I feel badly for Brian Williams

[iemanja]

I think the network pushed him out. MSNBC loves to play revolving chairs with their anchors. I remember when he lost his job as host of the NBC nightly news. I think it was over a claim that he was present during a firefight near a plane in Afghanistan. Given what we know about memory and trauma, I don't think he meant to lie. At any rate, I think it's unfortunate that he's being pushed out of MSNBC now.

[Hoyt]

1. I like him. Hopefully, he'll be OK. Bet he writes a heck of a book or does specials.

[brush]

2. I thought he was leaving voluntarily.

[iemanja]

4. I doubt it

He's not that old.

[A HERETIC I AM]

21. He'll be 63 in May.

He is exactly one day older than I am!

[Bayard]

3. I thought he was just ready to retire

[iemanja]

5. I don't think so

I think this is like when they pushed out the previous 32 hosts. His ratings probably weren't high enough.

[brewens]

6. At first, I though the dude was just a news model. If he was, he sure learned fast. I ended up

thinking he was really sharp.

[OAITW r.2.0]

20. +1

He figured out that both sides of the political divide is not the same, As has had every sentient Republican..... like Nicole Wallace. She is telling the Truth.

[live love laugh]

7. The result of the very real cancel culture of the RW.

[iemanja]

12. Did he say something that pissed them off recently?

Tonight was the first night I've watched cable news in ages.

[budkin]

8. As long as Chuck Todd stays forever I'm good

[question everything]

9. From the New York Times

The exit of Mr. Williams, whose contract is set to expire next month, comes amid a ratings decline in the cable news industry and restlessness among some of MSNBC’s star personnel. Rachel Maddow, the network’s top-rated anchor, is expected to refocus soon on projects outside her nightly prime-time show, although she has announced no formal plans.

A person familiar with Mr. Williams’s decision-making who requested anonymity to share private conversations said the anchor would consider his options and hoped to return to television or another media platform soon.

(snip)

It debuted at the height of the 2016 presidential election and quickly found an audience. Left-leaning viewers shocked by the election of Donald J. Trump as president were flocking to MSNBC, and they seemed to forgive Mr. Williams’s past transgressions. In May 2017, “11th Hour” scored bigger ratings than its rivals at CNN and Fox News, giving MSNBC its first outright win in the 11 p.m. time slot since 2001. (The show beat CNN but lost to Fox News in total viewers during the most recent quarter.)

(snip)

Jeff Zucker, the president of CNN, has been seeking high-wattage talent for a new streaming service, CNN+, which is set to start in 2022. Mr. Zucker approached Ms. Maddow about a job before she decided to renew her deal at MSNBC. The loss of Mr. Williams means MSNBC will have to fill his weeknight slot and possibly choose another anchor to help lead coverage of election night and other big political events. In 2020, Mr. Williams often co-anchored the cable network’s political broadcasts with Ms. Maddow and another network star, Nicolle Wallace.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/09/business/media/brian-williams-msnbc.html

====

Hey, perhaps he will take Cuomo's place

[iemanja]

11. that doesn't sound voluntary

If he is still looking for other options.

I never liked Cuomo, but his ratings must be good.

[2naSalit]

13. Huh...

Maybe he will fill the Cuomo slot, you never know.

[UTUSN]

10. Well, I'm sure he doesn't need us/anything.

* I used to call him The Wedding Cake guy because of his "perfect" grooming and couture.

* I was suspicious of him back then because he seemed like a glory hound guesting on the late night comedian shows and saying he wanted to be one of them.

* When he crashed, I thought he was due for it.

* When he was demoted, he's been intelligently great, gave up the late night thing.


What's he going to do?

[wnylib]

28. I always liked him, even before his demotion

from NBC News. I agree that his perfect grooming and general demeanor did seem a bit stiff, but also steady. He really showed his human side and personal courage in his coverage of Katrina. He made some on air criticisms of how it was handled and some appeals for additional aid on behalf of the people of New Orleans. He later did a special anniversary program about it.

He could, if he wanted, do some writing or maybe do his own cable program. If not for the pandemic, he could do some speaking tours. Don't know how many people would attend in-person appearances now with omicron spreading even faster than delta.

[Grasswire2]

14. I'm very sad about this.

His steady demeanor and wry humor are traits I find appealing.

I haven't watched as much since I heard he's leaving, but that sign off at the end always made my night more peaceful even if the news was frightening.

I've actually given up watching MSNBC, and I used to tune in several hours out of each 24.

[renate]

15. I'm really sad too

I love his humor. I’m going to miss him so much and I really hope to see him on air somewhere very soon.

[BigmanPigman]

26. Me too. I love his snark and sarcasm.

He is so clever and classy.

[iemanja]

16. I might be wrong

A source close to Williams said NBC did make Williams a new contract offer and declined to share the reasons why he passed on it. Williams framed the situation this way: "Following much reflection, and after 28 years with the company, I have decided to leave NBC upon the completion of my current contract in December."

https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/09/media/brian-williams-leaving-nbc-news-msnbc/index.html

[Earth-shine]

17. It sounds like he made a play for a greater salary, if you ask me.

Rachel just got a highly publicized raise (because CNN tried to lure her away).

A few weeks, this happens with Brian.

I like his show. Sorry to see him go.

[blogslug]

18. Maybe he's just tired

After the last 5 years, I know I am.

[tableturner]

19. He wanted an earlier time slot....NBC said no.

[Rhiannon12866]

23. I thought the later timeslot suited him perfectly.

He often spoke out in ways he couldn't when he was anchor. He'd often end his show with a video from The Lincoln Project or The Daily show! And I also liked when he anchored election nights along with Rachel, Nicolle and Joy. I'll miss him, too. He was also my mother's go-to network anchor.

[wnylib]

29. What if Williams and Maddow teamed up

for their own cable program?

[Rhiannon12866]

30. They would be very good, though she's much closer to Lawrence O'Donnell

Their "hand offs" from her show to his lead to interesting discussions on the news of the day every night.

[TicketyBoo]

22. He had a huge contract

(multi-millions) with NBC which he was fulfilling on 'The 11th Hour" and I'm guessing (and that's all it is - a guess) that when contract renewal time came, they did not offer him anywhere near the bucks he was receiving on that Nightly News anchorman contract he was still working under.

I REALLY like him and will miss him A LOT.

[LudwigPastorius]

24. One thing I learned early on in the entertainment business (and...

make no mistake that network news is the entertainment business) is, no no gig lasts forever.

Brian Williams reputedly has a 7-figure net worth. He'll be fine.

He can do whatever he wants to do. If he still wants to report and issue commentary, he could do it on an exclusive YouTube channel...and still pull down income on top of what he earns off of investments.

[iemanja]

25. Yeah

It's not like he struggles to make the rent.

[jaysunb]

27. I hope there's a change of heart by both sides.

It would be great to have him at an earlier time.

[shanti]

31. His last day is next Thursday night

He mentioned that very briefly.