Tim Russert Dies

[JonoBN41]

Originally Posted by Nanners52674

When i mentioned it when I got in not a single one of my fellow employees working (all round my age) had any idea who he was. This stunned me more than i could imagine.

My tenant and I were discussing health issues this afternoon, so I mentioned Tim Russert dying of a heart attack. "I don't know him," he said, "I'm not from around here." The funny thing is, he didn't work most of this week and has just been watching TV - what, I don't know.

Looks like Luke will be following in his dad's footsteps: Source

Luke Russert, son of the late NBC Washington bureau chief, Tim Russert, will be covering the Democratic and Republican national conventions for NBC News this summer, the network announced today.


Russert, a June graduate of Boston College who grabbed the nation's heart during a week a memorial services following the unexpected death of his 58-yrear-old father, will focus on youth issues during the conventions.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by OTW

Looks like Luke will be following in his dad's footsteps: Source

I'm not real sure how I feel about this. It smacks a little of promotion instead of News value -- but of course I have no idea how they will use him.

Interesting.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

I'm not real sure how I feel about this. It smacks a little of promotion instead of News value -- but of course I have no idea how they will use him.

Interesting.

The thing is (and maybe I'm being a bit too cynical here), but almost anything they do in connection with Russert's death will have a bit of promotion to it. His legacy as a top journalist will forever be linked to NBC, and they're not going to want people to lose sight of that.

At the same time - Luke seems like he has a good handle on things, and has done very well in every media appearance. He's been filling in as "Stat Boy" on "Pardon the Interruption," an ESPN show, and has done a good job. He's a smart guy (Boston College grad) on top of it all, and his name will bring him more access than some other reporters, so I think this will probably work out pretty well.

Slightly off-topic, but can you think of any prominent journalists who are the sons or daughters of other prominent journalists. Other than Chris Wallace on the news side and Jeremy Schaap (on the sports side), I can't think of any.

[DeltAlum]

Two thoughts:

First, regarding Luke Russert, I agree that he handled(s) himself well on camera. However, the rest of the reporters covering the conventions have years of journalistic experience (call it dues paying if you will). I supect that he will be a "face man" pretty much mouthing the words that a producer writes. That doesn't mean that the stories may not be his ideas. No question that he's smart. It will be interesting.

Second, regarding famous offspring, I can think of one other off the top of my head, but the son is not an on air person. Curt Gowdy, Jr. is Executive Producer of SportsNewYork (which is one of our sister networks) and has done production work for a couple of major networks. But he's not a household name by any means.

I'd guess there are a number of cases on local levels which we would never hear about.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Two thoughts:

First, regarding Luke Russert, I agree that he handled(s) himself well on camera. However, the rest of the reporters covering the conventions have years of journalistic experience (call it dues paying if you will). I supect that he will be a "face man" pretty much mouthing the words that a producer writes. That doesn't mean that the stories may not be his ideas. No question that he's smart. It will be interesting.

Second, regarding famous offspring, I can think of one other off the top of my head, but the son is not an on air person. Curt Gowdy, Jr. is Executive Producer of SportsNewYork (which is one of our sister networks) and has done production work for a couple of major networks. But he's not a household name by any means.

I'd guess there are a number of cases on local levels which we would never hear about.

Fair enough. But, I don't think he'd necessarily be taking air time away from any of the established journalists. I could see them using him as a "voice of the youth" type correspondent, talking to younger voters, or, trying to ask the "younger person" questions of candidates. I would think that his job would have been one that went to an intern, etc. Now, that may stink for the person who would have gotten the job, but I don't think he'll take air time/face time away from any of the established on-air talent.

That's interesting about Gowdy Jr., I didn't know that. Thinking more about it, I'd guess there are more instances where the children of on-air talent takes behind-the-scenes roles.

[AGDee]

Not that the Detroit scene is the big time, but a long time radio personality (Dick Purtan) now has a daughter who's a newscaster (Joann Purtan).

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I could see them using him as a "voice of the youth" type correspondent, talking to younger voters, or, trying to ask the "younger person" questions of candidates.

Which is exactly how NBC is promoting it now. I'll give him a chance and be very interested in how the whole thing is carried out. I worked for NBC (mostly on the Sports side, but a fair amount of News as well and I can pretty much picture him surrounded by producers, production assistants, etc.

Also, Dee, I remember Dick Purtan (on WJR I think). He was also the "voice" of Chevrolet commercials for years, as well as being one of the nations most listened to DJ's. I used to love their signature -- "This is WJR, the great voice of the Great Lakes."

ETA that Detroit radio may not be so big time now, but during the Motown days, it was HUGE nationally with rockers like CKLW, WJBK and WKNR, the first two of them which could be heard through major parts of the US. A lot of great talent came through those stations. On the other hand, when I went there to work, Detroit was the fifth largest market in the country. Now I don't think it's still in the top ten.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by OTW

Looks like Luke will be following in his dad's footsteps: Source

I enjoyed when Luke Russert was on Larry King talking about the presidential election. I say give him a chance.