Is Brian Williams angry with NBC over changes to Rock Center With Brian Williams after the show was shunted over to a Friday night timeslot?
The idea that Brian Williams is angry with NBC over the move comes in part from comments Williams himself made on-air and in part due to a long piece in The Hollywood Reporter about overall NBC goings on.
Speculation that Brian Williams is angry with NBC goes back to a musical chairs situation with Rock Center ‘s time slot. After its debut in November of 2011, the program, originally airing Wednesdays, moved to Thursdays before getting shoved over to Fridays. Many Hollywood types believe the most recent time slot shift does not bode well for Rock Center.
The THR piece alleging Williams is displeased with NBC explains that a remark made by the anchor on February 8 seemed a bit snippy, saying:
“But NBC brass might have upset Williams with the move … He closed Rock Center on Feb. 8 with a segment characterizing Friday as its ‘latest resting place.’ Sources at NBC News say Williams was angered that Burbank execs did not give the show the promised promotion, while plans to expand it to multiple weekly airings have been abandoned.”
Huffington Post covered THR’ s piece about Brian Williams being angry at NBC, and Alexandra Wallace, executive producer for Rock Center , replied with a statement about the furor over Williams’ remark:
“Brian’s take on our new time slot was truly funny and the furthest thing from ‘angry.’ He made light of our travels through the schedule — and we are all thrilled by Rock Center’s strong ratings after our Friday night debut. We look forward to settling down in our new home.”
Whether or not Brian Williams is angry with NBC, the new time slot doesn’t seem to be a bad thing — Rock Center drew 5.3 million viewers in its first Friday night showing.