Kristen Welker’s Quest for ‘Meet the Press’ to Survive, and Thrive, In this Moment

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As a seasoned journalist myself, I find it truly inspiring to read about the dedication and innovative spirit of Rebecca Blumenstein, Chuck Todd, and their team at NBC News’ Meet the Press. Their commitment to adapting to the changing landscape of media and news consumption is commendable, especially in an era where linear television is no longer the sole source of information for many.

Typically, earthquakes occur along the western coast of the United States. However, the recent seismic shift in politics occurred right in the heartland of Iowa.

The Des Moines Register/Selzer poll, which indicated Vice President Kamala Harris was ahead of former President Donald Trump, created a stir in the political arena and forced NBC’s Meet the Press to adjust some of their well-prepared strategies.

Kristen Welker, host of Meet the Press, reflects, “Last night I felt fantastic about where our panel stood, but upon revisiting it today, certain questions needed adjustment in light of Iowa. The preparation is an ongoing task that we carry out right up until broadcast. It’s a dynamic, evolving collection of discussions and interviews that we continuously revise and refine until we go live … Given the deeply divided state of our nation, we have a significant duty to provide context for any breaking news and engage in challenging discourse.

This past Sunday’s episode of Meet the Press deviated from its usual format. Instead of airing live from NBC’s Washington D.C. bureau on Capitol Hill, it was broadcast from New York City’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The reason for this change was that it was the last episode before Tuesday’s election, and the show will be covering the elections from this very same studio where Lester Holt and Savannah Guthrie will be based this week.

In this broadcast, interviews with Sen. Raphael Warnock and Gov. Doug Burgum were brief. The panel of newsmakers, consisting of Chuck Todd (former host of Meet the Press), Marc Short (former chief of staff to Mike Pence), Jen Psaki (host on MSNBC), and Cristina Londoño Rooney (from Telemundo), focused entirely on the election. Steve Kornacki made appearances in two segments to analyze poll data.

On Sunday, far away from Capitol Hill, the show was recorded not on location but in front of a green screen. To viewers at home, it appeared as though they were watching live from Rockefeller Center, thanks to a realistic backdrop displayed behind the anchor desk. Guests like NBCUniversal News Group chairman Cesar Conde watched from off-camera, several with coffee cups in hand.

This episode was the spotlight for “Meet the Press”, a Sunday where politics held everyone’s gaze, an occurrence that isn’t typical during many weekends. Moreover, it arrives at an unusual juncture for the media sector overall, with audience focus split among multiple platforms and political divisions as deep as they’ve been in many people’s lifetimes.

It is a moment that Welker wants to meet.

Initially, Martha Rountree envisioned this show – being the first woman to host ‘Meet the Press’ – as a platform for public education. This core idea remains constant each week,” Welker expressed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter shortly after the program ended, held within the 30 Rock offices. “I often recall a discussion I had with historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, who points out that our media landscape is as fragmented as it has been since the Civil War. This is the last instance she could find in our nation’s history where the media landscape was this divided. Thus, the weight of responsibility we shoulder every Sunday is immense.

Sitting in the control room about an hour before air, Meet the Press executive producer David Gelles runs through the opening, featuring a voiceover from Welker as the iconic theme music plays, interspersed with clips from Donald Trump and Kamala Harris rallies leading up to the days prior to the show. The opening is a table-setter, but Gelles underscores that the clips they choose need to be relevant to the news at hand, not distractions based on what goes viral.

However, this part serves as the foundation for the entire program, establishing the current situation while simultaneously preparing the questions that David Welker will pose to his guests, which include both newsmakers and panel members.

For eight years, I created every segment featuring Tim Russert on the ‘Today’ show. I regarded him not only as a role model but also as a hero. A memorable moment for me was when Tim posed this question to George W Bush: ‘Was the war in Iraq a war of choice or a war of necessity?’ I was struck by its straightforwardness and clarity. It has inspired us to analyze past interviews in order to learn how to ask insightful questions.

Welker asks, ‘Will viewers gain knowledge from this? Could our question be too vague for a clear response?’ He continues, ‘This, I believe, is an interesting conundrum because we’re engaging with experts who are skilled at answering questions in ways that suit their interests.’

“Or evading the question,” Gelles interjects.

As a gamer, I’m always on the hunt for that elusive answer. I want to corner my opponent and claim victory, and that’s the challenge I face every week. But I never rest on my laurels; I’m always analyzing my strategies, refining my gameplay for the next broadcast. After each match, I assess what worked and what didn’t, constantly striving to improve my skills and make my victories even sweeter.

For over seven decades, “Meet the Press” has been recognized by its hard-hitting questions directed at significant news figures. These probing queries, according to Welker, are designed to endure, as they’ve often found their way into history lessons.

One of the main factors that led to Welker getting her current position is her eagerness to dive headfirst into challenging situations. She assumed control of the program 14 months ago, taking over from Todd with the goal of making the show uniquely her own.

Rebecca Blumenstein, president of editorial for NBC News, states that this person is tirelessly dedicated. As a reporter, she’s accustomed to putting in effort to verify information. Even now, she continues to exert herself in the same manner. She’s incredibly energetic and collaborative, often taking the initiative. Moreover, she serves as the chief booker, preferring not to delegate tasks. She values hard work, striving to obtain the story, securing interviews, and preparing diligently for them.

However, Welker and Gelles have adapted the show to better fit today’s media landscape, making adjustments both overtly and subtly, as opposed to the one they were originally designed for or what some in the television news sector may prefer.

Gelles suggests that the novel challenge we’re facing, given the fragmented media environment, is making our content appealing to an audience who may not have been accustomed to this kind of consumption, as traditional linear TV might not be a regular part of their daily habits.

One significant modification made was introducing a fresh section titled “Encounter the Moment.” This part of the program showcases in-depth interviews, but this time it’s not limited to political figures. Instead, it highlights individuals from various walks of life that might not typically attract the show’s regular audience. For instance, Michael Phelps and Ruby Bridges are some of the notable guests who have already graced this segment. Notably, NBC News also publishes these extended conversations separately as standalone content.

You’ve got two options: listen to the full 45-minute chat with Michael Phelps, or opt for the 8-minute broadcast version. We’re presenting this as a potential way to introduce the Meet the Press brand to a new audience. Hopefully, they’ll find us more trustworthy when it comes to election results and stick around. Our business is stronger today than it was a year ago, with Kristen in the moderator role. We now have a clear strategy for navigating this fractured media landscape and ensuring that the Meet the Press brand continues to flourish.

The program has pondered over the editing technique used for interviews, particularly when trimming them for social media platforms such as TikTok. One of these edited clips featuring Senator JD Vance amassed close to three million views.

For both Welker and Gelles, it’s a deeply rooted ambition, as they both highlight their career growth within NBC. In fact, Welker once worked as an intern there, while Gelles served as an NBC page.

Welker expresses that although it might sound a bit cliche, they genuinely have a strong emotional investment in helping Meet the Press continue to flourish during this era when people are consuming news in numerous ways, which is fantastic. They aspire to contribute to its growth.

However, it’s important to keep in mind the current context, understanding that this program is not just an isolated event but has evolved alongside broader shifts in how people consume political news. For instance, the interview with former President Trump last year, as well as discussions with Harris campaign representatives, are all significant parts of this evolution.

Before the Capitol was invaded on Jan 6, 2021, Trump’s first tweet that day was about Todd.)

Gelles acknowledges that we’ve found ourselves in the political narrative as broadcasters, and he emphasizes our heightened sensitivity to this role. He explains that despite this, we can navigate through the clutter by upholding a tradition similar to ‘Meet the Press.’ Since television’s inception, we’ve been on air, and we continue to be. Our longevity, Gelles suggests, is due to the fact that people appreciate what we do – our commitment to fostering difficult discussions and bridging differences between opposing sides. We haven’t wavered from this mission.

“We were once called the 51st state by JFK, we are a vital part of our democracy,” he adds.

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2024-11-04 21:58