celebrity pipeline

BY JAY BOBBIN

Behind Chuck Todd’s ‘Press’-ing departure

Q: Had Chuck Todd’s upcoming exit from “Meet the Press” been planned, or was it a sudden decision? –

Marc Swan, via e-mail

Chuck Todd

A: It reportedly had been discussed upon the legendary NBC News program’s latest change of executive producers, but nothing was definite until Todd announced the forthcoming switch on the show in early June. The timing of the move came as a surprise to many, since such a series usually doesn’t switch its moderator on the cusp of a presidential election season. However, Kristen Welker – who will be Todd’s successor — has proven her chops on the political beat, and viewers being familiar with her in that capacity (and as a Sunday-morning fill-in anchor for Todd on a number of occasions) probably was a giant factor in her inheriting the “Press” role, which she’s expected to begin in September. Though Todd has had his share of controversy during his nine years in the job, there will be sufficient time to salute his tenure there before he leaves and begins serving as chief political analyst across all NBC News platforms.

Q: Is the version of “1883” being shown now on Paramount Network the same version that was streamed on Paramount+? – Jennifer Crain, Marietta, Ga.

A: For the most part, though perhaps with a little trimming here and there for content, since basic cable still can’t do certain things that a streaming service can. One bonus to the Paramount Network telecasts of the “Yellowstone” prequel – which stars Sam Elliott and singing-and-dancing spouses Faith Hill and Tim McGraw – is the inclusion of an extended featurette at the end of each episode, documenting the making of the show.