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Stephen Colbert Joins ‘This Week with Jake Tapper’ Chorus

by Tommy Christopher | 9:35 am, February 10th, 2010

» 4 comments

Stephen Colbert interviewed George Stephanopoulos last night, and in between needling George about cooking segments as a path to the evening news anchor chair, he put in a good word for Jake Tapper as the next host of “This Week.”

Colbert isn’t the only fundit® to weigh in on the subject recently. Seth Meyers, anchor of the resurgent SNL Weekend Update, also lent his support to the tenacious White House reporter. Whether ABC News taps Tapper or not, though, it’s about time they make up their minds.

Here’s Colbert’s interview with Stephanopoulos:

Stephanopoulos cleverly deflected Colbert’s rec, consistent with the company line. ABC News has been rather tight-lipped about the search for a replacement, which has so far focused on Tapper and Terry Moran. While the pair match up pretty evenly in terms of qualifications, Tapper has enjoyed a ratings advantage over Moran, and brings demo-friendly new media street cred to the table.

Whichever way they go, it would behoove ABC News (and who doesn’t enjoy being behooved?) to make up their minds, already. They’ve been using a rotation of guest-hosts since December, and every week they delay is a missed opportunity for the new host to build an audience, as well as allowing This Week‘s competitors to press the advantage.

George Stephanopoulos, Jake Tapper, Seth Meyers, SNL, stephen colbert, Terry Moran, This Week, this week with jake tapper, Tommy Christopher

The Real Royal King

The show lost its punch with the deeply compromised Stephanopoulos. Brinkley has been proven very difficult to replace. Tapper is not the answer, nor is Moran. I think ABC needs to look outside itself, perhaps to Gwen Ifill, to remake the show. ABC made the same mistake NBC is making with Gregory. MTP can’t be a Russert show without Russert. It seems to be floundering, as well. Either let Gregory recast the show or find a new anchor. Both shows are shadows of their former selves, and it is a great loss.
ben.kank

Who wrote this Gwen Ifill? What are you trying to put people to sleep? Gwen Ifill is a mega shill and a real snoozer to boot.
da-wdc

I think Tapper would do an excellent job, I hope he gets the show. Seems to me he’s continually asked tough questions of both administrations as WH correspondent, not to mention all the work he puts in with blogging and twitter updates too.
Jim R

I’ve re-thought my former perception of Jake and as long as he presses both sides with strong follow up questions, instead of adopting the MSM MO of allowing Republicans to repeat empty mantras and talking points with no follow up, while hounding Democrats on every minor point – I think he’ll be fine.