Irreplaceable

Filed under: Media Minute

timr1.jpg

Tim Russert was in a league of his own.

At NBC, Russert was literally doing the job of at least 12 people and it's gonna take at least that many people to replace him.

Just after Russert's memorial service on Wednesday, NBC News president Steve Capus said, "He ran the news bureau in Washington. He hosted 'Meet the Press.' He was our liaison with political campaigns and the administration and every government office in the city, let alone the Vatican and every mayor's and governor's office in the whole country. He hosted a show on MSNBC. He was a senior vice president of NBC News. He was a senior manager within G.E. He was able to brilliantly juggle at least a dozen roles. To think any one person can just step in there is foolish. Tim was truly irreplaceable. That being said, each of those roles needs to be filled."

We'll feel his loss at every turn of the crazy presidential election ahead of us.

    Posted: Jun 19, 2008 at 1:00 pm / Email this  »

    103 comments to “Irreplaceable”

    More comments: [1] 2 »

    1. perez says – reply to this


      1

      RIP

    2. jessi says – reply to this


      2

      first bitches!!!



    3. 3

      RIP Jim Russell

    4. Carin says – reply to this


      4

      I am sure he overworked himself as well….people we have to remember we have one life to live and we have to take care of our bodies, our minds and take time to stop and smell the roses….life is too short!

    5. 9inch says – reply to this


      5

      He was one of those people that nobody had anything negative to say about. It sucks that he has to die and a useless waste of oxygen like Spencer Pratt continues to live.



    6. 6

      Wow I never knew he did so much! No wonder there was a rainbow at his funeral. God bless his family at this time.

    7. lizzi says – reply to this


      7

      My Sunday's won't be the same without him.
      But just let me say,that Luke his son,,,the more you look at him and listen to him,the sexier he gets.

    8. jewel says – reply to this


      8

      I already miss him. What a class act. He was the only political anaysis I listened to let alone understood. RIP Tim, RIP. :(

    9. kbhg says – reply to this


      9

      Irreplaceable is an UNDERSTATEMENT..

    10. Valid says – reply to this


      10

      I know, I know, everybody loved him. But I did not like the way he jumped ship on Hillary Clinton. And I am never gonna vote for O-bomb-a.

    11. gina says – reply to this


      11

      I gotta tell you, I really relied on Tim to tell us like it was with the political aspect of this world. He was fair and honest in his viewing his opinion whether he thought this was what we wanted to hear or not. I will greatly miss him and every one who he sided with should feel a great loss. Tim's words and views were strong and respected. Who am I going to believe now???

    12. FReal says – reply to this


      12

      They could get Corky from Life Goes On and no one would even notice the difference.

    13. ana says – reply to this


      13

      RIP

    14. live4 says – reply to this


      14

      You are sadly missed.

    15. Rainn says – reply to this


      15

      He was just so classy, and I needed him to tell me what was going on in the world in his classy way. Who will we turn to now when it is time to vote?

    16. Denvv says – reply to this


      16

      Maybe this is why he died of a heart attack at 58!!! NBC stop killing your employees!!!

    17. MikeN says – reply to this


      17

      Give me a break, Pigez. I'm sure you never watch the news, let alone know who Tim actually was. I love your false grief for any bit of news that you can throw in here as fodder for your website. You used to have the best gossip, now you're just a washed up has-been pig. :)

    18. Teddy says – reply to this


      18

      Re: FReal

      You are wrong because Corky was not biased and sexist. And Corky doesn't have a maniacal grin at all times. Corky would be an improvement.

    19. Angel says – reply to this


      19

      He was just so likable…the whole thing sucks.

    20. ding says – reply to this


      20

      Ditto that, Jewel.

      I'm so heartbroken. "Loss" doesn't seem to cover it. I can't believe it still…
      :(………

    21. Mario says – reply to this


      21

      -
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      PEREZ IS A BIG FAT OBEZIOUS DOG
      _
      -
      -
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      PEREZ IS SO FAT THAT HE CAN'T SEE HIS OWN DICK WHEN HE LOOKS DOWN
      _
      -
      -
      -
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      PEREZ IS A LAME TALENTLESS GREEDY FAMEWHORE

    22. RIPD says – reply to this


      22

      Having him in charge of so much was such a great idea for NBC! It's always good to put all your eggs in one fat basket.

    23. Monet says – reply to this


      23

      He is irreplaceable, but I tell you, it is no wonder the man had a heart attack, taking on so much. Being involved in something you love it great, he did an amazing job, but there is point when you need to slow down and take care of yourself.

    24. Susan says – reply to this


      24

      This is very sad. I know exactly what his family is going through right now. My Dad passed away 3 weeks ago and it is one of the hardest things to have to deal with. Tim Russert was a favorite of my Dads for a while now. I just hope they get to meet in heaven. My Dad would love that. My condolences to the Russert family. God bless. RIP Tim.

    25. ann says – reply to this


      25

      God bless him.

    26. Teena says – reply to this


      26

      My whole life has turned into a dark downward spiral since last Friday. The only bright spot was seeing his amazing and well-spoken son hugging his classy chair on one of the 136 hours of coverage this has gotten on MSNBC. The only comfort I have is in knowing that this legend and genius will not be forgotten for at least another week and a half.

    27. Robin says – reply to this


      27

      No wonder he had a heart attack!!!

    28. bleed says – reply to this


      28

      I was a big fan of Russert. He was a class act but he was also a big wuss when it came to asking hard questions and standing his ground on important issues. Contrary to what the media says, he got totally schooled by David Duke and many others. Even whiney Chris Matthews stands up for himself. Matthews will most likely replace him.

    29. cep says – reply to this


      29

      RIP

    30. Grego says – reply to this


      30

      I miss Him so much that I am thinking about taking my own life so we can be together in Heaven. I won't do it though because I know that Tim was one of the best Catholics ever and He would disapprove. I will keep praying for the Lord to take me because Tim would say that that's ok and I think He will like me when I get there.

    31. KateZ says – reply to this


      31

      We have lost the classiest man to ever grace our tv sets and we need to stand together as a nation to pull through this most difficult time in our history.

    32. Petey says – reply to this


      32

      Re: Robin

      I know! He was such a fat pig!

    33. murie says – reply to this


      33

      isnt that jr from dallas?

    34. G1488 says – reply to this


      34

      russert was a sexist pig. Let's not forget how Saturday night live made fun of him in the debates

    35. MmHmm says – reply to this


      35

      Re: bleed
      Yeah, he wasn't all that. These people are full of shit. MSNBC has them programmed through endless coverage. Reporters want to be rock stars now instead of just doing their job, so they are trying to make one of their own into some kind of legend to make them all seem more important. Lame ass fucks.

    36. cherr says – reply to this


      36

      THAT IS WHY HE DIED!!!! he was working the amount of work for 12 persons, but also he was trying to handle the STRESS OF 12 PERSONS!!!

    37. Kunte says – reply to this


      37

      Why'd they put a tie around that Chinese phone book?!?

    38. grape says – reply to this


      38

      Re: cherr

      And the weight of 12 persons!!!

    39. chach says – reply to this


      39

      wow,, doing the work of 12 people? no wonder he died,,,,
      you cant burn the candle at both ends for too long, or it will catch up to u! I will miss him, I am so sorry hes gone, he was a candle in the wind, an honest, hardwokring down home guy and my heart goes out to his family. That rainbow at his funeral and the song on his IPOD,,, is just too strange,, I hope that was his way of saying he reached his pot of gold and that there is hope for this world, cause they way its going it looks a little shakey!

    40. SAD says – reply to this


      40

      Jim Russell was the classiest guy ever! If you don't love him then you don't know him and you never saw him on his show!! I would rather miss chuch on Sunday than miss Jim interviewing all those people he interviewed! We will all miss you Mr. Russell. RIP

    41. bombo says – reply to this


      41

      no wander he died of a heart attack… too much work!

    42. india says – reply to this


      42

      YUCK! INDIA?? IM INDIAN AND IM SAYIN INDIANS SUCK..WHEN I GRADUATE IM GETTIN SKIN CRAFTIN , SURGERIES AND CHANGE OF NAME DONE/DIE CUZ INDIA N INDIANS SUCK N ALL THEY DO IS FUCK/REPRODUCE (MORE CRAP LIKE THEMSELVES) ..

    43. becky says – reply to this


      43

      From feeling shocked and saddened that he died when I first heard of it the day that he died, I am now just about UP TO HERE WITH THE WHOLE THING! Has be been proclaimed a saint yet? My GOD! Enough already! ENOUGH!! My God!

    44. TRFan says – reply to this


      44

      He really was a candle in the wind. A port in a storm, a light in the attic, the silver lining to the political cloud. When Elton John got up and sang at his funeral, I cried so hard that I spilled the bottle of Baileys I had on my lap and had to just drink Jameson's for the rest of the show, so I know how bad his family must feel. :(

    45. cici says – reply to this


      45

      He was the only the political commentary I listened to or who could make me give half a damn. God rest your soul, Tim Russert. My condolences to his family.

    46. Perez says – reply to this


      46

      I'm writing a book about the day he died and I am going to be interviewing celebrities to ask them where they were when they heard about the tragedy, how he touched their lives and how they're going to try to pick up the pieces and move on.

    47. Mrs. says – reply to this


      47

      I am sorry for his family and loved ones. Seems to me his heart may have given out because he worked too damn hard.

    48. Armen says – reply to this


      48

      R.I.P to a great man and a great dad! His son's speach was just right. You know he is Fathers Son!

    49. nat x says – reply to this


      49

      what a guy, truly special
      rip tim
      x



    50. 50

      RE: Doing the job of 12 people.

      He's dead right?

    51. Rhond says – reply to this


      51

      NBC can't replace Tim Russert, because they don't have anyone that is of his caliber. Russert had grace, manners and was smart. Who at NBC fits that bill? Nobody.

    52. just says – reply to this


      52

      HE LIVED HIS LIFE WITH HONOR AND INTEGRITY !!! It's amazing to see how many lives he touched - just by being HIMSELF !! A great man - and a great show !! As people say, my sunday's will never be the same !!! I wish there were more men like him in this world ! RIP - and God bless your family.

    53. Nuhuh says – reply to this


      53

      Re: india – #42 "India" Yeah, right, and then you woke up asshole. You're about as Indian as I am dickwad. Let me clue you in on a few things going outside of that trailer that your fat ass sits in all day. I'm not talking about those assholes that you get over the phone for tech support, but many of the indians who are used as "oursourcing" for things medical, analytical, and mathematical…THEY'RE RUNNING RINGS AROUND MOST OF THE ILLITERATE PEOPLE IN THE USA. Those of us who give a damn have to work our asses off to keep up, and the rest of you cretins couldn't care less as long as the beer is cheap and the trailer stays up on its blocks. Don't think for a minute all they do is lay around and procreate. All they do is work in American jobs, taking over more and more every day. That's reality you fat piece of trailer shit.

    54. LeeLe says – reply to this


      54

      God bless him. He was truly a remarkable man.

    55. nicol says – reply to this


      55

      Probably not the best statement to make… Maybe they shouldn't have let him do so much, maybe that's in part what caused his death… so sad, what an amazing man to lose, my heart goes out to his family and especially his courageous son

    56. Jasmi says – reply to this


      56

      Re: 9inch – AGREE with you 100%. I kept saying to myself. Tim Russert's dead. Dick Cheney still lives…..God help us.

      On a lighter note, that rainbow at the end…..oh. my. goodness. I saw that and just kept saying Oh this has to be photoshopped! LOL!! :) That is simply amazing!

    57. Dene says – reply to this


      57

      These are the kind of people who burn brightly but ultimately crash. With his schedule, which must have included stress with all those roles he had to fulfill, he probably made little time for exercise, likely too exhausted when he did get a bit of free time. He perhaps grabbed a burger on the run which wouldn't have been healthy. It's a deadly combo and has killed more than one person I know.

    58. polly says – reply to this


      58

      wut an ugly fuck! he said he was an indy but we all know he was a self righteous left wing lib

    59. Richi says – reply to this


      59

      I liked Tim Russert a lot, but he died because of all the work that he had in his plate. Bad NBC for not taking good care of a great performer and abusing him and work him to death…

    60. ken says – reply to this


      60

      geez….I wonder what killed him?

      Do you think maybe he was doing TOO MUCH!

    61. Carly says – reply to this


      61

      He's as fucking replacable as the batteries on my vibrator and not nearly as fun. Fuck him and his family. Get off the fucking airwaves you cunt and go suck Jesus' cock and Mary's snatch and Popr John Paul II's ass in "HEAVEN" and let us all go back to watching our reality shows and soap operas. FUCK! BIG FAT FUCKING DEAL! He's dead. Go shove his rainbow up your asses and cunts you bunch of fucking idiots! Xoxoxoxox :) :) :) Happy Thursday Carlie Gurl from North Long Beach

    62. Candy says – reply to this


      62

      That is why he is dead!! He was so frigging stressed doing that job, not eating right . . . It actually is a backhanded compliement, if you ask me.

    63. workt says – reply to this


      63

      Gee, NBC worked him to death!

    64. rik says – reply to this


      64

      Re: Carly – u need to pull that jackhammer outta your ass honey. ill put something there that feels good.

    65. Brkaw says – reply to this


      65

      A rainbow at a funeral is a sign that the guy was a total FAG!!

    66. crkpy says – reply to this


      66

      Re: Carly

      Dumbass, batteries are WORTH something.

    67. wooho says – reply to this


      67

      God bless him. Tim was a great man who we will all miss. It's not surprising that he worked so hard. It will be very hard indeed for NBC to replace him if they can at all.

    68. penal says – reply to this


      68

      Having lost my dad at 50 yrs old and his dad at 54 years old from heart attacks…i really feel for his family. It's just reading all his accomplishments and roles he had, how did he have time for his family? This is going to leave a HUGE hole in their lives. Losing someone with such a big role in life is going to be extremely difficult for them. I'm glad that at least he had recognized that he had heart issues and was trying to take care of them, but it wasn't enough to prevent his death. Too sad…

    69. OHMY says – reply to this


      69

      Re: Carly – I hope to God you are a snot nose kid on some major crack. You may not beleive in "HEAVEN" but KARMA is bitch. You are trash.

    70. Atika says – reply to this


      70

      "He was doing the job of 12 people" - duh, maybe that's why he got a heartattack ;-) There's nothing cool about overstressing and overworking yourself…R.I.P.

    71. kara says – reply to this


      71

      i loved tim russert, he was the only journalist that i watched religiously on sundays, and it is a testament to how he lived his life when you look at the spectacular job he did with his son; he will be so missed…..especially in this historic time in politics

    72. lj says – reply to this


      72

      He's one of a kind and the type of person we need more of. His memorial service was excellent but heart wrenching. All of the speakers were right on target. I just read that his wife is 65 and he was 58. I didn't realize that. Maybe all of those extra responsibilities were part of the cause of his death. I'm surprised that they didn't know that he had an enlarged heart.

    73. demad says – reply to this


      73

      Perez,

      Did you ever WATCH MTP, or EVEN KNOW who Tim Russert was before his death? You are such a political poseur. STick to mindless Hollywood gossip.

      Please.

      RIP TIM

    74. lj says – reply to this


      74

      His doctor said that he passed a stress test in April. He didn't say what kind it was. They say the the kind when you run on a tread mill isn't very reliable. His wife had an esp moment before he left Italy. She said to him something like"I might not see you again". How sad.

    75. Lee says – reply to this


      75

      Sad for Tim's family and the truly intelligent and patriotic citizens (not you poseurs). Sadder still that Perez thinks it appropriate to appropriate this story for his slag rag.

    76. Hey says – reply to this


      76

      No wonder the guy died of a massive heart attack at age 58,its all work no play,sorry but the dude pretty much had it coming to him,he didn,t even go on holidays with his wife and kid.People,the world doesn,t need you 24/7,.Im just sad it wasn,t Ed McManon that croaked

    77. lojak says – reply to this


      77

      Re: penal

      How many weeks did MSNBC run tributes for when your dad died? Don't tell me they didn't care and that it only matters when one of them dies?

    78. Lynet says – reply to this


      78

      Didn't watch any of his programs but did see an interview where he taked about his book and the love he had with his father. What a special man to come out and tell everyone how special his father was to him. I adored this guy from that point. What a loss to everyone that he and his twinkling eyes are gone. RIP

    79. chaun says – reply to this


      79

      Hey, he's dead…..and buried. So long.

    80. AnneE says – reply to this


      80

      Sounds like NBC killed him. They should have taken better care of him and not let that HUGE amount of responsibility rest on his shoulders alone.

      So I'm laughing at NBC right now…Hypocritical idiots. Like my grandfather used to say, the cementery is full of irreplaceable people. They'll figure out what to do. It's Tim (and his family) who are screwed now.

    81. Amy says – reply to this


      81

      FReal says – reply to this 12They could get Corky from Life Goes On and no one would even notice the difference.

      HOW DARE YOU! MAKING COMMENTS LIKE THAT ABOUT THE SPECIAL NEEDS SHOWS HOW IGNORANT YOU ARE! MAKING FUN OF THE HANDICAPED SHOWS HOW POOR YOU WERE RAISED. AND MAKING COMMENTS ABOUT THE DEAD IS AWFUL. TIM WAS 1 IN A MILLION.

    82. fhita says – reply to this


      82

      Russert got the war his GE bosses wanted. He wasn't a journalist but he was a salesman, and apparently a good one. Over 4500 Americans have been served, and over a million Iraqis.

    83. choco says – reply to this


      83

      Tim Russert was THE best, i'm devastated over his death. It's comforting to know that his son is going to be ok, and i don't think Perez Hilton should be commenting about this at all! With all due respect Perez, your name should not be mentioned in the same sentence as Tim Russerts'.

    84. Russe says – reply to this


      84

      Maybe he can stay in Reagan's suite in hell.

    85. 4:20 says – reply to this


      85

      I'm really going to miss you, Tim. I didn't understand all the political mumbo jumbo but you made it easy to understand and didn't b.s. the viewers unlike the political interviewees on the show. He was such a class act and genuinely seemed like a kind, sincere and gentle human being. Rest In Peace, My Friend.

    86. Ayla says – reply to this


      86

      Tim was a wonderful and fair man. He lived life with gusto! He loved his god, his family, his friends and his job. He was a fair interviewer who never ever let his own opinion get in the way. He never said whether he was not Independent, Democrat or Republican (although he did work for the republican party in his early years). My Sunday mornings will never be the same. I've watched this show for so long. I'm pretty sure that Chris Matthews who is a local will inherit the position. RIP Timmy



    87. 87

      RIP :[

    88. blues says – reply to this


      88

      No wonder he got a heart attack!!

    89. FReal says – reply to this


      89

      Re: Amy

      You're an idiot. I think they look alike. If you think that's an insult to either one, you better look at your own biases and prejudice against special people. You racist hatemongering bitch.

    90. USA says – reply to this


      90

      OMG! Did he die?? I totally hadn't heard!! You'd think it would have been on the news or something. Wow.

    91. P says – reply to this


      91

      I loved it when he came on the Today Show in the mornings to re-cap everything I missed the day before. I will miss him.

    92. peff says – reply to this


      92

      THATS WHY HE HAD A FUCKING HEART ATTACK!

    93. Maril says – reply to this


      93

      THIS is what a role model is! Not Paris, Linds, or BritBrit. Aspire to be like Tim….seriously, it will take you much farther in life.

    94. Maril says – reply to this


      94

      Re: FReal – STFU you ignorant douche

    95. Ca Gi says – reply to this


      95

      I watched Meet The Press every Sunday, it won't be the same without Tim Russert. He asked the tough questions with out ranting & raving like lunatic bill orally! He was a class act. Rest In Peace & God Bless his family.

    96. lamil says – reply to this


      96

      I'll miss you Tim.
      RIP

    97. Juggy says – reply to this


      97

      He was so "brilliantly juggling" that he's dead now. Good job. Take a break will ya?

    98. MSNBC says – reply to this


      98

      Re: Maril

      Farther? Like a dead and bloated corpse at 58? Yeah, now THAT'S a role model, kids!! Eat your donuts or you'll never be like Tim!!

    99. Olaf says – reply to this


      99

      They better give him his own holiday like MLK is all I gotta say. Tim changed more lives and did more good for the world than 1000 MLK's rolled into one.

    100. anon says – reply to this


      100

      Doing this amount of work should not be idolized.

      That kind of life is what causes heart attacks before age 60 - in men or women.

      When I worked in law I actually saw two senior partners have heart attacks at work at about the same age as Russert.

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