Brian Williams could face lengthy suspension, other punishment as NBC executives meet
We do not recall ever having as lengthy of a conversation about the NBC Nightly News as we’ve had over the past few weeks, with Brian Williams being at the center of the discussion. The reality, at least for now, is that his comments about his role in Iraq twelve years ago are still creating a firestorm both in the media and in the public. If this was 2005 when these revelations came to light, we have a much more difficult time believing that there would be as much of an uproar. Things used to blow over far more quickly than they do today.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the media coverage and intense social-media discussion on this issue is leading network executives to strongly consider a variety of different punishments for Williams. An extensive on-air apology about misrepresenting his time in Iraq is one, whereas another is a lengthy suspension from news broadcasts. While we did not think a few days ago that he would lose his job over this, we do feel like that is more and more possible now that late-night shows and other outlets have stayed with this story longer than expected. (Jon Stewart had a segment on “The Daily Show” last night about this.
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If Williams is fired, we have a hard time particularly imagining him being without work for long. While his credibility may be damaged, he was the anchor of what was by and large the most-popular evening news broadcast of the last decade. Others will inquire about his services.
We’ve also shared a video below featuring Bill O’Reilly on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” last week. regardless of whether or not you buy into some of his political leanings, he does bring forward an interesting perspective about the insatiable need of many who enjoy watching a person of note be taken down publicly. Not everyone is watching Williams’ downfall with glee, but we know thanks to internet comment threads that many are.
We will have further updates on this story as it comes out; also, be sure to sign up now to score some further TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: NBC.)