NBC Reportedly Looking for Something Else for Brian Williams to Do

New York Magazine ^ | May 31, 2015 | Caroline Bankoff

[lbryce]

Somehow, the United States has managed to solider on without Brian Williams anchoring NBC Nightly News — as has the show itself, which has mostly maintained its viewership with Lester Holt manning the desk.

Still, some people at NBC are reportedly hoping to hold onto Williams, who was suspended in February after he admitted to lying about the details of a 2003 trip to Iraq. (Subsequent reporting and an internal inquiry turned up a number of other fabrications.) CNN Money reports that while Williams could very well end up leaving NBC (with "a significant portion" of his $10 million-a-year contract), discussions about the matter have recently turned toward "a new role" for him at the network.

[lbryce]

They could give him J. Fred Muggs' old job, something he is uniquely qualified for as mascot on the "Today Show". J. Fred Muggs, a chimpanzee was the mascot for NBC's Today Show from 1953 to 1957.

[cripplecreek]

Floors don’t sweep themselves.

[SaveFerris]

He could continue to write fiction and use selective editing by ignoring things, just like when he was an anchor.

[Gaffer]

Frankly, I’d not want him even in the same building with any new talent.

My only suggestion is that he could be the Sector 12 Tribute to the Hunger Games for next year.

[lbryce]

They’ve already got qualified people for that. I don’t think floor sweeper is listed on his resume as part of his work experience.

[grania]

In the real world, people lose their jobs when they mess up so decisively. In the world of the media and other elite, they get paychecks, huge bonuses if they "move on", and get to work as consultants or whatever afterwards.

We should be appalled that NBS even wants to find something else for him.

[Timber Rattler]

One of the sources described employee meetings where Lack asked attendees to "think creatively" about a new role for Williams.

[OttawaFreeper]

Well, aren’t there things like truck drivers school or barber college as well ? (no disrespect towards truck drivers or hairstylists intended here).

[SaveFerris]

[Leaning Right]

Well, aren’t there things like truck drivers school or barber college as well?

The problem here is that once Williams got his barber's license, he would also claim to have a doctor's license, a pilot's license, a stock broker's license, etc.

[Islander7]

NBC Reportedly Looking for Something Else for Brian Williams to Do

There's plenty of litter on the roadways for him to pick up. He can sell the aluminum cans too.

[bytesmith]

Surely there is a nice position with the Clinton Family Crime Foundation.

[fieldmarshaldj]

True, Williams is good at flinging poo.

[Political Junkie Too]

Bring back the old NBC game show...

-PJ

[MDLION]

Maybe he could be a MSNBC fact checker.

[Renkluaf]

Top of the Rock tour guide?

[SMARTY]

He ought to take that job down at the tannery, biting the as%holes out of cowhides. $8 an hour and all you can eat!! :)

[IronJack]

They’ve got a cafeteria, don’t they? Where there’s a cafeteria, there are dishes. And dishes get dirty ...

I know what you’re thinking: Brian Williams is a highly educated television journalist with vast years of experience ...

That’s okay. He can be trained.

[Servant of the Cross]

Lead press pool reporter for the Rand Paul POTUS campaign ....

[WayneS]

He’d make a good doorstop...

...or a paperweight...

...and I’ll bet there are plenty of other ways he could be useful around the office at NBC.