With NBC in advanced negotiations with David Gregory to moderate ‘Meet the Press’, could see Tom Brokaw winding up his temporary stint on the programme.
 
This would see the network’s lucrative franchise for the first time in the hands of a journalist, who has not only been a chief White House correspondent, but also cable news host (frequent fill-in on ‘Today’), apart from being an accomplished mimic.  Gregory will have his work cut out to fill the considerable void left by the death of Tim Russert in June.  Russert, during a 17-year run worked hard to turn ‘Meet the Press’ into a top-rated interrogation ritual.
 
Chuck Todd, NBC’s political director is the other leading contender, though Gregory is clearly seen to have requisite journalistic experience, including being accustomed to verbal sparring matches, frequently clashing with President Bush’s spokesmen.  However, there are those who are skeptical about Gregory’s less than commanding screen presence and lack of showmanship as a host, leading them to wonder whether he would be able to sustain viewer interest.
 
Gregory, whose NBC contract expires next year, also has ABC interested getting him on board.  Joining NBC in 1996, the 6-foot-5 reporter was nick named ‘Stretch’ by Bush, later downgrading him to ‘Little Stretch’.
 
If Gregory is tapped, it would set off a chain reaction in which NBC would likely want to craft a prominent role for the popular Todd and MSNBC would need a new 6 p.m. host. The leading contender for Gregory's White House job appears to be NBC correspondent Samantha Guthrie.
 
If, Gregory is promoted, it would represent a challenging opportunity for ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, whose programme ‘This Week’, is rated second, behind ‘Meet the Press’.