According to agents, MTP speculation centers on Gregory, Matthews, Scarborough

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: NBC insiders seen as possible successors to Russert
Within the network, a battle between Chris Matthews and David Gregory could be intense.
By Scott Collins, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
June 14, 2008

....Speculation on possible successors centers on three on-air personalities already under contract to NBC: David Gregory, the former White House correspondent recently given his own MSNBC show, "Race for the White House"; Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's long-running "Hardball"; and Joe Scarborough, the former congressman and host of "Morning Joe" on MSNBC, according to talent representatives who declined to speak on the record for fear of jeopardizing relationships with network management.

It's considered less likely that NBC would reach outside for a brand-name talent, such as CBS News anchor Katie Couric or George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC's "This Week," the No. 2 Sunday show. Stephanopoulos is believed to have two more years on his ABC deal; a network spokeswoman would not comment.

Popular MSNBC host Keith Olbermann is likewise considered a long shot, largely because of his open espousal of liberal viewpoints.

Within NBC, a battle between Matthews and Gregory could be particularly intense, as each has spent months jockeying for favor among Russert and network executives. ("Tim was just a role model for me," a visibly drained Matthews said on MSNBC on Friday night.)...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-et-nbcsider14-2008jun14,0,3289447.story

[AlCzervik]

1. Scarborough!!??? like Gregory or Matthews aren't bad enough but Scarborough?

[DeepModem Mom]

I'm wondering if this is the opinion of an overly optimistic agent. Aside from...

other objections, I just don't think he's been there long enough.

[AlCzervik]

11. it's funny how the say Olbermann is too partisan, did they same about Scarborough?

[jgraz]

19. Maybe if KO killed an intern, he'd get more respect.

[dchill]

35. Nah - even if he did, he'd still have to become...

a liar and a conservative. But killing somebody could definitely add to his cred...

:shrug:

[kentuck]

41. Scarborough is highly thought of at NBC...

He rescued the morning show and their numbers now match what they were under Imus. Also, he was a favorite of Tim Russerts. They believe he is able to put his partisan past behind him. I would guess that he is the favorite at this time.

[jgraz]

2. Scarborough? Please god no.

I don't even watch MTP, but just the idea of JoeScar taking over that slot makes me want to puke.

[kenny blankenship]

15. Yeahbut you get the logic right? Olbermann is "too ideological & partisan" but Scarborough

who actually has held office as a member of the Republican Party, until that office sprouted a dead intern, is not too partisan or ideologically biased. He may have entered Congress as part of Newt Gingrich's Class of '94 and took a leading role in a group of ideologically extremist freshmen representatives and voted against increases to the minimum wage, for cuts in Medicare, for treating fetuses as persons separate from their pregnant mothers, and for total defunding of public broadcasting, but he's not "ideological" or "partisan" in the way that your television understands those terms. He's just a regular Joe.

Per Wikipedia:

Scarborough was one of a group of about 40 GOP freshmen legislators who dubbed themselves the "New Federalists" after the Federalist Papers. Scarborough was elected Political Director of the incoming legislators. The New Federalists called for sweeping cuts in the U.S. government, including plans to "privatize, localize, consolidate, eliminate"<6> the Departments of Commerce, Education, Energy and Housing and Urban Development, but were largely unsuccessful in their goals.

To be excessively "ideological" or "partisan" you have to do something "extreme", like for example, publicly oppose the use and spread of torture, or perhaps reveal that your awareness of international law--U.S. Treaty law and the United Nations Charter-- has caused you to understand that legal restrictions on warfare apply to the United States as well as to other countries.

[ixion]

3. and the Big Lie rolls on

never fear, they'll not let the curtain drop and expose the idiots behind it.

[TwilightGardener]

4. SCARBOROUGH!! Wow, I guess they want the show to die along with Timmeh.

Edit to add: I like Gwen Ifill for the slot.

[Indiana_Dem]

5. I'd say Gregory seems the most neutral of the bunch.

The rest of them are too wildly biased!!!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

23. Gregory has become more biased. This started when he was offered a position of stand-in host

for The Today Show. He sold his soul then.

Please don't forget him cavorting with a criminal too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln5RD9BhcCo

[mmonk]

28. Nope, not a journalist.

He defended the media concerning the selling of the war and mcClellan calling them out for it.

[OwnedByFerrets]

6. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

not Scarborough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


www.wearableartnow.com

[bluedawg12]

7. Joe is a former repuke congressman- 'nuff said.

It has to be someone with interviewing skills- but not someone who is too somber and dreary--they should hire Charlie Rose from PBS.

Frankly, tweety is their best shot.

Chucky Tee is smart but not an interviewer.

David Gregory is hard to watch for too long--moderate charisma.

Why not Rachel and tweety?

Or go out of the box--Fareed Zhakaria?

[montanacowboy]

8. No matter who they hire

they will have to come with the proper credentials; a media whore for the corporate media; there is no one they will let have the show except one who has and follows their marching orders, just like little Timmy. Screw them all, I never watched Russert and I won't watch his pitiful successor.

[ErinBerin84]

9. all choices are bad. And I never really trust the LA Times.

but SCARBOROUGH! No effing way. He used yesterday's "Saturday edition Morning Joe Tim Russert Tribute" to go into a diatribe about how the "liberal media" consisted of people who went to Harvard and try and delude the "average, working person" about Republicans. Um, in what universe? Plus, Joe really isn't that bright at all. If Olbermann is too biased (which he admitted he was on Friday), Joe is too biased as well. And Chris Matthews? He doesn't even give off the appearance of credibility. David Gregory is not my choice either, Race to the White House is painful. I wonder how Chuck Todd interviews...I don't think I've ever seen him give one.

[Individualist]

10. Any of those three would continue catapulting the propaganda.

[Bucky]

12. Matthews isn't as civil as Gregory or Russert. Matthews would change the flavor of the show.

Honestly, I'd think they'd give it to Andrea Mitchell. She's about as establishment as you can get and her voice isn't as grating as either one of those two men. The utility of having Tweety on late at night is that it kinda makes you glad to finally turn off the TV and get some sleep.

[City Lights]

13. Joe "dead intern" Scarborough, David Gregory, or Chris Matthews would be

horrid choices. :puke: on all of them.

[HelenWheels]

14. Time for a woman

How about Andrea Mitchell?

[jgraz]

17. I hear Katie Couric's looking for work

:P

[asjr]

16. I would vote for Stephen Colbert.

[jgraz]

18. Actually, Jon Stewart would be by far the best choice

He's the best, most hard-hitting interviewer on TV right now.

[librechik]

20. There goes my wish that they hire a real journalist. Scarborough should definitely get it

at least there will be no more pretense of objectivity--that they can say with a straight face.

And Scarborough, like Russert, isn't burdened with all those J school ethics about facts and multiple sources. We'll get flat out Republican propaganda, straight from the bowels of GE. Just like they want it. And Joe's a jovial, likable guy who pretends to be the soul of common sense, just like Russert.

He's perfect

[mmonk]

21. From those three, I would have to go with Matthews.

And if Keith can't be in consideration because of espousal of liberal viewpoints, how in the world could Scarborough be in contention unless espousal of conservative viewpoints is quite acceptable.

[babylonsister]

22. Wasn't Tweety running for Congress last week? Sigh. If those

are the choices, I really will miss Russert.

[lonestarnot]

24. Whatever. MTP is done.

and on edit, guess people will just have to start going to Church on Sunday now. :shrug:}(

[stray cat]

25. Chuck Todd!

[DeepModem Mom]

31. Chuck is my personal choice. nt

[gaiilonfong]

26. DEAD INTERN SKANKBORO???

LMAO

What losers .....NBC is a joke...Olberman is the best, but he is too progressive I know, it was ok when Russert wore a Bush/Cheney button under his sportcoat......

[laststeamtrain]

27. They need a new concept.

How about PAT BUCHANAN'S ANTI-FOREIGN INTERVENTIONIST PRO-PROTECTIONIST GOOD-TIME HOUR?

At least everyone would know it was POV opinion & not pseudo-objective faux journalism.

Maybe open each show with a Rockettes style dance number.

Maybe if there was an out & out conservative it might open the door for an out & out liberal to be on TV & then, who knows, maybe an out & out progressive would get a show?

I'm only half kidding.

[blogslut]

29. I'm not thrilled with any of those three

But if I had to choose, I would choose David Gregory...no, Matthews...Gregory...aw hell. Well, certainly not damned Joe Scarborough.

Can't we force Hugh Downs out of retirement or something?

[AlCzervik]

33. Downs and or Brokaw or better yet my fantasy team, Bill Moyers and Phil Donahue.

[Eurobabe]

40. Get a real journalist like Bill Moyers.

[Captain Hilts]

30. Gregory: Rove's dancing partner. Matthews: sexist who got hot over GWB in flightsuit..slim pickin's

[Blarch]

32. I would have to go with...

http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Barack+Obama+Takes+Campaign+Bus+Tour+Through+S8sNyOt0Yztl.jpg

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

34. they've built up timmy to sainthood and now

they don't have the talent to fill his shoes.

my choice would be diane rehm, but they are too incestuous to go outside the family.

[pacalo]

36. Joe Scarborough would confuse MTP views into thinking they're tuned in to Faux News.

He couldn't even muster up enough viewers on MSNBC to keep his nightly show.

Why can't they pick someone with common sense and straightforwardness who would bring back MTP's intended format of asking tough questions of those who deserve to be asked tough questions like Keith Olbermann & Bill Moyers? Isn't this what's missing in today's news programs? NBC could be a new pioneer by choosing someone who hasn't been bought!

I expect there won't be any change: It will be someone like Matthews or Gregory.

[hwmnbn]

37. Didn't MTP originally have a panel....

of 4 actual reporters from real newspapers asking the questions?

That's why they called it Meet The Press, DUH!!

The moderator would only guide the proceedings. Why not go back to that format with different journalists alternating every week?

[nam78_two]

38. Scarborough??

So KO is a long shot becuase he is too liberal, but Scarborough is not too conservative-yup sounds like MSNBC logic to me :eyes:.

Of that lot, Gregory looks like the best to me.

[Eurobabe]

39. Joey 'Dead Intern' SCAB???

Puhlease.

[K Gardner]

42. NO FREAKIN WAY to ANY of those names ! Grrrrr ! Timmeh would ROLL OVER in his grave !

[greenbriar]

43. ugg ugger and uggest

that is all I can say