*Former “Today” co-host Bryant Gumbel is not holding his tongue over the show’s decision to bring in Sarah Palin as a co-host last week.
Gumbel, who led the show for fifteen years and returned to “Today” for its sixtieth anniversary reunion show, told CNN’s Howard Kurtz that he was “embarrassed” by the move.
NBC brought in Palin to counter Katie Couric’s week-long stint on rival “Good Morning America.” Palin’s one-day gig helped top the ABC show. She was both interview subject and host during her Tuesday appearance, shifting from heated denunciations of Barack Obama to light-hearted conversation with Tori Spelling.
Bryant Gumbel attends the "TODAY" Show 60th anniversary celebration at The Edison Ballroom on Jan. 12, 2012 in New York City
Gumbel had more choice words about the state of the morning shows.
Hosts “used to be judged not just on their popularity level but the extent to which they were capable of interviewing someone or reporting on a situation, or able to have a degree of gravitas,” he told Kurtz. “Now that is secondary to being popular.”
I agree with Bryant. It was such a horrible move and disrespectful to the real journalist.
It was a horrible move. Today show lost it’s class act status as far as I’m concern. Sarah has no class and no substance.
C’mon now…you must know that “real journalist” is an oxymoron these days.
“She was both interview subject and host during her Tuesday appearance”
I wonder what he thinks about Sharpton hosting/being the subject on MSNBC .
Al Sharpton can read the The New York Times and understands World Events. Watch Game Change on HBO or rear the book to see another side of Sarah Palin.. That was scary that Sarah almost got into The White House.
I agree with Mr Gumbel, Palin brought absolutely nothing of value newswise to the show that day. It was a waste of air time ot have her on there to begin with, she still is not knowledgable on current affairs. LOL!!
Read the book………
Sarah Palin didn’t ‘almost’ get into the White House.
Selecting this pig with lipstick also reveals NBC political ‘leanings’.
yeah, I was somewhat surprised that NBC would select her. One would assume that they were left leaning, considering MSNBC lineup. But I guess they were just filling a void left by Fox.
“Since Fox already got the right wing audience covered, let’s go for the left. And while we are at it, let’s also go for the blacks.”
All that ‘theGrio’ shyt is just them pandering to and pimping black people.
Fake azz mofos.
Bryant Gumble is right. I agree4 with his comment.
I applaud Bryant Gumbel for simply being honest about his reaction to Sarah Palin hosting the show. For some reason, many, many people – inside and outside of politics – have been reluctant to speak with total candor about Palin. It seems to me the only reason Palin is still in the news at all is that she attracts higher ratings, perhaps. That’s it. She was one of the most unqualified, embarrassing, horrible vice presidential candidates in modern history. She never backs up what she says. She cares more about simply getting attention than why she’s getting attention. She’s supeficial, empty, reckless in her remarks about others, including the President. She does not deserve to be on television. So, thanks to Bryant Gumbel for being willing to speak the truth — -unlike some other celebrities, politicians and political commentators.
I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. I thank Bryant Gumbel as well being honest and willing to speak the truth. I was totally embarrassed watching Palin on CBS could not understand why she was invited to be on the today show. It was awful she did not add anything to it, her opinions were full of hot air, which is truly her makeup. Thank God she did not quote anyone, try to present any facts that were not true or spell any words she chooses to repeat in the dictionary. What surprises me the most are the people that follow her, that cannot see the forest for the trees. CBS should also be embarrassed by having her on their show, hope they were happy with there ratings. It most certainly made me turn the channel and realize something about them as well. I would rather watch ABC.
Are you people kidding me?? Like her or hate her, since when has ANYONE in the press and, especially, Hollywood, been reluctant to viciously attack Sarah Palin??!! Perhaps she wasn’t the most qualified vice presidential candidate, but she certainly had more experience than the person YOU elected PRESIDENT. He is the least qualified person to EVER hold the office — and STILL you sing his praises!
bryant gummbel embarrases me, the racist jerk.
Considering that she’s not very literate and used it as a platform to excoriate the media and standing leaders, she had no business there. Maybe the Kathie & Hoda version but not the main ‘Today.’
She didn’t help in the ratings. Today always beats GMA however, the gap is closing. Robin Robinson has proved to be more likable than Sawyer among women. Now if they would only get rid of that Judas George S. (Maybe you’ve forgotten how he abandoned President Clinton in his hour of need, but I haven’t.)
Last of the Frozen Chosin and one of the Chosin Few
She’s an embarrassment to the human race!
Sure do! Sarah! (we know it’s really you) LOL