David Gregory, Raw Deal?

Posted by | August 13, 2014 11:45 | Filed under: Contributors Mark Quincy Adams Media/Show Business Opinion Politics Top Stories

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Poor David Gregory. The much-maligned host of NBC’s Meet The Press had to follow the revered Tim Russert and is despised by just about everyone. Liberals feel like he has a soft spot for throwing soft balls to Republican guests. Moderates are turned off by him for being too close to the Washington establishment. Conservatives just hate anyone who strays from the script they are fed by the right-wing media. Each week the buzz on Twitter and the blogosphere grows louder with talk of Gregory’s imminent firing and, this wee,k it was especially loud and public. While those who claim to be in the know are already anointing Chuck Todd as the replacement, Gregory is not going down without a fight.

So, let’s join the parlor game of speculating who should replace Gregory as host of the long running Sunday news program. For the sake of brevity, I am including only those already in the NBC family.

Some tempting names which I discarded right off the bat include Kathy Lee and Hoda, who could theoretically move their morning Wine Club to Sundays. Turning the program into a boozy brunch chat show might be entertaining, but only if the guests play along. Not likely. Also, it’s also not quite time yet for “Host-in-Waiting” Luke Russert. He needs to earn some chops on the beat before inevitably picking up where his dad left off in another 10 years or so.

So who is left?  Who should replace David Gregory?

Tom Brokaw – He is still sharp and energetic enough to do a weekly program and his long experience would bring gravitas to this fledgling show. However, the thought of him interviewing John McCain every other week (which seems to be mandatory) puts me to sleep. He would be the ultimate placeholder – a temporary fix- if chosen.

Chris Hansen – OK he doesn’t work for NBC anymore but isn’t it fun to imagine a politician seated in their chair and having Chris Hansen rush on to the set each Sunday followed by men with cameras, boom microphones and accusatory questions? You know it is.

Joe & Mika – I would be the first to advocate for these two, but only if it meant they would no longer be on MSNBC weekdays anymore. Brzezinski is a lovely person but let’s face it, Scarborough is insufferable. He should thank Don Imus every day for his comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team or he’d probably be pumping gas in a Pensacola Quick-E-Mart right now. Offer to put him on Sundays and take him off weekdays and we can close this deal right now.

Richard Engel – There is no one I respect more on foreign news than Richard Engel. He is intelligent, worldly and fair-minded. He knows what questions to ask too, an under-appreciated talent in TV News. Unfortunately, his lack of familiarity with the inside politics of Washington probably makes him a longshot, at best, for the job.

Rachel Maddow – A favorite among progressives, she would be a dogged questioner and relentless pursuer of truth and justice. That’s part of the problem. Maddow is too smart for that job and her talents would be wasted doing the program. Also, few conservatives would have the guts to let her ask them questions on TV. It’s hard enough for a true liberal to be invited as a guest on a Sunday show, I wouldn’t hold my breath to see one as a host any time soon.

Andrea Mitchell – She knows Washington and has an impressive resume. To have a woman host the program for the first time would shake things up and perhaps revive the ratings. NBC may want an ultimate insider who those in Washington are comfortable with and Mitchell certainly fits that bill. A true contender.

Chuck Todd – The name that gets the most buzz right now, Todd certainly has mastered getting under the skin of politicians.  Unfortunately, it’s too often because he is a self-centered ‘gotcha’ freak. Unfortunately, if history is any indication, that could be exactly what NBC is looking for here. It would be a terrible move though. Todd’s irritates viewers as much as he does politicians and his image as wannabe player would be like hiring a David Gregory clone. Although it’s probably right to see him as a top candidate for the job, it would be a disaster for Todd’s career and perhaps also kill the show for good.

Michael Isakoff – This would be an interesting and potentially excellent choice.  After many years as an investigative reporter, Isakoff knows where the bodies are buried.  He knows how to dig deep into his reports and he has an excellent BS detector. It would probably feel like a step down from his current role at NBC, but if he were interested in the job, they should talk.

Willie Geist – This is my favorite option. I’m a big Willie Geist fan. The guy is an intelligent and open-minded person. He comes across as unassuming even when asking tough questions. ABC already has their Good Morning America anchor on Sundays so the youthful Geist could probably keep doing his ‘Today’ Show job if need be and host Meet the Press on Sundays (although I’d prefer him to go back to MSNBC weekday mornings and send Joe off to pump gas). Anyway, the guy has to be bored with cooking meals with celebrity chefs and laughing at Al Roker’s lame jokes. His talents are being squandered on ‘Today’. Give him the Sunday gig and let’s see what he can do!

Of course the problems with Meet The Press goes deeper than the host. It is its lack of usefulness. It doesn’t educate, doesn’t shed new light on anything and the guests seem to be the same old pols regurgitating the same old talking points. So why bother? A revamp of the format, as well as a new host, is needed to save this historic program. NBC should cast the net wide to get someone who will really shake things up.

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Copyright 2014 Liberaland
By: Mark Quincy Adams

A proud 'pragmatic progressive' Mark Quincy Adams has been a political
talk show host and prolific pontificator since 1992. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @politicalglutton

29 responses to David Gregory, Raw Deal?

  1. craig7120 August 13th, 2014 at 12:21

    It just doesn’t matter

    The show offers no solutions, just a platform for politicians to propagate their agenda.
    The show welcomes a sickening display of anti-american rhetoric from old white men from the gop party, which is not just limited to meet the press.

    • Budda August 13th, 2014 at 12:29

      Exactly. Let the show die. Let McCain do something else on Sunday mornings.

  2. craig7120 August 13th, 2014 at 12:21

    It just doesn’t matter

    The show offers no solutions, just a platform for politicians to propagate their agenda.
    The show welcomes a sickening display of anti-american rhetoric from old white men from the gop party, which is not just limited to meet the press.

    • Budda August 13th, 2014 at 12:29

      Exactly. Let the show die. Let McCain do something else on Sunday mornings.

  3. tiredoftea August 13th, 2014 at 12:53

    I heard that the pets.com sock puppet was still looking for work.

  4. tiredoftea August 13th, 2014 at 12:53

    I heard that the pets.com sock puppet was still looking for work.

  5. MIAtheistGal August 13th, 2014 at 12:54

    I never considered Engel but I bet her be great. If Meet The Press was still worth doing, I mean.

    • mea_mark August 13th, 2014 at 13:30

      If Engel took it, it wouldn’t be the same show. It would be a show more about what was going on in the whole world and less about the crap going on in DC. All for it mind you, Engel is one of the best, his talent and knowledge is just focused elsewhere.

      • MIAtheistGal August 13th, 2014 at 16:36

        You’re right, it would be different (and better) show. So they’ll never do it.

  6. MIAtheistGal August 13th, 2014 at 12:54

    I never considered Engel but I bet her be great. If Meet The Press was still worth doing, I mean.

    • mea_mark August 13th, 2014 at 13:30

      If Engel took it, it wouldn’t be the same show. It would be a show more about what was going on in the whole world and less about the crap going on in DC. All for it mind you, Engel is one of the best, his talent and knowledge is just focused elsewhere.

      • MIAtheistGal August 13th, 2014 at 16:36

        You’re right, it would be different (and better) show. So they’ll never do it.

  7. mea_mark August 13th, 2014 at 13:35

    No mention of Alex Wagner and Tamron Hall teaming up. I am disappointed. I bet they would rock on Sunday morning and do a great job. Time to put the women on and give them a chance, just not Kathy Lee and Hoda, Sunday morning is time to sober-up.

    • raincheck1956 August 14th, 2014 at 05:21

      Two excellent choices…

  8. mea_mark August 13th, 2014 at 13:35

    No mention of Alex Wagner and Tamron Hall teaming up. I am disappointed. I bet they would rock on Sunday morning and do a great job. Time to put the women on and give them a chance, just not Kathy Lee and Hoda, Sunday morning is time to sober-up.

    • raincheck August 14th, 2014 at 05:21

      Two excellent choices…

  9. Jake August 13th, 2014 at 16:45

    What about the legendary Alan Colmes?

  10. mmaynard119 August 13th, 2014 at 20:57

    Michael Isikoff is no longer with NBC. He resigned/let go in April.

  11. mmaynard119 August 13th, 2014 at 20:57

    Michael Isikoff is no longer with NBC. He resigned/let go in April.

  12. AnthonyLook August 13th, 2014 at 22:20

    Gregory’s dismissal is long over due.

  13. AnthonyLook August 13th, 2014 at 22:20

    Gregory’s dismissal is long over due.

  14. Denise August 13th, 2014 at 22:37

    Keith Olberman, Alan Colmes. How about Tameron Hall, too add some diversity here. Willie and Chuck are no different than Gregory. Jonathan Caphart? Can we get away from boring white males like Gregory?.How about Oorah?

    • tiredoftea August 13th, 2014 at 23:19

      Oprah? Oh, great! From a suck up white guy to a black oligarch. There’s progress!

  15. Denise August 13th, 2014 at 22:37

    Keith Olberman, Alan Colmes. How about Tameron Hall, too add some diversity here. Willie and Chuck are no different than Gregory. Jonathan Caphart? Can we get away from boring white males like Gregory?.How about Oorah?

    • tiredoftea August 13th, 2014 at 23:19

      Oprah? Oh, great! From a suck up white guy to a black oligarch. There’s progress!

  16. Dave Lanson August 14th, 2014 at 08:55

    Anyone who thinks Gregory is bad hasn’t seen anything yet if Chuck Todd gets that role.

  17. Dave Lanson August 14th, 2014 at 08:55

    Anyone who thinks Gregory is bad hasn’t seen anything yet if Chuck Todd gets that role.

  18. eddie1247 August 14th, 2014 at 15:05

    Noam Chomsky, but age is a big factor.

  19. eddie1247 August 14th, 2014 at 15:05

    Noam Chomsky, but age is a big factor.

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