Sunday talk shows remain vital

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By Jennifer Harper

Such things are not simple.

Some insiders said Mr. Gregory was too combative for the role, citing moments when he openly sparred with White House press secretaries during his tenure as NBC's White House reporter in recent years. Others said his edge had been tempered by chatty, good-natured appearances on NBC's "Today" show.

"Gregory is another journalist to rise through the ranks by bad-mouthing Republicans and defending the Democrats," said Brent Baker of the Media Research Center (MRC), a conservative media watchdog.

But Mr. Gregory said he was "honored and deeply humbled" when he won the moderator derby. These days, he seems even more aware of the programs' stature.

"This show has been an American institution, a treasured platform. I'm the new kid on the block, finding my voice, my comfort zone, trying to be faithful to what this program is all about," he said.

Both the MRC and Fox News were also irked at George Stephanopoulos, who moderates ABC's "This Week." Reports surfaced in February that the newsman and one-time aide to former President Bill Clinton joined in on frequent strategy calls from the White House, chiming in with Democratic heavies James Carville, Paul Begala and Rahm Emanuel.

The MRC organized a petition against Mr. Stephanopoulos. He dallied with Democrats, the group said, "then presented himself as a credible journalist and nonpartisan commentator in reporting about the administration. Such a move crosses journalistic lines, is a clear conflict of interest and must be stopped immediately."

Mr. Stephanopoulos said he simply keeps a steady eye on the task at hand.

"The expanding voice of the media, the flood of daily information it all makes our job that much more important on a Sunday morning. We have an extra responsibility to sift through that information and analyze it as sharply as we can. We want the audience to get a better handle on important issues," he said.

There has been buzz, too, that ABC is beginning to edge up on NBC in the all-important ratings race.