Posted on 05/22/2007 12:48:55 PM PDT by Clemenza
NEW YORK - NBC News is dropping "Dateline NBC" anchor Stone Phillips in a cost-cutting move when his contract expires at the end of June.
Phillips won't formally be replaced. His co-anchor, Ann Curry, will continue and other "Dateline NBC" reporters will serve as on-air hosts when the newsmagazine presents stories they're working on, the network said Tuesday.
"It's been a wonderful 15 years," Phillips said in a statement issued by NBC. "I'm profoundly appreciative of the many friends and colleagues, past and present, who have been a part of the `Dateline' family. This is a great news division with a bright future. I wish the people of NBC News all the best."
He didn't immediately return a call for further comment.
Phillips was teamed with Jane Pauley, who left NBC is 2003, for much of his time at "Dateline NBC." At its peak, the newsmagazine churned out as many as five episodes a week.
The newsmagazine is probably best known now for reporter Chris Hansen's "To Catch a Predator" series nabbing suspected pedophiles. On NBC's fall schedule, the newsmagazine has only one permanent time slot — on little-watched Saturday night. It will be on three times a week in June.
NBC News has been restructuring to cut costs. Earlier this spring, it didn't renew the contract of "Nightly News" weekend anchor John Seigenthaler.
The Phillips move was similar in that the network is concentrating money on reporting and more versatile personalities. Seigenthaler, for example, was replaced by Lester Holt — who's also host of "Weekend Today." Curry is a newsreader on "Today" and reporter for "Dateline."
LOLOL!
Anytime there’s cuts in the DBM
it makes me all warm and fuzzy. ;o)
Sounds like the kind of thing you do just before you shut down the newsroom.
15 years is a long time in the TV network world. He lasted longer than Seinfeld, and longer than MASH.
Within three years, or thereabouts, I predict.
Play Bingo! Going after the young and restless on Friday nights.
“Ann Curry is a cutie.”
I think she’s the best news-person on television.
She can interview anyone, never have seen her act superior via her questioning. She can be funny and works “on her feet.”
I’m not surprised by this. Most animatronics are terribly expensive to maintain (even the primitive ones like Stone).
Isn’t Stone nearing 90?
I agree with you 100%....she always seems like the real deal...
I saw Stone on TV last night, and mentioned to Mr. TOL how surprised I was to see how “old” Stone looked. Oh well, I guess he will make someone a nice pet rock now. :-)
As opposed to Lesley Stahl & Judy Woodruff...who work 'on their back'.
IMHO I think they dropped Stone because he is not “touch,feely” enough for today’s audiences. People want feeling, the sympathetic sounding voice with personal and pitying sounding words sent out in a pitiable way. Stone reported the story, no elaboration and with no identifying touchy, feely words or body language. In my second humble opinion, I think he is the most handsome man ever to be a reporter for the MSM. Good luck Stone!
I predict they will create a new reality show: "So you wanna be a news anchor?" But we won't get to vote out on the winner.
Close doesn’t count.
I always had the impression that Phillips was just hired for his looks, voice and name. Lately he has been looking much older. Maybe that has something to do with it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.