talking heads

NBC Puts David Gregory Out of His Misery; Chuck Todd to Host Meet the Press

The new new Tim Russert vs. the old new Tim Russert. Photo: William B. Plowman/NBC NewsWire/Getty Images

NBC News, March: “David is our guy, is going to be our guy, and we are really happy with him.”

NBC News, April:NBC News is proud to have David in the important anchor chair of Meet the Press. He is passionate about politics, and is committed to getting answers for our viewers on the issues that matter to them the most.”

NBC News, July: “We heard the same false rumors and suggest you take them with a grain of salt, as we did.”

NBC News, August: Ah, forget it — where’s Chuck Todd?

David Gregory is out as the host of Meet the Press, CNN’s Brian Stelter reports, with an official announcement from the network coming as soon as this afternoon.

As rumored for months, but especially this week, amid the program’s Sunday struggles, Todd, the network’s White House correspondent and political director, will take over the chair that once belonged to Tim Russert, according to CNN’s sources. Like, now: “One said that the transition will be swift — so swift that Gregory will not even host Meet the Press this weekend.” Best to think of it as an extended summer vacation.

Update: NBC News President Deborah Turness confirms the swap in an internal memo shared with Intelligencer. Andrea Mitchell will host this weekend, with Todd taking over September 7:

Dear All,
 
I want to share some news about Meet the Press. After an exceptional 20 years with NBC News, David Gregory is leaving the network. 
 
I want to express my sincerest thanks to David, who, after the death of Tim Russert, led Meet the Press for almost 6 years. Under his leadership the show has had a string of exclusives, and David has shown a remarkable gift for holding leaders to account and getting answers on issues that matter to our audience. He is an outstanding journalist whose sharp intellect and quick sense of humor have made him a pleasure to work with. I know you all join me in expressing our deepest gratitude and in wishing him the very best.
 
I am very pleased to announce that Chuck Todd will take the helm on September 7. There is no one with a bigger passion for politics than Chuck. His unique ability to deliver that passion with razor sharp analysis and infectious enthusiasm makes him the perfect next generation moderator of this beloved broadcast. Chuck will ensure that Meet the Press is the beating heart of politics, the place where newsmakers come to make news, where the agenda is set. We have some exciting plans to evolve and update the broadcast under Chuck’s leadership that we will be sharing with you shortly.
 
Chuck will continue as NBC News political director, and will hand over his roles as chief White House correspondent and anchor of MSNBC’s The Daily Rundown.
 
Andrea Mitchell will serve as moderator of Meet the Press this weekend, and will continue to be a central figure of the broadcast, along with some new names that we will announce in the coming days.
 
For nearly seventy years, Americans have turned to Meet the Press on Sunday mornings for unrivaled insights on the news stories, political battles and public affairs debates dominating the national discussion.  The next-generation Meet the Press, led by Chuck Todd, is certain to be the must-watch political destination on Sundays and beyond.
 
Deborah

As for Gregory 

NBC Puts David Gregory Out of His Misery