NBC's Savannah Guthrie is going to be pulling double duty tonight, March 2. First the anchor was seen on the air for her usual Today show stint and now the network has announced that she will be holding down the anchor desk tonight on NBC Nightly News. This switch comes on the heels of us learning that not only is Lester Holt keeping the broadcast steady in the ratings, but the numbers have also seen an increase in the last week.
According to a report by Mediaite, "Multiple news outlets are reporting this afternoon that Holt, who started covering the weekday newscast after Brian Williams was suspended, is temporarily stepping away to deal with a family emergency."
So far there is no word on how long Guthrie will be sitting in for Holt, but as of now he is expected to return to continue filling in for Williams eventually.
Once NBC confirmed that Williams's memory of certain events was more than a little cloudy and that he seemed to have a consistent problem with integrating himself into the news stories that he was hired to report on, they suspended him for six months without pay. Many believe Williams will never return to anchor another NBC Nightly News cast and that this gig is Holt's to lose. In the past Guthrie has also subbed for the prime-time news program and she is likely thrilled to maybe also get a crack at landing that chance to anchor for good.
So far there is no further word on what kind of family emergency Holt is contending with, but the timing could not be worse for him to need to potentially take an extended leave. Holt has been with the network for the last 15 years and has filled in for just about everyone there at some point in time. Finally, a solid and unexpected move up could be ahead of him if Williams does not return.
Guthrie can clearly handle herself anchoring NBC Nightly News, but do you like her in that spot better than Holt? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.
