It's been a long process for NBC News, trying to dig out of the embarrassment from the inventive Mitty-like mind of Brian Williams, but the New York Post is working the anonymous sources and claims "Sources tell Page Six that Williams will likely lose his anchor chair following the lengthy internal investigation into his alleged tall tales."
"Alleged tall tales"? There's more than "alleged" inventions here, which is why they had to dig deeper.
But NBC brass — led by NBCUniversal CEO and president Steve Burke and NBC News chairman Andy Lack — have been looking for a way to keep him at the network in a different, yet-to-be-agreed-upon role. One source told us, “Brian’s six-month suspension is over in early August, and NBC chiefs are under pressure to come up with a solution. The talks are complicated and are ongoing, and there has not yet been a deal. But it is likely he won’t be back in the ‘Nightly’ anchor chair. A decision could be made as early as this week, if all sides can reach an agreement.”
Industry insiders said NBC News staff, led by Lack, have been encouraged to think of alternative roles for Williams. But we are told the veteran anchor and his hard-charging attorney Robert Barnett have yet to agree and sign off on an alternative role. One insider said, “Many options are still on the table and are still being discussed, including ways to keep Brian at the network, or even for him to leave the network completely.”
It sounds like Team Brian can't bow to a very strong feeling inside the news room that he's not credible any more. Anonymous sources also seem to be chatting with the New York Daily News:
“No one wants this situation dragging out any more than it already has,” a source told the Daily News on Sunday. “But there’s a lot at stake, and both NBC and Williams aren’t willing to give in.
“There’s a chance that Lack will help find a role for Williams somewhere, but there are plenty of people who don’t want to see that happen.”
