NBC Drops Stone Phillips

[LENSCRAFTER]

I don't see this as any huge loss. Sorry for him... but I never thought they got their money's worth in this deal.

'Dateline' Anchor Stone Phillips Out at NBC
By DAVID BAUDER, AP

NEW YORK (May 23) - NBC News is dropping "Dateline NBC" anchor Stone Phillips in a cost-cutting move when his contract expires at the end of June.

Phillips won't formally be replaced. His co-anchor, Ann Curry, will continue and other "Dateline NBC" reporters will serve as on-air hosts when the newsmagazine presents stories they're working on, the network said Tuesday.

"It's been a wonderful 15 years," Phillips said in a statement issued by NBC. "I'm profoundly appreciative of the many friends and colleagues, past and present, who have been a part of the `Dateline' family. This is a great news division with a bright future. I wish the people of NBC News all the best."

He didn't immediately return a call for further comment.

Phillips was teamed with Jane Pauley, who left NBC is 2003, for much of his time at "Dateline NBC." At its peak, the newsmagazine churned out as many as five episodes a week.

[Signature on File]

So he was "dropped like a rock".....err.... make that a stone! graemlins/eusa_doh.gif

[rootboyslim]

Long overdue. All he did was intro stories. Biggest cake job in the history of TV.

[Brain Cramp]

It's funny, because I watched Dateline last week (first time in a looooong time) and thought to myself, "Gee, I forgot all about Stone Phillips. Man, he's kind of a dinosaur, isn't he? Real old-school in his anchor-man delivery and controlled movements ... almost robot like. I can see why he was never considered for Nightly News. Wonder how how long he'll have a career?" Yes, I really had those thoughts. Does anyone know how old he is? I mean, can he retire and live comfortably now or will he have to intro scandal stories on Access Hollywood for the next ten years?

[LENSCRAFTER]

Originally posted by Brain Cramp:
Does anyone know how old he is? I mean, can he retire and live comfortably now or will he have to intro scandal stories on Access Hollywood for the next ten years?He'll be 53 this year. He should be fine.

[Focker]

I'm not a fan of anyone losing thier job. That said,

HALLELUJAH!

No more arrogant head nodding! No more having to see/hear, "I'm Stone Phillips (**pause, nod head a couple times**) Good night." AARGH graemlins/face_banghead.gif graemlins/face_banghead.gif Like he's saying, "Yep, I'm Stone Phillips, that's right, baby. All's right with the world." graemlins/face_banghead.gif graemlins/face_banghead.gif

OK, I'm off the soapbox now (and no, I'm not jealous).

[Spx Guy]

...as a viewer, I didn't mind him at all...

[TVMattNYC]

*YAWN*

[Produce man]

He's taking Rosie's job.

[TheGreenJacket]

It's sad when the height of your career is an impersonation of you on SNL. Rob Lowe was a killer Stone Phillips. "Trampolines...child's playest or backyard death trap?"

[wxgeek]

If Chris Hansen turns up dead in the next few weeks, we'll know where to look for our suspect now, won't we. Seems like Dateline has been nothing but "The Chris Hansen Pedophile Extravaganza Hour" for some time now.

[Lazlo Toth]

Wasn't Stone Philips a big time football player somewhere once?

[Produce man]

If he was it was probably a flag football league.

[aphia]

Yale football quarterback all Ivy.

[Diplomat]

Originally posted by Spx Guy:
...as a viewer, I didn't mind him at all...Me neither. Maybe he came across as too old-school for some but I always liked his work. Compared to Keith Olbermann and David Gregory, Stone seems extremely humble. And compared to Brian Williams, he seems very animated to me.

[WalMartNation]

Originally posted by U of Md Terps--Let's go Maryland:
Long overdue. All he did was intro stories. Biggest cake job in the history of TV.I kinda thought that myself. If you aren't getting your hands dirty at least sometimes... you better not be making too much money or the axe will fall sooner rather than later.

[Fake Post]

Originally posted by aphia:
Yale football quarterback all Ivy.Kinda like him?

http://www.craigbrandon.com/05%20green%20man.JPG

[Lazlo Toth]

So have there been any ripples from them dropping Stone?

[2:30]

Stone got his start as Roone Arledge's personal assistant. No kidding.

A number of us always considered his success another triumph of the pretty and the connected over the talented - but he's had a great run... and it's a sign of how NBC is moving towards cutting costs, no matter what.

It's not that he was doing a bad job - they just figured they could do it cheaper.

[Sharon]

Good...Stone is gone...
Never really could watch him..
STIFF STIFF STIFF...
Now,NBC can bring back John Seigenthaler... graemlins/iloveyou.gif John!!!

[ May 26, 2007, 11:33 PM: Message edited by: Sharon ]

[rootboyslim]

Originally posted by 2:30:
Stone got his start as Roone Arledge's personal assistant. No kidding.

A number of us always considered his success another triumph of the pretty and the connected over the talented - but he's had a great run... and it's a sign of how NBC is moving towards cutting costs, no matter what.

It's not that he was doing a bad job - they just figured they could do it cheaper.What was he doing, seriously? Did he ever voice a story or just anchor intro them? That is all I saw of him.

[Disillusioned Newsie]

So what happened here was that NBC got its stone removed.
graemlins/horse.gif

[wxcaster]

That's true what the above poster said...he had a total cake job, just introducing other ppl's work. No matter how big your name is those jobs are not going to cut it in this new broadcast world.
My suggestion: Give him the Price is Right
JK!!!

[TheGreenJacket]

Stone Phillips was the Hugh Downs of the 21st Century. Intro this, turn to the more talented anchor and ask, "What award winning, high quality did you do while I was plucking my eyebrows?"

[Diplomat]

Originally posted by TheGreenJacket:
Stone Phillips was the Hugh Downs of the 21st Century. Intro this, turn to the more talented anchor and ask, "What award winning, high quality did you do while I was plucking my eyebrows?"Somehow, I don't see Stone Phillips hosting "Concentration."

[ZuZu's Petals]

Originally posted by Focker:
I'm not a fan of anyone losing thier job. That said,

HALLELUJAH!

No more arrogant head nodding! No more having to see/hear, "I'm Stone Phillips (**pause, nod head a couple times**) Good night." AARGH graemlins/face_banghead.gif graemlins/face_banghead.gif Like he's saying, "Yep, I'm Stone Phillips, that's right, baby. All's right with the world." graemlins/face_banghead.gif graemlins/face_banghead.gif

OK, I'm off the soapbox now (and no, I'm not jealous).Ha ha. His odd nod always bugged me too.
I always thought he was nodding to the voice in his ear. Should be broken of that habit by now.