Report: Brian Williams Met with CBS in Hopes of Replacing Letterman

TV Tattle

Report: Brian Williams met with CBS in hopes of replacing Letterman
In addition to pitching himself as Jay Leno’s Tonight Show replacement to NBC, the NBC News anchor met with CBS boss Les Moonves about succeeding David Letterman, according to New York Magazine, in an in-depth report of NBC News’ struggles. Moonves, of course, rejected the offer. New York Magazine says Williams seriously wanted to make the jump to entertainment because he “relished the freedom of improv and expressed frustration at the conventions of network news.” Plus, the magazine says Williams “also felt embraced by the entertainment community in a way he never was by NBC’s old guard,” including predecessor Tom Brokaw.

SNL‘s Hillary Clinton shakeup: Vanessa Bayer is out, Kate McKinnon is in
McKinnon debuted a memorable and potentially influential take this weekend on the likely future presidential candidate. Hillary Clinton’s previous SNL impersonator was Bayer, who said last June: “I definitely hope that she runs for president. For a lot of reasons — not just because I impersonate her. It’s just a role, let’s be real.” PLUS: SNL mocks Empire, gives it a white character.

Oscar producers may exit after 3 years
Craig Zadan hinted in a tweet that he and Neil Maron, who produced the last three Academy Awards, won’t be back next year. Zadan then tweeted links to coverage of that tweet. It was unusual for the same producing team to lead the Oscars for three straight years. Zadan and Maron oversaw the Seth MacFarlane, Ellen DeGeneres and Neil Patrick Harris ceremonies.

NBC may replace The Meredith Vieira Show with a View-style talk show
A lot of other panel-type shows have found success, so NBC may reveal its own “View”-style format at May’s Upfronts, according to Page Six.

Which Good Wife cast member got their face licked by James Corden at Paleyfest?
The future Late Late Show host moderated a Good Wife panel that discussed everything from the show’s guest-stars to the possibility of a spinoff.

Anderson Cooper responds to Conan O’Brien mocking him in Cuba
Cooper’s advice for Conan: Cut your hair!

Ex-Biggest Loser contestant’s tell-all book sparks bidding war
Kai Hibbard, who accused the NBC reality show of abuse, is expected to sign a “high six figures” deal for her book, titled Too Fat, Too Thin, Can’t Win.

What does it take to raise a red flag at Comedy Central?
The Broad City and Workaholics stars spoke at Paleyfest of the ideas that got higher-ups worried.

John Stamos goes unrecognized while visiting the house from Full House
“Boy, these youngsters have 0.0 idea what they’re missing,” he wrote on Instagram, standing behind Full House fans flocking to the sitcom house.