I am so sorry to hear this. Not sure why or what is behind his decision.
www.cnn.com/...
Will say, I have come to enjoy his hour on MSNBC, perhaps in some ways, the most of the evening line up---for reasons some will agree with and some will not, so I’ll just leave that there.
Brian Williams played his part in his own redemption. He was sidelined, barely escaping being fired, when it was found he had lied/misrepresented facts (depends on what you read as to which is true) regarding his coverage of the Iraq war.
en.wikipedia.org/…
IMO, he took his “punishment”---being demoted to the “field team” of MSNBC, from top rated network news anchor---and made it sing.
I have found him to be an intrepid follower as well as leader of the news, in that his interview questions are so very well informed in a time when I find other anchors somewhat lazy in their efforts to actually FOLLOW the news and all the research that takes, as much as they feel confident to report the news. Geez, frankly, I often think there are people here who know more than some anchors I see, even on MSNBC.
Williams also has a noteworthy empathic take of a sort that one never saw when he was in his higher pay, higher visibility, role as a network anchor. I have often been set back on my heels by his astute way of asking questions that really get to the “heart” of the matter---his undramatic way of asking the hard questions, with words that suggest understanding. And then, allowing his interviewees a chance to answer in full.
And I have enjoyed the parts of his show that allow him to be a pundit too. He never overplays or over uses that privilege. IMO, he strikes just the right balance.
And last but not least, his wry humor, so dead pan yet so right on. You really have to pay attention, because he slides them past you smoothly and without fanfare.
As Brian Williams signs off with every Friday night “Have a good weekend, unless you have other plans.” Well, I wish Brian Williams a good future, unless he has other plans, and I don’t think he does.
But I will miss the 11th hour. I guess mostly because I can’t think of another news show quite like his. So bravo to Mr. Williams. He took his comeuppance on the chin and made it into something special.