KO to anchor MSNBC's "long-form primetime" coverage when the Pope dies.

[Shopaholic]

from www.tvnewser.com:

Pope: NBC's Chartered Plane Awaits...
Conversations with four NBC insiders have painted the following portrait of preparations for the passing of Pope John Paul II -- and it goes without saying that every network is making similar plans:

On Thursday evening, NBC staffers were mobilized, as additional producers and resources were moved to Italy. Post-Nightly News conference calls determined that Brian Williams will stay in NYC until there are further developments. NBC consultant George Weigel, a Roman Catholic theologian, is also on standby to fly to Rome.

NBC has chartered a plane to whisk staffers to Rome at a moment's notice. On Friday morning, the network decided to send the plane tonight, an insider says. The belief seems to be that the world could hear the funeral music at any time.

For Matt Lauer, the last 24 hours have been grueling: After hosting three hours of 'Today' on Thursday, he hosted a new, Schiavo-dead opening for the West Coast. When word of the Pope's condition broke, Lauer headed to the airport -- but was told to come back. Then the plan changed again: By 11pm, NBC expected Lauer to host 'Today' from the Vatican tomorrow, assuming he arrived on time.

Each network has a detailed plan for coverage of the Pope's passing. When the news comes, crews will travel to Rome and locations across America. Many NBC staffers will work extra hours at 30 Rock.

Executive producer for special projects Mark Lukasiewicz will lead the coverage from 30 Rock. Executive director Phil Alongi is already stationed in Rome. (Alongi has said previously that "we'll have in excess of 100 people coming to Rome for the story.")

Staffers are ready for a long month of coverage. Coverage is expected to be wall-to-wall at first, followed by a break until the Conference of Cardinals. After another round of extended coverage, the world will await the puffs of white smoke.

Decisions about the coverage will come from the highest levels. For instance, it's safe to assume that Tom Touchet won't be calling the shots on 'Today:' Neal Shapiro, Jeff Zucker and Bill Wheatley will take the lead.

The coverage will continue on cable. MSNBC will broadcast nonstop live coverage. Keith Olbermann will lead long-form primetime coverage, while Chris Matthews will report from Rome. Expect Chris Jansing to play a significant role, as well.

"There will be the inevitable celebration of one of the great figures in history and all he accomplished in a historic papacy," MSNBC VP Mark Effron told Variety on Thursday. "We will be spending a good amount of time looking at that."

[crispini]

1. Excellent!

Props to KO. I'm sure he'll do a fine job.

[gkhouston]

2. hmm. At first, I was a little surprised that they're sending Tweety

to Rome instead of KO, but I think that's all for the best. I think Keith can do a better job of thinking on his feet and tying everything together in a coherent and respectful manner. I'm wondering if we'll get any hints of what's going on behind the scenes as they select a new pontiff. I have the impression that there's a strong undercurrent within the upper hierarchy of the Church to become even more conservative, even though that would further alienate a lot of Catholics.

[Shopaholic]

3. I think KO has problems flying or something--

possibly related to the head injury he had years ago--he ended up with inner ear and eye problems as a result-it's why he doesn't drive. And Rome is one more long-ass flight. Plus, I think you always want to keep a "main" anchor back home in case some other breaking news story happens.

[gkhouston]

4. ah. I knew he couldn't drive (which isn't an issue in NYC)

but didn't realize that flying could also be problematic. I know that Rome is one more long-ass flight, having flown to Germany, twice, with a small child. (Now that is a long-ass flight!) I assumed Keith was staying behind simply because he's such a good choice for the anchor desk -- thinks on his feet, likely to already have a fair bit of background information at his fingertips due to his personal interest in the situation, and he's good at covering difficult stories (e.g., tsunami, Schiavo) in a way that is sensitive but not maudlin. The sensitive-but-not-maudlin could prove all-important because you know the networks are going to saturate us with saccharine Pope tributes and I'm going to avoid 'em like the plague -- all except KO's.

[WhirlyGirl]

5. Keith always invests stories of this kind with dignity.

I think he'll handle this one with the "sensitive-but-not-maudlin" style you've identified, gk.

--------------
<< he's good at covering difficult stories (e.g., tsunami, Schiavo) in a way that is sensitive but not maudlin. The sensitive-but-not-maudlin could prove all-important because you know the networks are going to saturate us with saccharine Pope tributes and I'm going to avoid 'em like the plague -- all except KO's. >>

[Shopaholic]

6. He is superb at anchoring breaking news event. . .

I've seen him in that situation several times and he is damn good at it. Very smooth--but then again--what else would he be????

[Gogi]

7. Would you really want to listen to Tweety's voice for several hours?

eom

[gkhouston]

8. Snort. No. Fifteen seconds is my limit, but I'm not sure how much

of that is the grating quality of his voice and how much of it is the general vapidity of his conversation.

Still no "Countdown" newsletter, and that's no mystery. I'm sure they're holding off because the Pope's condition is so grave. It must be tough, trying to prepare an hour of live news when someone that important is at death's door. If you prep a whole hour of material and they haven't actually died by broadcast time, you look like a ghoul. On the other hand, if you prep nothing but "regular" news and they do expire, you'd look unprepared. It's like KO's got to write between 1 1/2 and 2 shows' worth of material today and may not know what he's going to be reading until a few minutes before air time. All this at the beginning of what's probably going to be a long weekend for him. I wouldn't be surprised if His Holiness passes in the night and KO ends up working tomorrow, too.

[SharonRB]

9. More KO for us.

I'm sure he'll do a great job and I'd much rather watch him in primetime than Tweety.

[Catchawave]

10. I checked on the Group earlier....

I'm sorry I missed this announcement. Great news, and as always, he's doing a great job...dignity, class, and HOT :}

[_q_]

11. Looks like their choice is paying off!

TVNewser quoted KO's opening montage in its entirety, and followed up with much praise for his coverage.
-q

[WhirlyGirl]

12. Hi, q . . .

. . . So -- do you think the network will reward Keith by nominating him for a News Emmy? I so want him to get one (he already has 5 for sports).

-- WhirlyG