June 19, 2008
Hotline After Dark -- In Remembrance
The 6/18 private memorial service for Tim Russert at the Kennedy Center was televised live on MSNBC. Here are some highlights from the "Remembrances":
Ex-"Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw, opening the service: "I want you to know at the outset that this is a celebration. And we're going to do it Irish style. There'll be some tears, some laughs, and the occasional truth. And as Tim would look out on this gathering, he would say, 'It's wild! Wild!' My family, my closest friends from near and far, the powerful, the ordinary, and the largest contingent of all in this room, those who think that they should be his successor on 'Meet the Press.'"
"Meet the Press" EP Betsy Fischer: "Almost every morning for the last 10 years, Tim would call at exactly 9:00 a.m. and say, 'Hey, Bets, what do you know?' ... What I wouldn't give for that phone call tomorrow morning. ... You'd say this is all part of life. We have to move forward, lean on each other, and cherish all the good times and live every day to its fullest. But, live it with honor and integrity, and always reach down to help someone else up. You'd say take these incredible lessons of life that I leave with each of you and live them as you remember me. And I believe every word because in the 17 years that I've had the great honor to work with you and learn from you, you have never once steered me wrong."
More after the jump.
(KATHERINE LEHR)
Ex-NY Gov. Mario Cuomo (D): "We have lost the benefit of Tim's political wisdom at a time when we need it most -- a time when we're beset with wars, economic failures and confoundedly complicated social issues. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to replace that wisdom. But the inspiration he provided, as an example of the life well led, will be with us all until memory fails."
MSNBC's Mike Barnicle: "Timothy J. Russert, noble, honorable, intensely loyal. He loved and was loved by his wife, his son, his family, his friends, and a huge slice of this great country of ours. He was a boy of summer. He met his wife on a summer day. His son was born in summer. And so it is that we blow him a kiss goodbye on a soft summer evening, this sweetheart of a man who always, always left us smiling."
NBC's Brian Williams: "Two nights ago, Larry King did an hour on Tim's heart, all kinds of doctors and experts. ... Watching all the experts, I couldn't help but think, Why didn't they just ask any one of us? We were all experts, after all, on Tim's heart. We were all recipients of its might, the generosity and compassion that flowed from it. I felt qualified to conduct a guided tour of Tim's heart. All of us did. But how is that it that that heart that sustained so many of us through its good will stopped beating for the one man who depended on it for life? As hearts go, when you think about it, it was more of a shooting star, as it was a vessel for our friend Tim, brilliant, shining brightly, passing before us for just a short time, too short a time, and then gone."
Son Luke Russert: "Earlier today, I delivered my father's eulogy. And I would like to share a few excerpts. I'm sorry to break the news to every charity group and university and club that he spoke to, but he had the same speech for all of you. ... He would just tinker with it a little bit depending on who exactly he was talking to. ... In my 22 years, I have never met anybody filled with so much optimism, who not only loved the good parts of life, but also its challenges. ... He had a great time living, and is no doubt having the time of his life now in heaven. So, I ask you, this Sunday, in your hearts and in your mind, to imagine a 'Meet the Press' special edition, live from inside St. Peter's gate. Maybe Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr will be on for the full hour debating. Perhaps JFK and Barry Goldwater will give their two cents about the 2008 election. And we could even have Teddy Roosevelt for the full hour talking about the need for a third party."
Following a musical tribute from Russert's brother-in-law, Tony Scozzaro, Brokaw and L. Russert made an announcement.
Brokaw: "We have a little surprise. ... It turns out that uncle Tony is not the only musical member of the extended Russert family. In fact, our next guest is so inspired by uncle Tony that he insisted that he have a place in all of this as well. ... The only sad part about this appearance is, this is the one guest that Tim was never able to persuade to appear on 'Meet the Press.' But they were great friends."
Musician Bruce Springsteen: "We want to send all our love and prayers. ... We were always flattered and honored to have Tim as a part of our E Street Band community. ... I think Tim had a real belief in that promised land and in the American idea. ... He also believed, I think, in the honesty of service, the joyful duty of honesty of service. That's his legacy for politicians, journalists, and rock musicians, too. So, I want to send this out to Tim. Luke, this is for your pop."
Springsteen then performed "Thunder Road" (MSNBC, 6/18).
See today's Hotline for more from the "Remembrances."
Posted at 09:12 AM
Comments
I don't get the "canonization" of Russert. Yes, it was tragic, but it's not worthy of the news coverage it's getting. And let's be honest, he wasn't that great an interviewer either. How many times did Cheney show up on his show to spread his lies without any serious cross-examination.
Russert was part of the problem, and exemplifies this cult of personality that the mainstream media has become. I'm sick of hearing the news "brands" pushing sensationalistic opinion as fact, while there are real stories out there that need to be brought to the attention of the American publlic.
I just want news: no opinions, now shouting matches, no "he said, she said" ratings-whoring, no groomed personalities. Just the facts.
"Journalism is dead. Long live Infotainment." It's pathetic!
Frank | 06.19.08 02:19 PM
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Jeez, give it a rest already. JFK only got 5 days.
oy vey | 06.19.08 04:45 PM
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I'm glad they are doing it. Keith Olbermann and his ilk need to see how bad they actually are as journalists. What will they say at Keith O.'s funeral? He knew sports really well, and was a left-wing version of Bill O'Reilly?
J.R. | 06.19.08 07:07 PM
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