The latest rumor about who will take over as moderator of Meet The Press:
David Gregory will take the reins as moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the Huffington Post has learned. Gregory has been a leading contender for the permanent spot since Tom Brokaw stepped in as interim moderator following Tim Russert’s death in June.
In recent weeks, a short list including Gregory, Andrea Michell, Gwen Ifill, and Chuck Todd had been considered the top candidates for the position, while Katie Couric and Ted Koppel were viewed as dark horses.
For the moment at least, NBC is denying that a decision has been made.
I’ve been as unabashed as Justin in my hope that NBC might break the mold and pick political uber geek Chuck Todd to take over Russert’s chair, but this decision makes sense if it’s true.
Gregory has been on camera for a long time now, and he spent a good part of his career covering the White House. Todd hasn’t done any of that, and it’s worth noting that Meet the Press existed long before Tim Russert came along and that David Gregory is well within the mold of moderators that the show has had in it’s history.
Update: The Politico is now reporting that Gregory is the man as well:
NBC News plans to name David Gregory as moderator of “Meet the Press,” infusing one of television’s most-prized franchises with a sharp edge leavened by a youthful style and versatility, according to network executives.
Gregory, 38, celebrated his 30th birthday – complete with cake – aboard George W. Bush’s presidential campaign plane, the assignment that solidified his stature as a network rising star. Enjoying a gravitas boost from his prematurely salt-and-pepper mane and friendships with Tom Brokaw and other of the legendary figures of NBC News, Gregory quickly became one of the biggest network stars of his generation.
The plan to anoint Gregory is not final but will be as soon as today, the executives said. NBC spokespeople refused to comment, saying the network would make the announcement.
The decision was made by Jeff Zucker, president and chief executive officer of NBC Universal, and Steve Capus, president of NBC News.
So that, it would seem, is that.
