The title to this offbeat Featured Article has nothing to do with church attendance or the viewing of NFL games. The title has to do with NBC’s Sunday morning program Meet the Press. I count myself among the regular viewers of the program, though my interest in the Sunday morning “talking heads” began a good while back when David Brinkley played house mother to his band of feisty and talented panelists at ABC’s This Week.
I have fond recollection of the tenure of Tim Russert at Meet the Press. He was always at high speed in his delivery. He was always prepared. He was entertaining for a newsman. He hosted the program from late 1991 until his sudden and untimely death in 2008. There was some interim hosting by Tom Brokaw. Then came David Gregory starting in late 2008. I found Gregory to be adequate. My view was not shared by everyone. Viewership declined. Gregory was replaced in 2014 by Chuck Todd, who retired this month.
Introducing Kristen Welker as his successor, Todd commented that “it makes no difference” who sits in the host chair. Tell that to David Gregory. It does make a difference when viewership rises or falls.
Welker came in with a bang on September 17, 2023 with the broadcast of a pre-recorded interview with Donald Trump. She asked again and again whether (in Trump’s Opinion) a fetus has constitutional rights. I can’t recall any direct response to the question. Chuck Todd might not have done any better in extracting an answer from Trump, who seemed to be courting pro choice voters while taking no notice and no responsibility for his part in the reversal of Roe v. Wade. The position of the CLB is that it was an egregious error (by NBC network brass) to give Trump such an opportunity for publicity.
It does make a difference who sits in the host chair. I will be giving Welker a chance to prove her worth. I recommend a cessation of Trump interviews. Welker has good credentials as a television journalist, but so do many others. I finish with a congratulatory bow to Chuck Tod and the hope that he enjoys a well-earned retirement.
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