Bill Moyers to leave PBS

[kskiska]

NEW YORK - Bill Moyers, whose weekly magazine "Now" on PBS has capped a 30-year career in TV journalism, is leaving the broadcast after the November elections.

His next venture: Writing a long-proposed book about Lyndon Johnson, whom he served before and during Johnson's presidency.

"It isn't because I feel old," Moyers, 69, told The Associated Press of his decision, which he made official Thursday. "It's because I feel compelled to do something else now, that only I can do — which is that book."

The veteran journalist said he had pondered the new course for some time, and originally considered stepping down in June, when he turns 70. Instead, he will scale back his duties after that, but stay on through the presidential race.

more…
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=494&ncid=763&e=2&u=/ap/20040219/ap_en_tv/tv_bill_moyers

[ramapo]

1. Please no FOX

My first fear was here goes another one to Faux News

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Bill couldn't wouldn't ever go to Faux...

He's an old-timer. He still remembers when we had a free press *sigh*...

[0007]

11. Your absolutely correct!! I indeed look forward to "Now" every Friday -

[indigo32]

16. you're joking me right?

Moyers would NEVER go to Fox

[mastein]

3. This move was telegraphed

when Moyers, who also has significant if not complete editorial control over the show brought in longtime Marketplace radio anchor David Brancchio to co host the show. I think age is no obsticle for Moyers, heck Mike Wallace is 80 freakin 5. I am willing to wager a nickel that Moyers will be back with PBS if not on NOW after he writes the LBJ book.

[Tracer]

4. I will be sorry to see Bill go.

He's the voice of reason in an ever-widening wilderness.

I hope that PBS keeps "Now" and David Brancaccio.

[Gemini Cat]

5. Now is one of the very few worthwhile...

...shows on the tv.
I hope it doesn't change.

:dem:

[Zhade]

8. Unfortunately, it probably will change.

The traitor in the White House named two of his supporters to the PBS Board of Directors recently.

[wicket]

6. NOOOOOOO!!!!!

Mr. Moyers is one of the few real journalists left, I will be very sad to see him go. He will be missed!

I think I'm going to write him a letter.

[mobuto]

7. Its sad, but his book about LBJ

will be worth reading.

Caro's done such a hatchet job on the man - he tells stories beautifully (at least until the most recent volume), but his hatred for LBJ is so pathological it obscures the tremendous good that the man did.

I'll certainly buy Moyers' book.

[shrike]

12. I don't think Caro has a pathological hatred of LBJ

And I hardly find his books a hatchet job. I'd categorize a Barbara Olson or Christopher Hitchens (somewhat) piece as a hatchet job, but not Caro.

Maybe his books aren't as laudatory as you'd like, but I think he's doing a good job, so far, of rendering a portrait of a tremendously complicated human being. His descriptions of LBJ's early years were fascinating.

[mobuto]

18. Ok, not a hatchet job

I'm actually really enjoying Caro's biography. I wouldn't have read the three extant volumes if I weren't. But they don't do him justice. Caro accentuates his weaknesses, minimizes his strengths, gets some facts wrong, and generally does the man a great disservice.

His descriptions of LBJ's early years were fascinating.

Absolutely. The first vol was great, especially where he talks about life in West Texas before electricity. Its devestating.

[American Renaissance]

9. NOW what?

This is unfortunate and David Brancchio is SO fucking irritating

[proud patriot]

10. It sounds like the show will continue

and that he will be welcome at PBS whenever he wants
to contribute .

I hope "Now" can keep the tradition which Moyers began.
I'm also glad he's staying until after the elections .
I need his calming influence .

[young_at_heart]

13. The only news show that keeps me sane!

I've practically begged North Carolina PBS to put NOW on at its' normal time, but they bury it on Sundays at 2pm (ended up getting TIVO because of this).

[otohara]

14. David Broncoccio (sp) Is Pretty Darned Wonderful Too

I feel as if Moyers has been doing less and less these past few months giving more responsiblity to Broncocci.
I'm impressed.

Good for Bill Moyers - he's almost 70. I bet he will continue to do speaches and they will be broadcasted on Democracy Now - and posted on the internet.

[indigo32]

15. I agree

I like David Broncaccio and Bill deserves to take a break.

[proud patriot]

20. Yeah he is !

:thumbsup:

[Wonk]

21. I'd still watch regularly if David was the only host, but I'll miss Bill

when he leaves the show. He's one of a kind.

[RedEarth]

17. The best journalist in the country....

I hate to see him leave, however his co-host also does an excellent job. My god our country needs more people like Moyers....someone that reports the truth.

[Fargin Ice Hole]

19. Fuuuuuuuuuqqqqqqq!

Strike another one up for the fascist right.
Ya know when I hear news like this all hope for this planet goes out the damn window!!!!!

[WillyT]

22. Hey Guys... You See This ???

<snip>

PBS PRESSURED TO CANCEL MOYERS' 'NOW.' MediaChannel's Danny Schecter (newsdissector.org) writes from the Digital Independence Conference in San Francisco that Jeff Chester of the Center for Digital Democracy (democraticmedia.org) reports PBS is under extreme pressure to cancel the Bill Moyers program NOW. "Unless we wake up to this and rally behind the program, NOW will soon become THEN." George W. Bush has named two major Republican donors to the nine-member board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, including Cheryl Halpern, who supports giving CPB board members the authority to intervene in program content, and Gay Hart Gaines, an ardent supporter of Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), who as House speaker in 1994 proposed cutting all federal assistance to public TV. Contact your local PBS station to express support for Bill Moyers' NOW.

<snip>

From The Progressive Populist: http://www.populist.com/04.4.dispatches.html

Makes one wonder, no???

:grr:

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

23. It's been obvious that he's been setting up David Brancaccio

to take over the reins over the last several months.

As long as the show isn't cancelled, job well done, Bill.