newser) - As long rumored, NBC News named David Gregory the new moderator of Meet the Press on the show today. Gregory, 38, NBC’s chief White House correspondent, has been hosting a political show on MSNBC and handled election night duties for the cable channel. The move had been widely reported, but executives just finalized the deal this past week, the Washington Post reports. More »

(AP) - Tim Russert's son will take up a family tradition for NBC News, helping to cover the Democratic and Republican conventions. Luke, 22, who drew praise for delivering a moving eulogy at his father's funeral, will cover "youth issues" as a convention correspondent. The recent Boston College graduate said he was "humbled and grateful" for the assignment. More »

(Newser) - TV producer Michael Bicks considered himself pretty healthy for a 50-something guy. But lying in bed to recover from an unusually exhausting bike ride, his thoughts turned to Tim Russert, who died of a heart attack with no forewarning. Hours later, Bicks was on an operating table for a stent implantation—having quite possibly cheated death. More »

(Newser) - When Tim Russert died on June 13, NBC News held off reporting his death until it had notified the broadcaster's family. But by the time Tom Brokaw announced the news, NBC had been scooped—by Wikipedia, which broke the story 40 minutes earlier. As the New York Times reports, the Internet is ending traditional media's ability to hold a story, for better and for worse. More »

(Newser) - NBC has anointed Tom Brokaw as Tim Russert's heir on "Meet the Press" through the 2008 election, the network announced today. "I feel right at home," said Brokaw, who has appeared on the public affairs show since the Watergate days. But Brian Williams—who took over NBC's Nightly News when Brokaw stepped down in 2004—was at the helm today, and he wasn't up to snuff, writes the Swamp's Jon Crewdson. More »

(Newser) - Media coverage of Tim Russert's death was unprecedented in scope—and worth every second, writes Peggy Noonan in the Wall Street Journal . Russert lived a life worth emulating with his emphasis on family, intregrity, faith, self-discipline, and guts. As for the journalists talking about his open-mindedness and serious approach to the field, she says, “Emulation would be good there, too.” More »

(Newser) - NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams will be filling in for Tim Russert on this Sunday's Meet the Press , E! Online reports. NBC is still seeking a permanent replacement for the mighty newsman who died a week ago. Reporters David Gregory and Andrea Mitchell have been mentioned as possible candidates, as have Hardball host Chris Matthews—and Williams himself. More »

(Newser) - Tim Russert's 22-year-old son delivered what he called his "dad's last speech" today before a crowd of Washington luminaries, People reports. "My dad was my best friend," said a composed Luke Russert, who called his father a "force of nature" who combined his passion for work with a boundless humanity. The emotional service concluded with a video tribute from Bruce Springsteen, a guest Russert always hoped to land. More »

(Newser) - Tim Russert was an extraordinary journalist, and his passing is a sad loss, but the news media went a bit overboard this weekend, writes Debra Saunders in the San Francisco Chronicle . “We now know more about Tim Russert than Vladimir Putin,” she points out. Did the country really need hours parsing Russert’s relationship with his dad, son, and hometown? More »

(Newser) - Comedy Central funnyman Stephen Colbert snatched a prestigious Peabody media award at last night's ceremony hosted by CBS correspondent Lesley Stahl. She stepped in to replace Brian Williams, who opted to spend time with NBC colleagues after Tim Russert's death. Colbert displayed his usual deadpan style, comparing his staff to a "barium enema" for injecting themselves into stories to flush out "truthiness." Other recipients included: More »

(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. More »

(Newser) - For those who still see politics as important and noble, Tim Russert was like a high priest presiding over a Sunday morning mass that drove the week's news cycle, writes David Carr in the New York Times. But as much as Russert was a key Beltway player, that mass was losing relevance fast—and his passing may be its death knell. More »

(Newser) - With the moderator's chair empty, Tom Brokaw began this morning's edition of "Meet the Press" by urging the show's guests not to cry, Politico reports. Friends and admirers of longtime host Tim Russert gathered to recall the highlights of his career and what made the ultimate political junkie. More »