“Meet The Press” host Tim Russert signs off in Jan. 2008 following an interview with then-presidential candidate John McCain. Russert died of a heart attack at age 58.

NBC’S SUNDAY MORNING NEWS LEADER
OF FORMER HOST TIM RUSSERT’S DAY
HAS NOT RECOVERED FROM HIS LOSS

Host David Gregory typically interviews
paid shills from the political parties,
with timid questions & no follow-up

TALKING POINTS’ REPLACE INTERVIEWS;
‘FACE THE NATION’ MOVES TO NO. 1;
RADIO BLABBERMOUTHS POLLUTE AIR
 
By David Maril
 
“Meet The Press” promotes itself as the world’s longest running television show.

It could also soon start calling itself the world’s dullest news program.

After dominating the Sunday morning news program lineup for decades, NBC’s interview show often finds itself lodged in third place, behind “Face The Nation” on CBS and ABC’s “This Week.”

Soon “Meet the Press” can consider changing its name to “Meek the Press” or “Meet the Press-Release.”

Ironically, the show’s puny ratings are beginning to draw media coverage.

Recently the Washington Post did a lengthy analysis piece discussing what ails the broadcast. Word is that NBC is hard at work investigating its program, which includes a psychological profile of its host, David Gregory.

Perhaps the network should consider airing the results of its investigation on “Meet the Press”: It could only help increase viewership.

The truth is it doesn’t take an investigative team to figure out what ails the former Sunday morning ratings leader. A major reason for this incredible plunge in popularity is the loss of former host Tim Russert, who died at his desk in June 2008 at age 58 of a heart attack.

When Russert died, it was big news on all the networks. Besides, by all accounts, being a loyal friend to many, a generous and caring mentor to young reporters, and a devoted family man, Russert was also a trusted journalist.

EYES, EARS AND GENERAL WATCHDOG

For millions of viewers, he was the eyes, ears, and general watchdog of government and our elected, and too often greedy, selfish and dysfunctional officials.

The loss of Russert shouldn’t have meant a change in the format and tone of the program. While he was sure to be missed no matter who replaced him, there’s no excuse for the show’s settling into the frequently meek, boring format it currently follows. Gregory is a decent reporter and a nice guy but doesn’t seem to have the toughness or the right guests.

Here’s an example of why the show often falls short:

Recently, Gregory promoted an interview he had with Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

What’s the big deal? She’s the Democratic National Committee Chairperson and is certain to be putting a positive spin on every issue. The viewers pretty much know what she’s going to say in answer to every question.

Is it news that she thinks — despite plenty of evidence to the contrary — that the Republicans are in big trouble with the midterm elections?

In Russert’s day, “Meet the Press” and its savvy host wouldn’t have wasted 30 seconds conducting such an interview if there wasn’t a chance of gaining interesting and perceptive information.

RUSSERT ALWAYS ASKED THE TOUGH QUESTIONS

When you watched “Meet The Press,”  Russert was always asking the tough questions and seeking the answers you needed to know. He forced his guests to take accountability for their words and actions. He and his staff were tireless researchers and he’d make his guests explain inconsistencies and contradictions in their pronouncements.

Russert’s only agenda was uncovering the truth.

You can be sure most politicians hated appearing on “Meet The Press.” They knew they were in for a rough time.

But because of Russert’s credibility, they knew they had to appear if invited. Even worse than having a hard time holding your own against Russert would be the stigma of ducking him and refusing to face the tough test in front of the American public.

His credibility was based on the fact he was tough while remaining respectful of all his guests, regardless of whether they were on the left or right.

CBS’s Bob Schieffer, a network rival and close friend, pointed out that Russert reminded all journalists of the importance of listening to what was being said and responding with effective follow-up questions.

‘Face the Nation’ with Bob Schieffer is the No. 1 Sun- day morning interview show on network television.

The 77-year-old Schieffer has always followed this no-frills, honest approach, and it’s a major reason his “Face The Nation” has moved into first place and expanded from 30 minutes to a full hour.

NBC however seems to have forgotten the need for this type of hard-edged journalism. This is especially true now that we live in a world of inaccurate, unchecked information, swirling irresponsibly over the Internet.

POLLUTED BY RADIO BLABBERMOUTHS

The airwaves are polluted by radio blabbermouths and cable-TV opinion personalities pushing their own agendas and putting satisfaction of their mammoth egos above the good of the public.

No matter what your view or political outlook, there is a media outlet you can watch, listen to or read, and never have to hear any conflicting points of view.

If you are a leftwinger, there are plenty of liberal voices who will filter out coverage from the other side. The same is true if your thinking is to the right.

We have moved into an age of technology where too many opinions are shaped by phrases, sound bytes, and words taken out of context.

Marketing rules in the world of politics. It’s easier, with technology, for politicians to target audiences and sell themselves as something they are not.

Too many of our political leaders are comfortable telling voters what they think they want to hear without having any intention of following through on their promises. Many of the most successful political figures flourish because they know how to project the right image on camera and control their media coverage.

In this environment of slick, double-talking political leaders, Tim Russert helped maintain the importance of accountability and the notion that intelligent discussion and civilized debates on complex issues are still vital.

Russert’s death left a huge void in “Meet The Press,” which is not about to be filled with David Gregory interviewing paid shills from the political parties.
 
davidmaril@voiceofbaltimore.org
 
“Inside Pitch” is a weekly opinion column written for Voice of Baltimore by David Maril.
 
EDITOR’S NOTE:  Created in 1947 by Lawrence Spivak and Martha Rountree, who was the program’s initial host — followed by nine subsequent moderators before Gregory —“Meet the Press” is the longest-running television series in American broadcasting history. Under Tim Russert’s stewardship, from 1991-2008, the program was often the highest-rated and best-regarded news/interview show on television.
 
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