With just a couple months to go before November's presidential election, NBC News must be narrowing in on its selection of a permanent Meet The Press host. Various names have floated about, from David Gregory to staff favorite Gwen Ifill. But there's another staffer "trickling down" as a likely possibility. He's Hardball's David Shuster, who's spent the past two weeks filling in for Chris Matthews, who's battling a bout of pneumonia. Ratings have been quite healthy, even after taking the Olympics lead-in into account, we're told, while on-lookers like his aggressive interview style. The only problem?
Off the air, Shuster might as well be a PA. That's because he's rarely heard from — he's so introverted and quiet, he "weirds people out," says one insider. The side effect? "Nobody seems to think he has any friends at NBC … and that's a problem."
Editorial Director
I can't watch him talk, he freaks me out….Mr Robotic.
Besides, his political views are always on his sleeve.
Another person who I think would be good at hosting meet the press would be Norah Odonnel
If NBC was smart, they'd hire either Ross Perot or Ted Nugent. That will get some ratings.
Shouldn't NBC hire someone like Russert? That is, someone with non-partisan credentials? David Gregory fits that description; Shuster isn't even close.
Useful tool. Accent on tool.
I hope Chuck Todd, at least, is being considered.
I think he's great, flaws aside. He's not just smart, he's quick, something viewers are looking for in hosts. Half of all the political blog posts are about how host XYZ let some absurd statement by guest ABC go by without a peep. Shuster's better about that than most.