Good for you Brian for acknowledging tonight's disaster!  Now, just say it in your next broadcast so everyone can hear it!  It is currently two hours after your show and I am still venting from the experience.  I live in Memphis and am horrified at the crowd noise that deafened your attmepts at a newscast and trampled over the voice of a POW and presidential candidate.  "Listen to it hear" on line is not enough-Senator McCain deserves face time and the American public deserves fair and balanced reporting.  I hope the error was made innocently but I would not put it past a journalist to error on the liberal side nor would I say Al Sharpton does anything unintentionally.

Well it's hardly the worst thing that's ever happened to McCain. :-)

Brian,
Kudos to you for your consummate professionalism, and even more importantly for your instinct when it comes to doing the right thing.  You set an example others should aim to follow.  Anyone who watches live television on a regular basis will understand that sometimes, unplanned things happen when covering a live event.  But it takes a lot of character to publicly apologize to your audience for something completely beyond your and your news team's control.  Keep doing the great job you do, and you'll keep many a loyal Nightly News viewer and blogger.

KB, Fla.

Apology accepted. It was obvious to me that this was, while very unfortunate, not in any way intended and that during the broadcast you had no sense of how bad the end product was. The beginning of this evening's broadcast was not reflective of what I think NBC's quality standards are but that is the price you sometimes have to pay for broadcasting live. Just try to learn the lessons of this evening and keep up the good work!

I am sure the result was intended by a decidely pro democrat group of folks. They betrayed you and the ideal of Dr. King by intentionally drowning out the voice of someone they oppose.

Thanks for the apology. This is what happens on live TV every now and then.

Yes it was bad, but I am not going to loose sleep over it.  I appreciate the apologizes from you and the staff.  I suppose that's just what happens when you're doing a live event - some things are just out of your control, even when you think they are.  

I was feeling bad for Sen. McCain because I really wanted to hear what he had to say.  I wasn't born yet, so I can't really comprehend the full impact of his loss.  As Sen. Obama mentioned, the greatest legacy that Dr. King left us is that the younger generations - I would be the first, I suppose - are more tolerate and embrace his vision without question.  I did, however, hear Sen. McCain talk about how he learned of the assassination and how it hurt because it did exactly what his captors wanted it to do: demoralize them.  In my mind's eye I can only imagine what that must have been like.  

Sen. Clinton's recollections were profound to me, too.  Listening to her talk about how she felt like things could never be okay again helped give me perspective on what it was like those first few days later.  In fact, her description actually reminded me of how I was feeling immediately after 9/11.  I suppose, in their own ways, each event defined a generation and the others to follow.  

Brian -

Just like you to be so gracious and apologize for something that was not your fault.  

I listened and didn't miss any words and was amazed at how professional both you and the Senator were during the noise.

Just put the whole episode aside and don't let it gnaw at you over the weekend.

Nobody is going to blame you.  It was live and everyone understands what happened.

Does NBC think this was done on purpose to drown out Mr. McCain's interview or do you think that it was just coincidental. I just don't think that NBC would do something like this. The exit question, "where is your anger directed"?

Well, Brian, I was going to comment that you should have controlled the audio portion of your broadcast better and that it was pretty bad in the beginning.

However, after reading your explanation, you have my heartfelt sympathy.  Take heart.  Here in California, I had to listen hard but I think I did get what Sen. McCain said.  It was just very distracting with the background noise.

Judith

Brian, it wasn't THAT bad. I missed just one word Sen. McCain said but got the gist. These things happen sometimes on live TV and the Senator seemed to recognize that and take it graciously. I thought he was a trouper about it.

Apology accepted with the understanding and realization it wasn't your fault. Your broadcast standards are much too high for any frequent Nightly viewer to think otherwise.

Relax and enjoy your weekend. See you Monday.

Brian,

As I watched the broadcast I could only imagine the thousand deaths you were experiencing.  Since I couldn't hear what you and Senator McCain were saying (sorry for the reminder!) I had time to muse about how you would handle correcting the situation for the rest of the broadcast and how you would apologize or explain.

Characteristically, your team supplied you with a directional mic which cut out the ambient noise and you carried on in a very professional manner.  And, as I expected, you explained the situation to us here and apologized.

I know it was awful and I understand why the Senator's folks are upset.  These things happen.

What is more important is the emphasis you gave to that special place and the life of Dr. King by doing the broadcast from the museum.  That is the quality journalism I appreciate in all you do.  What matters is the story - sure, we have to be able to hear the story, but things happen; and that is ok.

Thanks for the corrections you made during the broadcast, for your apology at the end, and for your explanation and apology here.  All of your efforts are appreciated and apologies accepted.  The Nightly News team is still the best in the business.  

Good Evening Mr.Williams, You are a true professional and I know mistakes can be made at times. It was terribly unfortunate that you and the Senator had trouble hearing eachother. And it was really difficult to hear Senator McCain. I agree with Joan it was not your fault and I think you and Senator McCain were true professionals about the whole situation. I know if you were truly aware of the viewing experience you would have done everything in your power to fix the problem. You are a terrific anchor of Nightly News! Everything will be fine! Take care this weekend and relax. Peace to you and to all!

We are looking forward to seeing your happy, smiling face on Monday in the studio!  

In the meantime, have an awesome weekend and don't stay up too late watching cable news and emailing people at 1 AM!  Seriously, shouldn't you be getting some rest!  

Oh, Lord, me again...sorry for the double post.   Did you ever figure out who sent you the peanut butter?   Do you have a reporter on this one?

Chill out, people.  Even Ralph Nader wouldn't cry "conspiracy" just because John McCain's interview was drowned out.  It's live TV--stuff happens.  But it hardly matters whether or not Brian's "interview" with McCain was audible.  Once again, this interview (as well as the ones he did with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama) was nothing more than a puff piece with no news content.  David Letterman asked tougher questions of the candidates when they appeared on his show.  For those who couldn't hear it, here's what you missed:  Brian asked McCain where he was when Dr. King was shot (he was in a North Vietnamese POW camp).  Brian then asked McCain what he gained from being in Memphis today, what he'll carry with him from this experience, and if as president he would make race a priority.  Not exactly hard-hitting journalism.  Brian's interviews with Clinton and Obama were similarly devoid of content.  He stuck verbatim to his script, asked no follow-up questions and did not challenge any of the candidates.  If Hillary Clinton had claimed that she was dodging sniper fire on the motel balcony when Dr. King was shot, I doubt Brian would have challenged her (actually, I'm surprised that she didn't make that claim).  These interviews were reminiscent of Brian's infamous pseudo-interview several months ago with Jim Press from Chrysler.  Lobbing softball questions at someone is okay for "Today" or "Entertainment Tonight", but not for a news show.  Brian, you should watch more BBC news.  Then you might understand that it's okay to challenge, or even interrupt, an interview subject.  The presidential candidates are trying to sell us something (themselves).  It's your duty to challenge them--especially when much of what they're selling is snake oil.  Would you believe a used car salesperson who says that the '79 LeBaron they're pushing on you only has 13,000 original miles?  Of course not.  Unfortunately, when it comes to interviews, it seems that all too often you transform from a journalist into Ryan Seacrest.  Maybe you should end your broadcasts by saying "Williams OUT!"

And you should be ashamed of yourself for giving airtime to Al Sharpton.  There were probably hundreds of people in Memphis on Friday who were better suited to talk about Dr. King--people who have genuinely and humbly devoted themselves to his work.  Dr. King's life work was to improve the lives of African Americans, and by extension, all Americans.  Al Sharpton is only interested in furthering his own personal, political and financial fortunes.  He is a hypocrite and a bamboozler and he makes his name by exploiting the very people that Dr. King gave his life to help.  Sharpton was an inappropriate choice to organize the event.  He did not deserve to be on your broadcast; he did not even deserve to be on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.

Dear Brian,

I don't know how your news program is broadcast in other markets, but where I live, we get the live 6:30 feed, via our Baltimore affiliate, followed by what I have always assumed is a taped feed (with occasional live updates or corrections) at 7:00, via our Washington, D.C. affiliate.  I watched at 6:30, and although it was difficult to hear both you and Senator McCain, I got most of the conversation, and was moved by his recollections.  I watched the entire broadcast, including your on-air apology for the audio problems.  I watched again at 7:00, and noted that you were still live, with the exception of the "canned" pieces by Andrea Mitchell, Ron Mott, etc.  The hand-held mike was a vast improvement, of course.  I don't understand why the McCain camp should be angry with you; it was so obviously not intentional.  What anchor in his right mind would purposely try to put forth less than his best on such a solemn and momentous occasion?!  The suggestion is ludicrous....  

The piece by Andrea Mitchell initially annoyed me - I thought the comparison between former President Clinton's Dubai investments, and Senator Clinton's recent objection to foreign management of American ports was ridiculous, and fueled by Ms. Mitchell's obvious dislike of the Clintons - BUT not a few hours later, Anderson Cooper and his roundtable were putting forth the very same implications of hypocrisy.  (For the record, David Gergen didn't jump on the hysteria bandwagon.)  It would appear that some members of the press feel there is a story there.  I do not.

I was very moved by Ron Mott's piece on Best Buy.  Their method of sensitivity training surely makes much more of an impact than just sitting around a conference room all day.  Other businesses should follow their lead.  

Senator Clinton takes a lot of knocks from many of your viewers, but I think we can all agree with her sentiment that Dr. King's works benefitted her, too, as a white woman.  I have mentioned here before that I was able to see a lecture given by Tom Brokaw.  Mr. Brokaw stated pretty much the same thing - that Dr. King freed ALL people from segregation - even whites, because we certainly needed to be freed from its evils, too.  We should all be released from bigotry, prejudice, and racism.

I agree with one of the previous posts that stated that the singing of "We Shall Overcome" at the end of the 7:00 broadcast was very moving.  I would suggest that the incomparable Sam Cooke's words have a place, as well:  "It's been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come.  Oh, yes it is."

All the best.

Brian,

It shows a lot of class to apologize on time that you probably would have been spending traveling back to NY to be with your family-- having to sit down and write a blog about the true definition of live television.

I know for certain you guys didn't mean that to happen at all -- I'm sorry a great moment for you guys and for the viewing audience had to be ruined.

Good to NBC and Good to McCain for coming back for the 7pm feed.

Have a great weekend Brian.

Brian, as I read all these posts, I was feeling proud of all the people who were expressing their sympathy, empathy and acceptance for you and the situaion on air last night.  You and your team are consummate professionals and experiences like this will only stand to make you an even better, "more experienced," professional organization.  That's why I watch you, Brian, and NBC News.

Then I read the last post. I felt that old familar feeling of disappointment as I do when I see/feel the intolerace, rudeness,and judgement of others.  What if we considered the main stream media as just one of many important sources of information?  What if instead it being Brian's "duty to challenge them" (the presidential canidates whom are trying to sell us "themselves"), it was our own responsibility to challenge them?  The time I spend with any MSM outlet each week, I use as one more source that encourages me to ask more questions, seek more info, engage in more dialogue.

If the BBC style of journalism is your preference, that's great.  I enjoy it on occassion as well, but who says it is any better/worse than others?  I appreciate it for being differnt -one more tool to use to broaden my perspectives.  

And BTW, I'm usually much more critical than this.  I don't know if it's the impact of the occasion of MLK's death or what, but I do know that I'm just feeling exhausted by the effort we all expend to beat each other up because we don't/won't understand each other or consider the incredible value of our differences.

If Brian Williams isn't hard hitting enough for you, change the channel.  As for me, see you Monday Brian.  Thanks for acknowledging the challenges of Friday night's broadcast and for learning how you might do things differently given the next set of simiar circumstances.  Thanks for challenging me to think and feel differently on a regualr basis.

Dear Brian Williams:
 Thank You very much for your blog about interviewing a presidential candidate and how strong and powerful the local voice of the people of Memphis is in memory of Martin Luther King, Jr.
I might say that on that faitful day when the world found out thougt network media. The silence it created near the many households accross the nations may only be measured by what kind silence still has sound? Throughout Friday, I took in observation of how restaurant customers on South First Street have to deal with the sound of the leaves blowing in the wind just trying to reach their vehicles.

 The sound of whispering pines and deciduous leaves may just be near deafening when someone loses a close friend.

Sincerely James

Brian,
   I was pleased that NBC gave or rather tried to give live coverage on such an important occassion.  I have done live coverage on Cable stations in three states, even one near the ocean in Marina del Rey and I never experienced sounds that deafening. Conflict in scheduling. Yeah, sure!. I wish that you had gone live inside the museum because all of that "NOISE" was indeed distracting and disrespectful from whomever sanctioned  not "COOPERATING" w/ NBC. That opportunity will never come again especially when the majority of your newscast was devoted to Dr. MLK in prime time. No excuses for such abhorrent behavior!  Thanks for the apology and it was a shame that Sn. John McCain, your audience and others had to endure this insensitive, shameful charade.  Come Sunday & Monday, we'll have to listen to lame excuses from Al Sharpton  et al.

Brian,
Classy thing to inform us of what happened.I really think the justified anger of NBC news and Sen.McCain's campaign should be directed at the ones in charge of and directing the event.It seems to me that you and NBC News  held up your end of your plans.But the ones in charge didn't and should be held to accountable for it.

Classy apology, Brian, but I wonder why the directional mics couldn't have been readily available?  It would have been understood if a sound technician or director was on-camera assisting with the mics.  Thanks for the editing on the website.  In respect to John McCain, the piece surely deserves to be repeated.  The wild and crazy Brian Williams of Saturday Night Live fame should be allowed to ad lib and adjust during on-scene situations on the Nightly News in the future.  Don't feel locked-in by format.  You are already the best in the news business.  Take it another step.  Ask yourself: "What would John Candy have done?"  Have a great weekend!

Dear Brian,
I was at the event actually waiting to have the opportunity to take a picture with you, however you were in the middle of your show live. I was able to see Sen. McCain go back and forth to the tent, but I had no idea that it was a sound problem. As far as for people saying that it was intentionally done, that is a lie. I was right there and there seem to be no concern that Sen. McCain was still there. A lot of people could not see where he actually was. So please stop saying it was done on purpose.

Hi Brian,
It was just by chance that I happened to tape both broadcasts, one from Minneapolis at 5:30 and the other from Seattle at 8 pm. After listening to you last Friday on Newsvine I thought that you had said that you do 2 or 3 broadcasts across the time zones. I never realized that this happened and wanted to tape both just to see if they were different. What a night to tape these 2 broadcasts! When McCain could not be heard clearly my husband said "Brian's going to hear about this on his blog from the viewers"......and hear you did. We know, as you wrote, "would have moved heaven and earth" to rectify the problem. You are an honourable person. I have watched you on TV from your days on MSNBC ...I really miss that hour long show :(
Why are people so quick to attack? It was obvious to me that the interviews with Hillary and Obama were previously recorded. I have NEVER detected any bias in your reporting. You have many supporters as you can see from daily on your blog. We know that you are a man of character. I'm sure that you have thick enough skin (by this point in your career) to let it roll off your back to some extent. However, because you strive to do the right thing everyday (which is not always the easy thing), when things go awry you probably take it to heart. You apologized for the bad audio (not really your department )and it should be over.
On to your time on Sesame Street.Having raised my sons ages 18 and 21 on that great show I look forward to seeing you on the Street. I noticed in the Winnipeg Sun newspaper that Feist had also made an appearance on Sesame Street possibly on the same day as you had been there. You were on SNL at the same time too! The "1234 Tell Me That You Love Me More" song would certainly promote counting, at least to the number 4 and positive feelings!
We will see you on Monday....on one of the broadcasts!

Brian:

The NN team planned as best it could, organizers screwed up, its live TV, s*** happens.

Forget it and move on although I would have LOVED to hear the NN discussions after the broadcast.

McCain's people better learned to deal with adversity cause if this ticks him off, he's going have four very bad mood years.

Hi Brian,
It was just by chance that I happened to tape both broadcasts, one from Minneapolis at 5:30 and the other from Seattle at 8 pm. After listening to you last Friday on Newsvine I thought that you had said that you do 2 or 3 broadcasts across the time zones. I never realized that this happened and wanted to tape both just to see if they were different. What a night to tape these 2 broadcasts! When McCain could not be heard clearly my husband said "Brian's going to hear about this on his blog from the viewers"......and hear you did. We know, as you wrote, "would have moved heaven and earth" to rectify the problem. You are an honourable person. I have watched you on TV from your days on MSNBC ...I really miss that hour long show :(
Why are people so quick to attack? It was obvious to me that the interviews with Hillary and Obama were previously recorded. I have NEVER detected any bias in your reporting. You have many supporters as you can see from daily on your blog. We know that you are a man of character. I'm sure that you have thick enough skin (by this point in your career) to let it roll off your back to some extent. However, because you strive to do the right thing everyday (which is not always the easy thing), when things go awry you probably take it to heart. You apologized for the bad audio (not really your department )and it should be over.
On to your time on Sesame Street.Having raised my sons ages 18 and 21 on that great show I look forward to seeing you on the Street. I noticed in the Winnipeg Sun newspaper that Feist had also made an appearance on Sesame Street possibly on the same day as you had been there. You were on SNL at the same time too! The "1234 Tell Me That You Love Me More" song would certainly promote counting, at least to the number 4 and positive feelings!
We will see you on Monday....on one of the broadcasts!

Lame.

I can't believe your UNION sound techs who have yrs of experience would not have had a hand held mic ready on the side in case the crowd got noisy. I'm sure your editorial bosses have already addressed this but "come on". The union they belong to will of course not hold them accountable for their actions. hmmm, hense the problems with UNIONS in general.

So I'm guessing the Civil Rights Museum can forget about ever getting national media coverage again, huh?

I don't believe it was done "on purpose" to sabatoge McCain's interview, but why would the event organizers tell the media one thing would take place when obviously they had something entirely different in mind?  First rule of working with the media: DON'T LIE.

These folks at the CRM are not media-novices; they know what's required for a live interview i.e. minimal sound distractions. If the agenda was changed they certainly should have told the media who would be broadcasting there. Especially THE FREAKING NATIONAL NEWS. What a screw up on their part.

Do I believe this would have happened to one of the Democratic candidates? Sadly, no. The record of partisanship and bias is too deep and to extensive to earn ready acceptance of your explanation, Brian.

Brian,

This apology is just what is needed but I truly believe you should again mention it in tonight's broadcast for those that do not have access to the internet and especially for those foolish enough to believe that the audio problems was part of a partisan plan to block out Sen. McCain.

Brian -

You did a great job at trying to address an issue that clearly wasnt your fault. I just want to know if something was mentioned to the organizers and will NBC do a broadcast from Memphis next year?

It was live TV. It captured the moment. It actually added a "real" element--especially the use of the "60's-era" microphone.

No apology needed. Glad you thought enough of the moment to broadcast from Memphis. I made it a point to share it with my children.

Keep up the great work!

Brian,

You and the entire crew did a stellar job in a pretty tough situation.  I saw the west coast feed here in Los Angeles. And while it was less than perfect audio, we could hear virtually everything you and the good senator had to say.

A shame the folks in the parking lot behind you didn't honor their end of the deal.

I hope only that you'll continue to take the broadcast away from the confnes of 30 Rock. Your willingness to go out into the field speaks volumes about NBC News. Your insistence on apologizing for something so clearly out of your control speaks much about you as a person.

Looking forward to tonight's broadcast.

Hey, it happens. That's why they call it live TV. I hope it didn't ruin your weekend (though I suspect it surely did).

What I found paticularly interesting and a bit disturbing from the broadcast was the belligerent tone of the speech that was going on during the McCain interview.  I would have thought the speeches would have been reverential on that date and at that place, but it sounded like the speaker was railing away about today’s society and trying to provoke the crowd to be mad.  I don’t recall hearing a speech with that degree of belligerence and bravado in a long time, and it did not sound at all like a speech of tribute to a great man who preached non violence.  So who was it giving that speech?  And were many or all of the other speeches of the same tone?  

Discerning some of the words and the tone of that speech after recently hearing the sound bites of Barak’s preacher makes me wonder what is going on in churches across this country.  I have never in my life attended religious services where politics are preached – not in a shouted voice or in a whisper.  Am I alone in this regard?  Has the news media left us unknowing that such vitriol is being heralded from pulpits of many Christian churches in America – certainly we are told that it happens in Middle Eastern masques.

You and Tim Russert are finallt descending to the level of Dan Rather.  I do not believe "your explanation for one nano-second.  At least please try to avoid such unforgettable forgettables as Rather's: "sleaze factor" and "some sort closure"  I much prefer English and logic on the newscasts to which I am subjected by network "news".  Oh yeah, for Russert: there is no substitute for objectivity.  Sly smiles when conveying your own political point of view are presumably intended for those who happen to agree with you.  No wonder FOX news has taken over as the team to beat.  I wonder when FOX will come up with its own version of "Meet the Press".

Today I heard this on Tom Hartman - Air America:
Someone in the Clinton received $800.000 as payment to lobby for NAFTA on behalf of Colombia. He also received $31m towards his charity. That person: BILL CLINTON.

Brian made an apology on TV and thought that saying I'm sorry would suffice.  He's been told by his bosses that the NBC objective is to elect either a black or woman president.  In Christianity, there is a concept called "atonement".  You can't just say you're sorry, you have to try to make amends for the mistake.  Would it have been all that hard to run an interview with Senator McCain on Monday that was equal in time to what you gave your "preferred candidates"  I think I get more realistic news from Comedy Central.

Brian,
It, was, hard to, hear, but you were, enunciating, so it was, possible.  And I felt sure you'd relocate or fix it somehow.
J.H.

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