Brian Williams Begins New Era at NBC Nightly News

On December 2, 2004, NBC's Brian Williams began his first day as host of "Nightly News." He talks about his new role as anchor in his closing remarks.

Transcript:
Tonight a new era begins on this broadcast. But not without a word about the era that ended last night when our friend, mentor, and leader signed off after more than two decades on this broadcast. He has allowed me to sit in this chair in his absense for the last ten years and now hopefully many years more. For those of us fortunate enough to have shared a newsroom and a calling with Tom Brokaw, it was not quite the same around here today. While we will see him around here and so will you, after the most carefully-planned vacation in American history, he leaves us as stewards of the broadcast he presided over and shaped on a daily basis. It is now our job from this day forward to endeavor each evening to put the finest work of this organization on the air. We can do that best by working harder than anyone else, just the way Tom did for so many years. I stand on the shoulders of great people at NBC News. Some are household names, but most are not. It is a honor to work with all of them. Without them and most importantly without my own family, this dream that started in a samll town and in this great nation would not be coming true tonight. Without you watching our daily effort, none of this would be worthwile. So thank you for watching. We'll continue to work each evening to earn and preserve your loyalty. It means so much to us to have you with us as we continue a great tradition starting tonight. That is our broadcast for this Thursday night, December 2, 2004. I'm Brian Williams reporting tonight from New York. Goodnight.

(Aired on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams on 12-02-04)

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• NBC
• Nightly
• News
• With
• Brian
• Williams
• Introduction
• First
• Day
• Begins
• New
• Era
• Tom
• Brokaw
• Farewell

[OMEGA919]

Liberals think he's a republican. Republicans think he's a liberal.

I think that's the sign of a perfectly unbiased reporter.

[ktrkhoustonfan]

i really dont give a damn what he is, he's a damn great anchor..

[enoching7]

is it really brian williams on 30 Rock?

[extragoodwill]

@ktrkhoustonfan he's the man 

[extragoodwill]

@OMEGA919 he's the man

[MrBabujani1]

Brian Williams, i know your position but your are stlll a journalist, your comments after sugar associate rep's response. You said "good story" I expected little bit of critism not you side with sugar companies.

[billboardnumber1]

@ktrkhoustonfan better than Kathy Griffin?

[VictorYong36]

one of the best news reporters in the World.

[mhaze210]

Brian Williams was simply born to be a reporter. No doubt about it. He is one of the only reporters that I fully respect, and trust.

He has the biggest heart out there, the friendliest attitude, and funnier than a lot of stand up comedians because he knows that laughter is important during these tough times.

On top of that, he is inspiring, here is a guy who really had no knowledge or education required to be on this program, look at him now...owning NBC like a boss.

[DinkleberryDelight]

His eyebrows are amazing.

[Pigeonification]

@Eleetnessful dood...

[tash734]

@Eleetnessful k.