Washingtonian: When Russert died, Chuck Toad lobbied aggresively as the MTP host "that Tim wanted"

[Miles Archer]

Todd also pined for the moderator’s chair—and lobbied aggressively for it. “He saw himself as the heir,” says the former senior NBC executive, and “let it be known that he was the one that Tim Russert wanted.”

But choosing Todd had drawbacks. He was 36 then and had been on the air only a short time. Despite all Todd’s jockeying, the former executive says the network only briefly considered him—the brass believed he was simply too raw for such a high-profile position.

Todd’s Meet the Press ambitions made for tension. “It was obvious that Chuck knew a lot more about politics than David did, and so that was uncomfortable,” says a person familiar with their relationship. “And then on Chuck’s end, David had the job he wanted, so that’s uncomfortable.”

Earlier this year, Sures, Todd’s agent, approached the NBC brass in New York, according to a former senior NBC executive, and demanded that Todd be handed Gregory’s job.

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/people/how-david-gregory-lost-his-job/

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Unfortunately, both Gregory and Todd suck.

Press the Meat has been unwatchable for a long time.

[on point]

5. Absolutely correct. This has become 'Meet the Shills' for me. Worthless RW propaganda.

Now if they would hire Keith Olberman, or another intellectually genuine journalist, I might go back to watching. As it is now just RW talking heads stuck in Washington group think, it is only valuable to figure out what that group think is. No value as to policy examination or the real status of the country or world affairs.

[Thinkingabout]

2. I am still a fan of MTP, have been a faithul viewer for years, to me it is not about the host

as much as listening to the guests and making a determination of the truth.

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Chuckie Toad==

lip baud=what a POS.

[tularetom]

4. Funny, I never noticed the format change when Gregory took over

I haven't watched the show in at least 15 years, but I always make it a point to check who the guests are going to be. and it seems to me that the format was still "Meet McCain" and other old white Obama hating republicans.

Of course I understand that Comcast and its advertisers would never allow a truly unbiased show to be aired, but nothing has really changed in the last ten years as far as I can see. And the ratings are still in the crapper. If things don't improve soon, it will probably be gone by this time next year.

[Johonny]

6. This is pretty much why I gave up on it

I have FOX news to tell me what people that don't think, think. I certainly don't need another show for that. The problem with meet the press is the problem with all journalism in this country. They start with the RW narrative of events and never go left from there. Rarely are progressive issues discuses and if they are discussed it is only within the narrow narrative of RW framing. MTP is simply a tool where John McCain shows up, his views are never questioned, and then he leaves so that another conservative gets a little air time. Make MTP matter and maybe we'll tune in.

[UTUSN]

7. Funniest line: TODD knows more about politics than GREGORY!1 & GREGORY looked clueless on COLBERT's

farewell. He, along with KISSINGER, stuck out like a hair in the scrambled eggs. Ever since he danced with KKKarl, he's had this cluelessness branded on his forehead above his goofy grin.