The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.
Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.
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On a day like this, I envy my friends in the sports broadcasting business. They are consumed by the trading deadline in baseball, and the new starting lineups that will inevitably come about as a result. It makes this day different from all others for them. Our business reflects our world, and to that end there is no escaping the grim and awful situation in the Middle East. While this is not an endorsement of any position on the issue, I commend to everyone's attention Tim Russert's superb interview with Tom Friedman on Meet the Press yesterday [video link]. While Friedman (a veteran of the region and of the New York Times) represents a certain view, his appearance and message both speak to the enormous investment all Americans have in this conflict. To the extent that we can use this broadcast to drive home that point -- the far-reaching consequences of what we see going on right now -- we intend to.
Picking up on that theme, we have commissioned a special look at this conflict from one of our pros: David Gregory will take a half-a-step away from his usual duties as chief White House correspondent -- to look at exactly what it is Israel is doing here and who is leading that country. David and I spoke before he boarded the shuttle to Washington (OK, full disclosure -- when I turned my cell phone on this morning, there was ALREADY a voice mail from David on there), and he's been in constant touch with our producers here all day. As subject matters go, this one is a minefield. As our responsibilities go, explaining the stakes to our audience ranks way up there. If you see Andrea Mitchell appear on our air tonight: it means news was made on board Secretary Rice's flight home. Andrea is traveling with her, and they are supposed to land at Andrews AFB about a half hour before our air time. We will have a live satellite truck standing by if need be.
Also tonight, Fletcher and Engel from the region, Don Teague on the domestic heat wave, Plan B (the drug) and gas prices (the whiparound effect). And we'll touch on the near-self-destruction of a major Hollywood figure.
A busy day here: I'm a third of the way through three separate appearances today on three broadcasts other than my own. And a special note: in our chronicles of our summer interns and what they learned during their time with us, watch this space for the next intern essay: the incomparable Casey Dolan, pride of New Canaan, Conn., and Villanova, will finally explain to her parents what it is she did after she got on the train to the city each morning of the summer.
I hope you can join us for tonight's broadcast.
Read more from Brian Williams 2006
So much for suspended airstrikes
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Pity David Gregory wasn't covering President Bush's trip to Florida--where I understand one of the topics he tackled is hurricane preparedness.
Also, about the "near self-destruction of a major Hollywood figure" which I assume has to do with Mel Gibson and his big mouth--aren't there more important things going on? I could give you a suggestion or two...
(Sent Jul 31, 2006 5:05:06 PM)
I'm actually more impress if you DO turn off your cell phone and Blackberry (I call them crack-berry)
More people need to learn to step away from the office/work. Without real down time you become ineffective with clouded judgement. Good for you Brian, you and your family deserve the break
Amanda, Ridgewood, NJ (Sent Jul 31, 2006 4:38:28 PM)
Pat, to those who stayed behind and was hit by bombs; it's Katrina all over again.
As it was reported all those who could have left did leave and those who had no way of leaving: vehicle, money for busfare, able to catch a ride with someone, etc., stayed behind. Even if they could have left by foot and shoe leather there wasn't anywhere for them to go. No one to take them in, no one to give them shelter, no one to help.
At least where they stayed they had some access to water, food and partial shelter.
The warning was given. As with Katrina in New Orleans, those who had money and means left town before the hurricane and those without remained behind.
Don't blame the victims.
Dewey Quong, Reno, NV (Sent Jul 31, 2006 4:18:55 PM)
You turn off your cell phone?! While I certainly admire that (I am so tired of this cell phone culture!) I also wonder how you are summoned in the middle of the night for a major breaking story. Do you have a special hotline?!
Joyce Wiswell, Royal Oak, MI (Sent Jul 31, 2006 4:18:45 PM)
Mr. Williams:
This is the first time I've read your blog. I watch you as much as possible. My sons just started football practice so I catch you on ocassion now. I spent a number of years in the business and want to let you know you are doing a great job.
There's one thing that has me puzzled over the last month or so I haven't seen the First Lady on air anywhere is everything okay?
BTW, I can't believe you actually turn off your cell phone. I'd imagine you'd have a blackberry and phone strapped to your hip and on 24/7.
Thanks for your time.
James Reese, Atlanta, GA (Sent Jul 31, 2006 4:04:19 PM)
Please ask Richard Engle and others reporting from the conflict areas to note that those people were dropped leaflets urging them to leave; and they stayed. It is tragic. HEZBOLLAH started this, not Israel. All the yelling should be aimed at HEZBOLLAH, not Israel. Lebanon should have disarmed Hezbollah and the U.S. and our Arab allies should have supported them more in their efforts to become a true democracy. You play into the terrorist propoganda by airing this type of video and not giving equal time to video of the missle strikes in Isreal and the victims from those strikes. It appears our press is rooting for Hezbollah when the reporting is so one sided and not put into context.
Pat Smith, Panama City, FL (Sent Jul 31, 2006 4:03:17 PM)
And speaking of sports broadcasting Brian...would you please comment on what is being done for west coasters to view Sunday night's Nightly News which is soon to be pre-empted by football? Thanks.
PeeWee Boobosch, Portland, Oregon (Sent Jul 31, 2006 4:00:08 PM)
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