To any Jossip reader, the Observer's story today that David Gregory — once the great hope of NBC News — has turned from commodity to casualty will be of little surprise. We've pointed out Gregory's less than stellar ratings. His riffs with colleagues. The fact that we'd rather watch QVC than Race to the White House (a show title, though catchy, even Tom Brokaw has trouble remembering).
But as Race begins to wind up its short-lived run, with November's crowning of a president acting as the show's by-definition ending, it's time to figure out what to do with Gregory. Should he keep his MSNBC show, which is less a place to break news than it is an analyst rehashing of talking points by NBC News stars? Should he return to the White House press pit, where he starred in many a YouTube video battling with press secretaries? Or should he be elevated to something like Meet The Press moderator, where he'll be charged with carrying on Tim Russert's legacy and shine a light on politician's double-speak? Might he be invited to take over Katie Couric's chair? Or Brit Hume's?
While his future isn't certain, Gregory's present is.
• He's averaging "526,000 total viewers and 161,000 in the 25-54 demographic—roughly twice the audience that Tucker Carlson averaged during the second quarter of 2007." But he still trails his cable news competitors.
• We've heard countless times that NBC brass isn't entirely won over with his performance as host. There have been cries of "mistakes" being made in giving him in own hour.
• He's inevitably compared to Andrea Mitchell, another NBC News star who was given an hour on MSNBC. While Mitchell's show is a news reporting hour to Gregory's analyst program, that neither are impressing onlookers is bad news for Gregory.
• There are many other talents in the mix that are seen as better, or at least equal, options for Meet The Press than Gregory, from Joe Scarborough to Chuck Todd. Both have successfully evolved from their original roles into their new on-air positions, while Gregory hasn't.
[NYO]
Editorial Director
Chuck Todd as host of Meet The Press would be the BIGGEST travesty to happen to journalism.
Take the time to pick some who DOESN'T show his personal bias so blatantly. He's a joke!
Yech. Get this Gregory guy back to reporting on daily news, and don't ever give him an anchor or talk show gig. Yech. No one cares about him. Just report the news.
He could be the spokesmodel for Stri-Dex Pads…
He should not be given Tim Russert's spot on Meet the Press. Wasnt it Tim who had to reprimand this tool for talking down to a waitress and telling him never to do it in front of him again. He is an arrogant bastard and when they pair him on Today with multi million dollar mistake Meredith Viera they both deserve to be shown the door. She is painful to watch too.
So why is he cohosting the Today show as a regular sub?
I am watching him on the Today show right now. I like David Gregory very much and think he is a great reporter. I am hoping he will be selected for Meet the Press.
I like David Gregory. He moderates Race to the White House with grace and intelligence. He restrains his probably liberal bias and tries to be fair in his comments. I hope he is chosen for Meet the Press. He'd be much better than the far-too biased Chuck Todd, whom the MSNBC commentators seem to love.