My mom can’t stand Brian Williams of NBC news.

I think, despite the attempt at humor shown in this post, - she spits at the TV whenever he’s on.

I always think, “why not just change the channel?”

But I wonder how many other people feel that way – about any news person – not just Brian Williams.

Well, apparently there are enough of them that can’t seem to stomach David Gregory – host of “Meet the Press!” Especially since the show's taken a precipitous drop in the ratings.

So the network, in trying to make him more “likable", has ordered a psychological research project for him and his family.

Wacky!?

NBC’s “Meet the Press” has seen its ratings drop to such low levels that the network executives have gone and ordered psychological research of the host David Gregory and his family, in an effort to make him more likable.

 

 

The Washington Post reported, “Last year, the network undertook an unusual assessment of the 43-year-old journalist, commissioning a psychological consultant to interview his friends and even his wife.

But, as the Washington Post points out, the impossible burden for Gregory has been to follow the beloved Tim Russert. It reported, “As one NBC colleague describes it, Russert is a ‘ghost’ who still haunts Gregory’s tenure at ‘MTP’ six years into his run.”

An NBC spokesperson told Page Six, “Last year ‘Meet the Press’ brought in a brand consultant — not, as reported, a psychological one — to better understand how its anchor connects, and they all have their own methods for doing that. This is certainly not unusual for any television program, especially one that’s based on one person. It is absolutely false that any audience research has been done on an alternative host.”

“Brand consultant!” God, I just love new-age corporate speak. It makes me want to barf.

Granted, he’s “the guy following the guy” – which is a daunting challenge for anyone in the broadcast field!

But why should he change? He is who he is – and if the “brand consultants” don’t think he’s the right fit for their long running news program – find someone else. Personally I think he does a fine job - and there are other hosts more unlikeable than he is.

Besides, there’s no shortage of news outlets willing to give Gregory a job should he need one!

Which leads me to wonder – since we put so much stock in who delivers us the news - who is your favorite and least favorite television news person?

We probably won’t see too many “Uncle Walters” coming down the pike anytime soon!

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