Media Monitor: Backstage Pass
8/27, 11:45 am MT: NBC's HQ for the Dem convo
NBC's home base for the week is situated behind the Pepsi Center, allowing easy access to the five booths it has set up overlooking the stage. The tents are carpeted with astro turf (a big step up from Hotline's plywood floors).
The space is pretty glam-free, even for NBC's top talent. The humble offices of Tom Brokaw, Matt Lauer and Brian Williams are tucked in the back right corner. Lauer and Brokaw are sharing space, and part of Williams' makeshift floor was accidentally built at a 45-degree slant, making it a little difficult to have a rolly chair. Side note: We found out Williams had recently met with comedian/"Tonight Show" convo corr. Mo Rocca, presumably to showcase his well-known sense of humor (remember "SNL?").
More after the jump.
(KATHERINE LEHR)
Hotline spotted Luke Russert, who is focusing on youth issues as a corr.-at-large, twice (first time in the tent; second time getting ready to go on air with CNBC's John Harwood). We also saw NBC's new DC bureau chief, Mark Whitaker, doing an on-air segment with Andrea Mitchell on the terrace of the Pepsi Center.
Fun Fact: Phil Alongi, the net's EP of convo coverage, will have to set aside some time in St. Paul on 9/2. His opera-singing son will be performing the nat'l anthem that day at the GOP convo.
Un-fun Fact (for her): Ann Curry, acting as the podium corr. for both convos, came straight to Denver from Beijing, where she had been covering the Olympics.
Check back in later today -- we're heading to the live taping of ABC's "World News" and checking out MSNBC's set.
Inside of Brokaw and Lauer's office:
Inside the work space:
View from the "Nightly News" booth inside the Pepsi Center:
Russert and Harwood:
Mitchell and Whitaker:
