Before settling on Chuck Todd, NBC executives seriously considered tapping Jon Stewart to serve as the new moderator of “Meet the Press,” according to a report from New York Magazine’s Gabriel Sherman.
Sherman cited “three senior television sources” who said that NBC News president Deborah Turness held negotiations with the “Daily Show” host to take over the longtime Sunday morning program. The negotiations did not bear fruit, but it apparently wasn’t for lack of trying by NBC, Sherman reports:
One source explained that NBC was prepared to offer Stewart virtually “anything” to bring him over. “They were ready to back the Brinks truck up,” the source said. A spokesperson for NBC declined to comment. James Dixon, Stewart’s agent, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Turness did not respond to TPM’s request for comment.
Todd debuted as moderator of “Meet the Press” last month after the show’s ratings had slipped precipitously under David Gregory. The show saw an initial ratings boost after Todd took over, but has since slipped back to third place behind rival programs on CBS and ABC.
Todd, for his part, tried to make light of the news on Twitter with a reference to the sign-off for both “Meet the Press” and the “Daily Show.”
If it’s Sunday, it’s your moment of zen.
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) October 8, 2014
This post has been updated.
If this is true then I’m incredibly, horribly disappointed with Jon. It’s one thing to make fun of the problem, to point out the ridiculousness of a problem, and yet another thing to refuse to be part of the solution when you have the opportunity. I sincerely hope this isn’t true.
Oh, I’m sorry. I thought I clicked on the TPM link, not The Onion.
For just a moment, Meet the Press almost became an interesting program.
“James Dixon, Stewart’s agent, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.”
Sure he did. You just can’t see someone giving you The Finger over the phone or through email. Pretty sure The Finger is what Stewart gave NBC too.
It’s not about the money as Mr Stewart seems to be saying.Integrity and reputation seems to be item one on his list.Good for you.
I guess the same thing applies here as his take down on the OLD crossfire:’’’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vairxufsnjg