Watch Brian Williams Make His Breaking News Comeback on MSNBC

MSNBC probably has a few more viewers than usual this Tuesday afternoon — but they may be mostly media obsessives like the ones who write for this website.

Yes, Brian Williams made his triumphant return to the airwaves at 3 p.m. ET, acting like nothing had changed even though he has barely been seen in public since he was suspended for six months following the uproar over his exaggerated statements about his experiences in Iraq.

Williams had some big news to report: The arrival in the U.S. of Pope Francis I, who will be greeted by President Barack Obama at Andrews Air Force Base at approximately 4 p.m. ET today. What he did not do is make any mention of his own unique situation and somewhat diminished role in the NBC News family.

“Good day. I’m Brian Williams at MSNBC headquarters here in New York,” Williams said at the top of the hour, in case anyone forgot. “In a short time, Pope Francis will arrive in this country for the first time.” He then cut to a discussion with MSNBC’s Chris Jansing, who was on the ground in Washington, D.C.

“This does have the feeling of a momentous occasion,” Jansing said of the Pope’s arrival. She could just as easily have been talking about Williams’ return to anchoring the news.

Watch video below, via NBC News:

[Photo via screengrab]

— —

>> Follow Matt Wilstein (@TheMattWilstein) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!