Fri, September 9, 2005
Ahhhh... Dammit—11:29 AM
When Tom Brokaw announced his retirement, I put myself on a daily regimen of hating Brian Williams's filthy little usurper guts, but I can no longer resist against his series of excellent appearances on Conan and The Daily Show – including a masterful turn last night, providing a real context for both the humanitarian tragedy of Katrina and the bureaucratic clusterfuck that ensues. He is an anchorman in the truest sense of the word: a gifted Kronkitesque narrator of world events and a source of clear-headed analysis and perspective.
Plus, what a showman! He's an effortlessly adorable raconteur and displays a great sense of humor with that most rare and exquisite of side dishes: the ability to not be funny, when the situation (or diplomacy) demands it. (Ahem... Jon Stewart.)
So, I'm fully in love with Brian Williams now. (Although he's not without his faults: the Al Sharpton deal at last year's DNC reminds us he can make mistakes on the air.) If this results in me watching the national network news with regularity for the first time since high school, I'll be stunned, confused, and reduced to a quivering, sobbing, fetal-position lump under the table, questioning my identity and all that I stand for.
Monique — Fri, 9/9/05 2:09pm
double dammit! I can't believe I missed it trying to catch local high school football wrap-ups, that weren't any good anyway. hope I can catch tonight's re-do.
Joe Mulder — Sat, 9/10/05 3:53pm
Glad to see you've finally come around. Since I don't watch network news (national or local) and never have, my only exposure to Brian Williams is Conan appearances, and he always knocks those out of the park. Welcome to the fold, brother. In Brian's name, Amen.